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The average temperature rise in the northern India state of Jammu and Kashmir has far surpassed the world average, which has got experts extremely worried.&nbsp;

As against a global increase of 0.8 to 0.9 degrees Celsius over the last 100 years, temperatures in Jammu and Kashmir have risen by an average of 1.2 degrees Celsius.&nbsp;

This has resulted in the melting of glaciers and greater precipitation which, the experts say, could lead to disaster in the state. Experts say that although warming is a global phenomenon, it will have a significant impact on the Kashmir valley since its glaciers are now melting at a fast pace. (Shafar glacier, which contributes to the Indus river, being among them.)

The experts say untimely rain and snowfall are indicators of the change. &nbsp;

And with the early snowfall this year, the effects of climate change are already being felt in the Kashmir valley.&nbsp;

<img alt="Kashmir" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="84ed911e-e327-410d-9d82-f13bb231f638" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%284%29_1.jpg" />

A journalist in Srinagar recently compared the satellite images of important glaciers from the last 30 years and the results were astonishing, surprising to many.&nbsp;

<img alt="kashmir" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e801a79c-c390-4dd4-8ad0-34a63eb9cbc3" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%283%29_6.jpg" />

"What I found was that there was a visible receding of Ice cover over the mountains. We looked at Shafat Glacier, which is the source of water for Indus river, and we found that the ice has receded. From images, it seems between 10 to 12 Kilometres," said Qazi Zaid, a journalist in Srinagar.&nbsp;

In 2014, Jammu and Kashmir witnessed a massive flood caused due to cloud bursting, which the first such indicator of global warming in the state.

According to a report prepared by the State Disaster Management Authority, since 2010, many flash floods and cloudbursts which have hit J&amp;K resulted in the killing of 300 people.&nbsp;

It reads that property worth crores of rupees were also damaged. Flash floods and cloudbursts have also proved disastrous for the agriculture and horticulture sector of the valley which is the backbone of the rural economy.&nbsp;

Experts believe that given the geographical location, Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh are prone to such calamities with continues deforestation adding to it.&nbsp;

"J&amp;K is a mountainous area, which is very susceptible to global warming and climate change. Our state is at a typical geographical location and if there is any human interference, like continuous infrastructure building, it becomes problematic," says Sonam Lotus, Director Meteorological department Kashmir, adding that five smalls floods declared after 2014 are the indicators.&nbsp;

The average temperature rise in the northern India state of Jammu and Kashmir has far surpassed the world average, which has got experts extremely worried. As against a global increase of 0.

The average temperature rise in the northern India state of Jammu and Kashmir has far surpassed the world average, which has got experts extremely worried. As against a global increase of 0.8 to 0.9 degrees Celsius over the last 100 years, temperatures in Jammu and Kashmir have risen by an average of 1.2 degrees Celsius. This has resulted in the melting of glaciers and greater precipitation which, the experts say, could lead to disaster in the state. Experts say that although warming is a global phenomenon, it will have a significant impact on the Kashmir valley since its glaciers are now melting at a fast pace. (Shafar glacier, which contributes to the Indus river, being among them.) The experts say untimely rain and snowfall are indicators of the change. And with the early snowfall this year, the effects of climate change are already being felt in the Kashmir valley. A journalist in Srinagar recently compared the satellite images of important glaciers from the last 30 years and the results were astonishing, surprising to many. "What I found was that there was a visible receding of Ice cover over the mountains. We looked at Shafat Glacier, which is the source of water for Indus river, and we found that the ice has receded. From images, it seems between 10 to 12 Kilometres," said Qazi Zaid, a journalist in Srinagar. In 2014, Jammu and Kashmir witnessed a massive flood caused due to cloud bursting, which the first such indicator of global warming in the state. According to a report prepared by the State Disaster Management Authority, since 2010, many flash floods and cloudbursts which have hit J&K resulted in the killing of 300 people. It reads that property worth crores of rupees were also damaged. Flash floods and cloudbursts have also proved disastrous for the agriculture and horticulture sector of the valley which is the backbone of the rural economy. Experts believe that given the geographical location, Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh are prone to such calamities with continues deforestation adding to it. "J&K is a mountainous area, which is very susceptible to global warming and climate change. Our state is at a typical geographical location and if there is any human interference, like continuous infrastructure building, it becomes problematic," says Sonam Lotus, Director Meteorological department Kashmir, adding that five smalls floods declared after 2014 are the indicators.

Temperature rise in Jammu and Kashmir above world average, experts alarmed

The central government has submitted an interim application to the Supreme Court asking for permission to restore 67.39 acres of the land acquired around the disputed Babri Masjid-Ram Janmabhoomi site to its rightful owners.&nbsp;

The 67.39 acres of land had been acquired by the central government in 1991. The 67.39 acres included the 2.77 acres on which the Babri Masjid used to stand. The Babri Masjid was demolished on December 6, 1992.&nbsp;

With the general elections coming up, and the demands for the Ram Mandir by various Hindu groups increasing in volume — the move by the BJP-led government can be thought of as significant.&nbsp;

While the Centre has not categorically stated that the Ram Mandir will be built on the acquired land, it has asked the Supreme Court to permit it to hand over the land to the Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas (the Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas is a trust that promotes construction of the temple).&nbsp;

The Centre has also requested the Supreme Court to modify its March 31, 2003 order which had stated that use of the 67.39 acres is intrinsically connected to the disputed land and will be dependent on the outcome of the civil suit being fought over it — the Allahabad High Court judgement of 2010 had distributed the disputed 2.77 acres on which the Babri Masjid used to stand equally among three contesting parties.&nbsp;

According to the Centre, this will enable it to “determine the exact extent of land required from out of the superfluous/ excess land to ensure that successful party in the disputed pending regarding the disputed land can have proper access to and enjoyment of rights in the disputed land.”

The Centre's application further states that according to the Ismail Faruqi Judgement of the apex court, “The interest claimed by the Muslims was only over the disputed site of 0.313 acres where the disputed structure stood before its demolition” while the other land acquired by the government under the Acquisition of Certain Areas of Ayodhya Act 1993 “is such over which no title is claimed by the Muslims.”&nbsp;

The Supreme Court had last week formed a constitution bench to hear the title dispute case which will look into the pleas challenging the 2010 Allahabad Hugh court verdict.&nbsp;

The central government has submitted an interim application to the Supreme Court asking for permission to restore 67.39 acres of the land acquired around the disputed Babri Masjid-Ram Janmabhoomi site to its rightful owners.

The central government has submitted an interim application to the Supreme Court asking for permission to restore 67.39 acres of the land acquired around the disputed Babri Masjid-Ram Janmabhoomi site to its rightful owners. The 67.39 acres of land had been acquired by the central government in 1991. The 67.39 acres included the 2.77 acres on which the Babri Masjid used to stand. The Babri Masjid was demolished on December 6, 1992. With the general elections coming up, and the demands for the Ram Mandir by various Hindu groups increasing in volume — the move by the BJP-led government can be thought of as significant. While the Centre has not categorically stated that the Ram Mandir will be built on the acquired land, it has asked the Supreme Court to permit it to hand over the land to the Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas (the Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas is a trust that promotes construction of the temple). The Centre has also requested the Supreme Court to modify its March 31, 2003 order which had stated that use of the 67.39 acres is intrinsically connected to the disputed land and will be dependent on the outcome of the civil suit being fought over it — the Allahabad High Court judgement of 2010 had distributed the disputed 2.77 acres on which the Babri Masjid used to stand equally among three contesting parties. According to the Centre, this will enable it to “determine the exact extent of land required from out of the superfluous/ excess land to ensure that successful party in the disputed pending regarding the disputed land can have proper access to and enjoyment of rights in the disputed land.” The Centre's application further states that according to the Ismail Faruqi Judgement of the apex court, “The interest claimed by the Muslims was only over the disputed site of 0.313 acres where the disputed structure stood before its demolition” while the other land acquired by the government under the Acquisition of Certain Areas of Ayodhya Act 1993 “is such over which no title is claimed by the Muslims.” The Supreme Court had last week formed a constitution bench to hear the title dispute case which will look into the pleas challenging the 2010 Allahabad Hugh court verdict.

Ayodhya dispute: Centre moves Supreme Court, seeks permission to return acquired land to Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas

In 1977, George Fernandes became Industry Minister in the Morarji Desai government post-Emergency and was responsible for driving multinational drink manufacturer Coca-Cola out of India.&nbsp;

It is another matter the drink made a re-entry into India later.&nbsp;

That year, Fernandes decided to throw Coke (as well as IBM) out of India because the soft drinks company was refusing to adhere to a particular provision of what was then the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act (FERA).

This provision stipulated that foreign companies should dilute their equity stake in their Indian associates to 60 per cent if they wanted to continue to operate in the country.

Fernandes announced in Parliament that the Coca‐Cola Company had been asked to transfer 60 per cent of the shares of its Indian company and the formula for its concentrate to Indian shareholders or cease operations in India.&nbsp;

Coca‐Cola said that it was agreeable to transferring a majority of the shares but not the formula, which it contended was a trade secret.

Officials from George Fernandes's office, however, asserted Coca-Cola's role in the Indian economy was so insignificant that its exit would not make any difference.

It was then that George Fernandes introduced a substitute indigenous drink called 77 and said it was ready to take over the Indian market.

It left India and did not return for nearly two decades. By which time, the economic situation had undergone a major transformation. More importantly, the particular provision in FERA had been diluted completely.

(With inputs from agencies)

In 1977, George Fernandes became Industry Minister in the Morarji Desai government post-Emergency and was responsible for driving multinational drink manufacturer Coca-Cola out of India.

In 1977, George Fernandes became Industry Minister in the Morarji Desai government post-Emergency and was responsible for driving multinational drink manufacturer Coca-Cola out of India. It is another matter the drink made a re-entry into India later. That year, Fernandes decided to throw Coke (as well as IBM) out of India because the soft drinks company was refusing to adhere to a particular provision of what was then the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act (FERA). This provision stipulated that foreign companies should dilute their equity stake in their Indian associates to 60 per cent if they wanted to continue to operate in the country. Fernandes announced in Parliament that the Coca‐Cola Company had been asked to transfer 60 per cent of the shares of its Indian company and the formula for its concentrate to Indian shareholders or cease operations in India. Coca‐Cola said that it was agreeable to transferring a majority of the shares but not the formula, which it contended was a trade secret. Officials from George Fernandes's office, however, asserted Coca-Cola's role in the Indian economy was so insignificant that its exit would not make any difference. It was then that George Fernandes introduced a substitute indigenous drink called 77 and said it was ready to take over the Indian market. It left India and did not return for nearly two decades. By which time, the economic situation had undergone a major transformation. More importantly, the particular provision in FERA had been diluted completely. (With inputs from agencies)

George Fernandes: Minister who drove Coca-Cola out of India

An India-born onetime billionaire and founder of a drug company went on trial in the US along with four others on charges of paying doctors millions of dollars in bribes to lure them into prescribing a highly addictive opioid painkiller meant solely for cancer patients.&nbsp;

John Kapoor, 75, plotted to bribe doctors across the country to prescribe a fentanyl spray in order to outshine competitors and line his own pockets, a federal prosecutor told jurors as the trial opened Monday in the District Court in Boston. 
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Assistant US Attorney David Lazarus said Kapoor was so determined to make his Insys Therapeutics Inc a success that he turned it into a “criminal enterprise” to get the powerful painkiller in the hands of more patients, WGBH, a public radio station in Boston, reported.

“This is not a complicated case. It’s a case about greed — about greed and its consequences — and what happens when you put profits over people,” Lazarus said at the closely-watched trial.

Kapoor is the highest-level pharmaceutical figure to face trial amid the opioid epidemic that’s claiming thousands of lives every year. His lawyers say Insys is not responsible for the drug crisis, noting that its medication makes up a small fraction of the prescription opioid market.

