Home Minister Rajnath Singh Thursday assured the people of the country that the terror attack on a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/crpf-convoy-attacked-in-jammu-kashmirs-pulwama-death-toll-climbs-to-40-197468">CRPF bus</a> in Jammu and Kashmir, carried out by Pakistan-sponsored Jaish-e-Mohammed, will be avenged.

In a statement, he said the central government is determined to foil the designs of those who want to disrupt peace through such a terror attack "sponsored and sheltered by Pakistan".

"Jaish-e-Mohammed has carried out this<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pulwama-attack-what-we-know-so-far-197443"> terror attack</a>. We assure the country that we will undertake whatever it takes to avenge this," he said.

Singh will be visiting Srinagar Friday to take stock of the situation in the wake of the attack on the convoy that killed at least 39 CRPF personnel.

He will also hold review meetings with senior security and police officials to make a ground-level assessment and review further operational actions.

Singh has cancelled all his political engagements in Bihar Friday.

He called up Governor Satya Pal Malik, who apprised him about the prevailing situation in the state. Singh also spoke to National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba, Director of Intelligence Bureau Rajiv Jain and Director General of CRPF R R Bhatnagar and gave them necessary instructions, a home ministry official said.

In a tweet, Singh said, "Today's dastardly attack on CRPF in Pulwama (J&amp;K) is extremely painful and disturbing. I bow to each and every CRPF jawan who has sacrificed his life in service to the nation. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured."

The home ministry is also closely monitoring the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, which is currently under the President's rule.

The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi may meet on Friday to take stock of the situation in Jammu and Kashmir.

The CCS, the country's top decision-making body on strategic affairs, comprises the Home Minister, the Defence Minister, the External Affairs Minister and the Finance Minister besides the Prime Minister.

At least 39 CRPF personnel were killed in Pulwama when the Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into the bus they were travelling in.

This is one of the worst terror strikes in the state since the Uri attack in 2016.&nbsp;

Home Minister Rajnath Singh Thursday assured the people of the country that the terror attack on a CRPF bus in Jammu and Kashmir, carried out by Pakistan-sponsored Jaish-e-Mohammed, will be avenged.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh Thursday assured the people of the country that the terror attack on a CRPF bus in Jammu and Kashmir, carried out by Pakistan-sponsored Jaish-e-Mohammed, will be avenged. In a statement, he said the central government is determined to foil the designs of those who want to disrupt peace through such a terror attack "sponsored and sheltered by Pakistan". "Jaish-e-Mohammed has carried out this terror attack. We assure the country that we will undertake whatever it takes to avenge this," he said. Singh will be visiting Srinagar Friday to take stock of the situation in the wake of the attack on the convoy that killed at least 39 CRPF personnel. He will also hold review meetings with senior security and police officials to make a ground-level assessment and review further operational actions. Singh has cancelled all his political engagements in Bihar Friday. He called up Governor Satya Pal Malik, who apprised him about the prevailing situation in the state. Singh also spoke to National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba, Director of Intelligence Bureau Rajiv Jain and Director General of CRPF R R Bhatnagar and gave them necessary instructions, a home ministry official said. In a tweet, Singh said, "Today's dastardly attack on CRPF in Pulwama (J&K) is extremely painful and disturbing. I bow to each and every CRPF jawan who has sacrificed his life in service to the nation. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured." The home ministry is also closely monitoring the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, which is currently under the President's rule. The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi may meet on Friday to take stock of the situation in Jammu and Kashmir. The CCS, the country's top decision-making body on strategic affairs, comprises the Home Minister, the Defence Minister, the External Affairs Minister and the Finance Minister besides the Prime Minister. At least 39 CRPF personnel were killed in Pulwama when the Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into the bus they were travelling in. This is one of the worst terror strikes in the state since the Uri attack in 2016.

JK terror attack carried out by Pak-sponsored JeM will be avenged: Rajnath 

Late veteran Indian playback singer, lyricist and musician Bhupen Hazarika's son on Friday said this his previous statement on his father's Bharat Ratna award was misinterpreted.&nbsp;

"It is unfortunate that (some) people would completely misinterpret my public statement dated 11th February 2019 regarding the Bharat Ratna itself by sadly misrepresenting my view of it," Tej Hazarika, son of late singer, was quoted by ANI.&nbsp;

He added that "it will be an honour, for me and my family to be invited by GOI to accept Bharat Ratna on behalf of my late father".&nbsp;

"It'll be my privilege to receive it for him and his fans. As always, I'll strive to follow in my father's footsteps to bring light where there's darkness," he added.&nbsp;

On February 11, media reports stated that <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bhupen-hazarikas-family-turns-down-bharat-ratna-over-citizenship-amendment-bill-reports-196768">Tej Hazarika reportedly turned down the Bharat Ratna</a> awarded to the renowned Assamese singer and his father, Bhupen Hazarika, over the Citizenship Amendment Bill. &nbsp;

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Tej Hazarika says,"It's an honor,for me&amp;my family to be invited by GOI to accept Bharat Ratna on behalf of my late father. It'll be my privilege to receive it for him&amp;his fans. As always,I'll strive to follow in my father's footsteps to bring light where there's darkness." <a href="https://t.co/LOYThklz7W">https://t.co/LOYThklz7W</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1096360626295894017?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 15, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Tej Hazarika was quoted as telling an Assamese television news channel that he would not be accepting the Bharat Ratna for his father.&nbsp;

The news reports quoted Tej as saying he was not accepting the award because of the current situation in the state, an allusion to the current unrest in the region over the Citizenship Amendment Bill.&nbsp;

Bhupen Hazarika died in 2011. The Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award, was given to him this year on the Republic Day.&nbsp;

(With inputs from ANI)&nbsp;

Late veteran Indian playback singer, lyricist and musician Bhupen Hazarika's son on Friday said this his previous statement on his father's Bharat Ratna award was misinterpreted.

Late veteran Indian playback singer, lyricist and musician Bhupen Hazarika's son on Friday said this his previous statement on his father's Bharat Ratna award was misinterpreted. "It is unfortunate that (some) people would completely misinterpret my public statement dated 11th February 2019 regarding the Bharat Ratna itself by sadly misrepresenting my view of it," Tej Hazarika, son of late singer, was quoted by ANI. He added that "it will be an honour, for me and my family to be invited by GOI to accept Bharat Ratna on behalf of my late father". "It'll be my privilege to receive it for him and his fans. As always, I'll strive to follow in my father's footsteps to bring light where there's darkness," he added. On February 11, media reports stated that Tej Hazarika reportedly turned down the Bharat Ratna awarded to the renowned Assamese singer and his father, Bhupen Hazarika, over the Citizenship Amendment Bill. Tej Hazarika says,"It's an honor,for me&my family to be invited by GOI to accept Bharat Ratna on behalf of my late father. It'll be my privilege to receive it for him&his fans. As always,I'll strive to follow in my father's footsteps to bring light where there's darkness." https://t.co/LOYThklz7W — ANI (@ANI) February 15, 2019 × Tej Hazarika was quoted as telling an Assamese television news channel that he would not be accepting the Bharat Ratna for his father. The news reports quoted Tej as saying he was not accepting the award because of the current situation in the state, an allusion to the current unrest in the region over the Citizenship Amendment Bill. Bhupen Hazarika died in 2011. The Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award, was given to him this year on the Republic Day. (With inputs from ANI)

My statement was misinterpreted, will be an honour to accept Bharat Ratna for my late father: Tej Hazarika

A Delhi court on Friday fixed February 19 to pronounce order on lawyer <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-court-extends-ed-custody-of-gautam-khaitan-by-6-days-in-fresh-money-laundering-case-194606">Gautam Khaitan</a>'s bail plea who was sent to judicial custody in a fresh case of alleged possession and laundering of black money.

In an elaborate hearing, Special Judge Arvind Kumar heard both the parties where the Enforcement Directorate opposed his bail plea and said that it be given more time to question him.

The agency contended that Khaitan, who is also an accused in AgustaWestland VVIP chopper scam, was a serial offender.

Khaitan was placed under arrest on January 25 by the agency under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The Income Tax Department had earlier carried out searches against Khaitan in this new case filed under the anti-black money law.

Khaitan had been arrested by the ED and the CBI a few years ago in connection with their probe in the Rs 3,600-crore AgustaWestland case.

A Delhi court on Friday fixed February 19 to pronounce order on lawyer Gautam Khaitan's bail plea who was sent to judicial custody in a fresh case of alleged possession and laundering of black money.

A Delhi court on Friday fixed February 19 to pronounce order on lawyer Gautam Khaitan's bail plea who was sent to judicial custody in a fresh case of alleged possession and laundering of black money. In an elaborate hearing, Special Judge Arvind Kumar heard both the parties where the Enforcement Directorate opposed his bail plea and said that it be given more time to question him. The agency contended that Khaitan, who is also an accused in AgustaWestland VVIP chopper scam, was a serial offender. Khaitan was placed under arrest on January 25 by the agency under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The Income Tax Department had earlier carried out searches against Khaitan in this new case filed under the anti-black money law. Khaitan had been arrested by the ED and the CBI a few years ago in connection with their probe in the Rs 3,600-crore AgustaWestland case.

VVIP chopper scam: Delhi court reserves order for February 19 on accused Gautam Khaitan's bail plea

The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting is underway to discuss the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir against the backdrop of the Pulwama terror attack that claimed lives of at least 40 CRPF personnel.

The meeting began at 9:15 am on Friday, according to ANI.

The CCS is headed by the prime minister, defence minister, home minister, external affairs minister and the finance minister.&nbsp;

The CCS takes decisions on matters related to security and strategic affairs.&nbsp;

At least 40 CRPF personnel were killed when a Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into the bus they were travelling in, one of the worst terror strikes in Jammu and Kashmir in recent years.&nbsp;

The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting is underway to discuss the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir against the backdrop of the Pulwama terror attack that claimed lives of at least 40 CRPF personnel.

The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting is underway to discuss the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir against the backdrop of the Pulwama terror attack that claimed lives of at least 40 CRPF personnel. The meeting began at 9:15 am on Friday, according to ANI. The CCS is headed by the prime minister, defence minister, home minister, external affairs minister and the finance minister. The CCS takes decisions on matters related to security and strategic affairs. At least 40 CRPF personnel were killed when a Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into the bus they were travelling in, one of the worst terror strikes in Jammu and Kashmir in recent years.

Pulwama attack: CCS meet gets underway, to discuss security situation in J&K

CBDT Chairman Sushil Chandra was on Thursday appointed as an Election Commissioner ahead of the Lok Sabha polls due this summer.

Chandra, an IIT graduate, is a 1980 batch officer of the Indian Revenue Service (Income Tax cadre).&nbsp;

With his appointment, the EC now has Sunil Arora as the Chief Election Commissioner and Ashok Lavasa and Chandra as fellow commissioners.

The Law Ministry issued a notification announcing his appointment.

Chandra, 61, will have to resign from CBDT, where he is serving, before joining the poll panel.

He will assume his new charge on Friday.

Since Chandra has expertise in taxation and investigation, he could help the poll panel in election expenditure by political parties and candidates, a senior EC official felt.

Before Chandra, T S Krishnamurthy was the other IRS officer to be appointed as election commissioner. He went on to become the chief election commissioner in 2004.

Chandra was appointed as CBDT chief in November, 2016 and has since been given two extensions. He was due to retire in May.

When Om Prakah Rawat retired as chief election commissioner in November, 2018, Arora, then an election commissioner, took over as the chief of the poll panel. After Rawat's retirement, there was a vacancy in the election watchdog which has now been filled.

While Arora and Lavasa are 1980 batch IAS officers, Chandra is also from the 1980 batch, but from IRS.

Chandra will retire in May, 2022 on turning 65. Lavasa would retire a few months later in October, 2022. CEC Arora has a tenure till April, 2012.

The CEC or an EC can have a tenure of six years or hold office till the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier. The convention is to appoint the senior-most election commissioner as chief election commissioner.

Chandra completed his B Tech from Roorkee University and LLB from Dehradun and joined Indian Revenue Service in 1980.

He has served in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi, Gujarat and Mumbai and has worked in the areas of international taxation and investigation at various places.&nbsp;

He was commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) International Taxation at Delhi.&nbsp;

Before being appointed chairman of CBDT, he was member (Investigation) in the Board.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

CBDT Chairman Sushil Chandra was on Thursday appointed as an Election Commissioner ahead of the Lok Sabha polls due this summer. Chandra, an IIT graduate, is a 1980 batch officer of the Indian Revenue Service (Income Tax cadre).

