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The three biggies, BJP, Congress and AAP, might be occupying ad space and mind space as campaigning for Delhi's Lok Sabha elections gathers pace but a host of smaller parties have also put their hats in the poll ring -- not to win maybe but just to make people aware that alternatives can exist.

While hoardings of the mainstream parties are splashed across the city, about 45 lesser-known parties such as Anjaan Aadmi Party, Aapki Apni Party, Bhartiya Insan Party and Ambedkar National Congress are also in the list of parties vying for Delhi's seven Lok Sabha seats, raising issues as varied as Dalit empowerment and vegetarianism.

The similarities in some of the names are inescapable, and perhaps not just a coincidence.&nbsp;

But there is also the Sanatan Sanskriti Manch, which is focused on making sure that justice is for all, and has fielded three candidates.&nbsp;

These parties are aware they might not give the bigger political outfits any competition but their representatives said their mission is to ignite a spark and inform people there are other alternatives too.&nbsp;

Dilip Kumar, who runs a laptop repair centre in Nehru Place and is the Sanatan Sanskriti Manch candidate from South Delhi, said everyone should be assured of justice and no one should be above the law.&nbsp;

"The rape cases against (self-styled godmen) Asaram Bapu and Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Insan were investigated thoroughly and they were put behind bars but there is no discussion about the sexual harassment case against the chief justice of India. Law should treat everyone equally," he said.&nbsp;

Kumar said he will also address local issues. The government, he added, has built toilets but there is no water.&nbsp;

"What is the point of building toilets when there is no water?" he asked.&nbsp; 
The Sanatan Sanskriti Manch is also contesting the New Delhi and Chandni Chowk seats.&nbsp;

Also from South Delhi is Navanit of the National Youth Party who believes everyone has the right to contest in a democratic set-up.&nbsp;

"Look at Arvind Kejriwal. He came from nowhere and brought the Congress down in Delhi. Everyone has a right to fight the elections in a democratic set-up and in today's time everyone wants their child to become doctor, an engineer but becoming a politician is a no-no," the independent journalist said.&nbsp;

Kumar claimed he was the one who investigated the Rafale fighter jet deal for the Congress and said the party has 3,000 workers and will be doing door-to-door campaigning.&nbsp;

The party is also contesting from the West Delhi Lok Sabha constituency.&nbsp;

D Durga Prasad of the Challengers Party dreams big. He aspires to first become the chief minister of Delhi and then the prime minister and said he is contesting from two seats - Northeast Delhi and East Delhi.&nbsp;

Prasad, who contested the by-election from Amritsar in 2017, said he chose the Northeast Delhi as it has BJP's "prospective CM candidate Manoj Tiwari" and three-time former chief minister Sheila Dikshit of the Congress in the fray.&nbsp;

He stays in East Delhi and that is the reason he is contesting from the seat against BJP's Gautam Gambhir, Congress' Arvinder Singh Lovely and AAP's Atishi.&nbsp;

"We want a complete transformation of Delhi and want to make it a full-fledged city, the national capital, metropolitan city and state which will control four states -- Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Rajasthan. Cities which form the NCR (National Capital Region) should be merged into Delhi," Prasad said.&nbsp;

Then there is the Pyramid Party Of India, which is based out of Andhra Pradesh and will be making its electoral debut in Delhi by contesting on five seats - East Delhi, West Delhi, Chandni Chowk, New Delhi and South Delhi.&nbsp;

The party recently held a silent rally at Jantar Mantar to promote the concepts of meditation and vegetarianism.&nbsp;

"We have four goals -- telling people about the power of meditation, vegetarianism and enlightening people about self-knowledge and spiritual knowledge," the party's West Delhi candidate Kulwinder Singh Mehta said.&nbsp;

"We wanted to launch the party in north India and it was felt the Lok Sabha elections in Delhi would be the right platform," Mehta added.&nbsp;

Quizzed about his poll prospects, the real estate agent said he has been meditating for nine years and someone has to take a step to become the change.&nbsp;

Also in the mix is the National Road Map Party of India.

Shakeel Ahmed, national general secretary of the party, said elections are fought in the name of casteism and not development. But his party wants to change all that by ending vote bank politics and ensuring the empowerment of Dalits and economically weaker sections of society.&nbsp;

Lal Ji Singh, a candidate from the Akhand Rashtrawadi Party in New Delhi, said the rules of the Chief Electoral Office in Delhi for gaining permission for rallies and public meetings are quite stringent.&nbsp;

He said the online permission portal faces technical glitches and the manual permission takes 48 hours to come by.&nbsp;

The agenda, he said, is to fix problems faced by cart-sellers, decreasing Metro fares and providing free accommodation for students from outside Delhi.&nbsp;

Other parties in the fray include the Anjaan Aadmi Party, Mazdoor Kirayedar Vikas Party, Parivartan Samaj Party, Voters Party International, Sanjhi Virasat Party and Bhartiya Kisan Party.&nbsp;

Delhi votes on May 12 in the fifth round of the seven-phase polling. The votes will be counted on May 23.

The three biggies, BJP, Congress and AAP, might be occupying ad space and mind space as campaigning for Delhi's Lok Sabha elections gathers pace but a host of smaller parties have also put their hats in the poll ring -- not to win maybe but just to make people aware that alternatives can exist.

The three biggies, BJP, Congress and AAP, might be occupying ad space and mind space as campaigning for Delhi's Lok Sabha elections gathers pace but a host of smaller parties have also put their hats in the poll ring -- not to win maybe but just to make people aware that alternatives can exist. While hoardings of the mainstream parties are splashed across the city, about 45 lesser-known parties such as Anjaan Aadmi Party, Aapki Apni Party, Bhartiya Insan Party and Ambedkar National Congress are also in the list of parties vying for Delhi's seven Lok Sabha seats, raising issues as varied as Dalit empowerment and vegetarianism. The similarities in some of the names are inescapable, and perhaps not just a coincidence. But there is also the Sanatan Sanskriti Manch, which is focused on making sure that justice is for all, and has fielded three candidates. These parties are aware they might not give the bigger political outfits any competition but their representatives said their mission is to ignite a spark and inform people there are other alternatives too. Dilip Kumar, who runs a laptop repair centre in Nehru Place and is the Sanatan Sanskriti Manch candidate from South Delhi, said everyone should be assured of justice and no one should be above the law. "The rape cases against (self-styled godmen) Asaram Bapu and Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Insan were investigated thoroughly and they were put behind bars but there is no discussion about the sexual harassment case against the chief justice of India. Law should treat everyone equally," he said. Kumar said he will also address local issues. The government, he added, has built toilets but there is no water. "What is the point of building toilets when there is no water?" he asked. The Sanatan Sanskriti Manch is also contesting the New Delhi and Chandni Chowk seats. Also from South Delhi is Navanit of the National Youth Party who believes everyone has the right to contest in a democratic set-up. "Look at Arvind Kejriwal. He came from nowhere and brought the Congress down in Delhi. Everyone has a right to fight the elections in a democratic set-up and in today's time everyone wants their child to become doctor, an engineer but becoming a politician is a no-no," the independent journalist said. Kumar claimed he was the one who investigated the Rafale fighter jet deal for the Congress and said the party has 3,000 workers and will be doing door-to-door campaigning. The party is also contesting from the West Delhi Lok Sabha constituency. D Durga Prasad of the Challengers Party dreams big. He aspires to first become the chief minister of Delhi and then the prime minister and said he is contesting from two seats - Northeast Delhi and East Delhi. Prasad, who contested the by-election from Amritsar in 2017, said he chose the Northeast Delhi as it has BJP's "prospective CM candidate Manoj Tiwari" and three-time former chief minister Sheila Dikshit of the Congress in the fray. He stays in East Delhi and that is the reason he is contesting from the seat against BJP's Gautam Gambhir, Congress' Arvinder Singh Lovely and AAP's Atishi. "We want a complete transformation of Delhi and want to make it a full-fledged city, the national capital, metropolitan city and state which will control four states -- Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Rajasthan. Cities which form the NCR (National Capital Region) should be merged into Delhi," Prasad said. Then there is the Pyramid Party Of India, which is based out of Andhra Pradesh and will be making its electoral debut in Delhi by contesting on five seats - East Delhi, West Delhi, Chandni Chowk, New Delhi and South Delhi. The party recently held a silent rally at Jantar Mantar to promote the concepts of meditation and vegetarianism. "We have four goals -- telling people about the power of meditation, vegetarianism and enlightening people about self-knowledge and spiritual knowledge," the party's West Delhi candidate Kulwinder Singh Mehta said. "We wanted to launch the party in north India and it was felt the Lok Sabha elections in Delhi would be the right platform," Mehta added. Quizzed about his poll prospects, the real estate agent said he has been meditating for nine years and someone has to take a step to become the change. Also in the mix is the National Road Map Party of India. Shakeel Ahmed, national general secretary of the party, said elections are fought in the name of casteism and not development. But his party wants to change all that by ending vote bank politics and ensuring the empowerment of Dalits and economically weaker sections of society. Lal Ji Singh, a candidate from the Akhand Rashtrawadi Party in New Delhi, said the rules of the Chief Electoral Office in Delhi for gaining permission for rallies and public meetings are quite stringent. He said the online permission portal faces technical glitches and the manual permission takes 48 hours to come by. The agenda, he said, is to fix problems faced by cart-sellers, decreasing Metro fares and providing free accommodation for students from outside Delhi. Other parties in the fray include the Anjaan Aadmi Party, Mazdoor Kirayedar Vikas Party, Parivartan Samaj Party, Voters Party International, Sanjhi Virasat Party and Bhartiya Kisan Party. Delhi votes on May 12 in the fifth round of the seven-phase polling. The votes will be counted on May 23.

Smaller parties in Delhi's election ring, not for victory but to make their points

A special CBI court here Thursday discharged former police officers DG Vanzara and NK Amin from the Ishrat Jahan alleged fake encounter case.&nbsp;

The court allowed the discharge applications of Vanzara and Amin, which they had filed after the Gujarat government refused to grant sanction to the CBI to prosecute them.

Special CBI court judge J K Pandya said that since the government did not sanction their prosecution, their discharge applications were allowed and proceedings against them would be dropped in the case.

Under section 197 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the government's sanction is necessary for the prosecution of a public servant for an act done as part of the official duty.

Ishrat, a 19-year-old from Mumbra near Mumbai, Javed Shaikh alias Pranesh Pillai, Amjadali Akbarali Rana and Zeeshan Johar were killed by the Gujarat Police in an encounter on the outskirts of Ahmedabad on June 15, 2004.

The police claimed they were terrorists and planning to kill the then Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi.&nbsp;

While the CBI had refused to take any stand on the state government's decision to decline sanction to prosecute the two former police officers, mother of Ishrat Jahan, Shamima Kauser, had opposed their applications.

In a submission made through her lawyer Vrinda Grover, Kauser had earlier said that their pleas seeking dropping of proceedings were "untenable in law and unsustainable on facts" and that the state government was "not the appropriate authority" to refuse sanction to prosecute the two officers.

"It is a matter of record that it is the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and not the state of Gujarat, which is the appropriate sanctioning authority in the present case, she had said.

Vanzara's lawyer V D Gajjar had defended the pleas seeking dropping of proceedings, saying the court cannot determine the validity of the sanction order and any review was not possible.

He had said that judicial findings in the case had established that there was no "fake encounter" on the part of the police officers.

Gajjar had said the sanction for prosecution was declined after the state government went through the material on record, examined fully the facts and circumstances of the case.

On August 7, 2018, the court had rejected the discharge applications of Vanzara and Amin, and also sought to know from the CBI whether the agency had requested the government for a sanction to prosecute them, so that the court could frame charges against them and start the trial.

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) set up by the Gujarat High Court had later concluded that the encounter was fake, after which the HC had transferred the case to the CBI.

In the first charge-sheet filed by the investigative agency in 2013, seven Gujarat police officers, including IPS officers P P Pandey, Vanzara and G L Singhal, were named as accused. The court had later discharged Pandey.&nbsp;

A special CBI court here Thursday discharged former police officers DG Vanzara and NK Amin from the Ishrat Jahan alleged fake encounter case. The court allowed the discharge applications of Vanzara and Amin, which they had filed after the Gujarat government refused to grant sanction to the CBI to prosecute them.