Kapoor and four other former employees of the Chandler, Arizona-based company, are accused of paying doctors millions of dollars in bribes and kickbacks in order to boost sales for Subsys, which is meant for cancer patients with severe pain. The bribes were paid in the form of fees for sham speaking events that were advertised as educational opportunities for other doctors, prosecutors allege.

Insys adjusted payments based on how many prescriptions doctors wrote, misrepresented patients’ medical histories to dupe insurers into covering Subsys for people without cancer, and even hired a woman who was a former stripper and escort service manager as a key sales executive.

Kapoor’s lawyer told jurors that Insys was open about its speaker programme and even reported payments to doctors online. Paying doctors to teach others about medication is not illegal and is a practice widely used by pharmaceutical companies, Attorney Beth Wilkinson said.

“There was nothing illegal about that and there was certainly nothing secret about that,” Wilkinson said.

She said Kapoor was motivated not by greed but by a desire to help people dealing with excruciating pain. Kapoor watched his wife suffer from breast cancer and was driven to provide other patients with a chance at relief, she said.

“He did not want that to happen to anyone else,” Wilkinson said.

Wilkinson also sought to discredit the government’s key witnesses: two former Insys executives who pleaded guilty and are cooperating with prosecutors.

Former sales executive Alec Burlakoff was the one cutting “side deals” with doctors and is willing to say anything prosecutors want him to in order to help himself, she told jurors. Kapoor and the other executives are charged with racketeering conspiracy, which carries up to 20 years in prison.

The trial could last more than three months. Several Insys employees and doctors have already been convicted in other cases of participating in a kickback scheme. A number of states have sued the company, which also agreed last year to pay USD 150 million to settle a federal investigation into inappropriate sales.

Patients say in a slew of lawsuits filed against the company that they were given high doses of the potent narcotic even though they didn’t have cancer, weren’t warned of the risks and became addicted before suffering through withdrawal when they were cut off.

Prosecutors say Insys executives targeted doctors at pain clinics known for operating “pill mills” and pushed physicians to prescribe the drug at ever-increasing doses. Insys employees who managed to get doctors to prescribe higher doses were rewarded with bonuses, prosecutors say.

Kapoor “demanded success at all costs,” Lazarus said. And when the drug wasn’t doing as well as Kapoor wanted, “he decided to get the success he demanded by breaking the law,” he said.

An India-born onetime billionaire and founder of a drug company went on trial in the US along with four others on charges of paying doctors millions of dollars in bribes to lure them into prescribing a highly addictive opioid painkiller meant solely for cancer patients.

An India-born onetime billionaire and founder of a drug company went on trial in the US along with four others on charges of paying doctors millions of dollars in bribes to lure them into prescribing a highly addictive opioid painkiller meant solely for cancer patients. John Kapoor, 75, plotted to bribe doctors across the country to prescribe a fentanyl spray in order to outshine competitors and line his own pockets, a federal prosecutor told jurors as the trial opened Monday in the District Court in Boston. Advertising Assistant US Attorney David Lazarus said Kapoor was so determined to make his Insys Therapeutics Inc a success that he turned it into a “criminal enterprise” to get the powerful painkiller in the hands of more patients, WGBH, a public radio station in Boston, reported. “This is not a complicated case. It’s a case about greed — about greed and its consequences — and what happens when you put profits over people,” Lazarus said at the closely-watched trial. Kapoor is the highest-level pharmaceutical figure to face trial amid the opioid epidemic that’s claiming thousands of lives every year. His lawyers say Insys is not responsible for the drug crisis, noting that its medication makes up a small fraction of the prescription opioid market. Kapoor and four other former employees of the Chandler, Arizona-based company, are accused of paying doctors millions of dollars in bribes and kickbacks in order to boost sales for Subsys, which is meant for cancer patients with severe pain. The bribes were paid in the form of fees for sham speaking events that were advertised as educational opportunities for other doctors, prosecutors allege. Insys adjusted payments based on how many prescriptions doctors wrote, misrepresented patients’ medical histories to dupe insurers into covering Subsys for people without cancer, and even hired a woman who was a former stripper and escort service manager as a key sales executive. Kapoor’s lawyer told jurors that Insys was open about its speaker programme and even reported payments to doctors online. Paying doctors to teach others about medication is not illegal and is a practice widely used by pharmaceutical companies, Attorney Beth Wilkinson said. “There was nothing illegal about that and there was certainly nothing secret about that,” Wilkinson said. She said Kapoor was motivated not by greed but by a desire to help people dealing with excruciating pain. Kapoor watched his wife suffer from breast cancer and was driven to provide other patients with a chance at relief, she said. “He did not want that to happen to anyone else,” Wilkinson said. Wilkinson also sought to discredit the government’s key witnesses: two former Insys executives who pleaded guilty and are cooperating with prosecutors. Former sales executive Alec Burlakoff was the one cutting “side deals” with doctors and is willing to say anything prosecutors want him to in order to help himself, she told jurors. Kapoor and the other executives are charged with racketeering conspiracy, which carries up to 20 years in prison. The trial could last more than three months. Several Insys employees and doctors have already been convicted in other cases of participating in a kickback scheme. A number of states have sued the company, which also agreed last year to pay USD 150 million to settle a federal investigation into inappropriate sales. Patients say in a slew of lawsuits filed against the company that they were given high doses of the potent narcotic even though they didn’t have cancer, weren’t warned of the risks and became addicted before suffering through withdrawal when they were cut off. Prosecutors say Insys executives targeted doctors at pain clinics known for operating “pill mills” and pushed physicians to prescribe the drug at ever-increasing doses. Insys employees who managed to get doctors to prescribe higher doses were rewarded with bonuses, prosecutors say. Kapoor “demanded success at all costs,” Lazarus said. And when the drug wasn’t doing as well as Kapoor wanted, “he decided to get the success he demanded by breaking the law,” he said.

India-born billionaire on trial in US for bribing doctors

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held his second Pariksha pe Charcha on Tuesday. Like the year before, the event was conducted at Delhi's Talkatora stadium.&nbsp;

The event is meant to be a stress buster for students about to appear for their annual examinations.&nbsp;

On Tuesday, students from around the country asked the prime minister a number of exam- and life-related questions. How, sir, are you still so energetic? Please guide me towards getting a better job...&nbsp;

And that most important question of all, one that every student has at some point of time in his or her young life asked: Are examinations really good for you, or are they a hindrance to your all-round development?&nbsp;

"Challenges are important in life," Prime Minister Modi said. "Don't curse them. You should instead think of a challenge as an opportunity."&nbsp;

Modi went on to give the example of a person who wishes to compete at the Olympics, asking how he can if he has not played at the district, state and national level first?&nbsp;

Exams are important, Modi said, but they are not the be all and end all of life.&nbsp;

Modi added that it was important for children to have healthy conversations with parents.&nbsp;

But he added that "parents who try to impose their unfulfilled wishes on their kids are a failure, they must try to recognise the potential in their children. As far as expectations are concerned, we also feel like working hard when there are expectations."&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held his second Pariksha pe Charcha on Tuesday. Like the year before, the event was conducted at Delhi's Talkatora stadium. The event is meant to be a stress buster for students about to appear for their annual examinations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held his second Pariksha pe Charcha on Tuesday. Like the year before, the event was conducted at Delhi's Talkatora stadium. The event is meant to be a stress buster for students about to appear for their annual examinations. On Tuesday, students from around the country asked the prime minister a number of exam- and life-related questions. How, sir, are you still so energetic? Please guide me towards getting a better job... And that most important question of all, one that every student has at some point of time in his or her young life asked: Are examinations really good for you, or are they a hindrance to your all-round development? "Challenges are important in life," Prime Minister Modi said. "Don't curse them. You should instead think of a challenge as an opportunity." Modi went on to give the example of a person who wishes to compete at the Olympics, asking how he can if he has not played at the district, state and national level first? Exams are important, Modi said, but they are not the be all and end all of life. Modi added that it was important for children to have healthy conversations with parents. But he added that "parents who try to impose their unfulfilled wishes on their kids are a failure, they must try to recognise the potential in their children. As far as expectations are concerned, we also feel like working hard when there are expectations."

At 'Pariksha pe Charcha', PM Modi counsels children about to sit for annual exams

Efforts of various rescue teams were finally paid off on Monday after they managed to pull out the tenth body from the avalanche site, which had hit two trucks, in Khardung La of Ladakh region in Jammu and Kashmir.

“The joint military-civil task force carried out relentless search operations in an area extending more than a kilometre, braving the odds against inclement weather, extremely low temperatures and intermittent snowfall. Unfortunately, none of the 10 individuals survived the initial onslaught of the avalanche but the human spirit and hope persisted and the task force continued with its search,” the army said in a press statement.&nbsp;

Khardung La is one of the highest motorable roads in the world at 17,500 feet and it became challenging for the rescue teams to take out the bodies from the snow due to the extreme temperature.&nbsp;

"The bodies were buried 20 feet deep under debris, nearly 800 metres from Khardungla Top towards south Pullu,''&nbsp;said a defence spokesperson.&nbsp;

Following the recovery of all bodies, the operation has now been called off.

The Indian army had pressed heavy machinery and well-trained troops from the Siachen Brigade into the service.

Initially, five dead bodies were taken out and rest remained buried under the snow. All the bodies were airlifted to Zanskar for their final rights at their native villages.

J&amp;K Governor, Satya Pal Malik has already announced an ex-gratia of 5 lakh Indian rupees for the next of the kin of those killed in the avalanche.&nbsp;

Efforts of various rescue teams were finally paid off on Monday after they managed to pull out the tenth body from the avalanche site, which had hit two trucks, in Khardung La of Ladakh region in Jammu and Kashmir.

Efforts of various rescue teams were finally paid off on Monday after they managed to pull out the tenth body from the avalanche site, which had hit two trucks, in Khardung La of Ladakh region in Jammu and Kashmir. “The joint military-civil task force carried out relentless search operations in an area extending more than a kilometre, braving the odds against inclement weather, extremely low temperatures and intermittent snowfall. Unfortunately, none of the 10 individuals survived the initial onslaught of the avalanche but the human spirit and hope persisted and the task force continued with its search,” the army said in a press statement. Khardung La is one of the highest motorable roads in the world at 17,500 feet and it became challenging for the rescue teams to take out the bodies from the snow due to the extreme temperature. "The bodies were buried 20 feet deep under debris, nearly 800 metres from Khardungla Top towards south Pullu,'' said a defence spokesperson. Following the recovery of all bodies, the operation has now been called off. The Indian army had pressed heavy machinery and well-trained troops from the Siachen Brigade into the service. Initially, five dead bodies were taken out and rest remained buried under the snow. All the bodies were airlifted to Zanskar for their final rights at their native villages. J&K Governor, Satya Pal Malik has already announced an ex-gratia of 5 lakh Indian rupees for the next of the kin of those killed in the avalanche.

Ladakh: Army recovers 10 bodies in Khardung La after avalanche, rescue operation called-off

Fifteen students suffered minor injuries and two students suffered serious injuries after a school bus turned turtle in the Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh on Monday morning.&nbsp;

The injured students were shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment following the incident.&nbsp;

"Incident took place after the driver lost control of the vehicle near a culvert in Mandada. The bus ultimately rolled down into the canal," said police officials.

Meanwhile, the driver of the school bus was being questioned by the police.

Fifteen students suffered minor injuries and two students suffered serious injuries after a school bus turned turtle in the Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh on Monday morning.

Fifteen students suffered minor injuries and two students suffered serious injuries after a school bus turned turtle in the Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh on Monday morning. The injured students were shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment following the incident. "Incident took place after the driver lost control of the vehicle near a culvert in Mandada. The bus ultimately rolled down into the canal," said police officials. Meanwhile, the driver of the school bus was being questioned by the police.