CBDT Chairman Sushil Chandra was on Thursday appointed as an Election Commissioner ahead of the Lok Sabha polls due this summer. Chandra, an IIT graduate, is a 1980 batch officer of the Indian Revenue Service (Income Tax cadre). With his appointment, the EC now has Sunil Arora as the Chief Election Commissioner and Ashok Lavasa and Chandra as fellow commissioners. The Law Ministry issued a notification announcing his appointment. Chandra, 61, will have to resign from CBDT, where he is serving, before joining the poll panel. He will assume his new charge on Friday. Since Chandra has expertise in taxation and investigation, he could help the poll panel in election expenditure by political parties and candidates, a senior EC official felt. Before Chandra, T S Krishnamurthy was the other IRS officer to be appointed as election commissioner. He went on to become the chief election commissioner in 2004. Chandra was appointed as CBDT chief in November, 2016 and has since been given two extensions. He was due to retire in May. When Om Prakah Rawat retired as chief election commissioner in November, 2018, Arora, then an election commissioner, took over as the chief of the poll panel. After Rawat's retirement, there was a vacancy in the election watchdog which has now been filled. While Arora and Lavasa are 1980 batch IAS officers, Chandra is also from the 1980 batch, but from IRS. Chandra will retire in May, 2022 on turning 65. Lavasa would retire a few months later in October, 2022. CEC Arora has a tenure till April, 2012. The CEC or an EC can have a tenure of six years or hold office till the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier. The convention is to appoint the senior-most election commissioner as chief election commissioner. Chandra completed his B Tech from Roorkee University and LLB from Dehradun and joined Indian Revenue Service in 1980. He has served in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi, Gujarat and Mumbai and has worked in the areas of international taxation and investigation at various places. He was commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) International Taxation at Delhi. Before being appointed chairman of CBDT, he was member (Investigation) in the Board.

CBDT chief Sushil Chandra appointed Election Commissioner

Nation will not forget: PM Modi, Rahul Gandhi pay homage to Pulwama martyrs at Delhi's Palam

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday said it has attached assets worth Rs 4.62 crore of a firm linked to Robert Vadra, Congress president Rahul Gandhi's brother-in-law, in connection with the Bikaner land scam money laundering case.

"The attached assets include movable assets amounting to Rs 18,59,500 pertaining to four individuals and one immovable property situated at 268, Sukhdev Vihar in New Delhi to the extent of Rs 4,43,36,550 owned by Robert Vadra's company Ms Sky Light Hospitality (P) Ltd (now LLP)," the agency said.

The ED issued a provisional order for attachment under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

It had grilled Vadra in this case in Jaipur twice last week. His mother Maureen was also asked to depose but was allowed to go after completion of brief legal procedures.

The ED had registered a criminal case in connection with the deal in 2015, taking cognisance of a clutch of FIRs and charge sheets filed by Rajasthan Police after the tehsildar of Bikaner complained about alleged forgery in the allotment of land in the area, considered sensitive due to its proximity to the Indo-Pak border.

Probe revealed, the ED said, that the central government had acquired land of as many as 34 villages in Bikaner district for the purpose of establishment of Mahajan Field Firing Range (MFFR) and the state government proposed for rehabilitation of the displaced people by providing land equivalent to their acquired land.

"Fraudster Jai Prakash Bagrwa and others in collusion with state government officials got 1,422 bigha government land illegally allotted to fictitious persons in guise of a government scheme for people displaced due to establishment of MFFR and illegally sold 1,372 bigha out of this land to various persons and companies," it said.

On detection of fraud, impugned land was recorded back as government land in revenue records by Rajasthan great, the ED said.

Subsequently, it said, these impugned fraudulent lands were further sold by subsequent purchasers to individuals and companies and all these subsequent sellers of the impugned land generated a considerable amount of profit.

"These fraudulently generated profit by these entities is nothing but proceeds of crime as defined under the PMLA and Vadra's company Sky Light Hospitality (P) Ltd had purchased 275 Bigha (69.55 hectare) fraudulent land for Rs 72 lakh and sold the same for Rs 5.15 crore to Allegeny Finlease (P) Ltd and illegally generated profit of Rs 4.43 crore," he said.

Four other individuals had also generated profit of Rs 18.59 lakh in sale of impugned fraudulent land, it said.

The ED has filed charge sheet in this case against 9 accused and the total attachment in this case stands at Rs 6.44 crore now.&nbsp;

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday said it has attached assets worth Rs 4.62 crore of a firm linked to Robert Vadra, Congress president Rahul Gandhi's brother-in-law, in connection with the Bikaner land scam money laundering case.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday said it has attached assets worth Rs 4.62 crore of a firm linked to Robert Vadra, Congress president Rahul Gandhi's brother-in-law, in connection with the Bikaner land scam money laundering case. "The attached assets include movable assets amounting to Rs 18,59,500 pertaining to four individuals and one immovable property situated at 268, Sukhdev Vihar in New Delhi to the extent of Rs 4,43,36,550 owned by Robert Vadra's company Ms Sky Light Hospitality (P) Ltd (now LLP)," the agency said. The ED issued a provisional order for attachment under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). It had grilled Vadra in this case in Jaipur twice last week. His mother Maureen was also asked to depose but was allowed to go after completion of brief legal procedures. The ED had registered a criminal case in connection with the deal in 2015, taking cognisance of a clutch of FIRs and charge sheets filed by Rajasthan Police after the tehsildar of Bikaner complained about alleged forgery in the allotment of land in the area, considered sensitive due to its proximity to the Indo-Pak border. Probe revealed, the ED said, that the central government had acquired land of as many as 34 villages in Bikaner district for the purpose of establishment of Mahajan Field Firing Range (MFFR) and the state government proposed for rehabilitation of the displaced people by providing land equivalent to their acquired land. "Fraudster Jai Prakash Bagrwa and others in collusion with state government officials got 1,422 bigha government land illegally allotted to fictitious persons in guise of a government scheme for people displaced due to establishment of MFFR and illegally sold 1,372 bigha out of this land to various persons and companies," it said. On detection of fraud, impugned land was recorded back as government land in revenue records by Rajasthan great, the ED said. Subsequently, it said, these impugned fraudulent lands were further sold by subsequent purchasers to individuals and companies and all these subsequent sellers of the impugned land generated a considerable amount of profit. "These fraudulently generated profit by these entities is nothing but proceeds of crime as defined under the PMLA and Vadra's company Sky Light Hospitality (P) Ltd had purchased 275 Bigha (69.55 hectare) fraudulent land for Rs 72 lakh and sold the same for Rs 5.15 crore to Allegeny Finlease (P) Ltd and illegally generated profit of Rs 4.43 crore," he said. Four other individuals had also generated profit of Rs 18.59 lakh in sale of impugned fraudulent land, it said. The ED has filed charge sheet in this case against 9 accused and the total attachment in this case stands at Rs 6.44 crore now.

Bikaner land case: ED attaches assets worth Rs 4.62 crore of Vadra's company

As many as 7 people have been detained by security forces after the National Investigation Agency (NIA) joined Jammu and Kashmir Police's&nbsp;probe into <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pulwama-terror-attack-india-summons-pakistan-high-commission-lodges-strong-protest-197574">Pulwama terror attack on Friday</a>. According to reports, multiple raids were conducted by security forces today. Mobile internet has been suspended in Jammu.&nbsp;

Experts of anti-terror commando force the National Security Guard (NSG) and investigators of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) left for Jammu and Kashmir on Friday to join the probe into the terror attack in Pulwama in which over 40 CRPF personnel were killed, news agency PTI reported.&nbsp;

On Thursday, a home ministry official had said an NIA team with forensic experts was being sent to Srinagar to assist Jammu and Kashmir Police in forensic evaluation of the scene of the crime.

Explosive specialists of the Black Cat commando force NSG would also join in the investigation into the attack, another official had said.

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Bravehearts of CRPF who made the supreme sacrifice and attained martyrdom in the Pulwama attack on 14/02/2019. <a href="https://t.co/eHrPnYaSGV">pic.twitter.com/eHrPnYaSGV</a>
— 🇮🇳CRPF🇮🇳 (@crpfindia) <a href="https://twitter.com/crpfindia/status/1096396088083443718?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 15, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday reached the stage and paid tribute to security personnel who lost their lives in yesterday's ghastly attack.

Later in the day, Singh announced, "In the wake of suicide attack on CRPF convoy yesterday, it has been decided that the civilian movement will be stopped for sometime when a large convoy of security forces passes through an area. Civilians will face a little difficulty, we apologise for it".

"I've requested state govts to extend the maximum help they can lend to the bereaved families. I've given all the necessary directions to the officers. The morale has not taken a hit. We'll see this fight against terrorism to the end," he noted.&nbsp;

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HM Rajnath Singh in Srinagar: In the wake of suicide attack on CRPF convoy y'day, it has been decided that the civilian movement will be stopped for sometime when a large convoy of security forces passes through an area. Civilians will face a little difficulty,we apologise for it <a href="https://t.co/dk4xFtNl8t">pic.twitter.com/dk4xFtNl8t</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1096380757734551554?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 15, 2019</a></blockquote>
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"There are some elements who are hand in glove with terror organisations, terror forces &amp; ISI across the border. They are involved in terror conspiracies too. They are toying with the future of the people, especially the youth, of J&amp;K," the minister added.&nbsp;

Over 40 CRPF personnel were killed and five injured in one of the deadliest terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir when a Jaish suicide bomber rammed a vehicle carrying over 100 kg of explosives into their bus in Pulwama district on Thursday.

More than 2,500 Central Reserve Police Force personnel, many of them returning from leave to rejoin duty in the Valley, were travelling in the convoy of 78 vehicles when they were ambushed on the Srinagar-Jammu highway at Latoomode in Awantipora in south Kashmir.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/photos/we-stand-united-with-india-world-leaders-extend-solidarity-over-pulwama-terror-attack-197579">World leaders condemned the heinous attack</a> while in a strong reaction, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pulwama-terror-attack-india-summons-pakistan-high-commission-lodges-strong-protest-197574">India summoned Pak envoy</a> and decided to <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-mfn-status-to-pakistan-what-it-means-how-it-impacts-trade-197569">scrap Most Favoured Nation status to Pakistan</a>.&nbsp;

(With inputs from PTI)&nbsp;

As many as 7 people have been detained by security forces after the National Investigation Agency (NIA) joined Jammu and Kashmir Police's probe into Pulwama terror attack on Friday.

As many as 7 people have been detained by security forces after the National Investigation Agency (NIA) joined Jammu and Kashmir Police's probe into Pulwama terror attack on Friday. According to reports, multiple raids were conducted by security forces today. Mobile internet has been suspended in Jammu. Experts of anti-terror commando force the National Security Guard (NSG) and investigators of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) left for Jammu and Kashmir on Friday to join the probe into the terror attack in Pulwama in which over 40 CRPF personnel were killed, news agency PTI reported. On Thursday, a home ministry official had said an NIA team with forensic experts was being sent to Srinagar to assist Jammu and Kashmir Police in forensic evaluation of the scene of the crime. Explosive specialists of the Black Cat commando force NSG would also join in the investigation into the attack, another official had said. Bravehearts of CRPF who made the supreme sacrifice and attained martyrdom in the Pulwama attack on 14/02/2019. pic.twitter.com/eHrPnYaSGV — 🇮🇳CRPF🇮🇳 (@crpfindia) February 15, 2019 × Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday reached the stage and paid tribute to security personnel who lost their lives in yesterday's ghastly attack. Later in the day, Singh announced, "In the wake of suicide attack on CRPF convoy yesterday, it has been decided that the civilian movement will be stopped for sometime when a large convoy of security forces passes through an area. Civilians will face a little difficulty, we apologise for it". "I've requested state govts to extend the maximum help they can lend to the bereaved families. I've given all the necessary directions to the officers. The morale has not taken a hit. We'll see this fight against terrorism to the end," he noted. HM Rajnath Singh in Srinagar: In the wake of suicide attack on CRPF convoy y'day, it has been decided that the civilian movement will be stopped for sometime when a large convoy of security forces passes through an area. Civilians will face a little difficulty,we apologise for it pic.twitter.com/dk4xFtNl8t — ANI (@ANI) February 15, 2019 × "There are some elements who are hand in glove with terror organisations, terror forces & ISI across the border. They are involved in terror conspiracies too. They are toying with the future of the people, especially the youth, of J&K," the minister added. Over 40 CRPF personnel were killed and five injured in one of the deadliest terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir when a Jaish suicide bomber rammed a vehicle carrying over 100 kg of explosives into their bus in Pulwama district on Thursday. More than 2,500 Central Reserve Police Force personnel, many of them returning from leave to rejoin duty in the Valley, were travelling in the convoy of 78 vehicles when they were ambushed on the Srinagar-Jammu highway at Latoomode in Awantipora in south Kashmir. World leaders condemned the heinous attack while in a strong reaction, India summoned Pak envoy and decided to scrap Most Favoured Nation status to Pakistan. (With inputs from PTI)

Pulwama terror attack: NIA begins investigation, 7 detained after raids

A Pakistan-based militant group, Jaish-e-Mohammad, has taken responsibility for <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pulwama-terror-attack-nia-begins-investigation-7-detained-after-raids-197621">the deadliest attack on security forces in Indian Kashmir</a> in 30 years of insurgency, ratcheting up tension between the nuclear-armed South Asian neighbours.