A special CBI court here Thursday discharged former police officers DG Vanzara and NK Amin from the Ishrat Jahan alleged fake encounter case. The court allowed the discharge applications of Vanzara and Amin, which they had filed after the Gujarat government refused to grant sanction to the CBI to prosecute them. Special CBI court judge J K Pandya said that since the government did not sanction their prosecution, their discharge applications were allowed and proceedings against them would be dropped in the case. Under section 197 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the government's sanction is necessary for the prosecution of a public servant for an act done as part of the official duty. Ishrat, a 19-year-old from Mumbra near Mumbai, Javed Shaikh alias Pranesh Pillai, Amjadali Akbarali Rana and Zeeshan Johar were killed by the Gujarat Police in an encounter on the outskirts of Ahmedabad on June 15, 2004. The police claimed they were terrorists and planning to kill the then Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi. While the CBI had refused to take any stand on the state government's decision to decline sanction to prosecute the two former police officers, mother of Ishrat Jahan, Shamima Kauser, had opposed their applications. In a submission made through her lawyer Vrinda Grover, Kauser had earlier said that their pleas seeking dropping of proceedings were "untenable in law and unsustainable on facts" and that the state government was "not the appropriate authority" to refuse sanction to prosecute the two officers. "It is a matter of record that it is the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and not the state of Gujarat, which is the appropriate sanctioning authority in the present case, she had said. Vanzara's lawyer V D Gajjar had defended the pleas seeking dropping of proceedings, saying the court cannot determine the validity of the sanction order and any review was not possible. He had said that judicial findings in the case had established that there was no "fake encounter" on the part of the police officers. Gajjar had said the sanction for prosecution was declined after the state government went through the material on record, examined fully the facts and circumstances of the case. On August 7, 2018, the court had rejected the discharge applications of Vanzara and Amin, and also sought to know from the CBI whether the agency had requested the government for a sanction to prosecute them, so that the court could frame charges against them and start the trial. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) set up by the Gujarat High Court had later concluded that the encounter was fake, after which the HC had transferred the case to the CBI. In the first charge-sheet filed by the investigative agency in 2013, seven Gujarat police officers, including IPS officers P P Pandey, Vanzara and G L Singhal, were named as accused. The court had later discharged Pandey.

Former cops Vanzara, Amin discharged from Ishrat Jahan case

Disgruntled AAP MLA Alka Lamba said she skipped the road show of party chief and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in Chandni Chowk on Wednesday as she was "insulted" by her party.

In a tweet, the Chandni Chowk MLA vented her anger and claimed she was asked to walk behind Kejriwal's car while other MLAs were with him in the car.

AAP candidate Pankaj (Gupta) ji's phone came to me and he invited me for the CM's roadshow. I was ready, then another message was sent that I would not be present with Kejriwal in his car but have to walk behind his car while other MLAs would be present with him. I cannot stand this and I decided not to participate in the road show, she said in the tweet.

Kejriwal held the roadshow in Chandni Chowk on Tuesday with AAP Chandni Chowk candidate Pankaj Gupta. It saw the participation of a large number of supporters.

Lamba has been at odds with the AAP for quite some time now.

Earlier last month, Lamba engaged in a bitter Twitter spat with AAP's Greater Kailash MLA Saurabh Bharadwaj, who had taunted her to resign from the party.

Following the spat, Lamba addressed a large crowd outside Jama Masjid and said the party was repeatedly demanding her resignation.

Lamba hit a rough patch with the AAP over its decision to pass a resolution to revoke Rajiv Gandhi's Bharat Ratna. Lamba had raised objections to the party's resolution.

Lamba had alleged that the party leadership was "weakening" her and said she is being accused of attempting to switch over to the Congress.

In December, Lamba said in a tweet that AAP had asked her to support the resolution, which she refused. Lamba then added that now she is ready to face any punishment because of her actions.

Alka Lamba won the Chandni Chowk assembly seat in the 2013 Delhi elections. Before joining the AAP, Lamba was part of the Congress women's wing.&nbsp;

Disgruntled AAP MLA Alka Lamba said she skipped the road show of party chief and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in Chandni Chowk on Wednesday as she was "insulted" by her party.

Disgruntled AAP MLA Alka Lamba said she skipped the road show of party chief and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in Chandni Chowk on Wednesday as she was "insulted" by her party. In a tweet, the Chandni Chowk MLA vented her anger and claimed she was asked to walk behind Kejriwal's car while other MLAs were with him in the car. AAP candidate Pankaj (Gupta) ji's phone came to me and he invited me for the CM's roadshow. I was ready, then another message was sent that I would not be present with Kejriwal in his car but have to walk behind his car while other MLAs would be present with him. I cannot stand this and I decided not to participate in the road show, she said in the tweet. Kejriwal held the roadshow in Chandni Chowk on Tuesday with AAP Chandni Chowk candidate Pankaj Gupta. It saw the participation of a large number of supporters. Lamba has been at odds with the AAP for quite some time now. Earlier last month, Lamba engaged in a bitter Twitter spat with AAP's Greater Kailash MLA Saurabh Bharadwaj, who had taunted her to resign from the party. Following the spat, Lamba addressed a large crowd outside Jama Masjid and said the party was repeatedly demanding her resignation. Lamba hit a rough patch with the AAP over its decision to pass a resolution to revoke Rajiv Gandhi's Bharat Ratna. Lamba had raised objections to the party's resolution. Lamba had alleged that the party leadership was "weakening" her and said she is being accused of attempting to switch over to the Congress. In December, Lamba said in a tweet that AAP had asked her to support the resolution, which she refused. Lamba then added that now she is ready to face any punishment because of her actions. Alka Lamba won the Chandni Chowk assembly seat in the 2013 Delhi elections. Before joining the AAP, Lamba was part of the Congress women's wing.

Alka Lamba skips Kejriwal's roadshow, says she was insulted by AAP

The Defence Ministry will initiate the process to appoint the next chief of the Indian Air Force after the formation of the new government at the centre.

"There are still five months left for the present Chief Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa to retire from service as he is scheduled to retire on September 30 this year. The process to appoint the next chief would be initiated after the formation of the new government at the centre after the elections," tops Defence Ministry sources said.

Generally, the process to appoint the new chiefs of services starts three to four months prior from the due date of retirement of the incumbent.

However, the timing of the announcement differs in a case to case basis.

While appointing General Bipin Rawat as the chief of Indian Army in 2016, the announcement was made about two weeks before the retirement of his predecessor.

In the Navy chief's appointment, the government made the announcement of selecting Vice Admiral Karambir Singh as the successor of Admiral Sunil Lanba almost 10 weeks in advance.

Defence Ministry sources said the government always takes into account seniority and merit while making appointments in such senior positions.

A large number of appointments at senior positions in the Army are going to come up in the next few months including the office of the Vice Chief of Army Staff.

Sources said a vacancy in the Army Commander position is likely to come up in the eastern sector as the incumbent may be moved to a higher office.

The Narendra Modi government has not shown faith in the line of succession in the armed forces as the top security brass feels that such a policy may demotivate the other commanders from giving their 100 per cent while on the other hand, it can create factions in the forces.&nbsp;

The Defence Ministry will initiate the process to appoint the next chief of the Indian Air Force after the formation of the new government at the centre. "There are still five months left for the present Chief Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa to retire from service as he is scheduled to retire on September 30 this year.

The Defence Ministry will initiate the process to appoint the next chief of the Indian Air Force after the formation of the new government at the centre. "There are still five months left for the present Chief Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa to retire from service as he is scheduled to retire on September 30 this year. The process to appoint the next chief would be initiated after the formation of the new government at the centre after the elections," tops Defence Ministry sources said. Generally, the process to appoint the new chiefs of services starts three to four months prior from the due date of retirement of the incumbent. However, the timing of the announcement differs in a case to case basis. While appointing General Bipin Rawat as the chief of Indian Army in 2016, the announcement was made about two weeks before the retirement of his predecessor. In the Navy chief's appointment, the government made the announcement of selecting Vice Admiral Karambir Singh as the successor of Admiral Sunil Lanba almost 10 weeks in advance. Defence Ministry sources said the government always takes into account seniority and merit while making appointments in such senior positions. A large number of appointments at senior positions in the Army are going to come up in the next few months including the office of the Vice Chief of Army Staff. Sources said a vacancy in the Army Commander position is likely to come up in the eastern sector as the incumbent may be moved to a higher office. The Narendra Modi government has not shown faith in the line of succession in the armed forces as the top security brass feels that such a policy may demotivate the other commanders from giving their 100 per cent while on the other hand, it can create factions in the forces.

Defence Ministry to initiate IAF chief's appointment process after formation of next government: Sources

India's permanent representative to United Nations in 2009 Hardeep Singh Puri who had first proposed listing of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/masood-azhar-listing-rare-bonhomie-as-unsc-president-says-sanctity-preserved-215300">Masood Azhar</a> as a global terrorist has slammed the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/long-awaited-action-victory-for-us-diplomacy-mike-pompeo-on-unsc-listing-azhar-as-terrorist-215231">Congress for not pursuing</a> the listing and having a flawed policy against Pakistan.

Speaking to reporters in Amritsar, Hardeep Singh Puri who is a minister now in Modi government's cabinet said, "I think the Congress is indulging in a false narrative and in a web of lies. You can start anything, you can make an effort, but have to pursue it and get it done."

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/pm-modi-says-un-ban-on-masood-azhar-is-a-big-victory-215242/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Asking Congress a counter question, Puri said, "I want to ask them is if you are saying you did it in 2009, then why didn't you pursue it."

India was trying to list Masood Azhar as an international terrorist for a decade, starting in 2009. In 2009, it was the lone&nbsp;proposer and did not get any support. &nbsp;In 2016, India again proposed the listing and it was co-sponsored by UK, US, France but&nbsp;it was blocked by China. In 2017, US, UK and France moved&nbsp;the proposal but China blocked the move again.

Slamming the opposition Congress on its Pakistan policy, he said: "Basic approach towards dealing with Pakistan was completely flawed. Pakistan milked you on the nuclear strategic doctrine. When they attacked you in 26/11 and we lost&nbsp;300 people, you should have given a befitting response."

Explaining the current government's policy, Puri said, "Mr Modi made it very clear... we will give you a befitting reply if terror emanates." and the "Modi government has been able to alter that entire reality" by getting global support from a diverse set of countries such as Saudi Arabia, UAE, China and "US and France in any case".

The move in February&nbsp;saw global support with 14 out of 15 members of UNSC&nbsp;backing the move for the listing of Masood Azhar.

The proposal was moved by US, UK, France and co-sponsored by Australia, Bangladesh, Italy and Japan. In fact, after the Chinese hold in March, the French had announced they would put a freeze on the assets of Azhar and will raise the issue with the European Union.&nbsp;

Currently, a text has been circulated among all members of the European Union for listing of Azhar as a terrorist under EU jurisdiction.

India's permanent representative to United Nations in 2009 Hardeep Singh Puri who had first proposed listing of Masood Azhar as a global terrorist has slammed the Congress for not pursuing the listing and having a flawed policy against Pakistan.

India's permanent representative to United Nations in 2009 Hardeep Singh Puri who had first proposed listing of Masood Azhar as a global terrorist has slammed the Congress for not pursuing the listing and having a flawed policy against Pakistan. Speaking to reporters in Amritsar, Hardeep Singh Puri who is a minister now in Modi government's cabinet said, "I think the Congress is indulging in a false narrative and in a web of lies. You can start anything, you can make an effort, but have to pursue it and get it done." Asking Congress a counter question, Puri said, "I want to ask them is if you are saying you did it in 2009, then why didn't you pursue it." India was trying to list Masood Azhar as an international terrorist for a decade, starting in 2009. In 2009, it was the lone proposer and did not get any support. In 2016, India again proposed the listing and it was co-sponsored by UK, US, France but it was blocked by China. In 2017, US, UK and France moved the proposal but China blocked the move again. Slamming the opposition Congress on its Pakistan policy, he said: "Basic approach towards dealing with Pakistan was completely flawed. Pakistan milked you on the nuclear strategic doctrine. When they attacked you in 26/11 and we lost 300 people, you should have given a befitting response." Explaining the current government's policy, Puri said, "Mr Modi made it very clear... we will give you a befitting reply if terror emanates." and the "Modi government has been able to alter that entire reality" by getting global support from a diverse set of countries such as Saudi Arabia, UAE, China and "US and France in any case". The move in February saw global support with 14 out of 15 members of UNSC backing the move for the listing of Masood Azhar. The proposal was moved by US, UK, France and co-sponsored by Australia, Bangladesh, Italy and Japan. In fact, after the Chinese hold in March, the French had announced they would put a freeze on the assets of Azhar and will raise the issue with the European Union. Currently, a text has been circulated among all members of the European Union for listing of Azhar as a terrorist under EU jurisdiction.