School bus carrying 50 children falls into a culvert in Andhra Pradesh's Guntur, several injured

The Bombay High Court slapped a fine of Rs 25 lakh on a company for not following the High Court orders and threatening the applicant with a false case.

The Court passed the order in a matter where the company (Sapat and Company) had filed a plea against another company (Feel Good India) for violating copyright in their packaging of the product.

The fine was slapped on January 11 and has to be paid in three instalments by February 28, 2019. Out of these 25 lakhs, 5 lakhs are to be paid to the applicant and 20 lakhs are to be donated to the Tata Memorial Hospital.

The High Court also ordered to seize the packing materials from the defendant company but it's owner Neha Gandhir not only stopped the people from collecting the packing material but also threatened them to frame them in a false molestation case.

Taking note of the threat to frame the opponent in a false case, the High Court imposed the hefty fine of them.

The Court took into consideration that the defendant company's Neha Gandhir and her husband not only stopped people from following the High Court orders but also threatened the applicant with a false complaint in sections which are actually meant for protection of women.

The Bombay High Court slapped a fine of Rs 25 lakh on a company for not following the High Court orders and threatening the applicant with a false case. The Court passed the order in a matter where the company (Sapat and Company) had filed a plea against another company (Feel Good India) for violating copyright in their packaging of the product.

The Bombay High Court slapped a fine of Rs 25 lakh on a company for not following the High Court orders and threatening the applicant with a false case. The Court passed the order in a matter where the company (Sapat and Company) had filed a plea against another company (Feel Good India) for violating copyright in their packaging of the product. The fine was slapped on January 11 and has to be paid in three instalments by February 28, 2019. Out of these 25 lakhs, 5 lakhs are to be paid to the applicant and 20 lakhs are to be donated to the Tata Memorial Hospital. The High Court also ordered to seize the packing materials from the defendant company but it's owner Neha Gandhir not only stopped the people from collecting the packing material but also threatened them to frame them in a false molestation case. Taking note of the threat to frame the opponent in a false case, the High Court imposed the hefty fine of them. The Court took into consideration that the defendant company's Neha Gandhir and her husband not only stopped people from following the High Court orders but also threatened the applicant with a false complaint in sections which are actually meant for protection of women.

Bombay high court slaps Rs 25 lakh fine on company for not following orders, false case

Tej Hazarika, the son of the late singer-composer Bhupen Hazarika, said Sunday the government's decision to confer Bharat Ratna on his father is a victory for humanity, diversity and India's secular character.

The government had on Friday announced that former president Pranab Mukherjee, the late&nbsp;Bharatiya Jana Sangh leader Nanaji Deshmukh, and Bhupen Hazarika would be conferred the Bharat Ratna — the country's highest civilian award.

An e-mailed statement issued on Sunday quoted Tej Hazarika, who lives in the USA, as saying, "In his songs, blueprints for the youth and future of India can be discovered."

Tej, reacting to his father being conferred the country's highest civilian award, said, "In his songs, he celebrated the richness of indigenous people not only of the Northeast but all of India and he advocated their inclusion in the Indian experience as essential to the success of Indian civilisation as a whole." 
&nbsp;

Tej Hazarika, the son of the late singer-composer Bhupen Hazarika, said Sunday the government's decision to confer Bharat Ratna on his father is a victory for humanity, diversity and India's secular character.

Tej Hazarika, the son of the late singer-composer Bhupen Hazarika, said Sunday the government's decision to confer Bharat Ratna on his father is a victory for humanity, diversity and India's secular character. The government had on Friday announced that former president Pranab Mukherjee, the late Bharatiya Jana Sangh leader Nanaji Deshmukh, and Bhupen Hazarika would be conferred the Bharat Ratna — the country's highest civilian award. An e-mailed statement issued on Sunday quoted Tej Hazarika, who lives in the USA, as saying, "In his songs, blueprints for the youth and future of India can be discovered." Tej, reacting to his father being conferred the country's highest civilian award, said, "In his songs, he celebrated the richness of indigenous people not only of the Northeast but all of India and he advocated their inclusion in the Indian experience as essential to the success of Indian civilisation as a whole."

Bharat Ratna for Bhupen Hazarika a victory for humanity & diversity, says son

Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour, was conferred on B R Ambedkar out of compulsion and not by heart, said All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi.

"Tell me out of the total Bharat Ratna awards given how many were Dalit, Adivasi, Muslim, poor, upper caste and Brahmin? Babasaheb (Ambedkar) was given Bharat Ratna, but out of compulsion and not by heart (Mujhe yeh batao ki jitne Bharat Ratna ke award diye gaye usmein se kitne dalit, adivasi, musalmanon, garibon, upper caste aur Brahminon ko diye gaye? Babasaheb ko Bharat Ratna diya par dil se nahi diya majboori ki halat mein diya)," Owaisi said at the Vanchit Bahujan Sabha on Sunday.

His statement comes days after the central government announced the names of former President Pranab Mukherjee, late legendary singer Bhupen Hazarika, and late social activist Nanaji Deshmukh as the recipients of the coveted honour this year.

Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour, was conferred on B R Ambedkar out of compulsion and not by heart, said All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi.

Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour, was conferred on B R Ambedkar out of compulsion and not by heart, said All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi. "Tell me out of the total Bharat Ratna awards given how many were Dalit, Adivasi, Muslim, poor, upper caste and Brahmin? Babasaheb (Ambedkar) was given Bharat Ratna, but out of compulsion and not by heart (Mujhe yeh batao ki jitne Bharat Ratna ke award diye gaye usmein se kitne dalit, adivasi, musalmanon, garibon, upper caste aur Brahminon ko diye gaye? Babasaheb ko Bharat Ratna diya par dil se nahi diya majboori ki halat mein diya)," Owaisi said at the Vanchit Bahujan Sabha on Sunday. His statement comes days after the central government announced the names of former President Pranab Mukherjee, late legendary singer Bhupen Hazarika, and late social activist Nanaji Deshmukh as the recipients of the coveted honour this year.

Ambedkar given Bharat Ratna out of compulsion, not by heart: Asaduddin Owaisi

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/venezuelas-guaido-calls-for-new-protests-as-pressure-on-maduro-rises-193505">Venezuela is in the grip </a>of a major crisis. It currently has two presidents. President Nicolas Maduro who was elected last year, and opposition leader Juan Guaidó who declared himself as the president. The world stands divided with United States and many European leaders recognising Guaido while Russia and other countries backing Maduro. In an exclusive conversation with our diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal, Venezuela's ambassador to India Augusto Montiel spoke on the current situation in the country.

 
WION:&nbsp;How do you see the situation in your country?

Augusto Montiel: Very clearly its a coup which has been organised and financed by the government of United States. The truth about&nbsp;Venezuela has not been shown.&nbsp;

Millions of people are supporting President Nicolas Maduro, they are supporting the constitution of Venezuela, the institutions, but the international organisations are not showing it.&nbsp;

There is a coup of international proportions led by the government of US. No article of the constitution allows anyone to come up and become a president without the vote of Venezuelans. President Nicolas Maduro was elected in May 2018 and like always the US government did not recognise the elections. It only recognises the elections in which the opposition wins. President Maduro has 6 million votes and that should be respected.

WION: What is the rationale of US interference?

Augusto Montiel: It is obvious, Venezuela has the largest oil reserves in the world. And like they did with Iraq and 12 years later they came out and said they were misinformed after causing so much destruction. Now they want to control based on lot of lies distributed around the world. They want to control the largest oil reserves. They want to control the gold reserves of Venezuela. And they want to control the Latin American region. Everything is against democracy. Everything against international rule of law.

WION: European countries have given a deadline for election...

Augusto Montiel: Looks like we are going back to the imperial or colonial time&nbsp;when the big empires ruled. What is civilization for? What is the United Nations for? The advancement in civilisation is for dialogue and negotiation. The US government is now pushing, financing and equipping a different scenario - a second reality. This reality is fake news reality. The problems in Venezuela is for Venezuelans to solve. We can't accept any power to come just because they have military power. The economic sanctions have created misery.&nbsp;

WION:&nbsp;The&nbsp;US is hinting at a military intervention...

Augusto Montiel: Obviously, its a crime. They can exterminate any country. They have sufficient bombs. Whatever they doing is against the logic of co-existence and human rule of law because of greed for Venezuelan oil. We will defend it. After destroying Libya, Iraq, Syria, what they want is to create a situation of terror in Venezuela. These are imperial desires of the US government.&nbsp;

WION: How do you see India's reaction?

Augusto Montiel: New Delhi has clearly stated problems of Venezuela and the electoral and democratic situation must be solved by Venezuelans and not by anyone coming from outside by a foreign country, by military power exerting and giving instructions and dictating politicians who do not want freedom and independence of Venezuela.

India has stated also, anything that happens there must not include violence, must not include war. Venezuela is a country that likes and bases its international relations on diplomacy of peace. We are there to share our oil on the basis of fair trade, on the basis of cooperation and friendship. We will make sure democracy and international cooperation prevails. This is what multilateralism is about.

We don't want the government of the United States to try to destroy multilateral environment which is keeping the world at balance. We can't lose that balance. Maduro is pushing for rule of law and democracy in every country.

Venezuela is in the grip of a major crisis. It currently has two presidents. President Nicolas Maduro who was elected last year, and opposition leader Juan Guaidó who declared himself as the president.

Venezuela is in the grip of a major crisis. It currently has two presidents. President Nicolas Maduro who was elected last year, and opposition leader Juan Guaidó who declared himself as the president. The world stands divided with United States and many European leaders recognising Guaido while Russia and other countries backing Maduro. In an exclusive conversation with our diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal, Venezuela's ambassador to India Augusto Montiel spoke on the current situation in the country. WION: How do you see the situation in your country? Augusto Montiel: Very clearly its a coup which has been organised and financed by the government of United States. The truth about Venezuela has not been shown. Millions of people are supporting President Nicolas Maduro, they are supporting the constitution of Venezuela, the institutions, but the international organisations are not showing it. There is a coup of international proportions led by the government of US. No article of the constitution allows anyone to come up and become a president without the vote of Venezuelans. President Nicolas Maduro was elected in May 2018 and like always the US government did not recognise the elections. It only recognises the elections in which the opposition wins. President Maduro has 6 million votes and that should be respected. WION: What is the rationale of US interference? Augusto Montiel: It is obvious, Venezuela has the largest oil reserves in the world. And like they did with Iraq and 12 years later they came out and said they were misinformed after causing so much destruction. Now they want to control based on lot of lies distributed around the world. They want to control the largest oil reserves. They want to control the gold reserves of Venezuela. And they want to control the Latin American region. Everything is against democracy. Everything against international rule of law. WION: European countries have given a deadline for election... Augusto Montiel: Looks like we are going back to the imperial or colonial time when the big empires ruled. What is civilization for? What is the United Nations for? The advancement in civilisation is for dialogue and negotiation. The US government is now pushing, financing and equipping a different scenario - a second reality. This reality is fake news reality. The problems in Venezuela is for Venezuelans to solve. We can't accept any power to come just because they have military power. The economic sanctions have created misery. WION: The US is hinting at a military intervention... Augusto Montiel: Obviously, its a crime. They can exterminate any country. They have sufficient bombs. Whatever they doing is against the logic of co-existence and human rule of law because of greed for Venezuelan oil. We will defend it. After destroying Libya, Iraq, Syria, what they want is to create a situation of terror in Venezuela. These are imperial desires of the US government. WION: How do you see India's reaction? Augusto Montiel: New Delhi has clearly stated problems of Venezuela and the electoral and democratic situation must be solved by Venezuelans and not by anyone coming from outside by a foreign country, by military power exerting and giving instructions and dictating politicians who do not want freedom and independence of Venezuela. India has stated also, anything that happens there must not include violence, must not include war. Venezuela is a country that likes and bases its international relations on diplomacy of peace. We are there to share our oil on the basis of fair trade, on the basis of cooperation and friendship. We will make sure democracy and international cooperation prevails. This is what multilateralism is about. We don't want the government of the United States to try to destroy multilateral environment which is keeping the world at balance. We can't lose that balance. Maduro is pushing for rule of law and democracy in every country.