India says the group and its leader, Masood Azhar, enjoy free rein in Pakistan, and demands that Pakistan acts to stop militant groups operating from its soil.

Pakistan condemned the Thursday bomb attack that killed 44 paramilitary policemen but denied any complicity.

India has blamed Jaish for a series of attacks including a 2001 raid on its parliament in New Delhi that led to India mobilising its military on the border, bringing the foes to the brink of a fourth war.

Who are the Jaish-e-Mohammad and what have they done?

Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), or Army of Mohammad, has ties to other Sunni militant groups in Pakistan such as Lashka-e-Taiba (LeT) and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi. It was banned in Pakistan in 2002 but US&nbsp;authorities say it still operates there openly.

Founded in 2000 after the release of Azhar from an Indian prison in exchange for 155 hostages from a hijacked Indian Airlines plane, it has claimed responsibility for numerous suicide bombings in Kashmir, India's only Muslim-majority state, which is also claimed by Pakistan.

The group, which aims to unite Kashmir with Pakistan, has repeatedly caused tension between India and Pakistan. Along with LeT, it was involved in attacks in 2001 on the Indian parliament and the Jammu and Kashmir legislative assembly building.

Pakistan rejects Indian accusations that it harbours and sustains the group. Pakistani authorities have linked JeM with two assassination attempts on former President Pervez Musharraf in 2003 as well as the kidnap and murder of US&nbsp;journalist Daniel Pearl in 2002.

Where do they operate and <a href="http://www.wionews.com/photos/jem-chief-masood-azhar-his-plan-origin-and-motive-to-target-india-197567">who is Masood Azhar</a>?&nbsp;

While Kashmir is the focus of Jaish operations, the group was based in Bhawalpur, a dust-blown Pakistani town on the border with India in the south of Punjab province. Media reports and Indian intelligence sources have suggested that a walled headquarters, as well as another large premises on the outskirts of the city, are used to recruit and train youngsters from the impoverished region.

The Jaish is listed as one of 33 banned organisations by Pakistan's National Counter-Terrorism Authority, which states on its website that the ban came on Jan. 14, 2002. But the group has never hidden its existence, frequently issuing videos threatening India, and also the United States.

After a period of silence, the portly Azhar surfaced in a video in 2014, boasting of 300 suicide bombers at his command and threatening to kill PM Narendra Modi if he became India's prime minister.

Despite many rumours, his whereabouts have been officially unknown since a 2016 attack on an Indian air force base in Pathankot in Indian Punjab.

What is the diplomatic wrangling over the group?

In 2001, the UN&nbsp;Security Council blacklisted the Jaish, tying it to al Qaeda, and accusing it of participating in the financing, planning, facilitating, preparing or perpetrating of al Qaeda acts.

But the group has floated in and out of the shadows and a US&nbsp;State Department report last year said Pakistan had not cracked down on the activities of JeM and other groups that aim mainly to operate outside its territory.

"The government failed to significantly limit LeT and JeM from openly raising money, recruiting, and training in Pakistan", it said.

While Jaish was blacklisted by the UN&nbsp;Security Council, India's efforts to get Azhar sanctioned have been blocked by China, it says. China has put a technical hold each time India has pushed the issue in the council.

On Friday, China said it condemned the latest attack in Kashmir, and noted that Jaish, which claimed the attack, was already on a UN&nbsp;sanctions list. As for its leader is concerned, the relevant committee had rules and processes for listing people, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said.

A Pakistan-based militant group, Jaish-e-Mohammad, has taken responsibility for the deadliest attack on security forces in Indian Kashmir in 30 years of insurgency, ratcheting up tension between the nuclear-armed South Asian neighbours.

A Pakistan-based militant group, Jaish-e-Mohammad, has taken responsibility for the deadliest attack on security forces in Indian Kashmir in 30 years of insurgency, ratcheting up tension between the nuclear-armed South Asian neighbours. India says the group and its leader, Masood Azhar, enjoy free rein in Pakistan, and demands that Pakistan acts to stop militant groups operating from its soil. Pakistan condemned the Thursday bomb attack that killed 44 paramilitary policemen but denied any complicity. India has blamed Jaish for a series of attacks including a 2001 raid on its parliament in New Delhi that led to India mobilising its military on the border, bringing the foes to the brink of a fourth war. Who are the Jaish-e-Mohammad and what have they done? Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), or Army of Mohammad, has ties to other Sunni militant groups in Pakistan such as Lashka-e-Taiba (LeT) and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi. It was banned in Pakistan in 2002 but US authorities say it still operates there openly. Founded in 2000 after the release of Azhar from an Indian prison in exchange for 155 hostages from a hijacked Indian Airlines plane, it has claimed responsibility for numerous suicide bombings in Kashmir, India's only Muslim-majority state, which is also claimed by Pakistan. The group, which aims to unite Kashmir with Pakistan, has repeatedly caused tension between India and Pakistan. Along with LeT, it was involved in attacks in 2001 on the Indian parliament and the Jammu and Kashmir legislative assembly building. Pakistan rejects Indian accusations that it harbours and sustains the group. Pakistani authorities have linked JeM with two assassination attempts on former President Pervez Musharraf in 2003 as well as the kidnap and murder of US journalist Daniel Pearl in 2002. Where do they operate and who is Masood Azhar? While Kashmir is the focus of Jaish operations, the group was based in Bhawalpur, a dust-blown Pakistani town on the border with India in the south of Punjab province. Media reports and Indian intelligence sources have suggested that a walled headquarters, as well as another large premises on the outskirts of the city, are used to recruit and train youngsters from the impoverished region. The Jaish is listed as one of 33 banned organisations by Pakistan's National Counter-Terrorism Authority, which states on its website that the ban came on Jan. 14, 2002. But the group has never hidden its existence, frequently issuing videos threatening India, and also the United States. After a period of silence, the portly Azhar surfaced in a video in 2014, boasting of 300 suicide bombers at his command and threatening to kill PM Narendra Modi if he became India's prime minister. Despite many rumours, his whereabouts have been officially unknown since a 2016 attack on an Indian air force base in Pathankot in Indian Punjab. What is the diplomatic wrangling over the group? In 2001, the UN Security Council blacklisted the Jaish, tying it to al Qaeda, and accusing it of participating in the financing, planning, facilitating, preparing or perpetrating of al Qaeda acts. But the group has floated in and out of the shadows and a US State Department report last year said Pakistan had not cracked down on the activities of JeM and other groups that aim mainly to operate outside its territory. "The government failed to significantly limit LeT and JeM from openly raising money, recruiting, and training in Pakistan", it said. While Jaish was blacklisted by the UN Security Council, India's efforts to get Azhar sanctioned have been blocked by China, it says. China has put a technical hold each time India has pushed the issue in the council. On Friday, China said it condemned the latest attack in Kashmir, and noted that Jaish, which claimed the attack, was already on a UN sanctions list. As for its leader is concerned, the relevant committee had rules and processes for listing people, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said.

Explainer: Jaish-e-Mohammad, the Pakistan-based militants, at heart of tension with India

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/reject-insinuation-by-india-to-link-pulwama-attack-to-pak-without-investigation-pak-government-197496">Reject insinuation by India to link Pulwama attack to Pak without investigation: Pakistan government</a>

Pakistan said terrorist attack in Kashmir's Pulwama district is "a matter of grave concern" even as it strongly rejected Indian media and government's allegations of the country's link to the strike "without" probe.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/all-countries-should-uphold-responsibility-to-deny-safe-haven-to-terrorists-says-us-after-pulwama-attack-197497">All countries should uphold </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/all-countries-should-uphold-responsibility-to-deny-safe-haven-to-terrorists-says-us-after-pulwama-attack-197497">responsibility</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/all-countries-should-uphold-responsibility-to-deny-safe-haven-to-terrorists-says-us-after-pulwama-attack-197497"> to deny safe haven to terrorists, says </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/all-countries-should-uphold-responsibility-to-deny-safe-haven-to-terrorists-says-us-after-pulwama-attack-197497">US</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/all-countries-should-uphold-responsibility-to-deny-safe-haven-to-terrorists-says-us-after-pulwama-attack-197497"> after Pulwama attack</a>

Hours after the suicide attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama claimed lives of over 40 CRPF men, the world has spoken in one voice and has united behind India.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-will-sign-shutdown-bill-but-will-also-issue-emergency-declaration-senator-mcconnell-197500">Trump to sign shutdown bill and issue emergency declaration: Senator McConnell</a>

Trump will sign a spending bill averting a government shutdown but will also issue an emergency declaration to fund his controversial border wall, White House said.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/stop-supporting-terrorists-dismantle-terror-safe-havens-india-to-pakistan-197502">Stop supporting terrorists, dismantle terror safe havens: India to Pakistan</a>

India slammed Pakistan over the Pulwama terror attack carried out by Jaish-e-Mohammed and asked the neighbouring country to stop supporting terrorists and dismantle terror infrastructure operating from its soil.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/union-minister-arun-jaitley-to-resume-charge-as-finance-minister-today-report-197509">Union Minister Arun Jaitley to resume charge as Finance Minister today: Report</a>

Union Minister Arun Jaitley, who had passed on the charge of the Finance Ministry to Piyush Goyal while receiving medical treatment in the US, will resume office from today

Reject insinuation by India to link Pulwama attack to Pak without investigation: Pakistan government Pakistan said terrorist attack in Kashmir's Pulwama district is "a matter of grave concern" even as it strongly rejected Indian media and government's allegations of the country's link to the strike "without" probe.

Reject insinuation by India to link Pulwama attack to Pak without investigation: Pakistan government Pakistan said terrorist attack in Kashmir's Pulwama district is "a matter of grave concern" even as it strongly rejected Indian media and government's allegations of the country's link to the strike "without" probe. All countries should uphold responsibility to deny safe haven to terrorists, says US after Pulwama attack Hours after the suicide attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama claimed lives of over 40 CRPF men, the world has spoken in one voice and has united behind India. Trump to sign shutdown bill and issue emergency declaration: Senator McConnell Trump will sign a spending bill averting a government shutdown but will also issue an emergency declaration to fund his controversial border wall, White House said. Stop supporting terrorists, dismantle terror safe havens: India to Pakistan India slammed Pakistan over the Pulwama terror attack carried out by Jaish-e-Mohammed and asked the neighbouring country to stop supporting terrorists and dismantle terror infrastructure operating from its soil. Union Minister Arun Jaitley to resume charge as Finance Minister today: Report Union Minister Arun Jaitley, who had passed on the charge of the Finance Ministry to Piyush Goyal while receiving medical treatment in the US, will resume office from today

News brief: Big stories of the day

Amid a row over the entry of women of menstrual age into Sabarimala temple, Union Minister Smriti Irani said Friday that religious practices should be "respected" and anyone breaching them just to "make headlines" would do a great disservice to the country's diversity.

She said this during an event in Delhi University campus in response to a question from a student on Irani's recent comments on the issue where she said that the right to pray did not mean the right to desecrate.

"I speak from personal experience. And, I said that publicly when I made that comment..I am married to a Zoroastrian, i.E., a Parsi, and by law, I am not allowed (to enter fire temple). And, by law means not by the Constitution but by laws that govern that particular religious practice," she said.

"Irrespective of how empowered I am, I am not allowed to enter a fire temple," Irani told a gathering of students at a business conclave event at Shri Ram College of Commerce here.

The textile minister said her earlier comments on the issue was to tell that there are religious practices across different communities.

"I have not gone to the Supreme Court, to tell Supreme Court to give me the power to barge into a fire temple, because I respect the religious beliefs of the community that I am associated with.

"That community says, I will not have access to a fire temple. I have to stand on the road when my children are inside, praying," she said.

