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The Supreme Court Friday sought a response from Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) and the Centre on agency Director Alok Kumar Verma's plea challenging the government's decision to divest him of his duties and send him on leave.

The apex court directed that interim CBI chief M Nageswara Rao shall not take any major policy decisions. Decisions taken by him since October 23 till date shall not be implemented, it said.

All decisions taken by Rao shall be placed before the apex court in a sealed cover.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi heard the plea. Senior advocate F S Nariman advanced arguments on behalf of the CBI chief.

Nariman referred to the CVC and Centre's orders divesting Verma of his duty. He also cited the Vineet Narain judgment to support Verma's pleas.

The bench, also comprising Justices S K Kaul and K M Joseph, issued notices on the petition filed by an NGO, Common Cause, which has sought a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe against the CBI officers.

CBI's Special Director Rakesh Asthana has also been named as one of the respondents in the NGO's petition.

Verma and Asthana have made allegations of corruption against each other.

The top court today said former Supreme Court judge A K Patnaik will oversee a Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) inquiry into the allegations and counter allegations and the report has to be placed before it within two weeks.

Next date of hearing has been scheduled to November 12.

The Supreme Court Friday sought a response from Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) and the Centre on agency Director Alok Kumar Verma's plea challenging the government's decision to divest him of his duties and send him on leave.

The Supreme Court Friday sought a response from Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) and the Centre on agency Director Alok Kumar Verma's plea challenging the government's decision to divest him of his duties and send him on leave. The apex court directed that interim CBI chief M Nageswara Rao shall not take any major policy decisions. Decisions taken by him since October 23 till date shall not be implemented, it said. All decisions taken by Rao shall be placed before the apex court in a sealed cover. A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi heard the plea. Senior advocate F S Nariman advanced arguments on behalf of the CBI chief. Nariman referred to the CVC and Centre's orders divesting Verma of his duty. He also cited the Vineet Narain judgment to support Verma's pleas. The bench, also comprising Justices S K Kaul and K M Joseph, issued notices on the petition filed by an NGO, Common Cause, which has sought a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe against the CBI officers. CBI's Special Director Rakesh Asthana has also been named as one of the respondents in the NGO's petition. Verma and Asthana have made allegations of corruption against each other. The top court today said former Supreme Court judge A K Patnaik will oversee a Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) inquiry into the allegations and counter allegations and the report has to be placed before it within two weeks. Next date of hearing has been scheduled to November 12.

Alok Verma case: SC orders CVC probe, asks interim CBI chief not to take policy decisions

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday inaugurated the 'Krishi Kumbh' in Lucknow as he expressed hope that the event will pave the way for new technology to be imbibed in the agriculture sector.

Addressing the event via video conference, he appreciated the Uttar Pradesh government for its efforts in augmenting the procurement of foodgrains.&nbsp;

Amid concerns over rising level of air pollution in the national capital, Modi emphasised on the need to evolve new technologies and ways that will help eliminate the need for farmers to burn crop stubble.

Modi asserted the farmers take the country forward and reiterated his government's commitment to double their income by 2022.&nbsp;

He said, a series of steps have been taken to reduce farm input costs and raise profits and noted that a large number of solar pumps will be installed in farms across the country in the near future.&nbsp;

The PM said the government is working to deliver the benefits of science to agriculture and the Rice Research Centre being set up in Varanasi is a step in this direction.

Modi also spoke of the importance of value addition in farming and said steps are being taken in the food processing sector.&nbsp;

After Green Revolution, he said, the focus is now on improving milk and honey production.&nbsp;

Addressing the gathering, the PM called for discussion on matters such as judicious use of water resources, better technology for storage and use of latest technology in farming during the event.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday inaugurated the 'Krishi Kumbh' in Lucknow as he expressed hope that the event will pave the way for new technology to be imbibed in the agriculture sector.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday inaugurated the 'Krishi Kumbh' in Lucknow as he expressed hope that the event will pave the way for new technology to be imbibed in the agriculture sector. Addressing the event via video conference, he appreciated the Uttar Pradesh government for its efforts in augmenting the procurement of foodgrains. Amid concerns over rising level of air pollution in the national capital, Modi emphasised on the need to evolve new technologies and ways that will help eliminate the need for farmers to burn crop stubble. Modi asserted the farmers take the country forward and reiterated his government's commitment to double their income by 2022. He said, a series of steps have been taken to reduce farm input costs and raise profits and noted that a large number of solar pumps will be installed in farms across the country in the near future. The PM said the government is working to deliver the benefits of science to agriculture and the Rice Research Centre being set up in Varanasi is a step in this direction. Modi also spoke of the importance of value addition in farming and said steps are being taken in the food processing sector. After Green Revolution, he said, the focus is now on improving milk and honey production. Addressing the gathering, the PM called for discussion on matters such as judicious use of water resources, better technology for storage and use of latest technology in farming during the event.

PM Modi bats for new technology in agriculture sector

The ISRO will send human for the first time to space by 2022 while its ambitious project Chandrayaan 2 will be completed in 2019 with landing of an indigenous spacecraft, the space agency's chairman Kailasavadivoo Sivan said here Thursday.

Sivan, who is here to attend the convocation ceremony of DDU Gorakhpur University Friday, told reporters, "We have set a deadline of sending human to space by the end of 2021 or beginning of 2022".

The Chandrayaan 2 will be sent on the moon by January or February next year. Chandrayaan 2 is designed to make soft landing on the moon and carry out extensive experiments on its surface.

Scientists at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will undertake three to six missions in the next six months, he said.

The ISRO is serving the nation in various fields including communication, navigation, space science etc and every single person of India is somehow linked with its services, he said.

"Under Digital India Mission launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the ISRO is all set to provide high data connectivity of 100 GBPS in rural and remote areas by placing four communication satellites in to space, of which one is already placed this year, while the rest three will be placed in November,

December and early next year," he said.

He said more than 75 per cent of the population of country lives in remote areas and it is advisable to space technology to provide services in various speeds.&nbsp;

The ISRO chairman said although it was not possible for India's premier space agency to recruit all potential engineers passing out from Indian universities yet it was working on capacity building programmes to tab their potential through incubation and research centers.

"The ISRO is all set to give young engineers opportunity to serve the nation by opening six incubation centers, research centers and research chair in north, south, east, central and west India," he said.

While one incubation center is already opened in Agartala, rest will operationalise in Jalandhar, Bhubneshwar, Indore, Nagpur and Kochi. Similarly, research centers would come up in Guwahati, Jaipur, Krukshetra, Kanyakumari, Patna and Varansi, he said.&nbsp;

The ISRO will send human for the first time to space by 2022 while its ambitious project Chandrayaan 2 will be completed in 2019 with landing of an indigenous spacecraft, the space agency's chairman Kailasavadivoo Sivan said here Thursday.

The ISRO will send human for the first time to space by 2022 while its ambitious project Chandrayaan 2 will be completed in 2019 with landing of an indigenous spacecraft, the space agency's chairman Kailasavadivoo Sivan said here Thursday. Sivan, who is here to attend the convocation ceremony of DDU Gorakhpur University Friday, told reporters, "We have set a deadline of sending human to space by the end of 2021 or beginning of 2022". The Chandrayaan 2 will be sent on the moon by January or February next year. Chandrayaan 2 is designed to make soft landing on the moon and carry out extensive experiments on its surface. Scientists at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will undertake three to six missions in the next six months, he said. The ISRO is serving the nation in various fields including communication, navigation, space science etc and every single person of India is somehow linked with its services, he said. "Under Digital India Mission launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the ISRO is all set to provide high data connectivity of 100 GBPS in rural and remote areas by placing four communication satellites in to space, of which one is already placed this year, while the rest three will be placed in November, December and early next year," he said. He said more than 75 per cent of the population of country lives in remote areas and it is advisable to space technology to provide services in various speeds. The ISRO chairman said although it was not possible for India's premier space agency to recruit all potential engineers passing out from Indian universities yet it was working on capacity building programmes to tab their potential through incubation and research centers. "The ISRO is all set to give young engineers opportunity to serve the nation by opening six incubation centers, research centers and research chair in north, south, east, central and west India," he said. While one incubation center is already opened in Agartala, rest will operationalise in Jalandhar, Bhubneshwar, Indore, Nagpur and Kochi. Similarly, research centers would come up in Guwahati, Jaipur, Krukshetra, Kanyakumari, Patna and Varansi, he said.

ISRO to send human to space by 2022: Space agency chief

The Thoothukudi Magistrate Court on Thursday ordered police officials to register a case against Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan, for allegedly abusing a co-passenger, Lois Sophia, who recently raised anti-party slogans on an aircraft.

The court ordered the police to register a case under Sections 341, 294(b) and 506(1) under the Indian Penal Code (IPC), after Sophia's father had approached the court, alleging that Soundararajan and her party workers had reportedly used abusive language against his daughter and misbehaved with her.

On September 3, Sophia allegedly raised 'Fascist BJP Government down down' slogan on a Chennai-Tuticorin flight. Enraged by the same, Soundararajan, also on the same aircraft, got into a verbal spat with the co-passenger and later allegedly with the police, who were stationed at the Tuticorin airport.

Soundararajan also lodged a complaint and Sophia was later detained for interrogation. However, the police released the girl on unconditional bail.

The Tamil Nadu BJP president claimed that the girl belonged to some organisation and was tutored to misbehave with the BJP leaders.

"It is the duty of the media to find out the name of the organisation that she belongs to. No normal passenger sitting in the flight have the audacity to misbehave with the leaders like that. I am sure this move was tutored," she had said last month.