After Libya, Iraq & Syria, US is coming after us: Venezuela ambassador Augusto Montiel

A Delhi Court on Monday granted another five days remand of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-court-sends-agustawestland-scam-accused-gautam-khaitan-to-2-day-ed-custody-192985">Gautam Khaitan to Enforcement Directorate</a> (ED) in a black money case.

The Court took the decision under the Black Money Act.

During the hearing, ED argued that at this stage it can't supply the Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) to the accused since it`s an internal document. It also asserted that a list of documents has been submitted to the court.

Claiming that more than Rs 800 crore of Indian rupees was under the radar, the probe agency had sought seven days custody of Gautam Khaitan.

Arguing for the need of a remand, the ED counsel said, "In these days we have found evidence of different entries in other accounts. If he goes out he will close the accounts, and our probe will be hampered."

ED lawyer also argued that there was huge tempering of evidence and if the agency doesn`t get the opportunity of questioning the accused in the custody, the investigation will be hampered.

Counsel for Gautam Khaitan, Pramod Kumar Dubey raised questioned on his clients' arrest and claimed that he was arrested from the airport in a hurry.“He was not fleeing from the justice and he has been pressurised to give some info of the defence Deal,” Khaitan’s counsel argued in the court.

The Central government agency had sought Khaitan’s custody to unravel the conspiracy regarding his alleged unidentified assets of more than Rs 500 crore. It is worth mentioning that Khaitan is also an accused in multi-crore AgustaWestland chopper deal kickback case.

Last week, the Income Tax Department sleuths had raided offices and various other properties in Delhi-NCR belonging to him. I-T Dept claims to have gathered evidence against Khaitan for allegedly receiving kickbacks in other defence deals too, besides AgustaWestland during the UPA tenure.

On the recommendation of the I-T Department, ED had registered a case against him under the Black Money Act.&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;

A Delhi Court on Monday granted another five days remand of Gautam Khaitan to Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a black money case. The Court took the decision under the Black Money Act.

A Delhi Court on Monday granted another five days remand of Gautam Khaitan to Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a black money case. The Court took the decision under the Black Money Act. During the hearing, ED argued that at this stage it can't supply the Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) to the accused since it`s an internal document. It also asserted that a list of documents has been submitted to the court. Claiming that more than Rs 800 crore of Indian rupees was under the radar, the probe agency had sought seven days custody of Gautam Khaitan. Arguing for the need of a remand, the ED counsel said, "In these days we have found evidence of different entries in other accounts. If he goes out he will close the accounts, and our probe will be hampered." ED lawyer also argued that there was huge tempering of evidence and if the agency doesn`t get the opportunity of questioning the accused in the custody, the investigation will be hampered. Counsel for Gautam Khaitan, Pramod Kumar Dubey raised questioned on his clients' arrest and claimed that he was arrested from the airport in a hurry.“He was not fleeing from the justice and he has been pressurised to give some info of the defence Deal,” Khaitan’s counsel argued in the court. The Central government agency had sought Khaitan’s custody to unravel the conspiracy regarding his alleged unidentified assets of more than Rs 500 crore. It is worth mentioning that Khaitan is also an accused in multi-crore AgustaWestland chopper deal kickback case. Last week, the Income Tax Department sleuths had raided offices and various other properties in Delhi-NCR belonging to him. I-T Dept claims to have gathered evidence against Khaitan for allegedly receiving kickbacks in other defence deals too, besides AgustaWestland during the UPA tenure. On the recommendation of the I-T Department, ED had registered a case against him under the Black Money Act.

Delhi court sends AgustaWestland scam accused Gautam Khaitan on 5-day ED remand

The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/2013-bodh-gaya-blasts-patna-court-finds-all-5-accused-guilty-139635">Bodh Gaya blast in 2018 </a>was carried out in retaliation of alleged atrocities against the<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/un-expert-urges-caution-on-bangladeshs-rohingya-island-relocation-plan-192852"> Rohingyas in Myanmar</a> and to overawe the Indian government by the terrorist act, according to a supplementary charge sheet filed on Monday in a Patna court by the NIA.

It said Bangladesh-based terrorist group Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen was responsible for hatching the conspiracy to attack <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bodh-gaya-blasts-man-arrested-for-helping-procure-explosive-143687">Bodh Gaya temple</a> and other symbols of Buddhist faith.

In the charge sheet, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) named six people behind carrying out the attack.

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/unicef-boss-urges-myanmar-to-enact-kofi-annans-recommendations-on-rohingya-crisis-193481">UNICEF chief urges Myanmar to enact Kofi Annan's recommendations on Rohingya crisis</a>

One of them is Bangladesh resident Md Jahidul Islam, and the other five are Md Adil Sheikh, Dilwar Hossain, Abdul Karim, Mustafizur Rahman and Arif Hussain from West Bengal, according to a statement issued Monday.

The NIA said the investigation has revealed that Md Jahidul Islam alias Kausar along with the other accused formed a terrorist gang and hatched a conspiracy to plant IEDs in the Bodh Gaya temple complex and other symbols of Buddhist faith.

"The motive was to attack symbols of Buddhism in retaliation to the alleged atrocities committed on the Rohingyas in Myanmar and to overawe the government of India by the terrorist act," it said.

Investigations also revealed that the accused Ahmed Ali, Nur Alam, Paigambar Sheikh, Adil Sheikh, Dilwar Hossain, Abdul Karim, Kausar and Mustafizur Rehman travelled to different places in south India, including Hyderabad and Chennai, where the conspiracy to target Bodh Gaya and other Buddhist places of worship was hatched, the NIA said.

"In furtherance of the conspiracy, the accused persons contacted and assembled at various places, took hideouts at Jehanabad and Masaurhi, recceed Bodh Gaya temple complex, procured the explosives and other materials for fabrication of the IEDs," it said.

According to the statement, Jahidul Islam fabricated three improvised explosive device (IED) and two hand grenades.

CCTV footage of the Bodh Gaya temple complex along with evidences collected during the probe established that Adil Sheikh, Dilwar Hossain and Arif Hussain planted the IEDs in and around the premises of the Mahabodhi temple complex in Bodh Gaya on January 19, 2018, to cause loss of life and property during the auspicious

presence of Dalai Lama and also during the visit of the Governor of Bihar and thus committed a terrorist act, it said.

Dilwar Hossain also put one of the IEDs (hand grenades) in the cistern of a public toilet near Kalachakra maidan which was later recovered, the NIA said.

The investigation also established that the accused used fake and assumed names for travel and for renting hideouts, and used protected text for communication to conceal their real identities. The designs of the conspiracy to wage war against the government, it said.

The probe agency said that investigation also brought out that Jahidul Islam is a Bangladeshi fugitive who was staying in India without any legal documents and used different fake IDs.&nbsp;

It has been revealed that after committing the act of terror, the accused escaped and were hiding in various locations in and around Bengaluru and other places.

"The accused persons also committed a number of dacoities in and around Bengaluru in order to raise funds for their criminal activities. Accused Arif Hussain is still absconding and investigation against him continues," the NIA said.

A charge sheet was filed earlier against three accused Paigambar Sheikh, Ahmad Ali and Nur Alam in the NIA special court, Patna, on September 27, 2018.&nbsp;

The Bodh Gaya blast in 2018 was carried out in retaliation of alleged atrocities against the Rohingyas in Myanmar and to overawe the Indian government by the terrorist act, according to a supplementary charge sheet filed on Monday in a Patna court by the NIA.

The Bodh Gaya blast in 2018 was carried out in retaliation of alleged atrocities against the Rohingyas in Myanmar and to overawe the Indian government by the terrorist act, according to a supplementary charge sheet filed on Monday in a Patna court by the NIA. It said Bangladesh-based terrorist group Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen was responsible for hatching the conspiracy to attack Bodh Gaya temple and other symbols of Buddhist faith. In the charge sheet, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) named six people behind carrying out the attack. Also read: UNICEF chief urges Myanmar to enact Kofi Annan's recommendations on Rohingya crisis One of them is Bangladesh resident Md Jahidul Islam, and the other five are Md Adil Sheikh, Dilwar Hossain, Abdul Karim, Mustafizur Rahman and Arif Hussain from West Bengal, according to a statement issued Monday. The NIA said the investigation has revealed that Md Jahidul Islam alias Kausar along with the other accused formed a terrorist gang and hatched a conspiracy to plant IEDs in the Bodh Gaya temple complex and other symbols of Buddhist faith. "The motive was to attack symbols of Buddhism in retaliation to the alleged atrocities committed on the Rohingyas in Myanmar and to overawe the government of India by the terrorist act," it said. Investigations also revealed that the accused Ahmed Ali, Nur Alam, Paigambar Sheikh, Adil Sheikh, Dilwar Hossain, Abdul Karim, Kausar and Mustafizur Rehman travelled to different places in south India, including Hyderabad and Chennai, where the conspiracy to target Bodh Gaya and other Buddhist places of worship was hatched, the NIA said. "In furtherance of the conspiracy, the accused persons contacted and assembled at various places, took hideouts at Jehanabad and Masaurhi, recceed Bodh Gaya temple complex, procured the explosives and other materials for fabrication of the IEDs," it said. According to the statement, Jahidul Islam fabricated three improvised explosive device (IED) and two hand grenades. CCTV footage of the Bodh Gaya temple complex along with evidences collected during the probe established that Adil Sheikh, Dilwar Hossain and Arif Hussain planted the IEDs in and around the premises of the Mahabodhi temple complex in Bodh Gaya on January 19, 2018, to cause loss of life and property during the auspicious presence of Dalai Lama and also during the visit of the Governor of Bihar and thus committed a terrorist act, it said. Dilwar Hossain also put one of the IEDs (hand grenades) in the cistern of a public toilet near Kalachakra maidan which was later recovered, the NIA said. The investigation also established that the accused used fake and assumed names for travel and for renting hideouts, and used protected text for communication to conceal their real identities. The designs of the conspiracy to wage war against the government, it said. The probe agency said that investigation also brought out that Jahidul Islam is a Bangladeshi fugitive who was staying in India without any legal documents and used different fake IDs. It has been revealed that after committing the act of terror, the accused escaped and were hiding in various locations in and around Bengaluru and other places. "The accused persons also committed a number of dacoities in and around Bengaluru in order to raise funds for their criminal activities. Accused Arif Hussain is still absconding and investigation against him continues," the NIA said. A charge sheet was filed earlier against three accused Paigambar Sheikh, Ahmad Ali and Nur Alam in the NIA special court, Patna, on September 27, 2018.

Bodh Gaya blast in retaliation to alleged atrocities against Rohingyas in Myanmar: NIA to court

Terrorists&nbsp;attacked a civilian by opening fire at him in volatile Tral area in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Monday.

Jammu and Kashmir police said that a civilian, who they identified as Tariq Ahmad Wani, was fired near a local bank and was injured.&nbsp;

Sources told WION, Tariq who was ex-army personnel has been rushed to Srinagar hospital for treatment after the attack. He was a resident of Reshipora.

Soon after the attack, security forces launched a manhunt to nab the terrorists in the area.&nbsp;

Tral area in south Kashmir is among the top terror hot bead, with a number of local recruits.&nbsp;

Terrorists attacked a civilian by opening fire at him in volatile Tral area in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Monday. Jammu and Kashmir police said that a civilian, who they identified as Tariq Ahmad Wani, was fired near a local bank and was injured.

Terrorists attacked a civilian by opening fire at him in volatile Tral area in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Monday. Jammu and Kashmir police said that a civilian, who they identified as Tariq Ahmad Wani, was fired near a local bank and was injured. Sources told WION, Tariq who was ex-army personnel has been rushed to Srinagar hospital for treatment after the attack. He was a resident of Reshipora. Soon after the attack, security forces launched a manhunt to nab the terrorists in the area. Tral area in south Kashmir is among the top terror hot bead, with a number of local recruits.