She was asked why should there be a blanket restriction on women's entry to the Lord Ayyappa Temple in Sabarimala, over objections from certain quarters.

"It is incumbent upon you to respect that religious practice because the Constitution gives us rights to be free, but it also impinges upon us responsibilities towards fellow citizens," she said.

Irani said there are "many temples" across the country, where "men are not allowed".

There are many churches, many mosques where restrictions are given for religious practices to be undertaken, she said.

"As individuals, it is our responsibility, given the diverse nature of communities in our country, to respect those tenets, and those practices.

"Do we breach practices only because we seek to make headlines or do we talk about only and only matters of faith. And, that is where my comments came from," she said.

"That if I breach somebody's religious practice only because my face will be in the newspaper, then I do great disservice to the diversity of India," Irani said.

On September 28 last year, a five-judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court, headed by then Chief Justice Dipak Misra, lifted the ban on entry of women of menstrual age into the shrine.

Amid protests against the Supreme Court order opening the temple to women of all ages, Irani had in October said that the right to pray did not mean the right to desecrate.

"I am nobody to speak against the Supreme Court verdict as I am a serving cabinet minister. But just plain common sense is that would you carry a napkin seeped with menstrual blood and walk into a friend's house. You would not," she had said then, adding, "And would you think it is respectful to do the same when you walk into the house of God? That is the difference. I have the right to pray, but no right to desecrate. That is the difference that we need to recognise and respect."

Besides, the minister was asked about the allegation that the BJP-led government hid important unemployment statistics which purportedly led to the resignation of key people in the National Statistical Commission.

"I am happy that you asked this question because it gives me a sense of the distortion that is being done amongst people with regards to...Fake news," Irani said in response.

The minister referred to initiatives such as the Rs 6,000-crore package to apparel manufacturers, 1.3 crore homes built by the present government, 1.7 crore capital assets built across the country by the present government through MNREGA and plan of building 1 lakh well-ness centres across the country to counter the lack of job creation narrative.

"If you look at the figures, they speak for themselves...," Irani said.

She claimed that before the present BJP-led government assumed, rural job guarantee scheme MNREGA was used so that doles could be given out and no capital assets could be built for the country.

"We insisted that you build capital assets and as compared to the previous government where only 20 lakh such assets were made we ensured that 1.7 crore capital assets are built by those very fellow citizens who were part of a pre-existing opportunity," said the minister.

Amid a row over the entry of women of menstrual age into Sabarimala temple, Union Minister Smriti Irani said Friday that religious practices should be "respected" and anyone breaching them just to "make headlines" would do a great disservice to the country's diversity.

Amid a row over the entry of women of menstrual age into Sabarimala temple, Union Minister Smriti Irani said Friday that religious practices should be "respected" and anyone breaching them just to "make headlines" would do a great disservice to the country's diversity. She said this during an event in Delhi University campus in response to a question from a student on Irani's recent comments on the issue where she said that the right to pray did not mean the right to desecrate. "I speak from personal experience. And, I said that publicly when I made that comment..I am married to a Zoroastrian, i.E., a Parsi, and by law, I am not allowed (to enter fire temple). And, by law means not by the Constitution but by laws that govern that particular religious practice," she said. "Irrespective of how empowered I am, I am not allowed to enter a fire temple," Irani told a gathering of students at a business conclave event at Shri Ram College of Commerce here. The textile minister said her earlier comments on the issue was to tell that there are religious practices across different communities. "I have not gone to the Supreme Court, to tell Supreme Court to give me the power to barge into a fire temple, because I respect the religious beliefs of the community that I am associated with. "That community says, I will not have access to a fire temple. I have to stand on the road when my children are inside, praying," she said. She was asked why should there be a blanket restriction on women's entry to the Lord Ayyappa Temple in Sabarimala, over objections from certain quarters. "It is incumbent upon you to respect that religious practice because the Constitution gives us rights to be free, but it also impinges upon us responsibilities towards fellow citizens," she said. Irani said there are "many temples" across the country, where "men are not allowed". There are many churches, many mosques where restrictions are given for religious practices to be undertaken, she said. "As individuals, it is our responsibility, given the diverse nature of communities in our country, to respect those tenets, and those practices. "Do we breach practices only because we seek to make headlines or do we talk about only and only matters of faith. And, that is where my comments came from," she said. "That if I breach somebody's religious practice only because my face will be in the newspaper, then I do great disservice to the diversity of India," Irani said. On September 28 last year, a five-judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court, headed by then Chief Justice Dipak Misra, lifted the ban on entry of women of menstrual age into the shrine. Amid protests against the Supreme Court order opening the temple to women of all ages, Irani had in October said that the right to pray did not mean the right to desecrate. "I am nobody to speak against the Supreme Court verdict as I am a serving cabinet minister. But just plain common sense is that would you carry a napkin seeped with menstrual blood and walk into a friend's house. You would not," she had said then, adding, "And would you think it is respectful to do the same when you walk into the house of God? That is the difference. I have the right to pray, but no right to desecrate. That is the difference that we need to recognise and respect." Besides, the minister was asked about the allegation that the BJP-led government hid important unemployment statistics which purportedly led to the resignation of key people in the National Statistical Commission. "I am happy that you asked this question because it gives me a sense of the distortion that is being done amongst people with regards to...Fake news," Irani said in response. The minister referred to initiatives such as the Rs 6,000-crore package to apparel manufacturers, 1.3 crore homes built by the present government, 1.7 crore capital assets built across the country by the present government through MNREGA and plan of building 1 lakh well-ness centres across the country to counter the lack of job creation narrative. "If you look at the figures, they speak for themselves...," Irani said. She claimed that before the present BJP-led government assumed, rural job guarantee scheme MNREGA was used so that doles could be given out and no capital assets could be built for the country. "We insisted that you build capital assets and as compared to the previous government where only 20 lakh such assets were made we ensured that 1.7 crore capital assets are built by those very fellow citizens who were part of a pre-existing opportunity," said the minister.

Religious practices should be 'respected': Smriti Irani on Sabarimala row

India gets its fastest train Vande Bharat Express

Union Minister Arun Jaitley, who had passed on the charge of the Finance Ministry to Piyush Goyal while receiving medical treatment in US, will resume office from today, reported news agency ANI.&nbsp;

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Reports said that Jaitley will attend a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security today to discuss the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama that left nearly 40 troopers of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) dead and many critically injured.

&nbsp;Jaitley, on February 9, tweeted that he was “delighted to be back home.”

In Jaitley's absence, Goyal presented the Interim Budget in Parliament on February 1. &nbsp;

Union Minister Arun Jaitley, who had passed on the charge of the Finance Ministry to Piyush Goyal while receiving medical treatment in US, will resume office from today, reported news agency ANI.

Union Minister Arun Jaitley, who had passed on the charge of the Finance Ministry to Piyush Goyal while receiving medical treatment in US, will resume office from today, reported news agency ANI. Sources: Union Minister Arun Jaitley to resume charge as Finance Minister today. (File pic) pic.twitter.com/UqUu9iPfJf — ANI (@ANI) February 15, 2019 × Reports said that Jaitley will attend a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security today to discuss the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama that left nearly 40 troopers of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) dead and many critically injured. Jaitley, on February 9, tweeted that he was “delighted to be back home.” In Jaitley's absence, Goyal presented the Interim Budget in Parliament on February 1.

Union Minister Arun Jaitley to resume charge as Finance Minister today: Report

The domestic and foreign tourist arrivals in Kerala has witnessed a healthy increase, coupled with a record revenue earning of over Rs 36,000 crore in 2018, indicating that tourism sector has rebounded quickly after the devastating August floods.

Kerala netted a record revenue of Rs 36,528.01 crore from the tourism sector last year, clocking an increase of Rs 2,874.33 crore.

Over 16.7 million tourists visited the state in 2018 as against 15.76 million the previous year, recording an increase of 5.93 per cent, a government release said.

Of the total footfalls, 1.09 million were foreign tourists, who visited the state that has been rated as one of world's must-see destinations by international media and bestowed with coveted honours by premier tourism fairs across the globe.

The share of revenue from foreign visitors touched Rs 8,764.46 crore, during the period that also saw a spurt in arrival of domestic tourists as well.

Domestic tourism sector also gained during the period with visitors exceeding 15.6 million, showing an increase of 6.35 per cent.

Significantly, in the first quarter of the year upto March 31, tourist arrival in the state recorded an impressive 12.3 per cent growth in the case of foreign visitors and 20 per cent in the case of domestic tourists.

The Nipah outbreak in some parts of the state in May and the crippling floods in August led to a fall in arrivals.

This trend, however, was quickly reversed thanks to the efforts of the state government and Tourism Department, putting back the sector firmly on the growth trajectory.

"It is significant that the number of tourists who visited Kerala almost touched half the state's total population.

This impressive growth has been achieved against adverse factors such as the century's severest deluge," said Tourism minister Kadakampally Surendran.

The UK accounted for the largest number of foreign visitors of over 200,000, followed by the US, France, Germany and Saudi Arabia.

The number of visitors from other European countries like Sweden and Italy also increased during the period.

"It was through hard work and determination of the Tourism department, tourism trade and the coordinated efforts of other departments that the state had been able to achieve this impressive growth," Tourism Secretary Rani George said.

The campaign mounted through the media, including social media platforms, also played a vital role in this success story, she noted.

Tourism Director P Bala Kiran said tourist arrivals in the state last year had been both "inspiring and impressive".

Kerala Tourism Department Deputy Director (Marketing) Anil V S said "as per the target set out by the Kerala State Tourism policy, by 2020 we are planning to increase international tourists arrivals by 100 per cent and domestic tourists arrivals by 50 per cent.

He was speaking to reporters at Hyderabad after a programme organised to promote Kerala Tourism.&nbsp;

The domestic and foreign tourist arrivals in Kerala has witnessed a healthy increase, coupled with a record revenue earning of over Rs 36,000 crore in 2018, indicating that tourism sector has rebounded quickly after the devastating August floods.

The domestic and foreign tourist arrivals in Kerala has witnessed a healthy increase, coupled with a record revenue earning of over Rs 36,000 crore in 2018, indicating that tourism sector has rebounded quickly after the devastating August floods. Kerala netted a record revenue of Rs 36,528.01 crore from the tourism sector last year, clocking an increase of Rs 2,874.33 crore. Over 16.7 million tourists visited the state in 2018 as against 15.76 million the previous year, recording an increase of 5.93 per cent, a government release said. Of the total footfalls, 1.09 million were foreign tourists, who visited the state that has been rated as one of world's must-see destinations by international media and bestowed with coveted honours by premier tourism fairs across the globe. The share of revenue from foreign visitors touched Rs 8,764.46 crore, during the period that also saw a spurt in arrival of domestic tourists as well. Domestic tourism sector also gained during the period with visitors exceeding 15.6 million, showing an increase of 6.35 per cent. Significantly, in the first quarter of the year upto March 31, tourist arrival in the state recorded an impressive 12.3 per cent growth in the case of foreign visitors and 20 per cent in the case of domestic tourists. The Nipah outbreak in some parts of the state in May and the crippling floods in August led to a fall in arrivals. This trend, however, was quickly reversed thanks to the efforts of the state government and Tourism Department, putting back the sector firmly on the growth trajectory. "It is significant that the number of tourists who visited Kerala almost touched half the state's total population. This impressive growth has been achieved against adverse factors such as the century's severest deluge," said Tourism minister Kadakampally Surendran. The UK accounted for the largest number of foreign visitors of over 200,000, followed by the US, France, Germany and Saudi Arabia. The number of visitors from other European countries like Sweden and Italy also increased during the period. "It was through hard work and determination of the Tourism department, tourism trade and the coordinated efforts of other departments that the state had been able to achieve this impressive growth," Tourism Secretary Rani George said. The campaign mounted through the media, including social media platforms, also played a vital role in this success story, she noted. Tourism Director P Bala Kiran said tourist arrivals in the state last year had been both "inspiring and impressive". Kerala Tourism Department Deputy Director (Marketing) Anil V S said "as per the target set out by the Kerala State Tourism policy, by 2020 we are planning to increase international tourists arrivals by 100 per cent and domestic tourists arrivals by 50 per cent. He was speaking to reporters at Hyderabad after a programme organised to promote Kerala Tourism.

Despite floods, Kerala tourism nets over Rs 36,000 crore in 2018

Attaching impurity to a woman during the menstrual period is an abrasion to entire humanity, said Kerala government in a written submission in the Supreme Court on Sabarimala review petitions.