The Thoothukudi Magistrate Court on Thursday ordered police officials to register a case against Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan, for allegedly abusing a co-passenger, Lois Sophia, who recently raised anti-party slogans on an aircraft.

The Thoothukudi Magistrate Court on Thursday ordered police officials to register a case against Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan, for allegedly abusing a co-passenger, Lois Sophia, who recently raised anti-party slogans on an aircraft. The court ordered the police to register a case under Sections 341, 294(b) and 506(1) under the Indian Penal Code (IPC), after Sophia's father had approached the court, alleging that Soundararajan and her party workers had reportedly used abusive language against his daughter and misbehaved with her. On September 3, Sophia allegedly raised 'Fascist BJP Government down down' slogan on a Chennai-Tuticorin flight. Enraged by the same, Soundararajan, also on the same aircraft, got into a verbal spat with the co-passenger and later allegedly with the police, who were stationed at the Tuticorin airport. Soundararajan also lodged a complaint and Sophia was later detained for interrogation. However, the police released the girl on unconditional bail. The Tamil Nadu BJP president claimed that the girl belonged to some organisation and was tutored to misbehave with the BJP leaders. "It is the duty of the media to find out the name of the organisation that she belongs to. No normal passenger sitting in the flight have the audacity to misbehave with the leaders like that. I am sure this move was tutored," she had said last month.

Court orders FIR against Tamil Nadu BJP chief Tamilisai Soundararajan

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) Friday moved a special court here to get declared the owners of Gujarat-based Sterling Biotech group, charged in an alleged Rs 8,100-crore bank loan fraud case, as fugitive economic offenders under a new law, the agency said.

They said the central agency has filed a plea before a special court of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), seeking to declare Nitin Sandesara, Chetan Sandesara, Dipti Sandesara and Hitesh Patel fugitives under Section 4 of the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, brought by the Modi government this year to check cases of large bank frauds and similar crimes.

"All the four are promoters of the Sterling Group and have fled the country to avoid criminal probe against them in a Rs 8,100-crore bank loan fraud involving a consortium of banks," a senior official said.

The agency has also sought immediate confiscation of the assets, in India and abroad, worth over Rs 7,000 crore of the Vadodara-based business family as part of the action under the new law.

The court subsequently issued notices to all of them.

A Fugitive Economic Offender is a person against whom an arrest warrant has been issued in respect of a scheduled offence and who has left India so as to avoid criminal prosecution, or being abroad, refuses to return to India to face criminal prosecution. Arrest warrants have been issued by a court against the four under the anti-money laundering law.

The agency filed a fresh charge sheet in this case, under the PMLA, early this week and had charged the Sandesaras and others with money laundering and siphoning bank loans.

"Investigation revealed that the promoters of the group laundered the proceeds of crime through various layers and routed the funds outside India. They incorporated more than 100 entities in various countries like UAE, USA, UK, British Virgin Islands, Mauritius, Barbados and Nigeria among others.&nbsp;

"Their main entities outside India includes Richmond Overseas, Sunshine Trust Corporation, SEEPCO BVI, SEEPCO Nigeria, Atlantic Blue Water Services Pvt Ltd and few others," the ED said.

It said the Sandesaras have business interests, largely in the oil sector, in Nigeria.

"Investigation shows that Sandesaras are engaged in oil business in Nigeria and have numerous assets there. Their assets in that country include oil evacuation and transportation equipments such as oil blocks (Durga 1-4), barges and ships (Tulja Bhawani, Varinda) among others.&nbsp;

"Some of their vessels are also registered in Republic of Panama. Besides, they have immovable properties in British Virgin Islands. All these properties are sought to be confiscated under the Fugitive Offenders Act.&nbsp;

Further investigation is ongoing to identify their other properties abroad involved in money laundering," the ED charged.

It alleged that the pharmaceutical group and its promoters laundered funds obtained through bank loans by "incorporating" shell or dummy companies, conducting circular transactions to artificially inflate turnover of flagship companies, claiming higher depreciations on non-existing machinery, artificial share trading with the use of shell companies and layering and laundering of proceeds of crime within India and abroad through the web of shell companies.

The ED had filed a total of five charge sheets, also known as prosecution complaint, in this case and had said that apart from the Sandesaras and their associates it was probing the role of "public officials" for suspected bribery of about Rs 140 crore in this case.&nbsp;

While the three Sandesaras are reported to be based in Nigeria, Patel is said to be in the US.

The agency will also move for their extradition soon, they said.

The agency has arrested four people in this case till now-- Delhi-based businessman and alleged middleman Gagan Dhawan, company director Rajbhushan Dixit, ex-Director of Andhra Bank Anup Garg and an alleged aide of Dhawan, Ranjeet Malik.

Assets to the tune of Rs 4,710 crore have been attached by the ED in this case till now even as the agency said it has seized Rs 15 lakh documents as part of its probe.&nbsp;

The ED had made similar pleas, under the new fugitive law, against Vijay Mallya and diamond jewellers Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi in separate bank loan money laundering probes.&nbsp;

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) Friday moved a special court here to get declared the owners of Gujarat-based Sterling Biotech group, charged in an alleged Rs 8,100-crore bank loan fraud case, as fugitive economic offenders under a new law, the agency said.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) Friday moved a special court here to get declared the owners of Gujarat-based Sterling Biotech group, charged in an alleged Rs 8,100-crore bank loan fraud case, as fugitive economic offenders under a new law, the agency said. They said the central agency has filed a plea before a special court of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), seeking to declare Nitin Sandesara, Chetan Sandesara, Dipti Sandesara and Hitesh Patel fugitives under Section 4 of the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, brought by the Modi government this year to check cases of large bank frauds and similar crimes. "All the four are promoters of the Sterling Group and have fled the country to avoid criminal probe against them in a Rs 8,100-crore bank loan fraud involving a consortium of banks," a senior official said. The agency has also sought immediate confiscation of the assets, in India and abroad, worth over Rs 7,000 crore of the Vadodara-based business family as part of the action under the new law. The court subsequently issued notices to all of them. A Fugitive Economic Offender is a person against whom an arrest warrant has been issued in respect of a scheduled offence and who has left India so as to avoid criminal prosecution, or being abroad, refuses to return to India to face criminal prosecution. Arrest warrants have been issued by a court against the four under the anti-money laundering law. The agency filed a fresh charge sheet in this case, under the PMLA, early this week and had charged the Sandesaras and others with money laundering and siphoning bank loans. "Investigation revealed that the promoters of the group laundered the proceeds of crime through various layers and routed the funds outside India. They incorporated more than 100 entities in various countries like UAE, USA, UK, British Virgin Islands, Mauritius, Barbados and Nigeria among others. "Their main entities outside India includes Richmond Overseas, Sunshine Trust Corporation, SEEPCO BVI, SEEPCO Nigeria, Atlantic Blue Water Services Pvt Ltd and few others," the ED said. It said the Sandesaras have business interests, largely in the oil sector, in Nigeria. "Investigation shows that Sandesaras are engaged in oil business in Nigeria and have numerous assets there. Their assets in that country include oil evacuation and transportation equipments such as oil blocks (Durga 1-4), barges and ships (Tulja Bhawani, Varinda) among others. "Some of their vessels are also registered in Republic of Panama. Besides, they have immovable properties in British Virgin Islands. All these properties are sought to be confiscated under the Fugitive Offenders Act. Further investigation is ongoing to identify their other properties abroad involved in money laundering," the ED charged. It alleged that the pharmaceutical group and its promoters laundered funds obtained through bank loans by "incorporating" shell or dummy companies, conducting circular transactions to artificially inflate turnover of flagship companies, claiming higher depreciations on non-existing machinery, artificial share trading with the use of shell companies and layering and laundering of proceeds of crime within India and abroad through the web of shell companies. The ED had filed a total of five charge sheets, also known as prosecution complaint, in this case and had said that apart from the Sandesaras and their associates it was probing the role of "public officials" for suspected bribery of about Rs 140 crore in this case. While the three Sandesaras are reported to be based in Nigeria, Patel is said to be in the US. The agency will also move for their extradition soon, they said. The agency has arrested four people in this case till now-- Delhi-based businessman and alleged middleman Gagan Dhawan, company director Rajbhushan Dixit, ex-Director of Andhra Bank Anup Garg and an alleged aide of Dhawan, Ranjeet Malik. Assets to the tune of Rs 4,710 crore have been attached by the ED in this case till now even as the agency said it has seized Rs 15 lakh documents as part of its probe. The ED had made similar pleas, under the new fugitive law, against Vijay Mallya and diamond jewellers Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi in separate bank loan money laundering probes.

Rs 8,100-crore bank loan fraud: ED seeks fugitive tag for Sterling Biotech group promoters

Commerce Minister Suresh Prabhu on Friday said that China has agreed to increase its imports from the country.

"Global disruptions offer a chance to increase Indian exports," Prabhu said at an event organised by the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII).

Prabhu said Chinese authorities will hold a meeting in November specifically with Indian exporters to address their concerns relating to market access and trade regulations.

India's trade deficit with China is its widest with any country, with large amounts of electronics and other items flowing across the border with its northern neighbour.

The Indian government said on Thursday it is set to boost exports of rice and rapeseed to China to try to narrow this gap.

Commerce Minister Suresh Prabhu on Friday said that China has agreed to increase its imports from the country. "Global disruptions offer a chance to increase Indian exports," Prabhu said at an event organised by the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII).