Jammu and Kashmir: Ex-army personnel critically injured after being shot at by terrorists in Pulwama

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-bangla-plane-crash-that-killed-51-was-caused-by-pilot-smoking-in-cockpit-193269">US-Bangla plane crash that killed 51 was caused by pilot smoking in </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-bangla-plane-crash-that-killed-51-was-caused-by-pilot-smoking-in-cockpit-193269">cockpit</a>

The US-Bangla airline Bombardier UBG-211 crash that occurred in March last year took place as the pilot who was in charge of the flight had smoked inside the cockpit despite restrictions, authorities confirmed on Sunday.

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/live-updates-india-vs-new-zealand-3rd-odi-nz-are-at-10-1-after-2-overs-193266">India vs New Zealand, 3rd ODI: Catch all the live updates here</a>

India's bowlers struck early, sending both Kiwi openers back to the pavilion. New Zealand were 59/3 after 16.2 overs at 9 am IST with skipper Kane Williamson departing after his openers.&nbsp;

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/uss-bolton-warns-venezuela-of-significant-response-if-juan-guaido-is-threatened-193282">US's Bolton warns Venezuela of 'significant response' if Juan </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/uss-bolton-warns-venezuela-of-significant-response-if-juan-guaido-is-threatened-193282">Guaido</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/uss-bolton-warns-venezuela-of-significant-response-if-juan-guaido-is-threatened-193282"> is threatened</a>

National Security Adviser of the United States John Bolton said that any violence and intimidation against US diplomats, Venezuela's "democratic leader" Juan Guaido or the National Assembly will be met with a "significant response" from the US.&nbsp;

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/brazil-dam-burst-death-toll-touches-58-rescuers-find-bus-full-of-bodies-193259">Brazil dam burst: Death toll touches 58, rescuers find bus full of bodies</a>

Fears of a second dam breach at a Brazilian mining complex receded Sunday, enabling a search to resume for the more than 300 people still missing two days after a dam collapse that has killed at least 58 people.&nbsp;

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/to-defeat-obesity-hunger-climate-change-govts-must-curb-influence-of-big-corporations-lancet-193275">To defeat obesity, hunger &amp; climate change, </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/to-defeat-obesity-hunger-climate-change-govts-must-curb-influence-of-big-corporations-lancet-193275">govts</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/to-defeat-obesity-hunger-climate-change-govts-must-curb-influence-of-big-corporations-lancet-193275"> must curb </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/to-defeat-obesity-hunger-climate-change-govts-must-curb-influence-of-big-corporations-lancet-193275">influence</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/to-defeat-obesity-hunger-climate-change-govts-must-curb-influence-of-big-corporations-lancet-193275"> of big corporations: Lancet</a>

To defeat the intertwined pandemics of obesity, hunger and climate change, governments must curb the political influence of major corporations, said a major report Monday calling for a 'global treaty' similar to one for tobacco control.

Bu this will not happen unless ordinary citizens demand a "radical rethink" of the relationship between policymakers and business, nearly four dozen experts from The Lancet Commission on Obesity concluded.

US-Bangla plane crash that killed 51 was caused by pilot smoking in cockpit The US-Bangla airline Bombardier UBG-211 crash that occurred in March last year took place as the pilot who was in charge of the flight had smoked inside the cockpit despite restrictions, authorities confirmed on Sunday.

US-Bangla plane crash that killed 51 was caused by pilot smoking in cockpit The US-Bangla airline Bombardier UBG-211 crash that occurred in March last year took place as the pilot who was in charge of the flight had smoked inside the cockpit despite restrictions, authorities confirmed on Sunday. India vs New Zealand, 3rd ODI: Catch all the live updates here India's bowlers struck early, sending both Kiwi openers back to the pavilion. New Zealand were 59/3 after 16.2 overs at 9 am IST with skipper Kane Williamson departing after his openers. US's Bolton warns Venezuela of 'significant response' if Juan Guaido is threatened National Security Adviser of the United States John Bolton said that any violence and intimidation against US diplomats, Venezuela's "democratic leader" Juan Guaido or the National Assembly will be met with a "significant response" from the US. Brazil dam burst: Death toll touches 58, rescuers find bus full of bodies Fears of a second dam breach at a Brazilian mining complex receded Sunday, enabling a search to resume for the more than 300 people still missing two days after a dam collapse that has killed at least 58 people. To defeat obesity, hunger & climate change, govts must curb influence of big corporations: Lancet To defeat the intertwined pandemics of obesity, hunger and climate change, governments must curb the political influence of major corporations, said a major report Monday calling for a 'global treaty' similar to one for tobacco control. Bu this will not happen unless ordinary citizens demand a "radical rethink" of the relationship between policymakers and business, nearly four dozen experts from The Lancet Commission on Obesity concluded.

News brief: Big stories of the day

Voting is underway for the crucial seat of Haryana's Jind Assembly constituency which went vacant after INLD candidate Hari Chand Middha passed away.&nbsp;

Prominent political leaders like senior Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala, the late Hari Chand Middha's son and ruling BJP candidate Krishan Middha and INLD`s Umed Singh Redhu are in the fray in today's by-poll.

As per reports, as many as 48,000 voters out of a total of 1,71,113 eligible to vote to belong to the Jat community while the remaining others belong to Brahmin, Punjabi, and other communities.

Nearly 80,000 women are eligible to vote. At least 158 polling stations have been set up, of which 67 are located in rural areas.

Voting is underway for the crucial seat of Haryana's Jind Assembly constituency which went vacant after INLD candidate Hari Chand Middha passed away. Prominent political leaders like senior Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala, the late Hari Chand Middha's son and ruling BJP candidate Krishan Middha and INLD`s Umed Singh Redhu are in the fray in today's by-poll.

Voting is underway for the crucial seat of Haryana's Jind Assembly constituency which went vacant after INLD candidate Hari Chand Middha passed away. Prominent political leaders like senior Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala, the late Hari Chand Middha's son and ruling BJP candidate Krishan Middha and INLD`s Umed Singh Redhu are in the fray in today's by-poll. As per reports, as many as 48,000 voters out of a total of 1,71,113 eligible to vote to belong to the Jat community while the remaining others belong to Brahmin, Punjabi, and other communities. Nearly 80,000 women are eligible to vote. At least 158 polling stations have been set up, of which 67 are located in rural areas.

Jind bypoll: Voting underway in a high-stakes battle

Chinese Consul General to Kolkata Zha Liyou on Sunday said that confidence-building measures between five eastern Indian states, including West Bengal, and Chinese provinces were one of his topmost priorities.

"Our leadership attaches great importance to state-province level ties, which is called sub-national level relationship," said Mr Liyou, who became the new Chinese Consul to Kolkata this month.

He said culture, education, sports, youth, media, academics and film are some of the areas the two sides can work on as part of the state-province relationship.

The Chinese diplomat said, "We need to make Bengal and Yunnan sister states, and Kolkata and Kunming as twin cities to boost ties at various levels."

"The West Bengal capital and Kunming, the capital of Yunnan province, can reach consensus on many areas including culture and tourism," he said.

On the upcoming Bengal Global Business Summit, to be held in February, Mr Liyou said, "For many years we have tried to convince the Chinese provincial leaders to come to the summit. A very high-level delegation from Yunnan province would be sent to the summit."

The vice-chairman of the Provincial People's Congress will head the delegation, he told reporters in Kolkata.

Informing reporters that an expo will be held in Yunnan in June, the consul-general said, "I will extend an invitation to the chief ministers from five states."

Stating that Chinese President Xi Jinping had met Prime Minister Narendra Modi four times in 2018, Liyou said, "To put in practice what our president agreed with your prime minister, our foreign minister can tour India at the end of this year."

Chinese Consul General to Kolkata Zha Liyou on Sunday said that confidence-building measures between five eastern Indian states, including West Bengal, and Chinese provinces were one of his topmost priorities.

Chinese Consul General to Kolkata Zha Liyou on Sunday said that confidence-building measures between five eastern Indian states, including West Bengal, and Chinese provinces were one of his topmost priorities. "Our leadership attaches great importance to state-province level ties, which is called sub-national level relationship," said Mr Liyou, who became the new Chinese Consul to Kolkata this month. He said culture, education, sports, youth, media, academics and film are some of the areas the two sides can work on as part of the state-province relationship. The Chinese diplomat said, "We need to make Bengal and Yunnan sister states, and Kolkata and Kunming as twin cities to boost ties at various levels." "The West Bengal capital and Kunming, the capital of Yunnan province, can reach consensus on many areas including culture and tourism," he said. On the upcoming Bengal Global Business Summit, to be held in February, Mr Liyou said, "For many years we have tried to convince the Chinese provincial leaders to come to the summit. A very high-level delegation from Yunnan province would be sent to the summit." The vice-chairman of the Provincial People's Congress will head the delegation, he told reporters in Kolkata. Informing reporters that an expo will be held in Yunnan in June, the consul-general said, "I will extend an invitation to the chief ministers from five states." Stating that Chinese President Xi Jinping had met Prime Minister Narendra Modi four times in 2018, Liyou said, "To put in practice what our president agreed with your prime minister, our foreign minister can tour India at the end of this year."

Good ties with 5 eastern Indian states including West Bengal my top priority: Chinese diplomat

The BJP on Monday said Congress president <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/no-impact-of-priyanka-gandhi-on-lok-sabha-polls-says-bjp-192523">Rahul Gandhi</a>'s claim of ensuring minimum income guarantee if his party was voted to power was like "hundreds of other announcements" of the opposition party that were not meant to be implemented and asserted that people had seen through the opposition party's games.

"The people of India know the reality of the Congress and have seen through its games," Union minister and senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said, following Gandhi's announcement at a public meeting in Chhattisgarh.

He said the Congress governments did not waive farm loans in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, despite promising to do so before the Assembly polls in these states, and added that Gandhi's announcement was a "same kind of sop".

"Gandhi's claim to provide minimum income guarantee for the poor is like hundreds of Congress announcements which are not meant to be implemented. His party remained in power for 58 years at the Centre and made thousands of announcements. If they had been implemented, the face of the country, including that of the poor, would have been different," Prasad said.

He termed the Congress chief's assurance an "off-the-cuff" announcement, made "without any preparation or provision for funding or a proper agenda".

Gandhi had announced that his party would ensure "minimum income guarantee" for every poor person in the country if voted to power in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

The BJP on Monday said Congress president Rahul Gandhi's claim of ensuring minimum income guarantee if his party was voted to power was like "hundreds of other announcements" of the opposition party that were not meant to be implemented and asserted that people had seen through the opposition party's games.

The BJP on Monday said Congress president Rahul Gandhi's claim of ensuring minimum income guarantee if his party was voted to power was like "hundreds of other announcements" of the opposition party that were not meant to be implemented and asserted that people had seen through the opposition party's games. "The people of India know the reality of the Congress and have seen through its games," Union minister and senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said, following Gandhi's announcement at a public meeting in Chhattisgarh. He said the Congress governments did not waive farm loans in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, despite promising to do so before the Assembly polls in these states, and added that Gandhi's announcement was a "same kind of sop". "Gandhi's claim to provide minimum income guarantee for the poor is like hundreds of Congress announcements which are not meant to be implemented. His party remained in power for 58 years at the Centre and made thousands of announcements. If they had been implemented, the face of the country, including that of the poor, would have been different," Prasad said. He termed the Congress chief's assurance an "off-the-cuff" announcement, made "without any preparation or provision for funding or a proper agenda". Gandhi had announced that his party would ensure "minimum income guarantee" for every poor person in the country if voted to power in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

Rahul's minimum income guarantee promise not meant to be implemented: BJP

A high voter turnout was recorded in both <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/polling-for-high-stakes-jind-assembly-bypoll-ends-turnout-at-over-70-193502">Haryana's Jind</a> and Rajasthan's Ramgarh assembly constituencies Monday, where the Congress and the BJP are locked in a battle of prestige.