India's envoy at UN in 2009 slams Congress for not pursuing Masood Azhar's listing

The<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/alert-in-west-bengal-as-cyclone-fani-advances-215108&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiqms6hr_zhAhUz63MBHSk4DcwQFjAHegQIABAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw3aJkP4KNAqoEWCN9rqiLkU"> "extremely severe" cyclone Fani</a> is about 450 km from Puri and likely to cross the Odisha coast tomorrow afternoon, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Thursday.

"The extremely severe cyclonic storm Fani over west central Bay of Bengal moved north-northeastwards with a speed of about 15 kmph and lay centred at 0530 hrs IST of May 2 over west central Bay of Bengal about 450 km south-southwest of Puri (Odisha), 230 km south-southeast of Vishakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) and 650 km south-southwest of Digha (West Bengal)," the IMD said in its bulletin.

According to the weather office, the storm is very likely to move north-northeastwards and cross the Odisha Coast between Gopalpur and Chandbali, around Puri, during May 3 afternoon with a maximum wind speed of 170-180 kmph.&nbsp;

The<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/cyclone-fani-imd-issues-yellow-warning-in-odisha-predicting-heavy-rainfall-214909&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiqms6hr_zhAhUz63MBHSk4DcwQFjAEegQIARAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1OlFMi03OD7FGxobqUVDWS"> IMD has advised </a>fishermen not to venture into sea along and off the Odisha coast till May 4.

The sea condition will remain "phenomenal" in west central Bay of Bengal and off the north Andhra Pradesh coast till tomorrow and the northwest Bay of Bengal off Odisha and West Bengal till May 4, it said.&nbsp;

The Met office said that sea conditions are likely to be very rough to high off north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, along with and off south Andhra Pradesh coasts till May 4.It has said that the storm may cause damage to kutcha houses, weak structures, standing crops and plantations.&nbsp;

The bulletin suggested evacuation of people from coastal areas and appropriate regulation of rail and road traffic. It asked people in areas expected to be affected to remain indoors and termed as "unsafe" movement in motor boats and small ships.

"Heavy to very heavy rainfall is very likely at a few places in the districts of Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Khordha, Nayagarh, Cuttack, Jagatsinghapur, Jajpur, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Balasore Kandhamal, Rayagada, Angul, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj (in Odisha)," it said.

Isolated extremely heavy rainfall is likely in the districts of Puri, Khurda, Cuttack, Jagatsinghapur, Dhenkanal, Jajpur, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Balasore and Mayurbhanj, the IMD said.

In view of the cyclone, the East Coast Railway has cancelled 103 trains plying through <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/cyclone-fani-to-hit-puri-on-friday-odisha-cm-wants-polls-to-be-postponed-214742&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiqms6hr_zhAhUz63MBHSk4DcwQFjAIegQIDhAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw32VA_VpZeG3ZqYk709JL0z">coastal districts of Puri</a>, Bhubaneswar, Gunpur, and Vishakhapatnam including Silcher-Trivandrum Express (12508), East Coast Express (18645), Howrah-Chennai Mail (12839), Duronto Express (12246), and Amaravati Express (18048). Bangalore Cant-Guwahati Express (12509) from Bangalore on May 2 will run on a diverted route via Vizianagaram-Titilagarh-Jharsuguda and Visakhapatnam-Amritsar Hirakud Express (18507) from Visakhapatnam on May 3 will run via Vizianagaram-Titilagarh and Sambalpur. According to the East Coast Railway, a special train will start from Puri on Thursday and go towards Shalimar in Kolkata.

The train, with reserved and unreserved coaches, will have stops at Khurda Road, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Jajpur Kendujhar road, Bhadrak, Baleswar and Kharagpur. Two more special trains will start from Puri today for Howrah. The stoppages will include Khurda Road, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Jajpur, Kendujhar Road, Bhadrak, Balasore and Kharagpur.

The Ministry of Defence has authorised the proactive deployment of resources from the Navy and Coast Guard for succour at the time of need. It is monitoring the developing situation in the East Coast and has asked the Navy and Coast Guard to provide assistance with minimum reaction time, an official statement said.

The Coast Guard has deployed 20 teams, it said. In Bhubaneswar, preparations are underway by the Odisha Fire Services in view of the cyclonic storm. Around 50 teams of six members each are on alert in the city. A National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team has arrived in Ichchapuram in Andhra Pradesh.

The "extremely severe" cyclone Fani is about 450 km from Puri and likely to cross the Odisha coast tomorrow afternoon, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Thursday.

The "extremely severe" cyclone Fani is about 450 km from Puri and likely to cross the Odisha coast tomorrow afternoon, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Thursday. "The extremely severe cyclonic storm Fani over west central Bay of Bengal moved north-northeastwards with a speed of about 15 kmph and lay centred at 0530 hrs IST of May 2 over west central Bay of Bengal about 450 km south-southwest of Puri (Odisha), 230 km south-southeast of Vishakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) and 650 km south-southwest of Digha (West Bengal)," the IMD said in its bulletin. According to the weather office, the storm is very likely to move north-northeastwards and cross the Odisha Coast between Gopalpur and Chandbali, around Puri, during May 3 afternoon with a maximum wind speed of 170-180 kmph. The IMD has advised fishermen not to venture into sea along and off the Odisha coast till May 4. The sea condition will remain "phenomenal" in west central Bay of Bengal and off the north Andhra Pradesh coast till tomorrow and the northwest Bay of Bengal off Odisha and West Bengal till May 4, it said. The Met office said that sea conditions are likely to be very rough to high off north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, along with and off south Andhra Pradesh coasts till May 4.It has said that the storm may cause damage to kutcha houses, weak structures, standing crops and plantations. The bulletin suggested evacuation of people from coastal areas and appropriate regulation of rail and road traffic. It asked people in areas expected to be affected to remain indoors and termed as "unsafe" movement in motor boats and small ships. "Heavy to very heavy rainfall is very likely at a few places in the districts of Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Khordha, Nayagarh, Cuttack, Jagatsinghapur, Jajpur, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Balasore Kandhamal, Rayagada, Angul, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj (in Odisha)," it said. Isolated extremely heavy rainfall is likely in the districts of Puri, Khurda, Cuttack, Jagatsinghapur, Dhenkanal, Jajpur, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Balasore and Mayurbhanj, the IMD said. In view of the cyclone, the East Coast Railway has cancelled 103 trains plying through coastal districts of Puri, Bhubaneswar, Gunpur, and Vishakhapatnam including Silcher-Trivandrum Express (12508), East Coast Express (18645), Howrah-Chennai Mail (12839), Duronto Express (12246), and Amaravati Express (18048). Bangalore Cant-Guwahati Express (12509) from Bangalore on May 2 will run on a diverted route via Vizianagaram-Titilagarh-Jharsuguda and Visakhapatnam-Amritsar Hirakud Express (18507) from Visakhapatnam on May 3 will run via Vizianagaram-Titilagarh and Sambalpur. According to the East Coast Railway, a special train will start from Puri on Thursday and go towards Shalimar in Kolkata. The train, with reserved and unreserved coaches, will have stops at Khurda Road, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Jajpur Kendujhar road, Bhadrak, Baleswar and Kharagpur. Two more special trains will start from Puri today for Howrah. The stoppages will include Khurda Road, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Jajpur, Kendujhar Road, Bhadrak, Balasore and Kharagpur. The Ministry of Defence has authorised the proactive deployment of resources from the Navy and Coast Guard for succour at the time of need. It is monitoring the developing situation in the East Coast and has asked the Navy and Coast Guard to provide assistance with minimum reaction time, an official statement said. The Coast Guard has deployed 20 teams, it said. In Bhubaneswar, preparations are underway by the Odisha Fire Services in view of the cyclonic storm. Around 50 teams of six members each are on alert in the city. A National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team has arrived in Ichchapuram in Andhra Pradesh.

Cyclone Fani likely to cross Odisha coast tomorrow: India Meteorological Department

<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/lok-sabha-polls-2019-congress-more-keen-on-forming-govt-in-up-in-2022-rather-than-halting-bjp-says-akhilesh-yadav-213642&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwja3aKXqPzhAhVMSX0KHe5MCa8QFjACegQIBRAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw2e1YlGiOEXprzp9S6XvHeo">Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav</a> feels that Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP government at the Centre has failed on the national security front."BJP has failed so far as the national security is concerned. Our soldiers are dying on the border and in the Naxal affected areas," Yadav told ANI in an exclusive interview.

When asked whether national security will be one of the core agendas of the non-BJP government is formed at the Centre, Yadav said,&nbsp;"National security is the most important issue for any country."

"Regional parties are closer to the people. They have experience as well, given the fact that they have done a good job in the past. So they will deliver their best," said Yadav, also former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh.

He went on to add, "I do not need to tell people about my life. I have spent seven years of my life in military school. My college mates were martyred on the border. My wife`s father has spent his life in the military. My wife`s sister and her husband are in the military."

"I ask the BJP people, who claim to be more patriotic - how many people from their families are in the Army. Like the BJP, we do not drumbeat our nationalism," he said."If anyone asks me to do the parade, I can. I know when there are open and close lines and how to salute," he added.

The former Chief Minister also hit out at the BJP, stating that one security person dies every day in the country. "BJP talks about soldiers. What type of national security is it when one soldier dies every day," he said.

Stating that his party believes in working and not in advertising, he said,&nbsp;"When the SP was in power in UP, aircraft like Sukhoi, Mirage, and Hercules had landed on Lucknow-Agra Expressway. We do not need to furnish certificates for our contribution to the country. Netaji (Mulayam Singh Yadav) has been the Defence Minister of the country. We never mentioned what we gave to the forces."

Yadav further said,&nbsp;"Union Minister Nitin Gadkari had said that he would get more roads constructed like the Expressway. I ask the BJP leaders if they have made a single road where aircraft can land when the need arises."

Slamming UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for heading a Hindu 'math'&nbsp;and also holding a Constitutional post, Yadav said,&nbsp;"He says terrorists have the SP flag. Will he tell me how many flags he has. He has one flag of his 'math,'&nbsp;one of Hindu Yuva Vahini, and one of the RSS."

In Uttar Pradesh, where 80 Lok Sabha seats are up for grabs, SP is contesting 37 seats, BSP 38, and their ally - RLD - three seats. They have not fielded candidates from Amethi and Raebareli from where Congress president Rahul Gandhi and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi are seeking their re-election.

Yadav is in the poll fray from Azamgarh Lok Sabha constituency, currently held by his father and SP patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav. So far 39 Lok Sabha seats have gone to polls in the state, while remaining 41 will go to polls during the remaining three phases of the polling, the last phase of voting being on May 19. The counting of votes will take place on May 23.

Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav feels that Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP government at the Centre has failed on the national security front.

Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav feels that Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP government at the Centre has failed on the national security front."BJP has failed so far as the national security is concerned. Our soldiers are dying on the border and in the Naxal affected areas," Yadav told ANI in an exclusive interview. When asked whether national security will be one of the core agendas of the non-BJP government is formed at the Centre, Yadav said, "National security is the most important issue for any country." "Regional parties are closer to the people. They have experience as well, given the fact that they have done a good job in the past. So they will deliver their best," said Yadav, also former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. He went on to add, "I do not need to tell people about my life. I have spent seven years of my life in military school. My college mates were martyred on the border. My wife`s father has spent his life in the military. My wife`s sister and her husband are in the military." "I ask the BJP people, who claim to be more patriotic - how many people from their families are in the Army. Like the BJP, we do not drumbeat our nationalism," he said."If anyone asks me to do the parade, I can. I know when there are open and close lines and how to salute," he added. The former Chief Minister also hit out at the BJP, stating that one security person dies every day in the country. "BJP talks about soldiers. What type of national security is it when one soldier dies every day," he said. Stating that his party believes in working and not in advertising, he said, "When the SP was in power in UP, aircraft like Sukhoi, Mirage, and Hercules had landed on Lucknow-Agra Expressway. We do not need to furnish certificates for our contribution to the country. Netaji (Mulayam Singh Yadav) has been the Defence Minister of the country. We never mentioned what we gave to the forces." Yadav further said, "Union Minister Nitin Gadkari had said that he would get more roads constructed like the Expressway. I ask the BJP leaders if they have made a single road where aircraft can land when the need arises." Slamming UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for heading a Hindu 'math' and also holding a Constitutional post, Yadav said, "He says terrorists have the SP flag. Will he tell me how many flags he has. He has one flag of his 'math,' one of Hindu Yuva Vahini, and one of the RSS." In Uttar Pradesh, where 80 Lok Sabha seats are up for grabs, SP is contesting 37 seats, BSP 38, and their ally - RLD - three seats. They have not fielded candidates from Amethi and Raebareli from where Congress president Rahul Gandhi and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi are seeking their re-election. Yadav is in the poll fray from Azamgarh Lok Sabha constituency, currently held by his father and SP patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav. So far 39 Lok Sabha seats have gone to polls in the state, while remaining 41 will go to polls during the remaining three phases of the polling, the last phase of voting being on May 19. The counting of votes will take place on May 23.

BJP has failed on national security front: Akhilesh Yadav

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley hailed the listing of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/masood-azhar-listing-rare-bonhomie-as-unsc-president-says-sanctity-preserved-215300">Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar</a> as a global terrorist by the UN Security Council (UNSC). At the same time, he also attacked the opposition accusing them of not celebrating the major diplomatic win for India.

"The listing of Masood Azhar by UNSC is a big victory for India and its diplomacy. Azhar and his organisation had been trying to target India for decades. Azhar could not be declared an international terrorist thrice in the past due to a technical hold. But India's influence, its diplomatic pressure and recent developments brought together many countries who wanted Azhar to be declared an international terrorist. And China was forced to remove its technical hold," Jaitley said at a press conference in New Delhi on Thursday.

It is a matter of great pride for the country as well as the Narendra Modi government, he added.

Slamming the opposition, Jaitley said, "If India wins, all Indians win, but unfortunately, some friends in opposition feel they may pay a political price if they join the celebration. They had questioned the airstrike on terror strongholds in Balakot and claimed that 'we also carried out an invisible surgical strike'."

India was trying for this for a decade and the opposition demeans the country's victory by calling the listing as insignificant, Jaitley said.

The 1267 Sanctions Committee of the UNSC on Wednesday announced the designation of Azhar, leader of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), over its ties to Al-Qaeda.

The US, France along with the UK had moved the proposal to designate Azhar as a "global terrorist" in UNSC in February, just days after the deadly Pulwama terror attack.

The JeM has claimed responsibility for the Pulwama attack that killed 40 CRPF soldiers and led to a spike in military tensions between India and Pakistan.

China, a veto-wielding permanent member of the UNSC, was the sole hold-out in the 15-nation body on the bid to blacklist Azhar, blocking attempts by placing a "technical hold" and asking for "more time to examine" the proposal.

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&nbsp;

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley hailed the listing of Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN Security Council (UNSC). At the same time, he also attacked the opposition accusing them of not celebrating the major diplomatic win for India.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley hailed the listing of Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN Security Council (UNSC). At the same time, he also attacked the opposition accusing them of not celebrating the major diplomatic win for India. "The listing of Masood Azhar by UNSC is a big victory for India and its diplomacy. Azhar and his organisation had been trying to target India for decades. Azhar could not be declared an international terrorist thrice in the past due to a technical hold. But India's influence, its diplomatic pressure and recent developments brought together many countries who wanted Azhar to be declared an international terrorist. And China was forced to remove its technical hold," Jaitley said at a press conference in New Delhi on Thursday. It is a matter of great pride for the country as well as the Narendra Modi government, he added. Slamming the opposition, Jaitley said, "If India wins, all Indians win, but unfortunately, some friends in opposition feel they may pay a political price if they join the celebration. They had questioned the airstrike on terror strongholds in Balakot and claimed that 'we also carried out an invisible surgical strike'." India was trying for this for a decade and the opposition demeans the country's victory by calling the listing as insignificant, Jaitley said. The 1267 Sanctions Committee of the UNSC on Wednesday announced the designation of Azhar, leader of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), over its ties to Al-Qaeda. The US, France along with the UK had moved the proposal to designate Azhar as a "global terrorist" in UNSC in February, just days after the deadly Pulwama terror attack. The JeM has claimed responsibility for the Pulwama attack that killed 40 CRPF soldiers and led to a spike in military tensions between India and Pakistan. China, a veto-wielding permanent member of the UNSC, was the sole hold-out in the 15-nation body on the bid to blacklist Azhar, blocking attempts by placing a "technical hold" and asking for "more time to examine" the proposal. ×

Opposition not celebrating moment of great pride: Arun Jaitley on Masood Azhar listing

In cyclone prone east coast, Fani may outstrip cyclone Gaja and Titli

The Jammu and Kashmir administration has decided to lift the ban on civilian movement on the National Highway number 44 on the Srinagar-Baramulla stretch from Thursday. The restrictions will, however, continue between Srinagar and Udhampur, the state administration said in a statement.

The administration further said that the restriction between Srinagar and Udhampur will be reviewed periodically and relaxation would be made as the need for restriction reduces.

The restriction on civilian movement on NH-44, connecting Jammu to Srinagar, was imposed in the wake of February 14 terror attack in Pulwama in which 40 soldiers of India's paramilitary force, the CRPF, were killed.

"These restrictions became necessary following the large movement of security forces on an unprecedented scale after the Pulwama terror attack. These forces were required both for anti-militancy operations and for conducting general elections peacefully," an official from the administration had said while announcing the imposition of ban in first week of April.

In order to facilitate unhindered and secure movement of the convoys of security forces, the administration had imposed a prohibition on civilian traffic on NH-44 from Baramulla to Udhampur twice a week - Sunday and Wednesday - from 4.00am to 5.00pm.

In the latest statement on Wednesday, the Jammu and Kashmir administration said that it once again reviewed the requirement of security forces. "Following the successful conduct of elections in Anantnag and Kulgam districts and as the requirement of security forces is now reducing as they are de-inducted, the government has decided to further relax the restrictions on traffic imposed," the statement said.

A complete review of restrictions on the highway would be done subsequently, the administration further said in the statement appealing to the people to extend full cooperation in the smooth regulation of traffic.

The Jammu and Kashmir administration has decided to lift the ban on civilian movement on the National Highway number 44 on the Srinagar-Baramulla stretch from Thursday.

The Jammu and Kashmir administration has decided to lift the ban on civilian movement on the National Highway number 44 on the Srinagar-Baramulla stretch from Thursday. The restrictions will, however, continue between Srinagar and Udhampur, the state administration said in a statement. The administration further said that the restriction between Srinagar and Udhampur will be reviewed periodically and relaxation would be made as the need for restriction reduces. The restriction on civilian movement on NH-44, connecting Jammu to Srinagar, was imposed in the wake of February 14 terror attack in Pulwama in which 40 soldiers of India's paramilitary force, the CRPF, were killed. "These restrictions became necessary following the large movement of security forces on an unprecedented scale after the Pulwama terror attack. These forces were required both for anti-militancy operations and for conducting general elections peacefully," an official from the administration had said while announcing the imposition of ban in first week of April. In order to facilitate unhindered and secure movement of the convoys of security forces, the administration had imposed a prohibition on civilian traffic on NH-44 from Baramulla to Udhampur twice a week - Sunday and Wednesday - from 4.00am to 5.00pm. In the latest statement on Wednesday, the Jammu and Kashmir administration said that it once again reviewed the requirement of security forces. "Following the successful conduct of elections in Anantnag and Kulgam districts and as the requirement of security forces is now reducing as they are de-inducted, the government has decided to further relax the restrictions on traffic imposed," the statement said. A complete review of restrictions on the highway would be done subsequently, the administration further said in the statement appealing to the people to extend full cooperation in the smooth regulation of traffic.

J&K highway ban: Traffic restriction on civilian movement between Srinagar & Baramulla removed

With the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/cyclone-fani-imd-issues-yellow-warning-in-odisha-predicting-heavy-rainfall-214909">IMD issuing a formal alert that Cyclone Fani</a> is likely to hit the coastal areas of West Bengal, the state government has taken all precautionary measures to avert any untoward incident, officials said Tuesday.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has extended cyclone alert to north Andhra Pradesh coast and West Bengal coast, apart from Odisha, which it is expected to cross by Friday.

The state disaster management department in a message issued a warning to the fishermen asking them not to venture into the deep sea and urged those already there to return to the coast by Wednesday evening.

The MHA has released in advance fund for financial assistance to the state disaster management department for undertaking preventive and relief measures in response to Cyclonic storm Fani, officials said.

Of the total financial assistance of Rs 1,086 crore, Odisha will get Rs 340.87 crore, Tamil Nadu Rs 309.37 crore, West Bengal Rs 235.50 crore and Andhra Pradesh will get Rs 200.25 crore, a home ministry statement said.

The cyclone is very likely to intensify further into an extremely severe cyclonic storm shortly, the IMD said in a bulletin in the evening.&nbsp;

With the IMD issuing a formal alert that Cyclone Fani is likely to hit the coastal areas of West Bengal, the state government has taken all precautionary measures to avert any untoward incident, officials said Tuesday.

With the IMD issuing a formal alert that Cyclone Fani is likely to hit the coastal areas of West Bengal, the state government has taken all precautionary measures to avert any untoward incident, officials said Tuesday. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has extended cyclone alert to north Andhra Pradesh coast and West Bengal coast, apart from Odisha, which it is expected to cross by Friday. The state disaster management department in a message issued a warning to the fishermen asking them not to venture into the deep sea and urged those already there to return to the coast by Wednesday evening. The MHA has released in advance fund for financial assistance to the state disaster management department for undertaking preventive and relief measures in response to Cyclonic storm Fani, officials said. Of the total financial assistance of Rs 1,086 crore, Odisha will get Rs 340.87 crore, Tamil Nadu Rs 309.37 crore, West Bengal Rs 235.50 crore and Andhra Pradesh will get Rs 200.25 crore, a home ministry statement said. The cyclone is very likely to intensify further into an extremely severe cyclonic storm shortly, the IMD said in a bulletin in the evening.

West Bengal on high alert as Cyclone Fani likely to hit coastal areas

The national capital reeled under searing heat Tuesday, recording a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/heat-wave-red-alert-for-central-india-temperature-to-hover-around-47degc-214747">maximum temperature</a> of 43.7 degrees Celsius, the highest for the season so far.

However, some relief is around the corner with the weather office predicting gusty winds and thunderstorm on Wednesday.&nbsp;

"The city recorded a maximum of 43.7 degrees Celsius, which is the highest for the season so far, and a low of 23 degrees Celsius. The humidity level oscillated between 21 and 60 per cent," a MeT official said.

The official said the sky would remain partly cloudy and there's a possibility of dust storm and thunderstorm with winds gusting to 30-40 km per hour.

Over the last week, Delhi has been witnessing temperatures crossing the 40- degree Celsius mark.&nbsp;

On Monday, the city recorded a high of 42 degrees Celsius and a low of 23.4 degrees Celsius.&nbsp;

The national capital reeled under searing heat Tuesday, recording a maximum temperature of 43.7 degrees Celsius, the highest for the season so far. However, some relief is around the corner with the weather office predicting gusty winds and thunderstorm on Wednesday.