Commerce Minister Suresh Prabhu on Friday said that China has agreed to increase its imports from the country. "Global disruptions offer a chance to increase Indian exports," Prabhu said at an event organised by the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII). Prabhu said Chinese authorities will hold a meeting in November specifically with Indian exporters to address their concerns relating to market access and trade regulations. India's trade deficit with China is its widest with any country, with large amounts of electronics and other items flowing across the border with its northern neighbour. The Indian government said on Thursday it is set to boost exports of rice and rapeseed to China to try to narrow this gap.

China has agreed to increase imports from India: Commerce Minister Suresh Prabhu

Assam Government Friday said the state capital will be connected to six capital cities of South Asian countries by the end of December to boost connectivity in the region.

While inaugurating the ASEAN section of the 2nd Guwahati International Film Festival (GIFF), Assam Act East Policy Affairs Minister, Chandra Mohan Patowary said films are bridges between two cultures.

"We are very focused to increase connectivity between South Asia. In this direction, Guwahati will be connected with six capital cities of South Asian nations by the end of December," he said addressing the gathering.

Patowary also informed that an inter-country pact was signed yesterday to augment waterways in the region.

"A tri-lateral highway has also been planned and construction is almost done. The bridges are only left. This will be from Afghanistan to Burma (Myanmar) via India," he added.

The initiatives like the GIFF are very positive in the cultural arena that will help know each other, the minister said.

"We are trying to develop the relation between India and South East Asian countries in the field of trade, commerce and other segments. GIFF can play an important role in that direction," he added.

During the inauguration of the ASEAN segment, the Myanmar Ambassador to India, Moe Kyaw Aung was also present.

In this year, the ASEAN countries are the focus region of the 2nd GIFF with 14 films from 10 countries of the region instead of having any focus country.

The ASEAN segment began with showing of 'In the Life of Music' by Caylee So and Sok Visal.

Some other films from the South East Asian nations will be 'Woman of the Weeping River' by Sheron Dayoc, 'The Seen and Unseen' by Kamila Andini, 'Father and Son' by Luong Dinh Dung, 'Poppy Goes to Hollywood' by Sok Visal and 'Smaller and Smaller Circles' by Raya Martin and 'Mudras Calling' by Christina Kyi.

The 2nd Guwahati International Film Festival began with much fanfare on Thursday with a collection of 108 acclaimed films from over 50 countries that is likely to attract nearly 5,000 domestic and foreign delegates in the next one week.

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated the seven-day long film extravaganza saying that the festival is aimed to integrate the world as a family.

The ceremony was also attended by Lithuanian Ambassador Julius Pranevicius, Serbian Ambassador Vladimir Maric and Latvian Ambassador designated Artis Bertulis.

During the festival, nearly 35 film personalities from abroad will take part with their flicks, while Ambassadors from Lithuania, Myanmar, Argentina, Latvia, Estonia, Serbia, Singapore and Malaysia will be present.

The Assam government-owned Jyoti Chitraban (Film Studio) Society is the organiser of the festival, which will be held from October 25 to 31, in association with Dr Bhupen Hazarika Regional Government Film and Television Institute.

Assam Government Friday said the state capital will be connected to six capital cities of South Asian countries by the end of December to boost connectivity in the region.

Assam Government Friday said the state capital will be connected to six capital cities of South Asian countries by the end of December to boost connectivity in the region. While inaugurating the ASEAN section of the 2nd Guwahati International Film Festival (GIFF), Assam Act East Policy Affairs Minister, Chandra Mohan Patowary said films are bridges between two cultures. "We are very focused to increase connectivity between South Asia. In this direction, Guwahati will be connected with six capital cities of South Asian nations by the end of December," he said addressing the gathering. Patowary also informed that an inter-country pact was signed yesterday to augment waterways in the region. "A tri-lateral highway has also been planned and construction is almost done. The bridges are only left. This will be from Afghanistan to Burma (Myanmar) via India," he added. The initiatives like the GIFF are very positive in the cultural arena that will help know each other, the minister said. "We are trying to develop the relation between India and South East Asian countries in the field of trade, commerce and other segments. GIFF can play an important role in that direction," he added. During the inauguration of the ASEAN segment, the Myanmar Ambassador to India, Moe Kyaw Aung was also present. In this year, the ASEAN countries are the focus region of the 2nd GIFF with 14 films from 10 countries of the region instead of having any focus country. The ASEAN segment began with showing of 'In the Life of Music' by Caylee So and Sok Visal. Some other films from the South East Asian nations will be 'Woman of the Weeping River' by Sheron Dayoc, 'The Seen and Unseen' by Kamila Andini, 'Father and Son' by Luong Dinh Dung, 'Poppy Goes to Hollywood' by Sok Visal and 'Smaller and Smaller Circles' by Raya Martin and 'Mudras Calling' by Christina Kyi. The 2nd Guwahati International Film Festival began with much fanfare on Thursday with a collection of 108 acclaimed films from over 50 countries that is likely to attract nearly 5,000 domestic and foreign delegates in the next one week. Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated the seven-day long film extravaganza saying that the festival is aimed to integrate the world as a family. The ceremony was also attended by Lithuanian Ambassador Julius Pranevicius, Serbian Ambassador Vladimir Maric and Latvian Ambassador designated Artis Bertulis. During the festival, nearly 35 film personalities from abroad will take part with their flicks, while Ambassadors from Lithuania, Myanmar, Argentina, Latvia, Estonia, Serbia, Singapore and Malaysia will be present. The Assam government-owned Jyoti Chitraban (Film Studio) Society is the organiser of the festival, which will be held from October 25 to 31, in association with Dr Bhupen Hazarika Regional Government Film and Television Institute.

Guwahati to be connected with six capital cities of South Asian countries: Govt

Two terrorists were&nbsp;killed by security forces in the ongoing encounter which started in Malganipora area of Sopore in Baramulla district on Friday morning.&nbsp;

One soldier was also killed during the gunbattle.

Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Pazalpora village of Dangiwacha town in the north Kashmir district this morning after receiving specific information about the presence of militants in the area, a police official said.

The official said the search operation turned into an encounter after the terrorists&nbsp;fired at the search party.

Heavy firing has been going on from both sides. Further information is awaited.

Reports say that internet services in the area have been suspended as a precautionary measure.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Visuals?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Visuals</a>: An encounter between terrorists and security forces has started in north Kashmir's Sopore. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JammuAndKashmir?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JammuAndKashmir</a> (visuals deferred by unspecified time) <a href="https://t.co/8KeYHE5bLr">pic.twitter.com/8KeYHE5bLr</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1055653320122077186?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 26, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The encounter comes hours after another army jawan was killed in a sniper fire by terrorists in Tral area of South Kashmir. Terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed has claimed responsibility for the attack on a camp of the 42 Rashtriya Rifles.

The terrorists used carried out the attack in Luragam around 9 pm, killing Sepoy Ngamsiamliana, who was on the guard duty. Another hjawan was injured in the attack.

Two terrorists were killed by security forces in the ongoing encounter which started in Malganipora area of Sopore in Baramulla district on Friday morning. One soldier was also killed during the gunbattle.

Two terrorists were killed by security forces in the ongoing encounter which started in Malganipora area of Sopore in Baramulla district on Friday morning. One soldier was also killed during the gunbattle. Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Pazalpora village of Dangiwacha town in the north Kashmir district this morning after receiving specific information about the presence of militants in the area, a police official said. The official said the search operation turned into an encounter after the terrorists fired at the search party. Heavy firing has been going on from both sides. Further information is awaited. Reports say that internet services in the area have been suspended as a precautionary measure. #Visuals: An encounter between terrorists and security forces has started in north Kashmir's Sopore. #JammuAndKashmir (visuals deferred by unspecified time) pic.twitter.com/8KeYHE5bLr — ANI (@ANI) October 26, 2018 × The encounter comes hours after another army jawan was killed in a sniper fire by terrorists in Tral area of South Kashmir. Terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed has claimed responsibility for the attack on a camp of the 42 Rashtriya Rifles. The terrorists used carried out the attack in Luragam around 9 pm, killing Sepoy Ngamsiamliana, who was on the guard duty. Another hjawan was injured in the attack.

Watch: Two terrorists, one soldier killed during encounter in J&K's Sopore

SC gives CVC 2 weeks to probe claims, seeks Centre, CBI reply on Verma plea

Congress president Rahul Gandhi Friday led a protest march to demand the reinstatement of CBI Director Alok Verma, who has been divested of his powers and sent on leave, and an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Congress has termed the move against Verma "illegal and unconstitutional".&nbsp;

Top Congress leaders took part in the march that culminated in a demonstration outside the CBI headquarters. Leaders of other parties also joined the protest as a mark of solidarity.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a>: Congress workers stage protest against the removal of CBI Chief Alok Verma in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Delhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Delhi</a>. <a href="https://t.co/BRk8Vvwvgv">pic.twitter.com/BRk8Vvwvgv</a>
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Loktantrik Janata Dal leader Sharad Yadav, CPI leader D Raja and TMC's Nadimul Haque joined the Congress protest that started from outside Dayal Singh College on Lodhi Road.&nbsp;

Gandhi got on to a truck in front of the police barricades put up outside the CBI headquarters to prevent the protesters from reaching the building.&nbsp;

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> Congress President Rahul Gandhi and Ashok Gehlot lead the protest march to CBI HQ against the removal of CBI Chief Alok Verma. <a href="https://t.co/7FNkhoWQCb">pic.twitter.com/7FNkhoWQCb</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1055716852268257281?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 26, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