In the Jind assembly by-election, the turnout was recorded at over 70 per cent at 5 PM, the scheduled time for voting to end, officials said.

The turnout was 78.9 per cent in Ramgarh, where the election was deferred following the death of BSP candidate Laxman Singh a few days before the December 7 assembly polls in the state, which installed a Congress-led government in place of a BJP-led dispensation.

The officials said the turnout in both seats is likely to increase as there were people in queues in several booths after 5 PM.

Final figures are expected later in the day or Tuesday morning, they said, adding counting of votes will take place on January 31.

The election was multi-cornered in Jind in Haryana, ahead of parliamentary and assembly elections are due in later this year.&nbsp;

All four major contenders in Jind -- the ruling BJP, Congress, the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) and the Jannayak Janata Party (JJP), which was formed after a split in the INLD -- have pulled out all the stops for a victory, which could prove to be a morale booster for the rank and file.

The Jind by-poll was necessitated following the death of INLD MLA Hari Chan Middha, whose son Krishna Middha recently joined the BJP and is the saffron party's candidate for the by-election. 
 
The Congress fielded its chief national spokesperson and sitting MLA from Kaithal constituency Randeep Singh Surjewala.

The INLD is banking on Umed Redhu to retain the seat.

The JJP has put its weight behind Digvijay Chautala, the younger son of jailed leader Ajay Singh Chautala, who broke away from the INLD and floated the party.

For the BJP, Congress, INLD and the JJP, the outcome would help in a self-assessment exercise ahead of Lok Sabha polls this year.

The high-stakes election is considered a referendum on the Manohar Lal Khattar government and also a semi-final ahead of Lok Sabha elections.

Twenty-one candidates, including two women, are in the fray. Nearly 1.7 lakh people, including 80,556 women, were eligible to vote.

As many as 71 polling booths in rural areas of this constituency and 103 polling booths in urban areas had been set up.

Elaborate security arrangements were made to ensure smooth and peaceful conduct of polling. Nearly 3,000 policemen had been put on duty, a senior police official said earlier.

The polling remained peaceful, they said.

In the 2014 Haryana Assembly polls, Jind constituency had registered 75.91 poll percentage.

In Rajasthan's Ramgarh constituency, the polling was peaceful and no untoward incident took place.

Twenty candidates, including two women, are in the fray.

The BSP has fielded former union minister Natwar Singh's son and former MLA Jagat Singh, while former Alwar Zila Pramukh Shafia Zubair Khan is contesting as Congress candidate and Sukhwant singh as the BJP candidate.

As many as 278 polling booths were set up in the constituency and more than 2,500 policemen were deployed for maintaining law and order.

If the Congress wins the seat, the party's tally, which at present is 99, will increase to 100 in the House of 200 and the party will remain in a comfortable position with the support of its alliance partner RLD, which has one MLA.

In case the ruling party loses, it will have to bank on the support from Independent MLAs and other non-BJP parties.

Congress leaders on different occasions have said that the party has support from Independents, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Hanuman Beniwal's Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLTP).

At present, Congress has 99 members in the assembly, RLD 1, BJP 73, BSP 6, RLTP 3, CPI (M) and BTP 2 each and 13 Independents.

A high voter turnout was recorded in both Haryana's Jind and Rajasthan's Ramgarh assembly constituencies Monday, where the Congress and the BJP are locked in a battle of prestige.

A high voter turnout was recorded in both Haryana's Jind and Rajasthan's Ramgarh assembly constituencies Monday, where the Congress and the BJP are locked in a battle of prestige. In the Jind assembly by-election, the turnout was recorded at over 70 per cent at 5 PM, the scheduled time for voting to end, officials said. The turnout was 78.9 per cent in Ramgarh, where the election was deferred following the death of BSP candidate Laxman Singh a few days before the December 7 assembly polls in the state, which installed a Congress-led government in place of a BJP-led dispensation. The officials said the turnout in both seats is likely to increase as there were people in queues in several booths after 5 PM. Final figures are expected later in the day or Tuesday morning, they said, adding counting of votes will take place on January 31. The election was multi-cornered in Jind in Haryana, ahead of parliamentary and assembly elections are due in later this year. All four major contenders in Jind -- the ruling BJP, Congress, the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) and the Jannayak Janata Party (JJP), which was formed after a split in the INLD -- have pulled out all the stops for a victory, which could prove to be a morale booster for the rank and file. The Jind by-poll was necessitated following the death of INLD MLA Hari Chan Middha, whose son Krishna Middha recently joined the BJP and is the saffron party's candidate for the by-election. The Congress fielded its chief national spokesperson and sitting MLA from Kaithal constituency Randeep Singh Surjewala. The INLD is banking on Umed Redhu to retain the seat. The JJP has put its weight behind Digvijay Chautala, the younger son of jailed leader Ajay Singh Chautala, who broke away from the INLD and floated the party. For the BJP, Congress, INLD and the JJP, the outcome would help in a self-assessment exercise ahead of Lok Sabha polls this year. The high-stakes election is considered a referendum on the Manohar Lal Khattar government and also a semi-final ahead of Lok Sabha elections. Twenty-one candidates, including two women, are in the fray. Nearly 1.7 lakh people, including 80,556 women, were eligible to vote. As many as 71 polling booths in rural areas of this constituency and 103 polling booths in urban areas had been set up. Elaborate security arrangements were made to ensure smooth and peaceful conduct of polling. Nearly 3,000 policemen had been put on duty, a senior police official said earlier. The polling remained peaceful, they said. In the 2014 Haryana Assembly polls, Jind constituency had registered 75.91 poll percentage. In Rajasthan's Ramgarh constituency, the polling was peaceful and no untoward incident took place. Twenty candidates, including two women, are in the fray. The BSP has fielded former union minister Natwar Singh's son and former MLA Jagat Singh, while former Alwar Zila Pramukh Shafia Zubair Khan is contesting as Congress candidate and Sukhwant singh as the BJP candidate. As many as 278 polling booths were set up in the constituency and more than 2,500 policemen were deployed for maintaining law and order. If the Congress wins the seat, the party's tally, which at present is 99, will increase to 100 in the House of 200 and the party will remain in a comfortable position with the support of its alliance partner RLD, which has one MLA. In case the ruling party loses, it will have to bank on the support from Independent MLAs and other non-BJP parties. Congress leaders on different occasions have said that the party has support from Independents, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Hanuman Beniwal's Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLTP). At present, Congress has 99 members in the assembly, RLD 1, BJP 73, BSP 6, RLTP 3, CPI (M) and BTP 2 each and 13 Independents.

High voter turnouts in 2 assembly seats in Haryana, Rajasthan

Regional parties across the Northeast which are in alliance with the BJP will meet in Guwahati on Tuesday to put forth their objections to the controversial Citizenship Amendment Bill.

They will be joined by the JD(U), NDA's major ally in Bihar, and the AGP, which recently snapped ties with the BJP in Assam over the proposed legislation that seeks to provide Indian citizenship to non-Muslim nationals from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan after six years of residence in India.

Meghalaya Chief Minister and National People's Party (NPP) president Conrad K Sangma is taking the lead role in convening the all-regional-parties meet Tuesday and the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) is the co-convenor of the meeting, Meghalaya's ruling party NPP leaders said Monday.

The MNF from Mizoram, NDPP from Nagaland, IPFT from Tripura, SDF from Sikkim besides NPP leaderships from Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Manipur have confirmed their participation in the meeting, they said.

KC Tyagi, general secretary of the Nitish Kumar's headed JD(U), arrived in Guwahati. Party's national vice president Prashant Kishore is expected to reach the city.

Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga left Aizawl Monday for Guwahati to attend the meeting of chief ministers and regional parties of the north-east to be held Tuesday on the issue of Citizenship Amendment Bill, ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) party sources said.

The regional parties across northeast which are meeting on the Citizenship Bill are members of BJP-led NEDA (North East Democratic Alliance).

Protests against the Bill have rocked the Northeast region, with those opposing it contending that it would harm the rights of the indigenous people.&nbsp;

The gathering to put forth their objections to the Citizenship Bill, which is piloted by the BJP, is bound to create more uneasiness for the party as the Northeast together accounts for 25 Lok Sabha seats. The BJP which either on its own or with NEDA allies is in power in all the eight northeastern states is eying them in the coming parliamentary polls.

"The chief minister (Sangma) has invited all political parties, mostly regional parties in the NE region, to discuss on the amendment of the Citizenship Bill. The meeting will be held at Vivanta Taj in Guwahati," Meghalaya state president of the NPP Wanweiroi R Kharlukhi told PTI.

All regional parties in Meghalaya, which are part of the ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance, have confirmed their participation at the event, he said.

Regional parties from Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and Tripura are also attending the meeting, he added.

The NPP, which is the main ally of the BJP in the Northeast and part of the NEDA, had met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh last month to oppose the Bill.

The Meghalaya Democratic Alliance, also led by the NPP, has passed a resolution in the cabinet opposing the Bill.

The leaders of the AGP had last week met Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma at his residence at Tura.

A report from Aiwazl said that that the meeting, jointly convened by the AGP and the NPP, would deliberate on how to oppose the Citizenship Amendment Bill unitedly. 
"The cabinet meeting chaired by Zoramthanga had adopted a resolution resolving to oppose the passage of the Citizenship Amendment Bill and the chief minister had informed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh that the state government and the people of Mizoram were opposed to the legislation of the proposed amendment," sources said.

Majority of the northeastern states have come up with resolutions against the Citizenship Bill.

Even the BJP-led government in Manipur has expressed strong reservation against the Bill.

The JD(U) has supported the AGP and the AASU on the issue and has even announced that it would vote against the Bill in Rajya Sabha. Tyagi told reporters in Guwahati Monday that his party would vote against the Citizenship Bill when it will come up in the Upper House.

AGP president Atul Bora said that a convention of northeast political parties has been convened in Guwahati on Tuesday to voice their protest against the Bill together.

He said that "the entire Northeast is protesting the Bill and it's unfortunate that the Assam government has ignored sentiments of the indigenous people and is instead attacking and harassing people and organisations opposing the Bill".

Regional parties across the Northeast which are in alliance with the BJP will meet in Guwahati on Tuesday to put forth their objections to the controversial Citizenship Amendment Bill.