The national capital reeled under searing heat Tuesday, recording a maximum temperature of 43.7 degrees Celsius, the highest for the season so far. However, some relief is around the corner with the weather office predicting gusty winds and thunderstorm on Wednesday. "The city recorded a maximum of 43.7 degrees Celsius, which is the highest for the season so far, and a low of 23 degrees Celsius. The humidity level oscillated between 21 and 60 per cent," a MeT official said. The official said the sky would remain partly cloudy and there's a possibility of dust storm and thunderstorm with winds gusting to 30-40 km per hour. Over the last week, Delhi has been witnessing temperatures crossing the 40- degree Celsius mark. On Monday, the city recorded a high of 42 degrees Celsius and a low of 23.4 degrees Celsius.

At scorching 43.7°C, Delhi records season's highest temperature so far

Prime Minister Narendra Modi termed the ban on Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar as a “big victory’ on Wednesday during an election rally in Jaipur.&nbsp;

PM Modi said that the designating Azhar as a global terrorist is a “big victory for India in its fight against terrorism”.&nbsp;

"UN's step of designating Masood Azahar as 'global terrorist' is the result of India's constant struggle against terrorism," said PM Modi.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a>: "UNSC has listed JeM's <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MasoodAzhar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MasoodAzhar</a> as a Global Terrorist. In our fight against terrorism, it is a big victory," says, PM Narendra Modi <a href="https://t.co/262cSkV68t">pic.twitter.com/262cSkV68t</a>
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Masood Azhar in fourth attempt was&nbsp;listed as an international terrorist by the United Nation Security Council's 1267 committee. China, earlier on Wednesday, removed its hold on the listing of Masood Azhar, the man behind several terror attacks in India.

Listing of Azhar means that travel and an arms embargo will be imposed on him which means he cannot travel outside Pakistan nor can he buy weapons. His assets will also be frozen globally. But the big message that India has been able to send is that Pakistan remains the epicentre of terror. It is interesting to know that Pakistan hosts the largest number of United Nations listed terrorist.&nbsp;

India has been trying to list Azhar as a global terrorist for nearly a decade. It was in first in 2009 that New Delhi tried to get Azhar as a United Nations listed terrorist. India was the lone proposer back then. In 2016, India again proposed the listing and it was co-sponsored by UK, US, France. But the move was was blocked by China.

In 2017, the US, UK and France moved the proposal but China blocked the move again. The move in February of 2019 saw global support with 14 out of 15 members of UNCS backing the move for the listing of Masood Azhar. The proposal was moved US, UK, France and co-sponsored by Australia, Bangladesh, Italy and Japan.&nbsp;

After the Chinese hold in March, France had announced it will be putting a freeze on the assets of Azhar and will raise the issue with the European Union. A joint release by French Foreign, Interior and Finance Ministry said, "We will raise this issue with our European partners with a view to including Masood Azhar on the European Union list of persons, groups and entities involved in terrorist acts, based on this decree."

Currently, a text has been circulated among all members of the European Union for listing of Azhar as a terrorist under EU jurisdiction. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi termed the ban on Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar as a “big victory’ on Wednesday during an election rally in Jaipur. PM Modi said that the designating Azhar as a global terrorist is a “big victory for India in its fight against terrorism”.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi termed the ban on Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar as a “big victory’ on Wednesday during an election rally in Jaipur. PM Modi said that the designating Azhar as a global terrorist is a “big victory for India in its fight against terrorism”. "UN's step of designating Masood Azahar as 'global terrorist' is the result of India's constant struggle against terrorism," said PM Modi. #WATCH: "UNSC has listed JeM's #MasoodAzhar as a Global Terrorist. In our fight against terrorism, it is a big victory," says, PM Narendra Modi pic.twitter.com/262cSkV68t — ANI (@ANI) May 1, 2019 × Masood Azhar in fourth attempt was listed as an international terrorist by the United Nation Security Council's 1267 committee. China, earlier on Wednesday, removed its hold on the listing of Masood Azhar, the man behind several terror attacks in India. Listing of Azhar means that travel and an arms embargo will be imposed on him which means he cannot travel outside Pakistan nor can he buy weapons. His assets will also be frozen globally. But the big message that India has been able to send is that Pakistan remains the epicentre of terror. It is interesting to know that Pakistan hosts the largest number of United Nations listed terrorist. India has been trying to list Azhar as a global terrorist for nearly a decade. It was in first in 2009 that New Delhi tried to get Azhar as a United Nations listed terrorist. India was the lone proposer back then. In 2016, India again proposed the listing and it was co-sponsored by UK, US, France. But the move was was blocked by China. In 2017, the US, UK and France moved the proposal but China blocked the move again. The move in February of 2019 saw global support with 14 out of 15 members of UNCS backing the move for the listing of Masood Azhar. The proposal was moved US, UK, France and co-sponsored by Australia, Bangladesh, Italy and Japan. After the Chinese hold in March, France had announced it will be putting a freeze on the assets of Azhar and will raise the issue with the European Union. A joint release by French Foreign, Interior and Finance Ministry said, "We will raise this issue with our European partners with a view to including Masood Azhar on the European Union list of persons, groups and entities involved in terrorist acts, based on this decree." Currently, a text has been circulated among all members of the European Union for listing of Azhar as a terrorist under EU jurisdiction. (With inputs from agencies)

PM Narendra Modi terms listing of JeM founder Masood Azhar as 'big victory for India in fight against terrorism

Three-time Lok Sabha MP and industrialist SPY Reddy on Tuesday died after prolonged illness at a private hospital here.

Reddy, the sitting MP from Nandyal constituency in Andhra Pradesh was&nbsp;admitted to hospital on April 3 after he complained of heart and kidney problems.

He was 69 and is survived by his wife and two daughters.

The Nandyal MP was contesting on a Jana Sena Party's ticket in the ongoing parliamentary elections. Reddy has been associated with many political parties.

In 1991, he contested and lost the general elections on a BJP ticket but lost. &nbsp;He was elected from Nandyal in 2009 on a Congress ticket but switched to the YSR Congress Party for 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

After 2014 parliamentary elections, Reddy joined the Telugu Desam Party but left the party after he did not get Lok Sabha ticket.

Reddy is a noted philanthropist from Nandyal and the founder of Nandi group of industries. He started his career from Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) Mumbai before he set up his own plastics industry started manufacturing of PVC pipes under the brand name 'Nandi Pipes'.

Jana Sena Party chief and actor-politician Pawan Kalyan, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu and YSRCP leader YS Jagan Mohan Reddy have condoled the death of S P Y Reddy.

All of them also conveyed their condolences to the bereaved family members.

Three-time Lok Sabha MP and industrialist SPY Reddy on Tuesday died after prolonged illness at a private hospital here. Reddy, the sitting MP from Nandyal constituency in Andhra Pradesh was admitted to hospital on April 3 after he complained of heart and kidney problems.

Three-time Lok Sabha MP and industrialist SPY Reddy on Tuesday died after prolonged illness at a private hospital here. Reddy, the sitting MP from Nandyal constituency in Andhra Pradesh was admitted to hospital on April 3 after he complained of heart and kidney problems. He was 69 and is survived by his wife and two daughters. The Nandyal MP was contesting on a Jana Sena Party's ticket in the ongoing parliamentary elections. Reddy has been associated with many political parties. In 1991, he contested and lost the general elections on a BJP ticket but lost. He was elected from Nandyal in 2009 on a Congress ticket but switched to the YSR Congress Party for 2014 Lok Sabha elections. After 2014 parliamentary elections, Reddy joined the Telugu Desam Party but left the party after he did not get Lok Sabha ticket. Reddy is a noted philanthropist from Nandyal and the founder of Nandi group of industries. He started his career from Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) Mumbai before he set up his own plastics industry started manufacturing of PVC pipes under the brand name 'Nandi Pipes'. Jana Sena Party chief and actor-politician Pawan Kalyan, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu and YSRCP leader YS Jagan Mohan Reddy have condoled the death of S P Y Reddy. All of them also conveyed their condolences to the bereaved family members.

Three-time Lok Sabha MP SPY Reddy passes away after prolonged illness

All modules of India's second moon mission "Chandrayaan-2", scheduled for launch in July, are getting ready and the lander is expected to touch down on the lunar surface in early September, the ISRO said Wednesday.

"The launch window is from July 9 to July 16 with an expected Moon landing on September 6," the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said in an update on the mission, which was earlier scheduled for April launch.

An official of the space agency had last week said Chandrayaan-2 mission has been further postponed to July in the backdrop of Israel's unsuccessful attempt to land on Moon.

"We saw Israel's example and we don't want to take any risk. Despite Israel being such a technologically advanced country, the mission failed. We want the mission to be a success," he had said.

Earlier, Chandrayaan-2 was scheduled for launch in a window from January-February but ISRO had deferred it to March-April.

In its update Wednesday, the city-headquartered ISRO said the three modules -- Orbiter, Lander (Vikram) and Rover (Pragyan) -- of Chandrayaan-2 were getting ready for July launch.

The Orbiter and Lander modules will be interfaced mechanically and stacked together as an integrated module and accommodated inside the GSLV MK-III launch vehicle. The Rover is housed inside the Lander, it said in a statement.

The integrated module will reach the moon orbit using Orbiter propulsion module after its launch into earthbound orbit by GSLV MK-III.

It might take 35 to 45 days to reach the Moon after the launch.

Subsequently, the lander will separate from the orbiter and soft land at the predetermined site close to lunar South Pole, the space agency said.

The rover will roll out for carrying out scientific experiments on the lunar surface. Instruments would also be mounted on the Lander and Orbiter for carrying out scientific experiments, it said.

The ISRO is cautious about Chandrayaan-2, its first mission to land on any celestial body, as it is wary of failure after Israel's Beresheet spacecraft crashed during moon landing on April 11.&nbsp;

All modules of India's second moon mission "Chandrayaan-2", scheduled for launch in July, are getting ready and the lander is expected to touch down on the lunar surface in early September, the ISRO said Wednesday.

All modules of India's second moon mission "Chandrayaan-2", scheduled for launch in July, are getting ready and the lander is expected to touch down on the lunar surface in early September, the ISRO said Wednesday. "The launch window is from July 9 to July 16 with an expected Moon landing on September 6," the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said in an update on the mission, which was earlier scheduled for April launch. An official of the space agency had last week said Chandrayaan-2 mission has been further postponed to July in the backdrop of Israel's unsuccessful attempt to land on Moon. "We saw Israel's example and we don't want to take any risk. Despite Israel being such a technologically advanced country, the mission failed. We want the mission to be a success," he had said. Earlier, Chandrayaan-2 was scheduled for launch in a window from January-February but ISRO had deferred it to March-April. In its update Wednesday, the city-headquartered ISRO said the three modules -- Orbiter, Lander (Vikram) and Rover (Pragyan) -- of Chandrayaan-2 were getting ready for July launch. The Orbiter and Lander modules will be interfaced mechanically and stacked together as an integrated module and accommodated inside the GSLV MK-III launch vehicle. The Rover is housed inside the Lander, it said in a statement. The integrated module will reach the moon orbit using Orbiter propulsion module after its launch into earthbound orbit by GSLV MK-III. It might take 35 to 45 days to reach the Moon after the launch. Subsequently, the lander will separate from the orbiter and soft land at the predetermined site close to lunar South Pole, the space agency said. The rover will roll out for carrying out scientific experiments on the lunar surface. Instruments would also be mounted on the Lander and Orbiter for carrying out scientific experiments, it said. The ISRO is cautious about Chandrayaan-2, its first mission to land on any celestial body, as it is wary of failure after Israel's Beresheet spacecraft crashed during moon landing on April 11.