"Attaching impurity to a woman during the menstrual period is an abrasion to entire humanity and abhorrent to civilised society as menstruation is a natural process and is essential for procreation," the state submitted.

Senior advocate Vijay Hansaria, on behalf of State of Kerala submitted that since there can be no human beings without women's menstruation "hence, argument for exclusion of women during menstruation period on ground of impurity is a worst kind of exclusionary practice and is an anathema to humanity itself apart from being stigmatic and oppressive".

It also said that the protection under Article 26 of the Constitution to manage religious affairs was available only to "every religious denomination or section thereof" and not to devotees of a particular temple or deity.

The written submission prepared by Hansaria and advocate Sneha Kalita said that the top court has consistently held that a 'religious denomination', fulfilling the criteria of a common faith, common organisation and the designation of a distinctive name can only claim right under Article 26 of the Constitution.

However, it said, that the devotees of the Sabarimala temple do not fulfil this criterion.

The state government submitted that the restriction on entry of women was only during Mandalam, Makaeavilakku and Vishnu days and on other days, the temple was open to women worshippers of all age groups.

It said that the mere presence of a woman of a particular age group cannot be assumed to affect the celibacy of the deity and the said argument derogates the dignity of a woman and recognises even a female child of 10 years as a "source of deviation" for the deity's celibacy.&nbsp;

Attaching impurity to a woman during the menstrual period is an abrasion to entire humanity, said Kerala government in a written submission in the Supreme Court on Sabarimala review petitions.

Attaching impurity to a woman during the menstrual period is an abrasion to entire humanity, said Kerala government in a written submission in the Supreme Court on Sabarimala review petitions. "Attaching impurity to a woman during the menstrual period is an abrasion to entire humanity and abhorrent to civilised society as menstruation is a natural process and is essential for procreation," the state submitted. Senior advocate Vijay Hansaria, on behalf of State of Kerala submitted that since there can be no human beings without women's menstruation "hence, argument for exclusion of women during menstruation period on ground of impurity is a worst kind of exclusionary practice and is an anathema to humanity itself apart from being stigmatic and oppressive". It also said that the protection under Article 26 of the Constitution to manage religious affairs was available only to "every religious denomination or section thereof" and not to devotees of a particular temple or deity. The written submission prepared by Hansaria and advocate Sneha Kalita said that the top court has consistently held that a 'religious denomination', fulfilling the criteria of a common faith, common organisation and the designation of a distinctive name can only claim right under Article 26 of the Constitution. However, it said, that the devotees of the Sabarimala temple do not fulfil this criterion. The state government submitted that the restriction on entry of women was only during Mandalam, Makaeavilakku and Vishnu days and on other days, the temple was open to women worshippers of all age groups. It said that the mere presence of a woman of a particular age group cannot be assumed to affect the celibacy of the deity and the said argument derogates the dignity of a woman and recognises even a female child of 10 years as a "source of deviation" for the deity's celibacy.

Sabarimala: Attaching impurity to menstruation an abrasion, Kerala govt to SC

A day after Pulwama attack that killed over 40 CRPF personnel in Jammu and Kashmir, diplomacy took centre stage as the Ministry of External Affairs briefed envoys of P5 countries, Gulf, Europe, Japan, South Korea on Pakistan’s role in Thursday's terror attack. ASEAN envoys have also been called on Saturday for a briefing.

Sources told WION that, all the heads of missions were "left in no doubt about the role played by Pakistan based and supported Jaish-e-Mohammed in the terrorist attack" and "our demand that Pakistan ceases forthwith all support and financing to terror groups operating from areas under their control".&nbsp;

Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale highlighted the role played by "Pakistan in using terrorism as an instrument of its state policy".

Indian Foreign Secretary also met the Chinese Ambassador Luo Zhaohui in Delhi and conveyed the Pakistani role in the Pulwama attack.&nbsp;

UN-designated Pakistan-based terrorist group <a href="http://www.wionews.com/photos/jem-chief-masood-azhar-his-plan-origin-and-motive-to-target-india-197567">Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM)</a> claimed responsibility for the terror attack.

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pulwama-terror-attack-nia-begins-investigation-7-detained-after-raids-197621">NIA begins </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pulwama-terror-attack-nia-begins-investigation-7-detained-after-raids-197621">investigation</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pulwama-terror-attack-nia-begins-investigation-7-detained-after-raids-197621"> in Pulwama terror attack, 7 detained after raids</a>

As part of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) decision, India will be taking action to diplomatically isolate Pakistan. CCS which was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting on the aftermath of the terror attack on Friday morning. &nbsp;

Briefing the media after Cabinet Committee on Security, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said, "MEA will initiate all possible steps and I am referring to all possible diplomatic steps which have to be taken to ensure the complete isolation of Pakistan from the international community for having a direct hand in this incident".

After the Uri attack, India along with Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan, had boycotted the SAARC Summit in Islamabad.

New Delhi also announced that it will be <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-mfn-status-to-pakistan-what-it-means-how-it-impacts-trade-197569">withdrawing the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to Pakistan</a>. Under the status, a country grants equal trade advantages like low tariff or high import quota.

India will ask the world to form a consensus on the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) which it had introduced more than two decades ago at the United Nation.

Pakistan High Commissioner summoned

Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale on Friday <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pulwama-terror-attack-india-summons-pakistan-high-commission-lodges-strong-protest-197574">summoned Pakistan High Commissioner</a> and issued a "very strong demarche" in connection with the terror attack.

Sources tell WION that India conveyed that Pakistan must take "immediate and verifiable action" against the JeM. New Delhi asked Islamabad that "it must immediately stop any groups or individuals associated with terrorism operating from its territories".&nbsp;

India also rejected the statement made by the foreign ministry of Pakistan on Thursday. Pakistan had said it, "strongly reject any insinuation by elements in the Indian government and media circles that seek to link the attack to the State of Pakistan without investigations".

This is the second time this year when the Pak envoy has been summoned. He was summoned in January after Pakistan Foreign Minister SM Qureshi had made a phone call to pro-Pakistan Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.

In all, as many as 7 times a Pakistan High Commissioner has been summoned under the Modi-government since 2014.

China doesn't budge on Masood Azhar

But <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/jem-has-been-included-in-security-council-counter-terrorism-list-we-have-dealt-with-masood-azhar-issue-professionally-china-197566">China's stance on Masood Azhar</a>, the chief of Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM), did not change. When asked about if China will now allow Azhar to be listed as a terrorist, China foreign ministry spokesperson said, "JeM has been included in the Security Council terrorism sanctions list. China will continue to handle the relevant sanctions issue in a constructive and responsible manner."&nbsp;

The Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson on terrorism said, "Chinese side firmly opposes and strongly condemns terrorism in any form, hoping regional countries join hands together to confront the threat of terrorism so as to maintain the regional peace and security".

Remember, China repeatedly blocked listing of Masood Azhar as an internationally designated terrorist under the UNSC 1267 Committee. India, in February 2016, had approached the UN Security Council Sanctions Committee with the proposal to designate Masood Azhar under the 1267 sanction regime. While the US, UK and France backed India's bid, China continued to block it.

China was the only country that took time to condemn the attack and the last of the P5 -- Permanent five countries of UNSC -- to react.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi wrote to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and condemned the terror attack. In the letter, he expressed "deep sympathy to families of the victims and injured" and "stressed that the Chinese side resolutely opposes and strongly condemns all forms of terrorism."

China and Pakistan call themselves as "all-weather friends" with the Chinese economic project China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) passing through the country, providing Beijing with a lucrative link with West Asia. &nbsp;&nbsp;

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Sources: All Heads of Missions were left in no doubt about the role played by Pakistan based&amp;supported Jaish-e-Mohammed in the terror attack&amp;our demand that Pakistan ceases forthwith all support&amp;financing to terror groups operating from areas under their control. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PulwamaAttack?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PulwamaAttack</a> <a href="https://t.co/irSXe0ij6P">https://t.co/irSXe0ij6P</a>
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The US came heavy on Pakistan. The White House in a strong statement hit out at Islamabad. The&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/united-states-calls-on-pakistan-to-immediately-end-support-to-all-terrorist-groups-white-house-197523">United States called on Pakistan</a>&nbsp;"to end immediately the support and safe haven provided to all terrorist groups operating on its soil, whose only goal is to sow chaos, violence, and terror in the region".

It further said, "this attack only strengthens our resolve to bolster counterterrorism, cooperation and coordination between the United States and India".

The US State Department was quick to react and in a statement said, "We call on all countries to uphold their responsibilities pursuant to UN Security Council resolutions to deny safe haven and support for terrorists".

Later in the day, American National Security Advisor (NSA) John Bolton spoke to NSA Ajit Doval.

Eleven US senators, 15 members of US house of representatives have condemned the Pulwama attack.

India's neighbours - Sri Lanka, Maldives, Nepal, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Bhutan - and major countries in the world like Russia, UK, Germany, France, Australia, Israel, Iran, UAE have strongly come out in strong support of New Delhi.&nbsp;

According to reports, representatives from 20 countries, including Germany, Hungary, Italy, the European Union, Canada, Britain, Russia, Israel, Australia and Japan arrived at the Ministry of External Affairs on Friday evening.&nbsp;

Diplomats from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Nepal were also present at the MEA office.

A day after Pulwama attack that killed over 40 CRPF personnel in Jammu and Kashmir, diplomacy took centre stage as the Ministry of External Affairs briefed envoys of P5 countries, Gulf, Europe, Japan, South Korea on Pakistan’s role in Thursday's terror attack.

A day after Pulwama attack that killed over 40 CRPF personnel in Jammu and Kashmir, diplomacy took centre stage as the Ministry of External Affairs briefed envoys of P5 countries, Gulf, Europe, Japan, South Korea on Pakistan’s role in Thursday's terror attack. ASEAN envoys have also been called on Saturday for a briefing. Sources told WION that, all the heads of missions were "left in no doubt about the role played by Pakistan based and supported Jaish-e-Mohammed in the terrorist attack" and "our demand that Pakistan ceases forthwith all support and financing to terror groups operating from areas under their control". Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale highlighted the role played by "Pakistan in using terrorism as an instrument of its state policy". Indian Foreign Secretary also met the Chinese Ambassador Luo Zhaohui in Delhi and conveyed the Pakistani role in the Pulwama attack. UN-designated Pakistan-based terrorist group Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) claimed responsibility for the terror attack. Also read: NIA begins investigation in Pulwama terror attack, 7 detained after raids As part of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) decision, India will be taking action to diplomatically isolate Pakistan. CCS which was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting on the aftermath of the terror attack on Friday morning. Briefing the media after Cabinet Committee on Security, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said, "MEA will initiate all possible steps and I am referring to all possible diplomatic steps which have to be taken to ensure the complete isolation of Pakistan from the international community for having a direct hand in this incident". After the Uri attack, India along with Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan, had boycotted the SAARC Summit in Islamabad. New Delhi also announced that it will be withdrawing the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to Pakistan. Under the status, a country grants equal trade advantages like low tariff or high import quota. India will ask the world to form a consensus on the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) which it had introduced more than two decades ago at the United Nation. Pakistan High Commissioner summoned Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale on Friday summoned Pakistan High Commissioner and issued a "very strong demarche" in connection with the terror attack. Sources tell WION that India conveyed that Pakistan must take "immediate and verifiable action" against the JeM. New Delhi asked Islamabad that "it must immediately stop any groups or individuals associated with terrorism operating from its territories". India also rejected the statement made by the foreign ministry of Pakistan on Thursday. Pakistan had said it, "strongly reject any insinuation by elements in the Indian government and media circles that seek to link the attack to the State of Pakistan without investigations". This is the second time this year when the Pak envoy has been summoned. He was summoned in January after Pakistan Foreign Minister SM Qureshi had made a phone call to pro-Pakistan Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. In all, as many as 7 times a Pakistan High Commissioner has been summoned under the Modi-government since 2014. China doesn't budge on Masood Azhar But China's stance on Masood Azhar, the chief of Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM), did not change. When asked about if China will now allow Azhar to be listed as a terrorist, China foreign ministry spokesperson said, "JeM has been included in the Security Council terrorism sanctions list. China will continue to handle the relevant sanctions issue in a constructive and responsible manner." The Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson on terrorism said, "Chinese side firmly opposes and strongly condemns terrorism in any form, hoping regional countries join hands together to confront the threat of terrorism so as to maintain the regional peace and security". Remember, China repeatedly blocked listing of Masood Azhar as an internationally designated terrorist under the UNSC 1267 Committee. India, in February 2016, had approached the UN Security Council Sanctions Committee with the proposal to designate Masood Azhar under the 1267 sanction regime. While the US, UK and France backed India's bid, China continued to block it. China was the only country that took time to condemn the attack and the last of the P5 -- Permanent five countries of UNSC -- to react. Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi wrote to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and condemned the terror attack. In the letter, he expressed "deep sympathy to families of the victims and injured" and "stressed that the Chinese side resolutely opposes and strongly condemns all forms of terrorism." China and Pakistan call themselves as "all-weather friends" with the Chinese economic project China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) passing through the country, providing Beijing with a lucrative link with West Asia. Sources: All Heads of Missions were left in no doubt about the role played by Pakistan based&supported Jaish-e-Mohammed in the terror attack&our demand that Pakistan ceases forthwith all support&financing to terror groups operating from areas under their control. #PulwamaAttack https://t.co/irSXe0ij6P — ANI (@ANI) February 15, 2019 × The US came heavy on Pakistan. The White House in a strong statement hit out at Islamabad. The United States called on Pakistan "to end immediately the support and safe haven provided to all terrorist groups operating on its soil, whose only goal is to sow chaos, violence, and terror in the region". It further said, "this attack only strengthens our resolve to bolster counterterrorism, cooperation and coordination between the United States and India". The US State Department was quick to react and in a statement said, "We call on all countries to uphold their responsibilities pursuant to UN Security Council resolutions to deny safe haven and support for terrorists". Later in the day, American National Security Advisor (NSA) John Bolton spoke to NSA Ajit Doval. Eleven US senators, 15 members of US house of representatives have condemned the Pulwama attack. India's neighbours - Sri Lanka, Maldives, Nepal, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Bhutan - and major countries in the world like Russia, UK, Germany, France, Australia, Israel, Iran, UAE have strongly come out in strong support of New Delhi. According to reports, representatives from 20 countries, including Germany, Hungary, Italy, the European Union, Canada, Britain, Russia, Israel, Australia and Japan arrived at the Ministry of External Affairs on Friday evening. Diplomats from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Nepal were also present at the MEA office.