Congress president Rahul Gandhi Friday led a protest march to demand the reinstatement of CBI Director Alok Verma, who has been divested of his powers and sent on leave, and an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi Friday led a protest march to demand the reinstatement of CBI Director Alok Verma, who has been divested of his powers and sent on leave, and an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Congress has termed the move against Verma "illegal and unconstitutional". Top Congress leaders took part in the march that culminated in a demonstration outside the CBI headquarters. Leaders of other parties also joined the protest as a mark of solidarity. #WATCH: Congress workers stage protest against the removal of CBI Chief Alok Verma in #Delhi. pic.twitter.com/BRk8Vvwvgv — ANI (@ANI) October 26, 2018 × Loktantrik Janata Dal leader Sharad Yadav, CPI leader D Raja and TMC's Nadimul Haque joined the Congress protest that started from outside Dayal Singh College on Lodhi Road. Gandhi got on to a truck in front of the police barricades put up outside the CBI headquarters to prevent the protesters from reaching the building. #WATCH Congress President Rahul Gandhi and Ashok Gehlot lead the protest march to CBI HQ against the removal of CBI Chief Alok Verma. pic.twitter.com/7FNkhoWQCb — ANI (@ANI) October 26, 2018 ×

Watch: Rahul leads protest march to CBI headquarters

Moscows take on Trump's decision to withdraw nuclear arms treaty with Russia

CBI’s Alok Verma challenges his transfer in Supreme Court

The Supreme Court on Thursday said that it would consider according to an urgent hearing to a PIL seeking court-monitored SIT probe into allegations of corruption against various CBI officials, including Rakesh Asthana, who was divested of his responsibilities as the agency's special director.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi considered the submission of lawyer Prashant Bhushan, appearing for NGO Common Cause that there were wider issues of corruption affecting the probe agency and the PIL needed to be heard urgently.

The bench, which also comprised Justices S K Kaul and K M Joseph, asked Mr Bhushan to provide details and said it would consider granting an urgent hearing on the petition.

The NGO has sought relief including court-monitored Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into allegations of corruption against CBI officials including Mr Asthana, who along with CBI Director Alok Kumar Verma had been divested of powers and sent on leave.

The unprecedented internal feud between CBI Director and Mr Asthana had reached the top court on Wednesday which agreed to hear on October 26 the former's plea assailing the Centre's decision to divest him of duties and sending him on leave.

Mr Verma has assailed the decision of the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) by which Joint Director M Nageswara Rao, a 1986 batch Odisha-cadre IPS officer, has been given the charge as head of the probe agency.

The feud between Mr Verma and Mr Asthana escalated recently leading to registration of an FIR against Mr Asthana and others including Deputy Superintendent of Police Devender Kumar, who is presently in CBI's custody, in an alleged bribery case.

The FIR was lodged on a written complaint of Satish Babu Sana on October 15. It alleged that Mr Kumar, the IO in a case, was repeatedly calling him to the CBI office to harass and compel him to pay a bribe of Rs. 5 crores for giving him a clean chit.

Mr Asthana and Mr Kumar both challenged the FIR in the Delhi High Court, which on Tuesday ordered CBI to maintain status quo on the criminal proceedings against Mr Asthana.

The Centre, the CVC and the DoPT intervened and decided to send the CBI Director and the Special Director on leave.

The Supreme Court on Thursday said that it would consider according to an urgent hearing to a PIL seeking court-monitored SIT probe into allegations of corruption against various CBI officials, including Rakesh Asthana, who was divested of his responsibilities as the agency's special director.

The Supreme Court on Thursday said that it would consider according to an urgent hearing to a PIL seeking court-monitored SIT probe into allegations of corruption against various CBI officials, including Rakesh Asthana, who was divested of his responsibilities as the agency's special director. A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi considered the submission of lawyer Prashant Bhushan, appearing for NGO Common Cause that there were wider issues of corruption affecting the probe agency and the PIL needed to be heard urgently. The bench, which also comprised Justices S K Kaul and K M Joseph, asked Mr Bhushan to provide details and said it would consider granting an urgent hearing on the petition. The NGO has sought relief including court-monitored Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into allegations of corruption against CBI officials including Mr Asthana, who along with CBI Director Alok Kumar Verma had been divested of powers and sent on leave. The unprecedented internal feud between CBI Director and Mr Asthana had reached the top court on Wednesday which agreed to hear on October 26 the former's plea assailing the Centre's decision to divest him of duties and sending him on leave. Mr Verma has assailed the decision of the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) by which Joint Director M Nageswara Rao, a 1986 batch Odisha-cadre IPS officer, has been given the charge as head of the probe agency. The feud between Mr Verma and Mr Asthana escalated recently leading to registration of an FIR against Mr Asthana and others including Deputy Superintendent of Police Devender Kumar, who is presently in CBI's custody, in an alleged bribery case. The FIR was lodged on a written complaint of Satish Babu Sana on October 15. It alleged that Mr Kumar, the IO in a case, was repeatedly calling him to the CBI office to harass and compel him to pay a bribe of Rs. 5 crores for giving him a clean chit. Mr Asthana and Mr Kumar both challenged the FIR in the Delhi High Court, which on Tuesday ordered CBI to maintain status quo on the criminal proceedings against Mr Asthana. The Centre, the CVC and the DoPT intervened and decided to send the CBI Director and the Special Director on leave.

SC to hear PIL seeking SIT probe into graft allegations against CBI officials

The Madras High Court on Thursday upheld the disqualification of 18 AIADMK MLAs, owing allegiance to rebel leader T T V Dhinakaran.

The court verdict means that by-elections will be held on all the 18 seats that would be vacant.

The 18 AIADMK MLAs were disqualified on September 18 last year under the anti-defection law after they met the Governor and expressed the loss of confidence in Chief Minister K Palaniswami.

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Chennai: AIADMK supporters celebrate after Madras High Court upholds disqualification of 18 rebel AIADMK MLAs. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TamilNadu?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TamilNadu</a> <a href="https://t.co/8bgyAlR3fM">pic.twitter.com/8bgyAlR3fM</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1055344488690958336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2018</a></blockquote>
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TTV&nbsp;Dhinakaran&nbsp;told the media that he was expecting&nbsp;a favourable decision but now the final decision will be taken after consultations with the 18 MLAs and the&nbsp;future course of action will be decided soon.

"If the 18 MLAs decide to go to the Supreme Court, we will go; or else we will wait for the by polls. But whenever elections happen, we will win," TTV&nbsp;Dhinakaran said

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It is not a setback for us. This is an experience, we will face the situation. Future course of action will be decided after meeting with the 18 MLAs: TTV Dinakaran on disqualification of 18 AIADMK MLAs upheld by Madras HC <a href="https://t.co/yg1K9VDSLb">pic.twitter.com/yg1K9VDSLb</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1055326474490859520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2018</a></blockquote>
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"Madras HC verdict has taught the correct lesson to its traitors and that democracy has won," tweets AIADMK official Twitter handle.

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ஜனநாயகம் வென்றது.
— AIADMK (@AIADMKOfficial) <a href="https://twitter.com/AIADMKOfficial/status/1055324153689960448?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2018</a></blockquote>
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துரோகிகளுக்கு சரியான பாடம் புகட்டபட்டுள்ளது.
— AIADMK (@AIADMKOfficial) <a href="https://twitter.com/AIADMKOfficial/status/1055324785306005504?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Earlier on June 14, the first bench of the court passed a split verdict, with the then Chief Justice Indira Banerjee upholding the decision of the Assembly Speaker P Dhanapal in disqualifying the MLAs under the anti-defection law.&nbsp;

The second judge, Justice M Sundar differed and set aside the disqualification order the Speaker on the grounds of non-compliance with principles of natural justice and violation of constitutional mandate.

The Madras High Court on Thursday upheld the disqualification of 18 AIADMK MLAs, owing allegiance to rebel leader T T V Dhinakaran. The court verdict means that by-elections will be held on all the 18 seats that would be vacant.

The Madras High Court on Thursday upheld the disqualification of 18 AIADMK MLAs, owing allegiance to rebel leader T T V Dhinakaran. The court verdict means that by-elections will be held on all the 18 seats that would be vacant. The 18 AIADMK MLAs were disqualified on September 18 last year under the anti-defection law after they met the Governor and expressed the loss of confidence in Chief Minister K Palaniswami. Chennai: AIADMK supporters celebrate after Madras High Court upholds disqualification of 18 rebel AIADMK MLAs. #TamilNadu pic.twitter.com/8bgyAlR3fM — ANI (@ANI) October 25, 2018 × TTV Dhinakaran told the media that he was expecting a favourable decision but now the final decision will be taken after consultations with the 18 MLAs and the future course of action will be decided soon. "If the 18 MLAs decide to go to the Supreme Court, we will go; or else we will wait for the by polls. But whenever elections happen, we will win," TTV Dhinakaran said It is not a setback for us. This is an experience, we will face the situation. Future course of action will be decided after meeting with the 18 MLAs: TTV Dinakaran on disqualification of 18 AIADMK MLAs upheld by Madras HC pic.twitter.com/yg1K9VDSLb — ANI (@ANI) October 25, 2018 × "Madras HC verdict has taught the correct lesson to its traitors and that democracy has won," tweets AIADMK official Twitter handle. ஜனநாயகம் வென்றது. — AIADMK (@AIADMKOfficial) October 25, 2018 × துரோகிகளுக்கு சரியான பாடம் புகட்டபட்டுள்ளது. — AIADMK (@AIADMKOfficial) October 25, 2018 × Earlier on June 14, the first bench of the court passed a split verdict, with the then Chief Justice Indira Banerjee upholding the decision of the Assembly Speaker P Dhanapal in disqualifying the MLAs under the anti-defection law. The second judge, Justice M Sundar differed and set aside the disqualification order the Speaker on the grounds of non-compliance with principles of natural justice and violation of constitutional mandate.