Chandrayaan-2 modules getting ready for launch in July: ISRO

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/police-arrest-suspect-in-university-of-north-carolina-shooting-214919">Police arrest suspect in University of North Carolina shooting; 2 killed</a>

Police have arrested a suspect in a shooting that left two people dead and four others injured, three critically, on Tuesday at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/is-leader-abu-bakr-al-baghdadi-made-latest-video-in-remote-area-iraq-pm-adel-abdul-mahdi-214903">IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi made latest video in 'remote area': Iraq PM Adel Abdul Mahdi</a>

Islamic State remains a potent threat around the world despite reduced capabilities, Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi said on Tuesday, adding its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi had made his latest video appearance in a "remote area".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/cyclone-fani-imd-issues-yellow-warning-in-odisha-predicting-heavy-rainfall-214909">Cyclone Fani: IMD issues 'yellow warning' in Odisha predicting heavy rainfall</a>

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday issued a 'yellow warning' for Odisha coast predicting heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places such as Boudh, Kalahandi, Sambalpur, Deogarh, and Sundargarh.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/calling-on-armed-forces-to-continue-operation-freedom-venezuelas-guaido-214896">Maduro appears with defence minister as Guaido calls to continue 'Operation Freedom'</a>

Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido called for a fresh round of protests on Wednesday against President Nicolas Maduro, after clashes broke out between security forces and anti-regime demonstrators.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/got-a-crush-on-another-facebook-user-the-social-network-will-help-you-connect-214893">Got a crush on another Facebook user? The social network will help you connect</a>

As part of a revamp unveiled Tuesday Facebook aims to foster real-world relationships and make the platform a more intimate place for groups of friends.

Police arrest suspect in University of North Carolina shooting; 2 killed Police have arrested a suspect in a shooting that left two people dead and four others injured, three critically, on Tuesday at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Police arrest suspect in University of North Carolina shooting; 2 killed Police have arrested a suspect in a shooting that left two people dead and four others injured, three critically, on Tuesday at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi made latest video in 'remote area': Iraq PM Adel Abdul Mahdi Islamic State remains a potent threat around the world despite reduced capabilities, Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi said on Tuesday, adding its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi had made his latest video appearance in a "remote area". Cyclone Fani: IMD issues 'yellow warning' in Odisha predicting heavy rainfall The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday issued a 'yellow warning' for Odisha coast predicting heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places such as Boudh, Kalahandi, Sambalpur, Deogarh, and Sundargarh. Maduro appears with defence minister as Guaido calls to continue 'Operation Freedom' Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido called for a fresh round of protests on Wednesday against President Nicolas Maduro, after clashes broke out between security forces and anti-regime demonstrators. Got a crush on another Facebook user? The social network will help you connect As part of a revamp unveiled Tuesday Facebook aims to foster real-world relationships and make the platform a more intimate place for groups of friends.

News brief: Big stories of the day

After years of efforts by India, Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief <a href="https://www.wionews.com/pakistan/jem-chief-masood-azhar-designated-as-a-global-terrorist-in-un-sanctions-list-215076">Masood Azhar</a> has been designated a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/masood-azhar-named-global-terrorist-how-it-will-affect-the-jem-chief-215077">global terrorist by the UN </a>under the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution 1267.

Azhar’s JeM was behind the Pulwama terrorist attack that killed 40 CRPF personnel in February.&nbsp;

China had put a hold in March on a fresh proposal by the US, UK and France to impose a ban on the chief of the JeM which claimed responsibility for the deadly Pulwama terror attack.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/indias-envoy-to-un-syed-akbaruddin-speaks-exclusively-to-wion-215115/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Three UNSC members — US, UK and France — have been pursuing the case with China over the last two months, while New Delhi has also been engaging separately with Beijing.&nbsp;

India has always maintained that China should list Azhar since he is the leader of a terrorist group that has already been proscribed by the UN. &nbsp;

China’s turnaround came after Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale’s visit to Beijing last week, where India shared details of all the evidence on Masood Azhar, including links to the February 14 Pulwama attack for which the JeM had claimed responsibility.&nbsp;

During his visit, Gokhale met Chinese officials including Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi.&nbsp;

&nbsp;A statement from India's external affairs ministry said, "We have shared with China all pieces of evidence of terrorist activities of Jaish-e-Mohammad and its leader Masood Azhar. It is now for the 1267 Sanctions Committee and other authorized bodies of the U.N. to take a decision on the listing of Masood Azhar. "

The British High Commissioner Sir Dominic Asquith last week speaking to reporters expressed optimism on the listing of Azhar and said, "We are strong supporters of listing of Masood Azhar for a decade. So that we will get to that conclusion shortly."&nbsp;

After years of efforts by India, Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar has been designated a global terrorist by the UN under the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution 1267.

After years of efforts by India, Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar has been designated a global terrorist by the UN under the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution 1267. Azhar’s JeM was behind the Pulwama terrorist attack that killed 40 CRPF personnel in February. China had put a hold in March on a fresh proposal by the US, UK and France to impose a ban on the chief of the JeM which claimed responsibility for the deadly Pulwama terror attack. Three UNSC members — US, UK and France — have been pursuing the case with China over the last two months, while New Delhi has also been engaging separately with Beijing. India has always maintained that China should list Azhar since he is the leader of a terrorist group that has already been proscribed by the UN. China’s turnaround came after Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale’s visit to Beijing last week, where India shared details of all the evidence on Masood Azhar, including links to the February 14 Pulwama attack for which the JeM had claimed responsibility. During his visit, Gokhale met Chinese officials including Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi. A statement from India's external affairs ministry said, "We have shared with China all pieces of evidence of terrorist activities of Jaish-e-Mohammad and its leader Masood Azhar. It is now for the 1267 Sanctions Committee and other authorized bodies of the U.N. to take a decision on the listing of Masood Azhar. " The British High Commissioner Sir Dominic Asquith last week speaking to reporters expressed optimism on the listing of Azhar and said, "We are strong supporters of listing of Masood Azhar for a decade. So that we will get to that conclusion shortly."

China changed its stance on Masood Azhar after Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale's visit

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday issued a 'yellow warning' for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/navy-coast-guard-ships-ndrf-teams-deployed-along-east-coast-to-deal-with-cyclone-fani-214847">Odisha coast predicting heavy to very heavy rainfall</a> at isolated places such as Boudh, Kalahandi, Sambalpur, Deogarh, and Sundargarh.

"Heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places the districts of&nbsp;&nbsp;Boudh, Kalahandi Sambalpur Deogarh and Sundargarh of Odisha," said the IMD.&nbsp;

As per the disaster management division of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Cyclone Fani is very likely to move northwestwards on till May 1 noon and thereafter recurve north-northeastwards and cross Odisha Coast between Gopalpur and Chandbali. From there, it will move to the south of Puri around May 3 afternoon with maximum sustained wind of speed 175-185 kmph gusting to 205 kmph.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/cyclone-fani-intensifies-into-extremely-severe-cyclonic-storm-214886/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Gale wind with speed 150 -160 kmph gusting to 170 is also likely over the districts of Ganjam, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, 110-120 kmph gusting to 130 kmph is also likely over the districts of&nbsp;&nbsp;Gajapati, Khurda, Cuttack, Jajpur, Bhadrak, Balasore, 80-90 kmph over the districts of Nayagarh, Angul, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Dhenkanal and squally wind speed 30-40 kmph gust to 50 kmph over the rest districts of Odisha&nbsp;&nbsp;by the evening of May 3, the IMD said.&nbsp;

The sea conditions are very likely to be rough to very rough along and off Odisha Coast on May 2 and become high to phenomenal by May 4.

Fishermen have been advised not to venture into deep sea areas of northwest and adjoining West-central Bay of Bengal along and off Odisha coast from May 2 to May 4.&nbsp;

The expected damage due to Cyclone Fani includes -- extensive damage to all types of kutcha houses, extensive uprooting of communication and power poles, disruption of rail and road link at several places, extensive damage to standing crops, plantations, orchards, blowing down of Palm and coconut trees, uprooting of large bushy trees and large boats and ships may get torn from their moorings.

In order to prevent such damage, IMD has advised total suspension of fishing operations, extensive evacuation from coastal areas, diversion or suspension of rail and road traffic, no movement in motor boats and small ships and people in affected areas to remain indoors.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday issued a 'yellow warning' for Odisha coast predicting heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places such as Boudh, Kalahandi, Sambalpur, Deogarh, and Sundargarh.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday issued a 'yellow warning' for Odisha coast predicting heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places such as Boudh, Kalahandi, Sambalpur, Deogarh, and Sundargarh. "Heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places the districts of Boudh, Kalahandi Sambalpur Deogarh and Sundargarh of Odisha," said the IMD. As per the disaster management division of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Cyclone Fani is very likely to move northwestwards on till May 1 noon and thereafter recurve north-northeastwards and cross Odisha Coast between Gopalpur and Chandbali. From there, it will move to the south of Puri around May 3 afternoon with maximum sustained wind of speed 175-185 kmph gusting to 205 kmph. Gale wind with speed 150 -160 kmph gusting to 170 is also likely over the districts of Ganjam, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, 110-120 kmph gusting to 130 kmph is also likely over the districts of Gajapati, Khurda, Cuttack, Jajpur, Bhadrak, Balasore, 80-90 kmph over the districts of Nayagarh, Angul, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Dhenkanal and squally wind speed 30-40 kmph gust to 50 kmph over the rest districts of Odisha by the evening of May 3, the IMD said. The sea conditions are very likely to be rough to very rough along and off Odisha Coast on May 2 and become high to phenomenal by May 4. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into deep sea areas of northwest and adjoining West-central Bay of Bengal along and off Odisha coast from May 2 to May 4. The expected damage due to Cyclone Fani includes -- extensive damage to all types of kutcha houses, extensive uprooting of communication and power poles, disruption of rail and road link at several places, extensive damage to standing crops, plantations, orchards, blowing down of Palm and coconut trees, uprooting of large bushy trees and large boats and ships may get torn from their moorings. In order to prevent such damage, IMD has advised total suspension of fishing operations, extensive evacuation from coastal areas, diversion or suspension of rail and road traffic, no movement in motor boats and small ships and people in affected areas to remain indoors.

Cyclone Fani: IMD issues 'yellow warning' in Odisha predicting heavy rainfall

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday issued a notice to Jet Airways regarding a plea seeking a full refund of the airfare to the passengers who were affected by the suspension of the airline's service.

The bench led by Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani also sought a reply from Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Ministry of Civil Aviation in this regard.

The plea was filed by advocate Shashank Deo Sudhi on behalf of petitioner Bejon Kumar Mishra.

It sought prompt resolution to all the affected passengers by a full refund of the amount in respect of their booked air ticket or accommodation in other flights.

Jet Airways, on April 17, cancelled all flights, including its international flights temporarily, after failing to secure emergency funds from its lenders, according to a statement by the airlines.

July 16 has been set as the next date for hearing in the court.

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday issued a notice to Jet Airways regarding a plea seeking a full refund of the airfare to the passengers who were affected by the suspension of the airline's service.

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday issued a notice to Jet Airways regarding a plea seeking a full refund of the airfare to the passengers who were affected by the suspension of the airline's service. The bench led by Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani also sought a reply from Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Ministry of Civil Aviation in this regard. The plea was filed by advocate Shashank Deo Sudhi on behalf of petitioner Bejon Kumar Mishra. It sought prompt resolution to all the affected passengers by a full refund of the amount in respect of their booked air ticket or accommodation in other flights. Jet Airways, on April 17, cancelled all flights, including its international flights temporarily, after failing to secure emergency funds from its lenders, according to a statement by the airlines. July 16 has been set as the next date for hearing in the court.

Delhi High Court issues notice to Jet Airways

Defence forces are on high alert, educational institutions ordered shut and thousands in coastal districts being evacuated as <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/cyclone-fani-imd-issues-yellow-warning-in-odisha-predicting-heavy-rainfall-214909">Odisha </a>braces for cyclone 'Fani', the extremely severe cyclonic storm that is likely to make landfall near Puri on Friday, officials said.

According to the latest forecast by the Joint Typhoon Warning Centre (JWTC), Fani, the most severe cyclonic storm since the super cyclone of 1999 that claimed close to 10,000 lives and devastated large parts of Odisha, is expected to cross the holy town of Jagannath Puri May 3 afternoon, packing winds up to 175 KMPH before the landfall.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/west-bengal-government-takes-all-precautionary-measures-for-cyclone-fani-214932">West Bengal on high alert as Cyclone Fani likely to hit coastal areas</a>

The storm over the Bay of Bengal centred about 660 km south-southwest of Puri was ominously rolling towards the Odisha coast at a speed of 14 KM per hour.

Official sources said Navy, Indian Air Force and Coast Guard have been put on high alert to meet any eventuality. Personnel of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) and fire service have been deployed in vulnerable areas to assist the civil administration.