Pulwama attack: Diplomacy takes centerstage as India prepares to isolate Pakistan, briefs envoys of P5 countries

India on Thursday slammed Pakistan over the Pulwama terror attack carried out by Jaish-e-Mohammed and asked the neighbouring country to stop supporting terrorists and dismantle terror infrastructure operating from its soil.

India also strongly reiterated its appeal to all members of the international community to support the proposal to list terrorists, including JeM chief Masood Azhar, as a designated terrorist under the 1267 Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council, and to ban terrorist organisations operating from territories controlled by Pakistan.&nbsp;

At least 37 CRPF personnel were killed and five injured on Thursday in one of the deadliest terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir when a Jaish suicide bomber rammed a vehicle carrying over 100 kg of explosives into their bus in Pulwama district.&nbsp;

The Indian government condemns in the strongest possible terms the cowardly terrorist attack on India's brave security forces in Pulwama, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

This heinous and despicable act has been perpetrated by Jaish-e-Mohammed, a Pakistan-based terrorist organisation proscribed by the United Nations and other countries, it said.

This terror group is led by the international terrorist Masood Azhar, who has been given full freedom by the Pakistani government to operate and expand his terror infrastructure in territories under Pakistan's control and to carry out attacks in India and elsewhere with impunity, the MEA said.

The Indian government is firmly and resolutely committed to take all necessary measures to safeguard national security, it said.

"We are equally resolved to fight against the menace of terrorism. We demand that Pakistan stop supporting terrorists and terror groups operating from their territory, and dismantle the infrastructure operated by terrorist outfits to launch attacks in other countries," the statement said.

"We express our sincere condolences to the family members of our fearless security personnel who have made the supreme sacrifice," the MEA said.&nbsp; 
Meanwhile, Pakistan on Thursday said the terrorist attack in Kashmir's Pulwama district is "a matter of grave concern" even as it strongly rejected Indian media and government's allegations of the country's link to the strike "without" probe.

India on Thursday slammed Pakistan over the Pulwama terror attack carried out by Jaish-e-Mohammed and asked the neighbouring country to stop supporting terrorists and dismantle terror infrastructure operating from its soil.

India on Thursday slammed Pakistan over the Pulwama terror attack carried out by Jaish-e-Mohammed and asked the neighbouring country to stop supporting terrorists and dismantle terror infrastructure operating from its soil. India also strongly reiterated its appeal to all members of the international community to support the proposal to list terrorists, including JeM chief Masood Azhar, as a designated terrorist under the 1267 Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council, and to ban terrorist organisations operating from territories controlled by Pakistan. At least 37 CRPF personnel were killed and five injured on Thursday in one of the deadliest terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir when a Jaish suicide bomber rammed a vehicle carrying over 100 kg of explosives into their bus in Pulwama district. The Indian government condemns in the strongest possible terms the cowardly terrorist attack on India's brave security forces in Pulwama, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement. This heinous and despicable act has been perpetrated by Jaish-e-Mohammed, a Pakistan-based terrorist organisation proscribed by the United Nations and other countries, it said. This terror group is led by the international terrorist Masood Azhar, who has been given full freedom by the Pakistani government to operate and expand his terror infrastructure in territories under Pakistan's control and to carry out attacks in India and elsewhere with impunity, the MEA said. The Indian government is firmly and resolutely committed to take all necessary measures to safeguard national security, it said. "We are equally resolved to fight against the menace of terrorism. We demand that Pakistan stop supporting terrorists and terror groups operating from their territory, and dismantle the infrastructure operated by terrorist outfits to launch attacks in other countries," the statement said. "We express our sincere condolences to the family members of our fearless security personnel who have made the supreme sacrifice," the MEA said. Meanwhile, Pakistan on Thursday said the terrorist attack in Kashmir's Pulwama district is "a matter of grave concern" even as it strongly rejected Indian media and government's allegations of the country's link to the strike "without" probe.

Stop supporting terrorists, dismantle terror safe havens: India to Pakistan

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday addressed a rally here by mobile phone after bad weather stopped him from reaching the venue.

Modi was to blow the poll bugle for the state at the meeting, named `Shanknaad' - or the blowing of conch shells - to indicate just that.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat, state BJP president Ajay Bhatt and party MPs Bhagat Singh Koshiyari, Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank and Mala Rajya Lakshmi Shah sat on the dais, as the sound system relayed the brief speech.

Modi arrived at Dehradun's Jolly Grant airport on schedule at about 7 am, and was to travel ahead by helicopter.

He waited there for over four hours for the weather to clear up for the Mi-17 helicopter to take off.

The prime minister left by helicopter for Kalagarh at 11.15 am and then travelled to the Dhikala zone of the Corbett Tiger Reserve.

But he could not go beyond Dhikala as the weather turned bad in the afternoon once again, prompting him to address the meeting on phone.

The prime minister apologised to the people who stayed put at the Rudrapur venue despite the intermittent rain.

"I am unhappy that despite having come to Uttarakhand, I could not reach in your midst because of bad weather. Still, you are waiting to listen to me," he said.

He announced new co-operative and farmer welfare schemes worth Rs 33 crore.

During the four hours he spent at the Corbett Tiger Reserve, the prime minister announced the launch of a tiger safari at Pankhrau between Kotdwar and Kalagarh.

Modi spent about 30 minutes around the Dhikala and Khinanauli forest tracks, and also went to the Khinanauli forest rest house, an official said.

He discussed tiger conservation with the reserve officials, also asking them about incidents of man-animal conflict.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday addressed a rally here by mobile phone after bad weather stopped him from reaching the venue. Modi was to blow the poll bugle for the state at the meeting, named `Shanknaad' - or the blowing of conch shells - to indicate just that.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday addressed a rally here by mobile phone after bad weather stopped him from reaching the venue. Modi was to blow the poll bugle for the state at the meeting, named `Shanknaad' - or the blowing of conch shells - to indicate just that. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat, state BJP president Ajay Bhatt and party MPs Bhagat Singh Koshiyari, Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank and Mala Rajya Lakshmi Shah sat on the dais, as the sound system relayed the brief speech. Modi arrived at Dehradun's Jolly Grant airport on schedule at about 7 am, and was to travel ahead by helicopter. He waited there for over four hours for the weather to clear up for the Mi-17 helicopter to take off. The prime minister left by helicopter for Kalagarh at 11.15 am and then travelled to the Dhikala zone of the Corbett Tiger Reserve. But he could not go beyond Dhikala as the weather turned bad in the afternoon once again, prompting him to address the meeting on phone. The prime minister apologised to the people who stayed put at the Rudrapur venue despite the intermittent rain. "I am unhappy that despite having come to Uttarakhand, I could not reach in your midst because of bad weather. Still, you are waiting to listen to me," he said. He announced new co-operative and farmer welfare schemes worth Rs 33 crore. During the four hours he spent at the Corbett Tiger Reserve, the prime minister announced the launch of a tiger safari at Pankhrau between Kotdwar and Kalagarh. Modi spent about 30 minutes around the Dhikala and Khinanauli forest tracks, and also went to the Khinanauli forest rest house, an official said. He discussed tiger conservation with the reserve officials, also asking them about incidents of man-animal conflict.

Modi stopped by bad weather, addresses rally over phone

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who returned here leaving his Vidarbha tour halfway through, rushed to the residence of Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray Thursday evening.

He was accompanied by BJP leader and state revenue minister Chandrakant Patil, party sources said.

Senior Sena leader and state industries minister Subhash Desai was also present as Fadnavis met Thackeray at `Matoshri', the Thackeray family's residence in suburban Bandra.

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Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis: The discussion with Shiv Sena chief was positive &amp; some questions related to the general public and farmers were kept before us to which we have given a positive response. I feel very soon we will take a unanimous decision and reach a conclusion. <a href="https://t.co/MLk6w6Qw4q">https://t.co/MLk6w6Qw4q</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1096098010096910336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 14, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Fadnavis, who was on Vidarbha tour, cancelled some of his programmes scheduled for Thursday evening and rushed back to Mumbai to meet Thackeray after the Sena chief indicated that he would like to meet, sources said.

The meeting was in progress late Thursday night.

The Sena has been regularly hitting out at its ally BJP on various issues over the last few years.

While the BJP has indicated that it would like to form an alliance with it for the coming Lok Sabha elections, the Sena has been giving mixed signals.&nbsp;

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who returned here leaving his Vidarbha tour halfway through, rushed to the residence of Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray Thursday evening.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who returned here leaving his Vidarbha tour halfway through, rushed to the residence of Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray Thursday evening. He was accompanied by BJP leader and state revenue minister Chandrakant Patil, party sources said. Senior Sena leader and state industries minister Subhash Desai was also present as Fadnavis met Thackeray at `Matoshri', the Thackeray family's residence in suburban Bandra. Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis: The discussion with Shiv Sena chief was positive & some questions related to the general public and farmers were kept before us to which we have given a positive response. I feel very soon we will take a unanimous decision and reach a conclusion. https://t.co/MLk6w6Qw4q — ANI (@ANI) February 14, 2019 × Fadnavis, who was on Vidarbha tour, cancelled some of his programmes scheduled for Thursday evening and rushed back to Mumbai to meet Thackeray after the Sena chief indicated that he would like to meet, sources said. The meeting was in progress late Thursday night. The Sena has been regularly hitting out at its ally BJP on various issues over the last few years. While the BJP has indicated that it would like to form an alliance with it for the coming Lok Sabha elections, the Sena has been giving mixed signals.

Maharashtra CM Fadnavis meets Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray

Home Minister Rajnath Singh Friday helped carry the coffin of a slain CRPF jawan after he laid a wreath on the mortal remains of the troops, who were killed in a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pulwama-terror-attack-india-summons-pakistan-high-commission-lodges-strong-protest-197574">terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir</a>, officials said.

Shortly after arriving from Delhi, the home minister attended a solemn function here where the remains of 40 CRPF personnel were kept in coffins, draped in tricolour.

Singh helped carry the coffin of a slain CRPF jawan before it was flown out of Jammu and Kashmir in a special aircraft, an official present at the function said.

The home minister, Governor Satya Pal Malik, Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba, CRPF Director General R R Bhatnagar, Jammu and Kashmir DGP Dilbagh Singh besides others attended the wreath laying ceremony.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a>: Home Minister Rajnath Singh and J&amp;K DGP Dilbagh Singh lend a shoulder to mortal remains of a CRPF soldier in Budgam. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PulwamaAttack?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PulwamaAttack</a> <a href="https://t.co/CN4pfBsoVr">pic.twitter.com/CN4pfBsoVr</a>
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"The nation will not forget the supreme sacrifice of our brave CRPF jawans. I have paid my last respects to the martyrs of Pulwama. The sacrifice will not go in vain," Singh said.