Madras HC upholds Tamil Nadu Speaker’s decision of disqualifying 18 AIADMK MLAs

US telecom regulator FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said Thursday there is a need for greater transparency around operations of online platforms while clarifying that the issue does not fall under his organisation.

"I do think that there might be a conversation about what types of regulations to these platforms. For example, what kind of algorithms are they using to determine what content is seen and what content is not seen when somebody does a Google search, how Facebook feed is defined, when Twitter decides what accounts to suspend? what are the rules behind that."

"The need for transparency that will allow consumers to make better decisions is something that will serve everybody well," Pai told reporters at the India Mobile Congress.&nbsp;

He, however, refrained from commenting on fake information that float through social media platforms as their regulation do not come under his jurisdiction and added that it is difficult for government to define which view is a lie.

Pai said that the US Congress is evaluating right now, where there is a very robust conversation about what types of privacy and data security protections should be embedded in the law.&nbsp;

"I would expect our elected officials over the next several months to continue that conversation. There seems to be a bipartisan agreement between

Republicans and Democrats, and agreement in both houses of Congress that this is an issue that requires legislative attention... This is the topic of hot interest in our legislature," he said.&nbsp;

The FCC which looks after defence of US Communications infrastructure is working on regulation to check spend of funds on companies that are identified as national security threat.&nbsp;

"We have pending rules on integrity of supply chain. One of the proposals we advanced was should we think in the context of federal subsidies distributed to the careers , whether restrict that funding from spent on companies or sectors that have determined by intelligence community or congress a national security threat," Pai said.

He said that this is a ongoing proceeding and yet to be finalised.

When asked about reports that suggest that US has plans to ban chinese telecom gear firms, Pai said that the proposed regulation does not single out any specific company.

"Our proposal is to not single out any particular company but to the extent that the intelligence community or the Congress make determines that any company is a potential security risk. We haven't taken a view on any of the companies but whatever the quantum of risk is, should we prohibit funding from going into those companies," Pai said.&nbsp;

US telecom regulator FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said Thursday there is a need for greater transparency around operations of online platforms while clarifying that the issue does not fall under his organisation.

US telecom regulator FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said Thursday there is a need for greater transparency around operations of online platforms while clarifying that the issue does not fall under his organisation. "I do think that there might be a conversation about what types of regulations to these platforms. For example, what kind of algorithms are they using to determine what content is seen and what content is not seen when somebody does a Google search, how Facebook feed is defined, when Twitter decides what accounts to suspend? what are the rules behind that." "The need for transparency that will allow consumers to make better decisions is something that will serve everybody well," Pai told reporters at the India Mobile Congress. He, however, refrained from commenting on fake information that float through social media platforms as their regulation do not come under his jurisdiction and added that it is difficult for government to define which view is a lie. Pai said that the US Congress is evaluating right now, where there is a very robust conversation about what types of privacy and data security protections should be embedded in the law. "I would expect our elected officials over the next several months to continue that conversation. There seems to be a bipartisan agreement between Republicans and Democrats, and agreement in both houses of Congress that this is an issue that requires legislative attention... This is the topic of hot interest in our legislature," he said. The FCC which looks after defence of US Communications infrastructure is working on regulation to check spend of funds on companies that are identified as national security threat. "We have pending rules on integrity of supply chain. One of the proposals we advanced was should we think in the context of federal subsidies distributed to the careers , whether restrict that funding from spent on companies or sectors that have determined by intelligence community or congress a national security threat," Pai said. He said that this is a ongoing proceeding and yet to be finalised. When asked about reports that suggest that US has plans to ban chinese telecom gear firms, Pai said that the proposed regulation does not single out any specific company. "Our proposal is to not single out any particular company but to the extent that the intelligence community or the Congress make determines that any company is a potential security risk. We haven't taken a view on any of the companies but whatever the quantum of risk is, should we prohibit funding from going into those companies," Pai said.

Need greater transparency around online media platforms: Ajit Pai

One army jawan was killed in sniper fire at Tral&nbsp;area of the Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district.

The terrorists&nbsp;opened fire at the Army camp at Lurgam in Tral area of the district in which one jawan also got injured, PTI reported.

The Army retaliated, following which the terrorists fled the spot.

Further details awaited.

One army jawan was killed in sniper fire at Tral area of the Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district. The terrorists opened fire at the Army camp at Lurgam in Tral area of the district in which one jawan also got injured, PTI reported.

One army jawan was killed in sniper fire at Tral area of the Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district. The terrorists opened fire at the Army camp at Lurgam in Tral area of the district in which one jawan also got injured, PTI reported. The Army retaliated, following which the terrorists fled the spot. Further details awaited.

J&K: 1 Army jawan killed, 1 injured after terrorist attack army camp in Pulwama

Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said that his party will stage protests against what he described as ''PM’s disgraceful attempt to prevent an investigation into the Rafale scam, by removing the CBI Chief. &nbsp;

According to Rahul's tweet, the party would stage protests in front of CBI offices across the country on Friday.&nbsp;

''Tomorrow, outside CBI offices nationwide, the Congress party will protest the PM’s disgraceful attempt to prevent an investigation into the Rafale scam, by removing the CBI Chief. &nbsp;I will lead the protests outside CBI HQ in Delhi, at 11 AM,'' the Congress president said in the tweet.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) &nbsp;director Alok Verma and his deputy Rakesh Asthana were divested of all duties late on Tuesday following a feud between the two.

Joint director M Nageswar Rao, a 1986-batch Orissa-cadre officer, who was asked to take over as acting chief immediately, in his first order, removed the entire team probing the bribery case against Asthana, including Ajay Bassi, the investigation officer (IO) and deputy inspector general Manish Sinha. (Follow live updates here)

Meanwhile, Verma has moved the Supreme Court challenging his removal and the appointment of a new director. A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi will hear plea on Friday.

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Tomorrow, outside CBI offices nationwide, the Congress party will protest the PM’s disgraceful attempt to prevent an investigation into the Rafale scam, by removing the CBI Chief. 
 
I will lead the protests outside CBI HQ in Delhi, at 11 AM. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CBIRafaleGate?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CBIRafaleGate</a>
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) <a href="https://twitter.com/RahulGandhi/status/1055485702283161601?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said that his party will stage protests against what he described as ''PM’s disgraceful attempt to prevent an investigation into the Rafale scam, by removing the CBI Chief.

Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said that his party will stage protests against what he described as ''PM’s disgraceful attempt to prevent an investigation into the Rafale scam, by removing the CBI Chief. According to Rahul's tweet, the party would stage protests in front of CBI offices across the country on Friday. ''Tomorrow, outside CBI offices nationwide, the Congress party will protest the PM’s disgraceful attempt to prevent an investigation into the Rafale scam, by removing the CBI Chief. I will lead the protests outside CBI HQ in Delhi, at 11 AM,'' the Congress president said in the tweet. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) director Alok Verma and his deputy Rakesh Asthana were divested of all duties late on Tuesday following a feud between the two. Joint director M Nageswar Rao, a 1986-batch Orissa-cadre officer, who was asked to take over as acting chief immediately, in his first order, removed the entire team probing the bribery case against Asthana, including Ajay Bassi, the investigation officer (IO) and deputy inspector general Manish Sinha. (Follow live updates here) Meanwhile, Verma has moved the Supreme Court challenging his removal and the appointment of a new director. A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi will hear plea on Friday. Tomorrow, outside CBI offices nationwide, the Congress party will protest the PM’s disgraceful attempt to prevent an investigation into the Rafale scam, by removing the CBI Chief. I will lead the protests outside CBI HQ in Delhi, at 11 AM. #CBIRafaleGate — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) October 25, 2018 ×

Congress to hold protest outside CBI offices against removal of Alok Verma

Citing disbursal of loans under the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojna (PMMY), Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday said "unprecedented" employment and entrepreneurial opportunities exist in the country today.

Modi addressed the employees of Hari Krishna Exports, a prominent Surat-based diamond processing-exporting firm, through video conference from Delhi.

The company, led by Savji Dholakia, gifted 600 cars to its employees Thursday as Diwali bonus at an event named as 'Hari Krishna Skill India Incentive Ceremony'.

"Around 14 crore loans were disbursed across the country under this (Mudra) scheme. Out of these, 40 lakh loans were given to the youth of Gujarat. In the last four years, loans worth Rs 7 lakh crore were disbursed under this scheme," Modi said in his speech.

"Out of all those who took loans under Mudra, over 3.5 crore youth were first-time entrepreneurs, as they have chosen the path of self-employment for the first time. Today, there exist unprecedented employment as well as entrepreneurial opportunities in the country," the prime minister said. 
 
Two women, one of them a disabled person, and two male employees of the firm received keys of their cars from Modi himself in Delhi.

The prime minister said his government has been taking many steps to strengthen the gems and jewellery sector, as it is a significant generator of employment and a key contributor to the exports.

Referring to the "Main Nahin Hum" portal and app launched yesterday, Modi urged the company and its employees to dedicate some time for social causes.

He appealed Dholakia and his company to set themselves a target of making at least 100 villages "digital" by 2022.

He would be visiting Gujarat on October 31 to dedicate the Statue of Unity of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Modi said.