The collectors of coastal and southern districts have been asked to complete the evacuation exercise from low lying areas by Thursday evening keeping in mind the forecast of massive tides that could surge up to 1.5 metres during the landfall, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) B P Sethi said.

Torrential rains are likely in Ganjam, Puri, Khurda, Cuttack and Jagatsinghpur districts with winds blasting at speeds ranging from 175 to 200 KM an hour.

Leave of all doctors and health service officials have been cancelled till May 15, the state's chief secretary A P Padhi said.

State police chief R P Sharma said leave of all police personnel have also been cancelled and those on leave have been asked to immediately report for duty.

IAS officers have been put in charge of relief, rescue and restoration operations in vulnerable districts.

Sharma said Superintendents of Police have been asked to constantly monitor the situation and reach relief to stricken people.

The 880 cyclone shelters in coastal and southern districts have been kept ready to accommodate the evacuees, Sethi said, adding that in districts like Gajapati and Rayagada, where such facilities do not exist, they will be housed in schools and Anganwadi centres.

The Election Commission has, meanwhile, relaxed the provisions of the model code of conduct in 11 coastal districts to facilitate relief and rescue operations, state's chief electoral officer Surendra Kumar said.

These districts--Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Gajapati, Ganjam, Khordha, Cuttack and Jajpur--are likely to bear the brunt of the cyclone, which is also likely to impact Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had on Tuesday urged the Election Commission to withdraw the model code from all coastal districts to help the state government handle the situation in the aftermath of storm.

Surendra Kumar said Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in Jagatsinghpur and Gajapati districts will be shifted to safer places in the presence of representatives of all political parties. The exercise will be videographed to maintain transparency.

The East Coast Railway has cancelled 74 trains in view of the cyclone, an ECoR official said.

Tourists have been asked to leave Puri by Thursday evening, while Nandankanan Zoological Park authorities in Bhubaneswar have announced it will remain closed from May 2 to May 4.

The higher education department has directed all state universities and colleges in Ganjam, Gajapati, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Cuttack, Jajpur, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Balasore and Mayurbhanj districts to remain closed for three days from May 2.

Oil marketing companies have been asked to store adequate quantities of kerosene, petrol and diesel so rescue and relief efforts are not adversely affected.

"As the chief minister has instructed us to ensure zero casualty, our priority is to ensure that no one dies in the calamity," the state's chief secretary said, claiming the government apparatus was in a state of readiness to meet the challenge.

India Meteorological Department (IMD) sources said Fani was the first cyclonic storm of such severity to have formed in April in India's oceanic neighbourhood in 43 years.

Formation of such cyclonic storm during summer is very rare as the phenomenon is generally witnessed after monsoon in September-November.

Former Director of the Regional Meteorological Centre, Bhubaneswar, Sarat Sahu said Odisha witnessed cyclonic storms during summer in 1893, 1914, 1917, 1982 and 1989, but these brought little trouble for the state as they either fizzled out or changed course towards West Bengal.

The cyclone has formed due to warming of the Bay of Bengal basin.

"With global warming, we have to be prepared for such occurrences," Sahu said.&nbsp;

Defence forces are on high alert, educational institutions ordered shut and thousands in coastal districts being evacuated as Odisha braces for cyclone 'Fani', the extremely severe cyclonic storm that is likely to make landfall near Puri on Friday, officials said.

Defence forces are on high alert, educational institutions ordered shut and thousands in coastal districts being evacuated as Odisha braces for cyclone 'Fani', the extremely severe cyclonic storm that is likely to make landfall near Puri on Friday, officials said. According to the latest forecast by the Joint Typhoon Warning Centre (JWTC), Fani, the most severe cyclonic storm since the super cyclone of 1999 that claimed close to 10,000 lives and devastated large parts of Odisha, is expected to cross the holy town of Jagannath Puri May 3 afternoon, packing winds up to 175 KMPH before the landfall. Also read: West Bengal on high alert as Cyclone Fani likely to hit coastal areas The storm over the Bay of Bengal centred about 660 km south-southwest of Puri was ominously rolling towards the Odisha coast at a speed of 14 KM per hour. Official sources said Navy, Indian Air Force and Coast Guard have been put on high alert to meet any eventuality. Personnel of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) and fire service have been deployed in vulnerable areas to assist the civil administration. The collectors of coastal and southern districts have been asked to complete the evacuation exercise from low lying areas by Thursday evening keeping in mind the forecast of massive tides that could surge up to 1.5 metres during the landfall, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) B P Sethi said. Torrential rains are likely in Ganjam, Puri, Khurda, Cuttack and Jagatsinghpur districts with winds blasting at speeds ranging from 175 to 200 KM an hour. Leave of all doctors and health service officials have been cancelled till May 15, the state's chief secretary A P Padhi said. State police chief R P Sharma said leave of all police personnel have also been cancelled and those on leave have been asked to immediately report for duty. IAS officers have been put in charge of relief, rescue and restoration operations in vulnerable districts. Sharma said Superintendents of Police have been asked to constantly monitor the situation and reach relief to stricken people. The 880 cyclone shelters in coastal and southern districts have been kept ready to accommodate the evacuees, Sethi said, adding that in districts like Gajapati and Rayagada, where such facilities do not exist, they will be housed in schools and Anganwadi centres. The Election Commission has, meanwhile, relaxed the provisions of the model code of conduct in 11 coastal districts to facilitate relief and rescue operations, state's chief electoral officer Surendra Kumar said. These districts--Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Gajapati, Ganjam, Khordha, Cuttack and Jajpur--are likely to bear the brunt of the cyclone, which is also likely to impact Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had on Tuesday urged the Election Commission to withdraw the model code from all coastal districts to help the state government handle the situation in the aftermath of storm. Surendra Kumar said Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in Jagatsinghpur and Gajapati districts will be shifted to safer places in the presence of representatives of all political parties. The exercise will be videographed to maintain transparency. The East Coast Railway has cancelled 74 trains in view of the cyclone, an ECoR official said. Tourists have been asked to leave Puri by Thursday evening, while Nandankanan Zoological Park authorities in Bhubaneswar have announced it will remain closed from May 2 to May 4. The higher education department has directed all state universities and colleges in Ganjam, Gajapati, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Cuttack, Jajpur, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Balasore and Mayurbhanj districts to remain closed for three days from May 2. Oil marketing companies have been asked to store adequate quantities of kerosene, petrol and diesel so rescue and relief efforts are not adversely affected. "As the chief minister has instructed us to ensure zero casualty, our priority is to ensure that no one dies in the calamity," the state's chief secretary said, claiming the government apparatus was in a state of readiness to meet the challenge. India Meteorological Department (IMD) sources said Fani was the first cyclonic storm of such severity to have formed in April in India's oceanic neighbourhood in 43 years. Formation of such cyclonic storm during summer is very rare as the phenomenon is generally witnessed after monsoon in September-November. Former Director of the Regional Meteorological Centre, Bhubaneswar, Sarat Sahu said Odisha witnessed cyclonic storms during summer in 1893, 1914, 1917, 1982 and 1989, but these brought little trouble for the state as they either fizzled out or changed course towards West Bengal. The cyclone has formed due to warming of the Bay of Bengal basin. "With global warming, we have to be prepared for such occurrences," Sahu said.

Armed forces on alert as Odisha braces for cyclonic storm 'Fani'

Within hours of the announcement, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/air-india-scripts-new-era-in-fuel-conservation-no-additional-fuel-214568">Air India</a> on Tuesday put on hold the appointment of senior official Arvind Kathpalia, whose flying licence was suspended in November last year, as regional director of the northern region.

The flying licence of Kathpalia, who had served as director operations, was suspended after he failed pre-flight alcohol tests.

"Capt. Arvind Kathpalia will take over the charge of the post of Regional Director (Northern Region) with effect from May 1, 2019", consequent to the retirement of incumbent Pankaj Kumar, Air India said in an order.

In a flip-flop, the airline issued another order saying that the appointment has been kept in abeyance till further orders.

Sources in the civil aviation ministry said Air India decided to keep the appointment order in abeyance following directions from Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu.

Soon after the issuance of the appointment order, which drew flak from pilots' body ICPA, an Air India spokesperson issued a statement saying that the appointment of Kathpalia as director of northern region was "according to law".

The position of regional director is equivalent to executive director, a post he held earlier, the spokesperson had said.

The Indian Commercial Pilots Association (ICPA), which represents pilots flying Air India's narrow body aircraft, "strongly" condemned the appointment.

"Top officials are bending backwards to elevate a tainted official. He's been made in-charge of NR (Northern Region) where he will be able to intimidate people who had given statements in police enquiry. Disciplinary action against commanders come under Regional Director-NR. It's ethically wrong," it said in a statement.

A person who has broken the law and has charge sheet pending against him cannot take disciplinary action against other employees, the statement added.

On November 11 last year, Kathpalia tested positive for alcohol in two breath analyser (BA) tests before he was to fly Air India's New Delhi-London flight.

The next day, aviation regulator DGCA suspended his flying licence for three years, and on November 13, the ministry issued an order removing him from the position of director of operations.

A week later, he was posted as an executive director by Air India.

In February 2017, when Kathpalia was working at the position of executive director of operations, his flying licence was suspended for three months on charges of skipping a pre-flight alcohol test.

After being removed from the post of executive director of operations, in March 2018, he was appointed as director of operations.

Rule 24 of the Aircraft Rules prohibits crew members from partaking any alcoholic drink 12 hours prior to the commencement of a flight, and it is mandatory for him/her to undergo an alcohol test both before and after operating a flight.

Within hours of the announcement, Air India on Tuesday put on hold the appointment of senior official Arvind Kathpalia, whose flying licence was suspended in November last year, as regional director of the northern region.

Within hours of the announcement, Air India on Tuesday put on hold the appointment of senior official Arvind Kathpalia, whose flying licence was suspended in November last year, as regional director of the northern region. The flying licence of Kathpalia, who had served as director operations, was suspended after he failed pre-flight alcohol tests. "Capt. Arvind Kathpalia will take over the charge of the post of Regional Director (Northern Region) with effect from May 1, 2019", consequent to the retirement of incumbent Pankaj Kumar, Air India said in an order. In a flip-flop, the airline issued another order saying that the appointment has been kept in abeyance till further orders. Sources in the civil aviation ministry said Air India decided to keep the appointment order in abeyance following directions from Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu. Soon after the issuance of the appointment order, which drew flak from pilots' body ICPA, an Air India spokesperson issued a statement saying that the appointment of Kathpalia as director of northern region was "according to law". The position of regional director is equivalent to executive director, a post he held earlier, the spokesperson had said. The Indian Commercial Pilots Association (ICPA), which represents pilots flying Air India's narrow body aircraft, "strongly" condemned the appointment. "Top officials are bending backwards to elevate a tainted official. He's been made in-charge of NR (Northern Region) where he will be able to intimidate people who had given statements in police enquiry. Disciplinary action against commanders come under Regional Director-NR. It's ethically wrong," it said in a statement. A person who has broken the law and has charge sheet pending against him cannot take disciplinary action against other employees, the statement added. On November 11 last year, Kathpalia tested positive for alcohol in two breath analyser (BA) tests before he was to fly Air India's New Delhi-London flight. The next day, aviation regulator DGCA suspended his flying licence for three years, and on November 13, the ministry issued an order removing him from the position of director of operations. A week later, he was posted as an executive director by Air India. In February 2017, when Kathpalia was working at the position of executive director of operations, his flying licence was suspended for three months on charges of skipping a pre-flight alcohol test. After being removed from the post of executive director of operations, in March 2018, he was appointed as director of operations. Rule 24 of the Aircraft Rules prohibits crew members from partaking any alcoholic drink 12 hours prior to the commencement of a flight, and it is mandatory for him/her to undergo an alcohol test both before and after operating a flight.

Air India holds appointment of pilot as regional director

The dreaded <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/cyclone-fani-has-intensified-into-severe-cyclonic-storm-imd-214625">Cyclone Fani</a> is likely to hit West Bengal on May 3 and the government agencies are expecting largescale damage across the coastal districts of the state.

The Kolkata office of Indian Meteorological Department has issued warning for districts like East and West Midnapore, South and North 24 Parganas, Howrah, Hoogly and Kolkata.