The dignitaries stood in silence till the coffins were loaded in a truck which went to the Srinagar airport, the official said.

Forty CRPF personnel were killed and five injured on Thursday in one of the deadliest terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir when a Jaish-e-Mohammad suicide bomber rammed a vehicle carrying over 100 kg of explosives into their bus in Pulwama district.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, J&amp;K Governor Satya Pal Malik and Army's Northern Command chief Lt Gen Ranbir Singh in Budgam, pay tribute to CRPF personnel who lost their lives in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PulwamaAttack?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PulwamaAttack</a> <a href="https://t.co/woCNZNGvzS">pic.twitter.com/woCNZNGvzS</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1096341971130568704?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 15, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The bus was part of a convoy of 78 vehicles CRPF travelling from Jammu to Srinagar.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said those responsible for the attack will pay "a very heavy price" and security forces will be given a free hand to deal with terrorists. 
In a hard-hitting speech, Modi said the "blood of the people is boiling" and forces behind the act of terrorism will be definitely be punished.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh Friday helped carry the coffin of a slain CRPF jawan after he laid a wreath on the mortal remains of the troops, who were killed in a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh Friday helped carry the coffin of a slain CRPF jawan after he laid a wreath on the mortal remains of the troops, who were killed in a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said. Shortly after arriving from Delhi, the home minister attended a solemn function here where the remains of 40 CRPF personnel were kept in coffins, draped in tricolour. Singh helped carry the coffin of a slain CRPF jawan before it was flown out of Jammu and Kashmir in a special aircraft, an official present at the function said. The home minister, Governor Satya Pal Malik, Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba, CRPF Director General R R Bhatnagar, Jammu and Kashmir DGP Dilbagh Singh besides others attended the wreath laying ceremony. #WATCH: Home Minister Rajnath Singh and J&K DGP Dilbagh Singh lend a shoulder to mortal remains of a CRPF soldier in Budgam. #PulwamaAttack pic.twitter.com/CN4pfBsoVr — ANI (@ANI) February 15, 2019 × "The nation will not forget the supreme sacrifice of our brave CRPF jawans. I have paid my last respects to the martyrs of Pulwama. The sacrifice will not go in vain," Singh said. The dignitaries stood in silence till the coffins were loaded in a truck which went to the Srinagar airport, the official said. Forty CRPF personnel were killed and five injured on Thursday in one of the deadliest terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir when a Jaish-e-Mohammad suicide bomber rammed a vehicle carrying over 100 kg of explosives into their bus in Pulwama district. #WATCH Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, J&K Governor Satya Pal Malik and Army's Northern Command chief Lt Gen Ranbir Singh in Budgam, pay tribute to CRPF personnel who lost their lives in #PulwamaAttack pic.twitter.com/woCNZNGvzS — ANI (@ANI) February 15, 2019 × The bus was part of a convoy of 78 vehicles CRPF travelling from Jammu to Srinagar. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said those responsible for the attack will pay "a very heavy price" and security forces will be given a free hand to deal with terrorists. In a hard-hitting speech, Modi said the "blood of the people is boiling" and forces behind the act of terrorism will be definitely be punished.

Watch: Rajnath Singh helps carry coffin of CRPF jawan who lost life in Pulwama attack

In the wake of the Pulwama attack, the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/united-states-calls-on-pakistan-to-immediately-end-support-to-all-terrorist-groups-white-house-197523">MFN status to Pakistan</a> has been revoked by India signifying a dip in trade relations between the two countries.

India had granted <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-withdraws-most-favoured-nation-status-accorded-to-pakistan-after-pulwama-attack-197540">Most Favoured Nation status</a>(MFN) to Pakistan back in 1996, however, Pakistan in all these years has refused to grant reciprocal status to India.&nbsp;

Pakistan still maintains 1,209 items on its list which it does not allow India to import, allowing just 137 products to cross the Wagah border through the land route.

According to the World Trade Organization(WTO) rules, every member has to accord the status to the other. In November 2011, the Pakistan cabinet had unanimously decided to grant India MFN trade status but it soon backtracked.

Pakistani officials complained that Indian goods flowed into the country hindering the flow of Pakistani goods into India. In 2009-2010, of the $1.4 billion in trade, exports to Pakistan stood at $1.2 billion while Pakistan exports to India totalled $268 million, according to official data, a fact disliked by Pakistani officials.

In 2014, during Nawaz Sharif's government, there was again a buzz on granting India MFN status which could cool political temperatures. The development occurred after both countries decided to have bilateral trade top $6 billion in 2014 but it has remained far off the mark.

The MFN status was accorded under WTO's General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). Both India and Pakistan are signatories and are members of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), which means they have to treat each other and the other WTO member countries as favoured trading partners in terms of imposing customs duties on goods.

Removal of this status means India can now enhance customs duties to any level on goods coming from Pakistan, a trade expert said.

Total India-Pakistan trade has increased marginally to $2.41 billion in 2017-18 as against $2.27 billion in 2016-17. India imported goods worth $488.5 million in 2017-18 and exported goods worth $1.92 billion in that fiscal.

Under MFN pact, a WTO member country is obliged to treat the other trading nation in a non-discriminatory manner, especially with regard to customs duty and other levies. 
India mainly exports cotton, dyes, chemicals, vegetables and iron and steel; while it imports fruits, cement, leather, chemicals and spices.

Last year, Pakistan's Commerce and Industry minister Abdul Razak Dawood had said the country had "no plans" to grant India MFN status although he added that Pakistan was working out free trade agreements(FTAs) with various countries, especially China.

Pakistan had signed a free trade agreement(FTA) with China in 2005 which came into effect in 2007. Despite&nbsp;China Pakistan Free Trade Agreement (CPFTA), Pakistan's trade deficit with China had grown from $4.1 billion Bn in 2012 to $12.1 billion in 2016.

According to a report by Pakistan's business council, "Pakistan in 2016 managed to utilize just four per cent of the tariff line on which concessions were offered under the CPFTA. China, on the other hand, utilised 60 per cent of the tariff line concessions."

In the wake of the Pulwama attack, the MFN status to Pakistan has been revoked by India signifying a dip in trade relations between the two countries. India had granted Most Favoured Nation status(MFN) to Pakistan back in 1996, however, Pakistan in all these years has refused to grant reciprocal status to India.

In the wake of the Pulwama attack, the MFN status to Pakistan has been revoked by India signifying a dip in trade relations between the two countries. India had granted Most Favoured Nation status(MFN) to Pakistan back in 1996, however, Pakistan in all these years has refused to grant reciprocal status to India. Pakistan still maintains 1,209 items on its list which it does not allow India to import, allowing just 137 products to cross the Wagah border through the land route. According to the World Trade Organization(WTO) rules, every member has to accord the status to the other. In November 2011, the Pakistan cabinet had unanimously decided to grant India MFN trade status but it soon backtracked. Pakistani officials complained that Indian goods flowed into the country hindering the flow of Pakistani goods into India. In 2009-2010, of the $1.4 billion in trade, exports to Pakistan stood at $1.2 billion while Pakistan exports to India totalled $268 million, according to official data, a fact disliked by Pakistani officials. In 2014, during Nawaz Sharif's government, there was again a buzz on granting India MFN status which could cool political temperatures. The development occurred after both countries decided to have bilateral trade top $6 billion in 2014 but it has remained far off the mark. The MFN status was accorded under WTO's General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). Both India and Pakistan are signatories and are members of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), which means they have to treat each other and the other WTO member countries as favoured trading partners in terms of imposing customs duties on goods. Removal of this status means India can now enhance customs duties to any level on goods coming from Pakistan, a trade expert said. Total India-Pakistan trade has increased marginally to $2.41 billion in 2017-18 as against $2.27 billion in 2016-17. India imported goods worth $488.5 million in 2017-18 and exported goods worth $1.92 billion in that fiscal. Under MFN pact, a WTO member country is obliged to treat the other trading nation in a non-discriminatory manner, especially with regard to customs duty and other levies. India mainly exports cotton, dyes, chemicals, vegetables and iron and steel; while it imports fruits, cement, leather, chemicals and spices. Last year, Pakistan's Commerce and Industry minister Abdul Razak Dawood had said the country had "no plans" to grant India MFN status although he added that Pakistan was working out free trade agreements(FTAs) with various countries, especially China. Pakistan had signed a free trade agreement(FTA) with China in 2005 which came into effect in 2007. Despite China Pakistan Free Trade Agreement (CPFTA), Pakistan's trade deficit with China had grown from $4.1 billion Bn in 2012 to $12.1 billion in 2016. According to a report by Pakistan's business council, "Pakistan in 2016 managed to utilize just four per cent of the tariff line on which concessions were offered under the CPFTA. China, on the other hand, utilised 60 per cent of the tariff line concessions."

India withdraws MFN status to Pakistan: What it means & how it impacts trade

Hours after the suicide attack in <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/reject-insinuation-by-india-to-link-pulwama-attack-to-pak-without-investigation-pak-government-197496">Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama</a> claimed lives of over 40 CRPF men, the world has spoken in one voice and has united behind India.&nbsp;

The US state department while condemning the attack, called "on all countries to uphold their responsibilities pursuant to UN Security Council resolutions to deny safe haven and support for terrorists."&nbsp;

The Pakistan-based terrorist group<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/adil-ahmad-dar-the-man-who-carried-out-the-pulwama-attack-197476"> Jaish-e-Muhammad</a> has claimed responsibility for the act.&nbsp;

Chairman of the US House foreign affairs committee Eliot Engel said "countries must not allow terrorist groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed to operate with impunity".

A close ally of India, UAE's foreign ministry in a statement said that the country "stands in solidarity with the government and people of India in their fight against violence and extremism".

Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi while offering condolences, "as a country that has been a victim of terrorism and has taken major and effective steps to root out terrorist groups in the West Asia region.. we believe using such bloody and inhumane methods by any group and with any motive and under any name as unacceptable."

Australian foreign minister Marise Payne tweeted, "We extend our deepest sympathies to those killed and injured, their families and the people of India."

"We stand with India in the fight against terrorism," it added.

This is the worst attack in Jammu and Kashmir in the last 20 years.

In a message to President Kovind and Prime minister Modi, the Russian President said,"Perpetrators and sponsors of this attack, should be punished,"adding,"I would like to confirm the readiness for the further strengthening of counterterrorism cooperation with our Indian partners."

Spokesperson of the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reacting to the terror attack said,"call for those behind the attack to be brought to justice".

India's neighbours - Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Maldives - condemned the attack. Nepal's PM KP Sharma Oli was the first foriegn leader to call on Prime Minister Modi while Maldives foreign minister Abdulla Shahid wrote to external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj.

Pakistan's flip flop

Meanwhile, Pakistan rejected India's concerns after New Delhi called on the country "stop supporting terrorists and terror groups operating from their territory and dismantle the infrastructure operated".

The foreign ministry of Pakistan said, "We strongly reject any insinuation by elements in the Indian government and media circles that seek to link the attack to the state of Pakistan without investigations."

Interestingly, Pakistan issued two press releases in a span of fifteen minutes. The second release had minor changes such as replacing "Kashmir" with "Jammu and Kashmir".

Without taking China's name India called on the member of the "International community" to list Jaish-e-Mohammed Chief Masood Azhar under 1267 sanctions committee of United Nation security council (UNSC).

Bejing has repeatedly blocked listing of Masood Azhar as an internationally designated terrorist under the UNSC 1267 Committee. 
&nbsp;

Hours after the suicide attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama claimed lives of over 40 CRPF men, the world has spoken in one voice and has united behind India. The US state department while condemning the attack, called "on all countries to uphold their responsibilities pursuant to UN Security Council resolutions to deny safe haven and support for terrorists.