Regional parties across the Northeast which are in alliance with the BJP will meet in Guwahati on Tuesday to put forth their objections to the controversial Citizenship Amendment Bill. They will be joined by the JD(U), NDA's major ally in Bihar, and the AGP, which recently snapped ties with the BJP in Assam over the proposed legislation that seeks to provide Indian citizenship to non-Muslim nationals from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan after six years of residence in India. Meghalaya Chief Minister and National People's Party (NPP) president Conrad K Sangma is taking the lead role in convening the all-regional-parties meet Tuesday and the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) is the co-convenor of the meeting, Meghalaya's ruling party NPP leaders said Monday. The MNF from Mizoram, NDPP from Nagaland, IPFT from Tripura, SDF from Sikkim besides NPP leaderships from Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Manipur have confirmed their participation in the meeting, they said. KC Tyagi, general secretary of the Nitish Kumar's headed JD(U), arrived in Guwahati. Party's national vice president Prashant Kishore is expected to reach the city. Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga left Aizawl Monday for Guwahati to attend the meeting of chief ministers and regional parties of the north-east to be held Tuesday on the issue of Citizenship Amendment Bill, ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) party sources said. The regional parties across northeast which are meeting on the Citizenship Bill are members of BJP-led NEDA (North East Democratic Alliance). Protests against the Bill have rocked the Northeast region, with those opposing it contending that it would harm the rights of the indigenous people. The gathering to put forth their objections to the Citizenship Bill, which is piloted by the BJP, is bound to create more uneasiness for the party as the Northeast together accounts for 25 Lok Sabha seats. The BJP which either on its own or with NEDA allies is in power in all the eight northeastern states is eying them in the coming parliamentary polls. "The chief minister (Sangma) has invited all political parties, mostly regional parties in the NE region, to discuss on the amendment of the Citizenship Bill. The meeting will be held at Vivanta Taj in Guwahati," Meghalaya state president of the NPP Wanweiroi R Kharlukhi told PTI. All regional parties in Meghalaya, which are part of the ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance, have confirmed their participation at the event, he said. Regional parties from Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and Tripura are also attending the meeting, he added. The NPP, which is the main ally of the BJP in the Northeast and part of the NEDA, had met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh last month to oppose the Bill. The Meghalaya Democratic Alliance, also led by the NPP, has passed a resolution in the cabinet opposing the Bill. The leaders of the AGP had last week met Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma at his residence at Tura. A report from Aiwazl said that that the meeting, jointly convened by the AGP and the NPP, would deliberate on how to oppose the Citizenship Amendment Bill unitedly. "The cabinet meeting chaired by Zoramthanga had adopted a resolution resolving to oppose the passage of the Citizenship Amendment Bill and the chief minister had informed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh that the state government and the people of Mizoram were opposed to the legislation of the proposed amendment," sources said. Majority of the northeastern states have come up with resolutions against the Citizenship Bill. Even the BJP-led government in Manipur has expressed strong reservation against the Bill. The JD(U) has supported the AGP and the AASU on the issue and has even announced that it would vote against the Bill in Rajya Sabha. Tyagi told reporters in Guwahati Monday that his party would vote against the Citizenship Bill when it will come up in the Upper House. AGP president Atul Bora said that a convention of northeast political parties has been convened in Guwahati on Tuesday to voice their protest against the Bill together. He said that "the entire Northeast is protesting the Bill and it's unfortunate that the Assam government has ignored sentiments of the indigenous people and is instead attacking and harassing people and organisations opposing the Bill".

Northeastern allies of BJP to meet Tuesday in Guwahati against Citizenship Bill

National Commission for Women (NCW) has urged the Karnataka Police to investigate into an incident in which Congress leader Siddaramaiah allegedly misbehaved with a woman.

Taking cognizance of the news reports on the incident, NCW chairperson Rekha Sharma in a letter to state DGP Neelmani Raju on Monday requested for an investigation and action as per relevant provisions of law.

She has also urged that the commission should be apprised of the developments.

Earlier in the day, former Karnataka Chief Minister&nbsp;Siddaramaiah was caught on camera losing his cool while interacting with a woman in Mysuru.

In a video, Siddaramaiah was seen&nbsp;snatching away the mike from the woman's hand and in the process, her 'dupatta'&nbsp;also dropped. The woman was apparently raising some issue, which agitated the Congress leader.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> Former Karnataka Chief Minister and Congress leader Siddaramaiah misbehaves with a woman at a public meeting in Mysuru. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Karnataka?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Karnataka</a> <a href="https://t.co/MhQvUHIc3x">pic.twitter.com/MhQvUHIc3x</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1089837251553460229?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 28, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The incident triggered an outrage across the country sparking strong reactions from the opposition.

However, the woman&nbsp;defending Siddaramaiah's actions said that she has "no issues" with him and he got angry because "I slammed the table".

&nbsp;"Have no issues, he was the best chief minister. I only told him about some grievances and spoke roughly. I shouldn't have spoken like that to a former chief minister. He got angry because I slammed the table," ANI quoted her as saying.

Meanwhile, Siddaramaiah has said that he was just "trying to stop long speech of a party worker" and had no "bad intention".

"When I was trying to stop a long speech of a party worker that incident happened, it was an accident, there was no bad intention. I know her since 15 years, she is just like my sister," ANI quoted Siddaramaiah as saying.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

National Commission for Women (NCW) has urged the Karnataka Police to investigate into an incident in which Congress leader Siddaramaiah allegedly misbehaved with a woman.

National Commission for Women (NCW) has urged the Karnataka Police to investigate into an incident in which Congress leader Siddaramaiah allegedly misbehaved with a woman. Taking cognizance of the news reports on the incident, NCW chairperson Rekha Sharma in a letter to state DGP Neelmani Raju on Monday requested for an investigation and action as per relevant provisions of law. She has also urged that the commission should be apprised of the developments. Earlier in the day, former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was caught on camera losing his cool while interacting with a woman in Mysuru. In a video, Siddaramaiah was seen snatching away the mike from the woman's hand and in the process, her 'dupatta' also dropped. The woman was apparently raising some issue, which agitated the Congress leader. #WATCH Former Karnataka Chief Minister and Congress leader Siddaramaiah misbehaves with a woman at a public meeting in Mysuru. #Karnataka pic.twitter.com/MhQvUHIc3x — ANI (@ANI) January 28, 2019 × The incident triggered an outrage across the country sparking strong reactions from the opposition. However, the woman defending Siddaramaiah's actions said that she has "no issues" with him and he got angry because "I slammed the table". "Have no issues, he was the best chief minister. I only told him about some grievances and spoke roughly. I shouldn't have spoken like that to a former chief minister. He got angry because I slammed the table," ANI quoted her as saying. Meanwhile, Siddaramaiah has said that he was just "trying to stop long speech of a party worker" and had no "bad intention". "When I was trying to stop a long speech of a party worker that incident happened, it was an accident, there was no bad intention. I know her since 15 years, she is just like my sister," ANI quoted Siddaramaiah as saying. (With inputs from agencies)

NCW urges Karnataka police to launch an investigation into Siddaramaiah incident

Over 70 per cent turnout was reported on Monday in the<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/over-60-polling-recorded-till-afternoon-in-jind-bypoll-193469"> by-election to the Jind assembly constituency</a> in Haryana, dubbed as a prestige battle for all four major contenders ahead of parliamentary and assembly polls.

The ruling BJP, Congress, the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) and the Jannayak Janata Party (JJP), which was formed after a split in the INLD, have pulled out all the stops for a victory, which could prove to be a morale booster for the rank and file.

As per preliminary figures, poll percentage at 5 pm has crossed 70 per cent.

According to the officials, the final turnout is likely to be higher as there were people in queues in several booths after 5 PM, the scheduled time for voting to end. The polling began at 7 AM.&nbsp;

The bypoll was necessitated following the death of INLD MLA Hari Chan Middha, whose son Krishna Middha recently joined the BJP and is the saffron party's candidate for the by-election.

The Congress fielded chief national spokesperson and sitting MLA from Kaithal constituency Randeep Singh Surjewala. 
The INLD is banking on Umed Redhu to retain the seat.

The JJP has put its weight behind Digvijay Chautala, the younger son of jailed leader Ajay Singh Chautala, who broke away from the INLD and floated the party. 
Twenty-one candidates including two women are in the fray.

In the 2014 Haryana Assembly polls, Jind constituency had registered 75.91 poll percentage.

In the final two hours of polling, there was a rush outside booths, especially in rural parts of the assembly constituency, as voters queued up to exercise their franchise.

Officials here said 15 per cent polling was recorded in the first two hours and by 3 pm, the poll percentage had crossed 60 per cent. 
The polling remained peaceful, they said.

A couple of nonagenarians were amongst those to cast votes early in the morning.

Nearly 1.7 lakh people, including 80,556 women, were eligible to vote.

As many as 71 polling booths in rural areas of this constituency and 103 polling booths in urban areas had been set up.

Elaborate security arrangements were made to ensure smooth and peaceful conduct of polling. Nearly 3,000 policemen had been put on duty, a senior police official said earlier.

Arch rivals BJP, Congress, INLD and JJP are eyeing the results as a self-assessment exercise ahead of Lok Sabha polls this year.

The high-stake election is considered a referendum on the Manohar Lal Khattar government and also a semi-final ahead of Lok Sabha elections.&nbsp; 
Counting of votes will take place on January 31.&nbsp;

Over 70 per cent turnout was reported on Monday in the by-election to the Jind assembly constituency in Haryana, dubbed as a prestige battle for all four major contenders ahead of parliamentary and assembly polls.

Over 70 per cent turnout was reported on Monday in the by-election to the Jind assembly constituency in Haryana, dubbed as a prestige battle for all four major contenders ahead of parliamentary and assembly polls. The ruling BJP, Congress, the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) and the Jannayak Janata Party (JJP), which was formed after a split in the INLD, have pulled out all the stops for a victory, which could prove to be a morale booster for the rank and file. As per preliminary figures, poll percentage at 5 pm has crossed 70 per cent. According to the officials, the final turnout is likely to be higher as there were people in queues in several booths after 5 PM, the scheduled time for voting to end. The polling began at 7 AM. The bypoll was necessitated following the death of INLD MLA Hari Chan Middha, whose son Krishna Middha recently joined the BJP and is the saffron party's candidate for the by-election. The Congress fielded chief national spokesperson and sitting MLA from Kaithal constituency Randeep Singh Surjewala. The INLD is banking on Umed Redhu to retain the seat. The JJP has put its weight behind Digvijay Chautala, the younger son of jailed leader Ajay Singh Chautala, who broke away from the INLD and floated the party. Twenty-one candidates including two women are in the fray. In the 2014 Haryana Assembly polls, Jind constituency had registered 75.91 poll percentage. In the final two hours of polling, there was a rush outside booths, especially in rural parts of the assembly constituency, as voters queued up to exercise their franchise. Officials here said 15 per cent polling was recorded in the first two hours and by 3 pm, the poll percentage had crossed 60 per cent. The polling remained peaceful, they said. A couple of nonagenarians were amongst those to cast votes early in the morning. Nearly 1.7 lakh people, including 80,556 women, were eligible to vote. As many as 71 polling booths in rural areas of this constituency and 103 polling booths in urban areas had been set up. Elaborate security arrangements were made to ensure smooth and peaceful conduct of polling. Nearly 3,000 policemen had been put on duty, a senior police official said earlier. Arch rivals BJP, Congress, INLD and JJP are eyeing the results as a self-assessment exercise ahead of Lok Sabha polls this year. The high-stake election is considered a referendum on the Manohar Lal Khattar government and also a semi-final ahead of Lok Sabha elections. Counting of votes will take place on January 31.

Polling for high-stakes Jind assembly bypoll ends, turnout at over 70%

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Peace process should be Afghan-led, says President Ghani after talks with Taliban in Qatar After Afghan president Ashraf Ghani appealed to the Taliban to "enter into serious talks" with the government during talks in Qatar with sources informing WION that a package deal is expected.

Peace process should be Afghan-led, says President Ghani after talks with Taliban in Qatar After Afghan president Ashraf Ghani appealed to the Taliban to "enter into serious talks" with the government during talks in Qatar with sources informing WION that a package deal is expected. Will be creating independent European financial institution to trade with Iran: France France's finance minister said that a European-backed system to facilitate non-dollar trade with Iran and circumvent US sanctions should be established in the coming days. Ex-Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz may fight Trump in 2020 elections: Report Billionaire former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz said in a TV interview that he is looking into running against Donald Trump in 2020 as an independent presidential candidate. Controversy can help Hardik Pandya scale new heights in career: Virat Kohli India captain Virat Kohli on Monday hoped all-rounder Hardik Pandya will come out a "better cricketer" and scale new heights after making a promising return from the suspension that followed his sexist remarks on a TV show. Watch: Man picks painting from museum in daylight robbery in Russia Russian police said they had detained a suspect after a painting was stolen from a Moscow gallery on Sunday, when the thief strolled unchallenged past visitors who mistook him for an employee.

After Afghan president Ashraf Ghani appealed to the<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-doesnt-seek-permanent-afghan-military-presence-official-193451"> Taliban to "enter into serious talks"</a> with the government during talks in Qatar with sources informing&nbsp;WION that a package deal is expected.