"The extremely severe cyclonic storm 'Fani' is very likely to move northwestwards during next 12 hours and thereafter recurve north-northeastwards and cross Odisha&nbsp; Coast between Gopalpur and Chandbali, around Puri during May 3, afternoon with maximum sustained wind of speed 170-180kmph gusting to 200kmph," said Sajib Banerjee, Deputy Director General of Meteorology, IMD Kolkata.

The alert has been issued to prevent wide-scale damage to the state. The state government has cancelled leaves of all concerned departments like Disaster Management Group and put them on alert. The state police have sounded an alert for those residing in the coastal areas to go to higher ground and further away from the sea as houses may be damaged.

"Total destruction of thatched houses, extensive damage to kutcha houses, and some damage to pucca houses is expected. Potential threat from flying objects, bending and uprooting of power and communication poles, trees, major damage to roads also expected. There could be minor disruption of railways, overhead powerlines and signalling systems. Widespread damage to standing crops, plantations anticipated," added Banerjee.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/odisha-on-high-alert-as-cyclone-fani-progresses-214601">Met office</a> has suggested total suspension of fishing operations, extensive evacuation from coastal areas of east Midnapore, North and South 24 Parganas districts. The fishermen are advised not to venture into the sea from May 2, and those who are already at sea are advised to return to coast.

The state suffered significant damage when hit by the Cyclone Aila in 2009. "The speed of Cyclone Aila was 110-112 kmph, however, the speed of Cyclone Fani is likely to be around 100-120 kmph when it will hit Bengal," added Banerjee.

The NDRF teams too have been stationed in Bengal to combat the cyclone. "As many as 18 NDRF operation teams are being deployed for West Bengal to assist during Cyclone Fani, These teams will be positioned across vulnerable West Bengal districts. The NDRF will act in coordination with concerned West Bengal agencies," NDRF DG Satya Pradhan tweeted.

The Indian Coast Guard has, meanwhile, initiated all actions as per the Standard Operating Procedure prior to the onset of the cyclone.

The dreaded Cyclone Fani is likely to hit West Bengal on May 3 and the government agencies are expecting largescale damage across the coastal districts of the state.

The dreaded Cyclone Fani is likely to hit West Bengal on May 3 and the government agencies are expecting largescale damage across the coastal districts of the state. The Kolkata office of Indian Meteorological Department has issued warning for districts like East and West Midnapore, South and North 24 Parganas, Howrah, Hoogly and Kolkata. "The extremely severe cyclonic storm 'Fani' is very likely to move northwestwards during next 12 hours and thereafter recurve north-northeastwards and cross Odisha Coast between Gopalpur and Chandbali, around Puri during May 3, afternoon with maximum sustained wind of speed 170-180kmph gusting to 200kmph," said Sajib Banerjee, Deputy Director General of Meteorology, IMD Kolkata. The alert has been issued to prevent wide-scale damage to the state. The state government has cancelled leaves of all concerned departments like Disaster Management Group and put them on alert. The state police have sounded an alert for those residing in the coastal areas to go to higher ground and further away from the sea as houses may be damaged. "Total destruction of thatched houses, extensive damage to kutcha houses, and some damage to pucca houses is expected. Potential threat from flying objects, bending and uprooting of power and communication poles, trees, major damage to roads also expected. There could be minor disruption of railways, overhead powerlines and signalling systems. Widespread damage to standing crops, plantations anticipated," added Banerjee. The Met office has suggested total suspension of fishing operations, extensive evacuation from coastal areas of east Midnapore, North and South 24 Parganas districts. The fishermen are advised not to venture into the sea from May 2, and those who are already at sea are advised to return to coast. The state suffered significant damage when hit by the Cyclone Aila in 2009. "The speed of Cyclone Aila was 110-112 kmph, however, the speed of Cyclone Fani is likely to be around 100-120 kmph when it will hit Bengal," added Banerjee. The NDRF teams too have been stationed in Bengal to combat the cyclone. "As many as 18 NDRF operation teams are being deployed for West Bengal to assist during Cyclone Fani, These teams will be positioned across vulnerable West Bengal districts. The NDRF will act in coordination with concerned West Bengal agencies," NDRF DG Satya Pradhan tweeted. The Indian Coast Guard has, meanwhile, initiated all actions as per the Standard Operating Procedure prior to the onset of the cyclone.

Alert in West Bengal as Cyclone Fani advances

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/pakistan/jem-chief-masood-azhar-designated-as-a-global-terrorist-in-un-sanctions-list-215076">Masood Azhar designated as global terrorist in major diplomatic win for India</a>

In a major diplomatic victory for India, the man behind several terror attacks in the country including Pulwama terror attack,&nbsp;Masood Azhar&nbsp;has finally been listed as an international terrorist by the United Nation Security Council's 1267 committee.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wikileaks-founder-julian-assange-sentenced-to-15-weeks-in-jail-215038">WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange sentenced to 50 weeks in jail</a>

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has been sentenced to 50 weeks in jail by the London court for breaching a court order seven years ago, when he took refuge in Ecuador's London embassy to avoid extradition to Sweden.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/gadchiroli-naxal-attack-15-commandos-police-driver-killed-combing-operation-underway-215035">Gadchiroli Naxal attack: 15 commandos, police driver killed; combing operation underway</a>

At least 15 C-60 commandos, including a woman, and a police driver were killed on Wednesday in Kurkheda area of Maharashtra's Gadchiroli district after a powerful explosion triggered by the&nbsp;Naxalites&nbsp;blew up their vehicle.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sri-lanka/foreign-mastermind-may-be-behind-sri-lanka-bombings-says-president-maithripala-sirisena-215048">Foreign mastermind may be behind Sri Lanka bombings, says President Maithripala Sirisena</a>

Sri Lankan President&nbsp;Maithripala Sirisena&nbsp;has said that a “foreign mastermind” may have been behind the series of bomb blasts that struck churches and hotels in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-designates-as-terrorists-all-us-troops-in-middle-east-215046">Iran designates as terrorists all US troops in Middle East</a>

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani&nbsp;signed a bill into law on Tuesday declaring all US&nbsp;forces in the Middle East terrorists and calling the US&nbsp;government a sponsor of terrorism.

Masood Azhar designated as global terrorist in major diplomatic win for India In a major diplomatic victory for India, the man behind several terror attacks in the country including Pulwama terror attack, Masood Azhar has finally been listed as an international terrorist by the United Nation Security Council's 1267 committee.

Masood Azhar designated as global terrorist in major diplomatic win for India In a major diplomatic victory for India, the man behind several terror attacks in the country including Pulwama terror attack, Masood Azhar has finally been listed as an international terrorist by the United Nation Security Council's 1267 committee. WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange sentenced to 50 weeks in jail WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has been sentenced to 50 weeks in jail by the London court for breaching a court order seven years ago, when he took refuge in Ecuador's London embassy to avoid extradition to Sweden. Gadchiroli Naxal attack: 15 commandos, police driver killed; combing operation underway At least 15 C-60 commandos, including a woman, and a police driver were killed on Wednesday in Kurkheda area of Maharashtra's Gadchiroli district after a powerful explosion triggered by the Naxalites blew up their vehicle. Foreign mastermind may be behind Sri Lanka bombings, says President Maithripala Sirisena Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena has said that a “foreign mastermind” may have been behind the series of bomb blasts that struck churches and hotels in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday. Iran designates as terrorists all US troops in Middle East Iranian President Hassan Rouhani signed a bill into law on Tuesday declaring all US forces in the Middle East terrorists and calling the US government a sponsor of terrorism.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/if-us-stops-one-method-for-iran-oil-export-we-will-find-another-way-president-rouhani-214686">US sanctions on Iran</a> could boost oil prices and inflation to a point that hurts the common person in India, the country's ambassador to the United States said on Tuesday after the Trump administration said it would end waivers for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-oil-sanctions-wont-go-without-response-iran-213205">Iran</a>'s oil buyers.

President Donald Trump's efforts to sink Iran's oil exports to zero will have a direct impact on India, the largest buyer of the oil after China, Harsh Vardhan Shringla, the ambassador, said at a Carnegie Endowment event.

"We are apprehensive that that impact can translate into inflation, (and) higher oil prices," that could affect the common person in India, Shringla said.

Trump's sanctions on Iran are intended to curb its nuclear and ballistic missile programme and reduce its influence in Syria, Yemen and other countries in the Middle East.

Many of India's oil refineries are calibrated to process crude oil from Iran and "it is not possible to suddenly convert those refineries (to run )some other form of crude," Shringla said. Cutting off sales of oil from Iran, with which India has long had business and cultural relations, raises questions about long-term agreements on pricing and quality in the oil business, he said.

The Trump administration surprised Iran's oil customers, including India, China and Turkey, last week by saying no waivers on the sanctions would be granted after May 1, ending six months of exceptions to the sanctions for reductions in purchases.

Trump reimposed the sanctions last year after removing Washington from a 2015 international pact with Tehran designed to curb its nuclear programme.

India's Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said last week that India will get additional supplies from other major oil-producing countries to compensate for the loss of Iranian crude.

But US-based critics of Trump's sanctions have said that over the long term even US allies will tire of having to comply with the measures and that smuggling of the oil could eventually rise.

Shringla, who became ambassador in January after a diplomatic career of 35 years, said India understands Washington has issues with Iran. But excessive use of sanctions can at a certain stage become counterproductive, especially when administered by one country alone, and "affect friend and foe alike," he said.

US sanctions on Iran could boost oil prices and inflation to a point that hurts the common person in India, the country's ambassador to the United States said on Tuesday after the Trump administration said it would end waivers for Iran's oil buyers.

US sanctions on Iran could boost oil prices and inflation to a point that hurts the common person in India, the country's ambassador to the United States said on Tuesday after the Trump administration said it would end waivers for Iran's oil buyers. President Donald Trump's efforts to sink Iran's oil exports to zero will have a direct impact on India, the largest buyer of the oil after China, Harsh Vardhan Shringla, the ambassador, said at a Carnegie Endowment event. "We are apprehensive that that impact can translate into inflation, (and) higher oil prices," that could affect the common person in India, Shringla said. Trump's sanctions on Iran are intended to curb its nuclear and ballistic missile programme and reduce its influence in Syria, Yemen and other countries in the Middle East. Many of India's oil refineries are calibrated to process crude oil from Iran and "it is not possible to suddenly convert those refineries (to run )some other form of crude," Shringla said. Cutting off sales of oil from Iran, with which India has long had business and cultural relations, raises questions about long-term agreements on pricing and quality in the oil business, he said. The Trump administration surprised Iran's oil customers, including India, China and Turkey, last week by saying no waivers on the sanctions would be granted after May 1, ending six months of exceptions to the sanctions for reductions in purchases. Trump reimposed the sanctions last year after removing Washington from a 2015 international pact with Tehran designed to curb its nuclear programme. India's Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said last week that India will get additional supplies from other major oil-producing countries to compensate for the loss of Iranian crude. But US-based critics of Trump's sanctions have said that over the long term even US allies will tire of having to comply with the measures and that smuggling of the oil could eventually rise. Shringla, who became ambassador in January after a diplomatic career of 35 years, said India understands Washington has issues with Iran. But excessive use of sanctions can at a certain stage become counterproductive, especially when administered by one country alone, and "affect friend and foe alike," he said.

India apprehensive Iran sanctions could boost oil, inflation

After Sri lankan government implements ban on 'Burqa' in nation as the suspects of the blasts flew wearing the same. Shiv Sena in India demands the same as according to them that could lead to a threat for national security soon in future.

Shiv Sena demands 'Burqa Ban' says pose threat to National security

Naxals triggered an IED to blow up a police vehicle in Gadchiroli when a team of the C-60 commandos were patrolling the area and 16 security personnel were killed in this IED blast in the Naxal-affected Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra.

Maharashtra attack: 2nd Naxal attack in 24 hours, death toll rises to 16

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Cyclone Fani: IMD issues 'yellow warning' in Odisha predicting heavy rainfall

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India apprehensive Iran sanctions could boost oil, inflation

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Maharashtra attack: 2nd Naxal attack in 24 hours, death toll rises to 16