"The biggest Diwali for Gujarat will be on October 31, when the Statue of Unity will be dedicated to the nation," he said.&nbsp;

Citing disbursal of loans under the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojna (PMMY), Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday said "unprecedented" employment and entrepreneurial opportunities exist in the country today.

Citing disbursal of loans under the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojna (PMMY), Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday said "unprecedented" employment and entrepreneurial opportunities exist in the country today. Modi addressed the employees of Hari Krishna Exports, a prominent Surat-based diamond processing-exporting firm, through video conference from Delhi. The company, led by Savji Dholakia, gifted 600 cars to its employees Thursday as Diwali bonus at an event named as 'Hari Krishna Skill India Incentive Ceremony'. "Around 14 crore loans were disbursed across the country under this (Mudra) scheme. Out of these, 40 lakh loans were given to the youth of Gujarat. In the last four years, loans worth Rs 7 lakh crore were disbursed under this scheme," Modi said in his speech. "Out of all those who took loans under Mudra, over 3.5 crore youth were first-time entrepreneurs, as they have chosen the path of self-employment for the first time. Today, there exist unprecedented employment as well as entrepreneurial opportunities in the country," the prime minister said. Two women, one of them a disabled person, and two male employees of the firm received keys of their cars from Modi himself in Delhi. The prime minister said his government has been taking many steps to strengthen the gems and jewellery sector, as it is a significant generator of employment and a key contributor to the exports. Referring to the "Main Nahin Hum" portal and app launched yesterday, Modi urged the company and its employees to dedicate some time for social causes. He appealed Dholakia and his company to set themselves a target of making at least 100 villages "digital" by 2022. He would be visiting Gujarat on October 31 to dedicate the Statue of Unity of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Modi said. "The biggest Diwali for Gujarat will be on October 31, when the Statue of Unity will be dedicated to the nation," he said.

Unprecedented employment opportunities in India today: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting&nbsp;Japan on October 28&nbsp;for the 13th India-Japan Annual Summit. This will be the fifth Annual Summit meeting between PM Modi and the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and also their twelfth meeting since 2014.

Our Principal Diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal spoke to Japanese ambassador Kenji Hiramatsu ahead of the visit on several issues. Japan's ambassador said connectivity and security cooperation will top the agenda. On the four-nation Quad - US, Japan, India and Australia, he was hopeful it will play "important role" in the future.&nbsp;

WION: How do you see India Japan ties?

Japanese ambassador Kenji Hiramatsu:&nbsp;It is excellent. You see, a lot of our joint projects are going on-- Not only economic and investment but also we see a lot of progress in terms of security and political field.

WION: Key outcomes of PM Modi's Japan visit?

Japanese ambassador Kenji Hiramatsu: So many issues. Can't identify a couple of issues. But I hope in terms of security cooperation would like to see some concrete outcomes from the two leaders discussions. Would like to see connectivity infrastructure agenda which would come out from two leaders discussions. So, among many other issues, these two issues have special attention.&nbsp;

WION: Japan has connectivity plans in India's northeast. How much connectivity will be in focus?

Kenji Hiramatsu:&nbsp; North East is very important for connectivity between India and neighbouring countries. But we would like to see more cooperation between&nbsp;neighbouring countries together with India. In countries like Bangladesh would like to see some concrete infrastructure project implement together by Japan and India.

WION: How do you see Quad's role in Asia? There has been some scepticism regarding the quad?

Kenji Hiramatsu:&nbsp;Some misunderstandings about the Quad. Quad is one of the several mechanisms to promote the Indo-Pacific vision. It was revived last year. This is gradually growing. We are sharing the same values and we hope in the future it will play a very important role. But at the same time would like to attach other format mechanisms to promote the same goals. This is one of the several mechanisms to achieve peace and stable Indo-Pacific region.&nbsp;

WION: What would you like to say on the bullet train? Issues have been on land acquisition.

Kenji Hiramatsu:&nbsp;It's a symbolic project. So very confident that under the strong leadership and guidance by the two prime ministers this project will be completed on schedule.

We continue to support the project. With regard to land acquisition, this is a very important aspect of any kind of infrastructure project. The Japanese and Indian team have been working very closely. I observe they have established a relationship of mutual trust. So I have 100 per cent to our Indian team dealing with high-speed railway project including land acquisition. So I am hoping that the Indian government, state government&nbsp;and the national high-speed rail corporation will find a way to ensure land acquisition in a mutually satisfactory manner.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting Japan on October 28 for the 13th India-Japan Annual Summit. This will be the fifth Annual Summit meeting between PM Modi and the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and also their twelfth meeting since 2014.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting Japan on October 28 for the 13th India-Japan Annual Summit. This will be the fifth Annual Summit meeting between PM Modi and the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and also their twelfth meeting since 2014. Our Principal Diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal spoke to Japanese ambassador Kenji Hiramatsu ahead of the visit on several issues. Japan's ambassador said connectivity and security cooperation will top the agenda. On the four-nation Quad - US, Japan, India and Australia, he was hopeful it will play "important role" in the future. WION: How do you see India Japan ties? Japanese ambassador Kenji Hiramatsu: It is excellent. You see, a lot of our joint projects are going on-- Not only economic and investment but also we see a lot of progress in terms of security and political field. WION: Key outcomes of PM Modi's Japan visit? Japanese ambassador Kenji Hiramatsu: So many issues. Can't identify a couple of issues. But I hope in terms of security cooperation would like to see some concrete outcomes from the two leaders discussions. Would like to see connectivity infrastructure agenda which would come out from two leaders discussions. So, among many other issues, these two issues have special attention. WION: Japan has connectivity plans in India's northeast. How much connectivity will be in focus? Kenji Hiramatsu: North East is very important for connectivity between India and neighbouring countries. But we would like to see more cooperation between neighbouring countries together with India. In countries like Bangladesh would like to see some concrete infrastructure project implement together by Japan and India. WION: How do you see Quad's role in Asia? There has been some scepticism regarding the quad? Kenji Hiramatsu: Some misunderstandings about the Quad. Quad is one of the several mechanisms to promote the Indo-Pacific vision. It was revived last year. This is gradually growing. We are sharing the same values and we hope in the future it will play a very important role. But at the same time would like to attach other format mechanisms to promote the same goals. This is one of the several mechanisms to achieve peace and stable Indo-Pacific region. WION: What would you like to say on the bullet train? Issues have been on land acquisition. Kenji Hiramatsu: It's a symbolic project. So very confident that under the strong leadership and guidance by the two prime ministers this project will be completed on schedule. We continue to support the project. With regard to land acquisition, this is a very important aspect of any kind of infrastructure project. The Japanese and Indian team have been working very closely. I observe they have established a relationship of mutual trust. So I have 100 per cent to our Indian team dealing with high-speed railway project including land acquisition. So I am hoping that the Indian government, state government and the national high-speed rail corporation will find a way to ensure land acquisition in a mutually satisfactory manner.

Quad can promote Indo-Pacific vision, says Japanese ambassador ahead of PM Modi's visit to Japan

Delhi's air quality remained "very poor" Thursday even as parts of the massive Bhalswa landfill site continued to smoulder.

As the air quality showed no signs of improvement, the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) has decided to act against burning of leaves and garbage.&nbsp;

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) recorded the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) of Delhi at 331 in the evening, the worst in the season so far.

An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered "good", 51 and 100 "satisfactory", 101 and 200 "moderate", 201 and 300 "poor", 301 and 400 "very poor", and 401 and 500 "severe".&nbsp;

Faridabad, Noida, Greater Noida, Ghaziabad and Gurgaon also recorded "very poor" category air Thursday, according to the CPCB data.

The air quality in the capital had shown signs of improvement Monday as it moved from "very poor" to "poor" category.&nbsp;

However, it dipped to "very poor" again Wednesday even as firefighting continued at the Bhalswa landfill site in north-west Delhi.

A Delhi Fire Service (DFS) official said Thursday that a fire tender was stationed at the landfill site as parts of it were still smouldering.

Fire had raged at the landfill site on October 20. However, by Tuesday evening, the flames were somewhat brought under control and parts of the landfill smouldered, DFS officials had said.&nbsp;

The Centre-run System of Air Quality Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) also reported an AQI in the "very poor" category on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the SDMC said it was going to intensify work on stopping incidents of waste and leaves burning by conducting night patrolling in all four zones in its jurisdiction.

The civic body said it has decided to depute six-member teams headed by its sanitation supervisors in all four zones to intercept the burning of leaves and garbage, and fine violators on the spot under the Nation Green Tribunal rules.&nbsp;

"Five-five teams have been constituted in each zone. The teams will take rounds of localities prone to cases of burning of leaves and garbage. The teams will intercept the incidents of burning and warn them, apart from slapping a fine," the SDMC said in a statement.

Delhi's air quality remained "very poor" Thursday even as parts of the massive Bhalswa landfill site continued to smoulder. As the air quality showed no signs of improvement, the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) has decided to act against burning of leaves and garbage.