Sources said US pullout has been finalised for a one and a half year timeframe but it shall be in phases with progress in peace talks and security of Afghanistan to be taken into consideration. First, the US will announce its withdrawal and it is expected that US president Trump will announce it in his State of the Union Address on Tuesday or whenever it happens.

After&nbsp;it is publicly announced, sources said the Taliban shall announce a ceasefire and peace talks with the Afghan government. Sources said the Afghan Taliban military council which authorises attacks has asked for the release of Aafia Siddiqui but that demand has not been actively taken up by the rest. There are two members from the military council taking part in talks in Qatar.

The eight-member Afghan Taliban delegation includes chief Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, three members from the political office including Abbas Stanikzai and one senior member of the&nbsp;Haqqani Network.

Mullah Yaqoob who is the youngest son of Mullah Omar and ex-Afghan Taliban chief is also taking part in talks. Ghani spoke hours after his office released a statement saying that US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad had assured them that the focus of the talks in Qatar remains finding a way to facilitate peace negotiations between the militants and Kabul.

Khalilzad arrived in Afghanistan late Sunday after six days of talks between Taliban representatives and US officials in Doha. Both parties have cited "progress" as hopes rise that the unprecedented length of the negotiations could mean a deal paving the way for Afghan peace talks may be in sight, although sticking points remain.

"We want peace, we want it fast but we want it with a plan," Ghani continued Monday.

"We should not forget that the victims of this war are Afghans and the peace process should also be Afghan-led," the president added. 
&nbsp;

After Afghan president Ashraf Ghani appealed to the Taliban to "enter into serious talks" with the government during talks in Qatar with sources informing WION that a package deal is expected.

After Afghan president Ashraf Ghani appealed to the Taliban to "enter into serious talks" with the government during talks in Qatar with sources informing WION that a package deal is expected. Sources said US pullout has been finalised for a one and a half year timeframe but it shall be in phases with progress in peace talks and security of Afghanistan to be taken into consideration. First, the US will announce its withdrawal and it is expected that US president Trump will announce it in his State of the Union Address on Tuesday or whenever it happens. After it is publicly announced, sources said the Taliban shall announce a ceasefire and peace talks with the Afghan government. Sources said the Afghan Taliban military council which authorises attacks has asked for the release of Aafia Siddiqui but that demand has not been actively taken up by the rest. There are two members from the military council taking part in talks in Qatar. The eight-member Afghan Taliban delegation includes chief Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, three members from the political office including Abbas Stanikzai and one senior member of the Haqqani Network. Mullah Yaqoob who is the youngest son of Mullah Omar and ex-Afghan Taliban chief is also taking part in talks. Ghani spoke hours after his office released a statement saying that US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad had assured them that the focus of the talks in Qatar remains finding a way to facilitate peace negotiations between the militants and Kabul. Khalilzad arrived in Afghanistan late Sunday after six days of talks between Taliban representatives and US officials in Doha. Both parties have cited "progress" as hopes rise that the unprecedented length of the negotiations could mean a deal paving the way for Afghan peace talks may be in sight, although sticking points remain. "We want peace, we want it fast but we want it with a plan," Ghani continued Monday. "We should not forget that the victims of this war are Afghans and the peace process should also be Afghan-led," the president added.

Peace process should be Afghan-led, says President Ghani after talks with Taliban in Qatar

The UK government Monday expressed regret over reports that the<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/sikh-hindu-groups-condemn-planned-burning-of-tricolour-by-pro-khalistan-group-193006"> Indian flag was burnt</a> during a demonstration by separatist groups outside the Indian High Commission in London on Republic Day.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) said it was disappointing that separatist groups had chosen to take such an action, as Scotland Yard confirmed that it was working to establish the exact circumstances around the incident on Saturday.

"We are disappointed that anyone would choose to burn the Indian flag on any day, let alone the celebration of Republic Day, and we regret the upset that this will have caused," an FCO spokesperson said.

"We congratulate India on...Republic Day celebration, and look forward to deepening our relationship further as we prepare to leave the European Union and forge new partnerships with key global allies," the spokesperson added.

A small group of activists from some British Sikh and Kashmiri outfits had gathered outside India House in central London on Saturday to wave placards against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chant anti-India slogans. Indian officials had confirmed that the Metropolitan Police had been made aware of the planned demonstration, during which some protesters were caught on camera burning the Indian flag.

"On Saturday, 26 January a demonstration took place outside India House in Aldwych, WC2. An appropriate policing plan was in place," the Metropolitan Police said in a statement.&nbsp;

"There were no incidents of note and no arrests. No allegations of crime have been reported. We are aware of a social media video that appears to be from the demonstration outside India House in Aldwych on Saturday, 26 January. We are working to establish the exact circumstances of it," the statement said.

The FCO had earlier called on demonstrators to stay within the law in reference to reports of a planned protest to mark Republic Day.

"We are proud to be a country that fiercely protects the rights of individuals to peaceful protest and free speech as essential parts of a vibrant democracy, provided that demonstrators act within the law. We do not condone the burning of national flags, which is deeply offensive to most people," an FCO spokesperson had said.

In April last year, the Indian government had demanded legal action against those behind a similar desecration of the Indian flag at Parliament Square on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in London attended by the Indian prime minister.

The perpetrators, caught on camera with the Indian tricolour, were pro-Khalistani demonstrators brought together with Kashmiri separatist groups under the banner of a so-called "Minorities Against Modi" group. Similar groups are believed to be behind the latest incident outside India House in London on Saturday.&nbsp;

The UK government Monday expressed regret over reports that the Indian flag was burnt during a demonstration by separatist groups outside the Indian High Commission in London on Republic Day.

The UK government Monday expressed regret over reports that the Indian flag was burnt during a demonstration by separatist groups outside the Indian High Commission in London on Republic Day. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) said it was disappointing that separatist groups had chosen to take such an action, as Scotland Yard confirmed that it was working to establish the exact circumstances around the incident on Saturday. "We are disappointed that anyone would choose to burn the Indian flag on any day, let alone the celebration of Republic Day, and we regret the upset that this will have caused," an FCO spokesperson said. "We congratulate India on...Republic Day celebration, and look forward to deepening our relationship further as we prepare to leave the European Union and forge new partnerships with key global allies," the spokesperson added. A small group of activists from some British Sikh and Kashmiri outfits had gathered outside India House in central London on Saturday to wave placards against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chant anti-India slogans. Indian officials had confirmed that the Metropolitan Police had been made aware of the planned demonstration, during which some protesters were caught on camera burning the Indian flag. "On Saturday, 26 January a demonstration took place outside India House in Aldwych, WC2. An appropriate policing plan was in place," the Metropolitan Police said in a statement. "There were no incidents of note and no arrests. No allegations of crime have been reported. We are aware of a social media video that appears to be from the demonstration outside India House in Aldwych on Saturday, 26 January. We are working to establish the exact circumstances of it," the statement said. The FCO had earlier called on demonstrators to stay within the law in reference to reports of a planned protest to mark Republic Day. "We are proud to be a country that fiercely protects the rights of individuals to peaceful protest and free speech as essential parts of a vibrant democracy, provided that demonstrators act within the law. We do not condone the burning of national flags, which is deeply offensive to most people," an FCO spokesperson had said. In April last year, the Indian government had demanded legal action against those behind a similar desecration of the Indian flag at Parliament Square on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in London attended by the Indian prime minister. The perpetrators, caught on camera with the Indian tricolour, were pro-Khalistani demonstrators brought together with Kashmiri separatist groups under the banner of a so-called "Minorities Against Modi" group. Similar groups are believed to be behind the latest incident outside India House in London on Saturday.

UK expresses regret at burning of Indian flag by separatist groups

Over 60 per cent polling was recorded till 3 pm in <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/jind-bypoll-voting-underway-in-a-high-stakes-battle-193281">Haryana's Jind assembly </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/jind-bypoll-voting-underway-in-a-high-stakes-battle-193281">bypoll</a>, being touted as a prestige battle between the ruling BJP and opposition Congress, which has fielded its prominent leader Randeep Singh Surjewala.

The contest is also important for the Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) which was formed after a split in the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD).

The by-poll was necessitated following the death of INLD MLA Hari Chan Middha, whose son Krishna Middha recently joined the BJP and is the saffron party's candidate for the byelection. The INLD is banking on Umed Redhu to retain the seat.

The JJP has put its weight behind Digvijay Chautala, the younger son of jailed leader Ajay Singh Chautala, who broke away from the INLD and floated the party.

Twenty-one candidates including two women are in the fray.

The polling began at 7 am and will continue till 5 pm.

In the final two hours of polling, there was a rush outside booths, especially in rural parts of the assembly constituency, as voters queued up to exercise their franchise.

Officials here said 15 per cent polling was recorded in the first two hours and by 3 pm, the poll percentage had crossed 60 per cent.

"The poll percentage at 3 pm was 60.12," an official said, adding that no untoward incident was reported.

Nearly 1.7 lakh people, including 80,556 women, are eligible to vote, the officials said.

There are 71 polling booths in rural areas of this constituency and 103 booths fall in urban areas.

Nearly 3,000 police personnel were put on duty, a senior police official said.

Besides,500 home guards and over 200 personnel drawn from the CRPF and the Rapid Action Force were also deployed.

The officials said additional police personnel were deployed at sensitive and highly sensitive booths.

The Jind assembly segment has been divided into 24 sectors, with six deputy superintendents of police being made in-charge to oversee security arrangements.

Counting of votes will take place on January 31.

Arch rivals BJP, Congress, INLD and JJP are eyeing the results as a self-assessment exercise ahead of Lok Sabha polls this year.

The high-stakes election is considered a referendum on the Manohar Lal Khattar government and also a semi-final ahead of Lok Sabha elections.

Over 60 per cent polling was recorded till 3 pm in Haryana's Jind assembly bypoll, being touted as a prestige battle between the ruling BJP and opposition Congress, which has fielded its prominent leader Randeep Singh Surjewala.

Over 60 per cent polling was recorded till 3 pm in Haryana's Jind assembly bypoll, being touted as a prestige battle between the ruling BJP and opposition Congress, which has fielded its prominent leader Randeep Singh Surjewala. The contest is also important for the Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) which was formed after a split in the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD). The by-poll was necessitated following the death of INLD MLA Hari Chan Middha, whose son Krishna Middha recently joined the BJP and is the saffron party's candidate for the byelection. The INLD is banking on Umed Redhu to retain the seat. The JJP has put its weight behind Digvijay Chautala, the younger son of jailed leader Ajay Singh Chautala, who broke away from the INLD and floated the party. Twenty-one candidates including two women are in the fray. The polling began at 7 am and will continue till 5 pm. In the final two hours of polling, there was a rush outside booths, especially in rural parts of the assembly constituency, as voters queued up to exercise their franchise. Officials here said 15 per cent polling was recorded in the first two hours and by 3 pm, the poll percentage had crossed 60 per cent. "The poll percentage at 3 pm was 60.12," an official said, adding that no untoward incident was reported. Nearly 1.7 lakh people, including 80,556 women, are eligible to vote, the officials said. There are 71 polling booths in rural areas of this constituency and 103 booths fall in urban areas. Nearly 3,000 police personnel were put on duty, a senior police official said. Besides,500 home guards and over 200 personnel drawn from the CRPF and the Rapid Action Force were also deployed. The officials said additional police personnel were deployed at sensitive and highly sensitive booths. The Jind assembly segment has been divided into 24 sectors, with six deputy superintendents of police being made in-charge to oversee security arrangements. Counting of votes will take place on January 31. Arch rivals BJP, Congress, INLD and JJP are eyeing the results as a self-assessment exercise ahead of Lok Sabha polls this year. The high-stakes election is considered a referendum on the Manohar Lal Khattar government and also a semi-final ahead of Lok Sabha elections.

Over 60% polling recorded till afternoon in Jind bypoll

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