Hours after the suicide attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama claimed lives of over 40 CRPF men, the world has spoken in one voice and has united behind India. The US state department while condemning the attack, called "on all countries to uphold their responsibilities pursuant to UN Security Council resolutions to deny safe haven and support for terrorists." The Pakistan-based terrorist group Jaish-e-Muhammad has claimed responsibility for the act. Chairman of the US House foreign affairs committee Eliot Engel said "countries must not allow terrorist groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed to operate with impunity". A close ally of India, UAE's foreign ministry in a statement said that the country "stands in solidarity with the government and people of India in their fight against violence and extremism". Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi while offering condolences, "as a country that has been a victim of terrorism and has taken major and effective steps to root out terrorist groups in the West Asia region.. we believe using such bloody and inhumane methods by any group and with any motive and under any name as unacceptable." Australian foreign minister Marise Payne tweeted, "We extend our deepest sympathies to those killed and injured, their families and the people of India." "We stand with India in the fight against terrorism," it added. This is the worst attack in Jammu and Kashmir in the last 20 years. In a message to President Kovind and Prime minister Modi, the Russian President said,"Perpetrators and sponsors of this attack, should be punished,"adding,"I would like to confirm the readiness for the further strengthening of counterterrorism cooperation with our Indian partners." Spokesperson of the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reacting to the terror attack said,"call for those behind the attack to be brought to justice". India's neighbours - Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Maldives - condemned the attack. Nepal's PM KP Sharma Oli was the first foriegn leader to call on Prime Minister Modi while Maldives foreign minister Abdulla Shahid wrote to external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj. Pakistan's flip flop Meanwhile, Pakistan rejected India's concerns after New Delhi called on the country "stop supporting terrorists and terror groups operating from their territory and dismantle the infrastructure operated". The foreign ministry of Pakistan said, "We strongly reject any insinuation by elements in the Indian government and media circles that seek to link the attack to the state of Pakistan without investigations." Interestingly, Pakistan issued two press releases in a span of fifteen minutes. The second release had minor changes such as replacing "Kashmir" with "Jammu and Kashmir". Without taking China's name India called on the member of the "International community" to list Jaish-e-Mohammed Chief Masood Azhar under 1267 sanctions committee of United Nation security council (UNSC). Bejing has repeatedly blocked listing of Masood Azhar as an internationally designated terrorist under the UNSC 1267 Committee.

All countries should uphold responsibility to deny safe haven to terrorists, says US after Pulwama attack

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pulwama-terror-attack-nia-begins-investigation-7-detained-after-raids-197621">Pulwama terror attack: NIA begins </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pulwama-terror-attack-nia-begins-investigation-7-detained-after-raids-197621">investigation</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pulwama-terror-attack-nia-begins-investigation-7-detained-after-raids-197621">, 7 detained after raids</a>

As many as 7 people have been detained by security forces after the National Investigation Agency (NIA) joined Jammu and Kashmir Police'S probe into Pulwama terror attack on Friday. According to reports, multiple raids were conducted by security forces today.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trade-talks-with-us-to-continue-in-washington-next-week-chinese-president-xi-jinping-197619">Trade talks with </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trade-talks-with-us-to-continue-in-washington-next-week-chinese-president-xi-jinping-197619">US</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trade-talks-with-us-to-continue-in-washington-next-week-chinese-president-xi-jinping-197619"> to continue in Washington next week: Chinese President Xi Jinping</a>

Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Friday trade talks with the United States will continue in Washington next week and that he hopes the two sides will be able to reach a mutually beneficial deal in the upcoming negotiations, state media reported.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/vijay-mallya-files-for-permission-to-appeal-in-uk-high-court-against-extradition-order-197615">Vijay Mallya files for permission to appeal in UK High Court against </a><a class="gr-progress" href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/vijay-mallya-files-for-permission-to-appeal-in-uk-high-court-against-extradition-order-197615">extradition</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/vijay-mallya-files-for-permission-to-appeal-in-uk-high-court-against-extradition-order-197615"> order</a>

Embattled liquor baron Vijay Mallya, wanted in India on alleged fraud and money laundering charges amounting to an estimated Rs 9,000 crores, has filed his application in the UK High Court, seeking permission to appeal against an extradition order signed by the British Home Secretary.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pulwama-terror-attack-india-summons-pakistan-high-commission-lodges-strong-protest-197574">Pulwama terror attack: India summons Pakistan High Commissioner, lodges strong protest</a>

New Delhi on Friday summoned Pakistan's High commissioner Sohail Mehmood and lodged a strong protest against the Pulwama attacked that killed more than 40 CRPF personnel on Thursday. Pakistan based terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammad (JEM) had claimed responsibility for the attack.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/new-brexit-talks-in-brussels-next-week-197609">New Brexit talks in Brussels next week</a>

Both Britain's minister for Brexit Stephen Barclay and opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn will visit Brussels next week for talks with EU negotiator Michel Barnier.

&nbsp;

Pulwama terror attack: NIA begins investigation, 7 detained after raids As many as 7 people have been detained by security forces after the National Investigation Agency (NIA) joined Jammu and Kashmir Police'S probe into Pulwama terror attack on Friday.

Pulwama terror attack: NIA begins investigation, 7 detained after raids As many as 7 people have been detained by security forces after the National Investigation Agency (NIA) joined Jammu and Kashmir Police'S probe into Pulwama terror attack on Friday. According to reports, multiple raids were conducted by security forces today. Trade talks with US to continue in Washington next week: Chinese President Xi Jinping Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Friday trade talks with the United States will continue in Washington next week and that he hopes the two sides will be able to reach a mutually beneficial deal in the upcoming negotiations, state media reported. Vijay Mallya files for permission to appeal in UK High Court against extradition order Embattled liquor baron Vijay Mallya, wanted in India on alleged fraud and money laundering charges amounting to an estimated Rs 9,000 crores, has filed his application in the UK High Court, seeking permission to appeal against an extradition order signed by the British Home Secretary. Pulwama terror attack: India summons Pakistan High Commissioner, lodges strong protest New Delhi on Friday summoned Pakistan's High commissioner Sohail Mehmood and lodged a strong protest against the Pulwama attacked that killed more than 40 CRPF personnel on Thursday. Pakistan based terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammad (JEM) had claimed responsibility for the attack. New Brexit talks in Brussels next week Both Britain's minister for Brexit Stephen Barclay and opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn will visit Brussels next week for talks with EU negotiator Michel Barnier.

JeM chief Masood Azhar: His plan, origin and motive to target India

Below-normal monsoon rains and an infestation of the fall armyworm, which devastated African crops in 2017, have slashed India's corn output and boosted prices, increasing the chances the government will grant duty-free corn imports for the first time since 2016.

The shift to imports in the world's seventh-largest corn producer, which typically exports to Asia, highlights the breadth of the crop losses due to the drought and armyworm. It also demonstrates the potential harm that the armyworm may wreak on India's agricultural economy, which supports nearly half of India's 1.3 billion people.

India harvests two sets of corn crops a year, a winter crop from March and a summer crop from September.

For the summer crop in the 2017/18 crop year ending in June, India harvested 20.24 million tonnes, according to data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare.

However, between the lower-than-normal monsoon rainfall and the armyworm infestation, summer crop output for 2018/19 crop year is forecast to drop to less than 16 million tonnes, according to Subhranil Dey, a senior research analyst at commodity brokerage SMC Comtrade Ltd in New Delhi.

"The weather wasn't good and there was the pest infestation as well," said Dey, adding that India's government will need to allow imports.

"Imports will help in bringing down prices. But the government may not allow huge imports. It will allow them to cautiously in a phased manner."

India harvested 8.47 million tonnes of winter corn in 2018, but the planted area for the winter crop this year shrank 11 per cent, according to data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare.

As a result, corn prices in the state of Maharashtra, considered the domestic benchmark, have risen by more than 30 per cent in the past two months to a record of about 20,000 rupees ($280) per tonne. That is up from 13,000 rupees a year ago.

Poultry producers and corn starch manufacturers are hopeful the shipments will rein in the price increases that they are struggling to pass on to consumers.

"We have been demanding duty-free imports of at least 500,000 tonnes. Our production cost has gone up due to the jump in corn prices," said Prasanna Pedgaonkar, general manager at Venky's, India's biggest poultry producer. Corn-based feed usually makes up two-thirds of poultry production costs.

Imports must overcome two hurdles. First, the government must agree to lift a 60 per cent import tax. Second, imports must be non-genetically modified (GM) strains as India does not allow the cultivate or import of GM crops.

India's government has allowed duty-free imports as recently as 2016 when the 181,000 tonnes were imported.

However, few countries export non-GM corn in large quantities, so finding sufficient GM-free supplies may be a challenge for traders, said Amit Sachdev, the South Asia Representative for the US Grains Council.

India's government has not decided on petitions received from importers to allow duty-free imports, said a federal government official, who asked to remain unidentified since he was not authorized to speak to the media.

The government may also delay imports until after the upcoming national elections in May to bolster the ruling party's status with farmers, said Mumbai-based trader at a global firm.

"Allowing imports just before elections may send a negative message to farmers," the trader said.

The imports will not ease the losses for farmers grappling with the infestation of fall armyworm, a voracious caterpillar in its larval stage that can spread more than 100 km (60 miles) in a night as a moth.

In 2016 and 2017, the pest ravaged corn crops in Zimbabwe, Malawi and the continent's largest producer South Africa.

The invasive species, originally from Central and North America, arrived in India only in the middle of last year after plundering Sri Lankan produce.

The armyworm plague caught Indian farmers by surprise.

"By the time we identify the pest, it had damaged the crop on a large scale," says farmer Mittal Waykar, showing the infestation effects on his 1-acre (0.4-hectare) corn plot in Maharashtra.

Below-normal monsoon rains and an infestation of the fall armyworm, which devastated African crops in 2017, have slashed India's corn output and boosted prices, increasing the chances the government will grant duty-free corn imports for the first time since 2016.

Below-normal monsoon rains and an infestation of the fall armyworm, which devastated African crops in 2017, have slashed India's corn output and boosted prices, increasing the chances the government will grant duty-free corn imports for the first time since 2016. The shift to imports in the world's seventh-largest corn producer, which typically exports to Asia, highlights the breadth of the crop losses due to the drought and armyworm. It also demonstrates the potential harm that the armyworm may wreak on India's agricultural economy, which supports nearly half of India's 1.3 billion people. India harvests two sets of corn crops a year, a winter crop from March and a summer crop from September. For the summer crop in the 2017/18 crop year ending in June, India harvested 20.24 million tonnes, according to data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare. However, between the lower-than-normal monsoon rainfall and the armyworm infestation, summer crop output for 2018/19 crop year is forecast to drop to less than 16 million tonnes, according to Subhranil Dey, a senior research analyst at commodity brokerage SMC Comtrade Ltd in New Delhi. "The weather wasn't good and there was the pest infestation as well," said Dey, adding that India's government will need to allow imports. "Imports will help in bringing down prices. But the government may not allow huge imports. It will allow them to cautiously in a phased manner." India harvested 8.47 million tonnes of winter corn in 2018, but the planted area for the winter crop this year shrank 11 per cent, according to data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare. As a result, corn prices in the state of Maharashtra, considered the domestic benchmark, have risen by more than 30 per cent in the past two months to a record of about 20,000 rupees ($280) per tonne. That is up from 13,000 rupees a year ago. Poultry producers and corn starch manufacturers are hopeful the shipments will rein in the price increases that they are struggling to pass on to consumers. "We have been demanding duty-free imports of at least 500,000 tonnes. Our production cost has gone up due to the jump in corn prices," said Prasanna Pedgaonkar, general manager at Venky's, India's biggest poultry producer. Corn-based feed usually makes up two-thirds of poultry production costs. Imports must overcome two hurdles. First, the government must agree to lift a 60 per cent import tax. Second, imports must be non-genetically modified (GM) strains as India does not allow the cultivate or import of GM crops. India's government has allowed duty-free imports as recently as 2016 when the 181,000 tonnes were imported. However, few countries export non-GM corn in large quantities, so finding sufficient GM-free supplies may be a challenge for traders, said Amit Sachdev, the South Asia Representative for the US Grains Council. India's government has not decided on petitions received from importers to allow duty-free imports, said a federal government official, who asked to remain unidentified since he was not authorized to speak to the media. The government may also delay imports until after the upcoming national elections in May to bolster the ruling party's status with farmers, said Mumbai-based trader at a global firm. "Allowing imports just before elections may send a negative message to farmers," the trader said. The imports will not ease the losses for farmers grappling with the infestation of fall armyworm, a voracious caterpillar in its larval stage that can spread more than 100 km (60 miles) in a night as a moth. In 2016 and 2017, the pest ravaged corn crops in Zimbabwe, Malawi and the continent's largest producer South Africa. The invasive species, originally from Central and North America, arrived in India only in the middle of last year after plundering Sri Lankan produce. The armyworm plague caught Indian farmers by surprise. "By the time we identify the pest, it had damaged the crop on a large scale," says farmer Mittal Waykar, showing the infestation effects on his 1-acre (0.4-hectare) corn plot in Maharashtra.

Drought, pests could force India to grant duty-free corn imports

We stand united with India: World leaders extend solidarity over Pulwama terror attack

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