Delhi's air quality remained "very poor" Thursday even as parts of the massive Bhalswa landfill site continued to smoulder. As the air quality showed no signs of improvement, the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) has decided to act against burning of leaves and garbage. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) recorded the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) of Delhi at 331 in the evening, the worst in the season so far. An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered "good", 51 and 100 "satisfactory", 101 and 200 "moderate", 201 and 300 "poor", 301 and 400 "very poor", and 401 and 500 "severe". Faridabad, Noida, Greater Noida, Ghaziabad and Gurgaon also recorded "very poor" category air Thursday, according to the CPCB data. The air quality in the capital had shown signs of improvement Monday as it moved from "very poor" to "poor" category. However, it dipped to "very poor" again Wednesday even as firefighting continued at the Bhalswa landfill site in north-west Delhi. A Delhi Fire Service (DFS) official said Thursday that a fire tender was stationed at the landfill site as parts of it were still smouldering. Fire had raged at the landfill site on October 20. However, by Tuesday evening, the flames were somewhat brought under control and parts of the landfill smouldered, DFS officials had said. The Centre-run System of Air Quality Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) also reported an AQI in the "very poor" category on Thursday. Meanwhile, the SDMC said it was going to intensify work on stopping incidents of waste and leaves burning by conducting night patrolling in all four zones in its jurisdiction. The civic body said it has decided to depute six-member teams headed by its sanitation supervisors in all four zones to intercept the burning of leaves and garbage, and fine violators on the spot under the Nation Green Tribunal rules. "Five-five teams have been constituted in each zone. The teams will take rounds of localities prone to cases of burning of leaves and garbage. The teams will intercept the incidents of burning and warn them, apart from slapping a fine," the SDMC said in a statement.

Delhi sees worst air quality of the season; SDMC to conduct night patrols to check leaf burning

The Enforcement Directorate(ED) has attached Nirav Modi's assets and valuables worth Rs 255 crore in Hong Kong in the Punjab National Bank(PNB) fraud case.

The agency said it has issued a provisional order under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) for attachment of these assets.

"The said valuables were exported through 26 shipments by Dubai based companies of Nirav Modi to the Hong Kong-based companies controlled by him after the registration of the case (PNB money laundering) in India," it said.

These valuables, diamonds and jewellery were lying in a logistics company vault in Hong Kong, the agency said.

"Details like value, consignee, shipper, ownership among others of these shipments were obtained during the investigation and after gathering the evidence of ownership and value of the goods, the same have been attached," it said.

The value of the attached assets is $34.97 million or about Rs 255 crore at present, it said.

The ED had earlier attached properties and bank accounts worth Rs 637 crore belonging to Nirav Modi in India and four other countries including UK and US. The enforcement agency had also attached five overseas bank accounts worth 278 crores and placed it under section 5 of the Prevention of Money laundering Act.

Nirav Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi were allegedly involved in over 13,000 crore PNB bank fraud in February which was unearthed at the Brady House branch in Mumbai. The Indian diamond merchant later slipped out of India as the scam was uncovered.

The Chief Judicial Magistrate of Surat had declared Nirav Modi as an "absconder" in a case filed against him by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) for allegedly evading customs duty on import of diamonds and pearls. The Chief Judicial Magistrate had issued an arrest warrant against Modi on June 22.

As he was not available at his known addresses, the court proclaimed the fugitive jeweller as an absconder.

While Choksi is believed to be in Antigua but Nirav Modi's whereabouts have been unkown although reports have indicated that he may be in the United Kingdom. Last month, the CBI had moved an extradition request against Nirav Modi's brother Nishal Modi who is believed to be in Belgium.

Nishal is accused of creating dummy partners and is believed to be a beneficiary of funds syphoned off from Punjab National Bank by Nirav Modi.

Last month, the Interpol had issued a Red Corner Notice(RCN) against Nirav Modi's sister Purvi Modi in connection with the Punjab National Bank scam. She is the third person against whom the international agency has flagged a notice in the PNB scam.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

The Enforcement Directorate(ED) has attached Nirav Modi's assets and valuables worth Rs 255 crore in Hong Kong in the Punjab National Bank(PNB) fraud case. The agency said it has issued a provisional order under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) for attachment of these assets.

The Enforcement Directorate(ED) has attached Nirav Modi's assets and valuables worth Rs 255 crore in Hong Kong in the Punjab National Bank(PNB) fraud case. The agency said it has issued a provisional order under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) for attachment of these assets. "The said valuables were exported through 26 shipments by Dubai based companies of Nirav Modi to the Hong Kong-based companies controlled by him after the registration of the case (PNB money laundering) in India," it said. These valuables, diamonds and jewellery were lying in a logistics company vault in Hong Kong, the agency said. "Details like value, consignee, shipper, ownership among others of these shipments were obtained during the investigation and after gathering the evidence of ownership and value of the goods, the same have been attached," it said. The value of the attached assets is $34.97 million or about Rs 255 crore at present, it said. The ED had earlier attached properties and bank accounts worth Rs 637 crore belonging to Nirav Modi in India and four other countries including UK and US. The enforcement agency had also attached five overseas bank accounts worth 278 crores and placed it under section 5 of the Prevention of Money laundering Act. Nirav Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi were allegedly involved in over 13,000 crore PNB bank fraud in February which was unearthed at the Brady House branch in Mumbai. The Indian diamond merchant later slipped out of India as the scam was uncovered. The Chief Judicial Magistrate of Surat had declared Nirav Modi as an "absconder" in a case filed against him by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) for allegedly evading customs duty on import of diamonds and pearls. The Chief Judicial Magistrate had issued an arrest warrant against Modi on June 22. As he was not available at his known addresses, the court proclaimed the fugitive jeweller as an absconder. While Choksi is believed to be in Antigua but Nirav Modi's whereabouts have been unkown although reports have indicated that he may be in the United Kingdom. Last month, the CBI had moved an extradition request against Nirav Modi's brother Nishal Modi who is believed to be in Belgium. Nishal is accused of creating dummy partners and is believed to be a beneficiary of funds syphoned off from Punjab National Bank by Nirav Modi. Last month, the Interpol had issued a Red Corner Notice(RCN) against Nirav Modi's sister Purvi Modi in connection with the Punjab National Bank scam. She is the third person against whom the international agency has flagged a notice in the PNB scam.

Enforcement Directorate attaches Nirav Modi's assets in Hong Kong worth Rs 255 crore

The air quality of Delhi and neighbouring areas dipped to 'very poor' as average Air Quality Index (AQI) hit 328 on Wednesday.

On a scale of 0–500, an AQI value between 301 and 400 indicates ‘very poor’ air quality. By 2 pm&nbsp;several areas in Delhi, including Anand Vihar, Mundaka, Bawana and Rohini, were reeling under ‘severe’ pollution with AQI levels breaching the 400 mark.

Pollution shot up to a four-month high enveloping the national capital in a haze due to unfavourable weather conditions.

An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered "good", 51 and 100 "satisfactory", 101 and 200 "moderate", 201 and 300 "poor", 301 and 400 "very poor", and 401 and 500 "severe".

The government official blamed the deterioration in air quality to a “very poor” level across much of the city on a fall in temperature and lighter wind, as both seasonal changes allow pollution to accumulate.

The official - speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the situation - said air quality would continue to worsen around Diwali, which falls on Nov. 7.

Pollution levels will be exacerbated as farmers in areas close to Delhi burn crop residue in preparation for new planting and people let off fireworks to mark the Diwali festival.
<img alt="Stubble burning" data-align="center" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e7362759-53cd-4eba-bbed-76443d893c69" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/stubble%20burning%20in%20punjab.JPG" />
File photo: A farmer burns the stubble in a rice field in Zirakpur in the northern state of Punjab. (Reuters Photo)

“We are heading into a deadly cocktail with Diwali and peak stubble burning time,” the official said.&nbsp;

“If we come back into the ‘poor’ category of pollution, it will be a very big achievement.” &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Late last year, Delhi and a large part of northern India were covered in a toxic smog from burning crop waste and the countless firecrackers let off for Diwali, forcing authorities to shut power stations, ban construction and clamp down on garbage burning.
<img alt="Pollution" data-align="center" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7504e89e-6d69-4eb0-802a-e2d8ceb80805" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Delhi-pollution.jpg" />
Despite pressure from health experts, the government this year held off on a wholesale ban on fireworks and has faced criticism for failing to prevent farmers in states neighbouring Delhi from burning stubble.&nbsp;

The World Health Organization said this year India was home to the world’s 14 most polluted cities, with Delhi ranked sixth.&nbsp;

“The government has no political will and year after year we get into a narrative around pollution only in the month of October when the situation is really, really bad,” said Vimlendu Jha, an environmentalist who founded the activist group Swechha.

“Almost 320 days out of the 365, Delhi’s air quality is in poor condition but there is no conversation around it.”&nbsp;

(With inputs from Reuters)

The air quality of Delhi and neighbouring areas dipped to 'very poor' as average Air Quality Index (AQI) hit 328 on Wednesday. On a scale of 0–500, an AQI value between 301 and 400 indicates ‘very poor’ air quality.

The air quality of Delhi and neighbouring areas dipped to 'very poor' as average Air Quality Index (AQI) hit 328 on Wednesday. On a scale of 0–500, an AQI value between 301 and 400 indicates ‘very poor’ air quality. By 2 pm several areas in Delhi, including Anand Vihar, Mundaka, Bawana and Rohini, were reeling under ‘severe’ pollution with AQI levels breaching the 400 mark. Pollution shot up to a four-month high enveloping the national capital in a haze due to unfavourable weather conditions. An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered "good", 51 and 100 "satisfactory", 101 and 200 "moderate", 201 and 300 "poor", 301 and 400 "very poor", and 401 and 500 "severe". The government official blamed the deterioration in air quality to a “very poor” level across much of the city on a fall in temperature and lighter wind, as both seasonal changes allow pollution to accumulate. The official - speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the situation - said air quality would continue to worsen around Diwali, which falls on Nov. 7. Pollution levels will be exacerbated as farmers in areas close to Delhi burn crop residue in preparation for new planting and people let off fireworks to mark the Diwali festival. File photo: A farmer burns the stubble in a rice field in Zirakpur in the northern state of Punjab. (Reuters Photo) “We are heading into a deadly cocktail with Diwali and peak stubble burning time,” the official said. “If we come back into the ‘poor’ category of pollution, it will be a very big achievement.” Late last year, Delhi and a large part of northern India were covered in a toxic smog from burning crop waste and the countless firecrackers let off for Diwali, forcing authorities to shut power stations, ban construction and clamp down on garbage burning. Despite pressure from health experts, the government this year held off on a wholesale ban on fireworks and has faced criticism for failing to prevent farmers in states neighbouring Delhi from burning stubble. The World Health Organization said this year India was home to the world’s 14 most polluted cities, with Delhi ranked sixth. “The government has no political will and year after year we get into a narrative around pollution only in the month of October when the situation is really, really bad,” said Vimlendu Jha, an environmentalist who founded the activist group Swechha. “Almost 320 days out of the 365, Delhi’s air quality is in poor condition but there is no conversation around it.” (With inputs from Reuters)

Delhi's air quality drops to 'very poor', pollution shoots to a four-month high

Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi Wednesday urged the UN Human Rights Council to constitute a commission of inquiry to investigate the alleged human rights abuses in Kashmir.&nbsp;

He made the remarks while addressing a ceremony to mark the 73rd anniversary of the United Nations which was jointly organised by the Foreign Office and the UN country team at the Foreign Office.

During his speech, Qureshi outlined Pakistan’s priorities with a particular focus on social and economic development, poverty alleviation, job creation and institutional reforms.

Acknowledging the role and contribution of the United Nations in these endeavours, the Foreign Minister expressed Pakistan’s willingness to further build on this partnership.

Qureshi appreciated Pakistani troops and police personnel for their contribution to the UN peacekeeping and paid tribute to the 156 peacekeepers who died for the world peace.

Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi Wednesday urged the UN Human Rights Council to constitute a commission of inquiry to investigate the alleged human rights abuses in Kashmir.

Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi Wednesday urged the UN Human Rights Council to constitute a commission of inquiry to investigate the alleged human rights abuses in Kashmir. He made the remarks while addressing a ceremony to mark the 73rd anniversary of the United Nations which was jointly organised by the Foreign Office and the UN country team at the Foreign Office. During his speech, Qureshi outlined Pakistan’s priorities with a particular focus on social and economic development, poverty alleviation, job creation and institutional reforms. Acknowledging the role and contribution of the United Nations in these endeavours, the Foreign Minister expressed Pakistan’s willingness to further build on this partnership. Qureshi appreciated Pakistani troops and police personnel for their contribution to the UN peacekeeping and paid tribute to the 156 peacekeepers who died for the world peace.

Pakistan Foreign Minister Mahmood Qureshi urges UNHRC to probe human rights abuses in Kashmir

The United Nations Wednesday dedicated its iconic campus here to India’s cultural heritage as its office in New Delhi marked the UN Day with a dazzling display of the country’s tangible and intangible cultural heritage. Yuri Afanasiev, UN Resident Coordinator in India, hailed India’s cultural diversity and said, “I personally have a love affair with India, its rich taste, colours, sounds, smells and food.”

The UN House has been revived as the site for the safeguarding of the history of the seven-decade long India-UN partnership and of India’s great contributions to the UN, he said. “We are equally proud to dedicate this compound to India’s cultural heritage, and the vibrant plural developmental traditions of the country that will provide the right environment for thinking about the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals),” Afanasiev said.

UN House is an iconic building, one of the structures designed by noted American architect Joseph Allen Stein in Lodhi Estate area. The others being India International Centre and India Habitat Centre. A senior official of the UN Office here said, as part of this initiative, exhibits from Crafts Museum would be brought and displayed at the premises on a rotational basis.

“Welcome to the UN House and thank you for joining us to commemorate UN Day – the 73rd anniversary of the entry into force of the United Nations Charter. As one of our founding members, it is also the 73rd year of India’s membership of the UN, a country which has been one of the UN’s strongest allies,” Afanasiev said.

The entire campus was beautifully decked up with a theme on India’s cultural heritage, ranging from ‘Chhau’ dance of the eastern region, to Therukoothu folk theater of Tamil Nadu. Earthen lamps, metallic bells hanging from trees created magical experience at the even that was attended by a host of personalities, including Union minister for Housing and Urban Affair Hardeep Singh Puri, NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant, Pakistan High Commissioner Sohail Mahmood, and other dignitaries.

“India is today poised at the convergence of massive economic growth and rising aspirations. This country is one of history’s biggest contributors to international peace and security, the incubator of some of the world’s largest and most ambitious development programmes, and a powerful advocate of sustainable development.

“During his visit to India earlier this month, the United Nations Secretary-General said the success of India is a success for us all. I firmly believe the rise of India will be the defining story of the 21st century,” Afanasiev said. Puri said he was “impressed” to see India’s cultural heritage being displayed at the UN Day.

Srishti Kaur, 20, a winner of a national beauty pageant in teen category in 2017 was among the invitees. She said, she runs a clothing line in Noida that promotes Khadi and cotton. “We as youth must take pride in our cultural heritage and promote it,” Kaur said.

The United Nations Wednesday dedicated its iconic campus here to India’s cultural heritage as its office in New Delhi marked the UN Day with a dazzling display of the country’s tangible and intangible cultural heritage.

The United Nations Wednesday dedicated its iconic campus here to India’s cultural heritage as its office in New Delhi marked the UN Day with a dazzling display of the country’s tangible and intangible cultural heritage. Yuri Afanasiev, UN Resident Coordinator in India, hailed India’s cultural diversity and said, “I personally have a love affair with India, its rich taste, colours, sounds, smells and food.” The UN House has been revived as the site for the safeguarding of the history of the seven-decade long India-UN partnership and of India’s great contributions to the UN, he said. “We are equally proud to dedicate this compound to India’s cultural heritage, and the vibrant plural developmental traditions of the country that will provide the right environment for thinking about the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals),” Afanasiev said. UN House is an iconic building, one of the structures designed by noted American architect Joseph Allen Stein in Lodhi Estate area. The others being India International Centre and India Habitat Centre. A senior official of the UN Office here said, as part of this initiative, exhibits from Crafts Museum would be brought and displayed at the premises on a rotational basis. “Welcome to the UN House and thank you for joining us to commemorate UN Day – the 73rd anniversary of the entry into force of the United Nations Charter. As one of our founding members, it is also the 73rd year of India’s membership of the UN, a country which has been one of the UN’s strongest allies,” Afanasiev said. The entire campus was beautifully decked up with a theme on India’s cultural heritage, ranging from ‘Chhau’ dance of the eastern region, to Therukoothu folk theater of Tamil Nadu. Earthen lamps, metallic bells hanging from trees created magical experience at the even that was attended by a host of personalities, including Union minister for Housing and Urban Affair Hardeep Singh Puri, NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant, Pakistan High Commissioner Sohail Mahmood, and other dignitaries. “India is today poised at the convergence of massive economic growth and rising aspirations. This country is one of history’s biggest contributors to international peace and security, the incubator of some of the world’s largest and most ambitious development programmes, and a powerful advocate of sustainable development. “During his visit to India earlier this month, the United Nations Secretary-General said the success of India is a success for us all. I firmly believe the rise of India will be the defining story of the 21st century,” Afanasiev said. Puri said he was “impressed” to see India’s cultural heritage being displayed at the UN Day. Srishti Kaur, 20, a winner of a national beauty pageant in teen category in 2017 was among the invitees. She said, she runs a clothing line in Noida that promotes Khadi and cotton. “We as youth must take pride in our cultural heritage and promote it,” Kaur said.

UN dedicates its office in Delhi to India’s cultural heritage

The Congress will hold protests on Friday outside all CBI offices across the country, demanding an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and reinstatement of CBI director Alok Verma who was sent on leave, sources said. Top Congress leaders will be part of the protest outside the Central Bureau of Investigation headquarters in the national capital, while state leaders, including state party chiefs, will take part in similar protests.

Top Congress sources said the party will ask the prime minister to apologise to the nation for “illegal and unconstitutional” sending on leave of the CBI director. The party will also seek reinstatement of Verma. &nbsp;A late-night order on Tuesday from the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent Verma and Special Director Rakesh Asthana, who were at loggerheads, on leave.

Besides sending Verma and Asthana on leave, the government also transferred several CBI officials and appointed M Nageswar Rao as the interim chief of the agency. Verma moved the Supreme Court Wednesday challenging the government’s decision after which it agreed to hear his plea on Friday.

The Congress will hold protests on Friday outside all CBI offices across the country, demanding an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and reinstatement of CBI director Alok Verma who was sent on leave, sources said.

The Congress will hold protests on Friday outside all CBI offices across the country, demanding an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and reinstatement of CBI director Alok Verma who was sent on leave, sources said. Top Congress leaders will be part of the protest outside the Central Bureau of Investigation headquarters in the national capital, while state leaders, including state party chiefs, will take part in similar protests. Top Congress sources said the party will ask the prime minister to apologise to the nation for “illegal and unconstitutional” sending on leave of the CBI director. The party will also seek reinstatement of Verma. A late-night order on Tuesday from the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent Verma and Special Director Rakesh Asthana, who were at loggerheads, on leave. Besides sending Verma and Asthana on leave, the government also transferred several CBI officials and appointed M Nageswar Rao as the interim chief of the agency. Verma moved the Supreme Court Wednesday challenging the government’s decision after which it agreed to hear his plea on Friday.

Congress to hold protests on Friday outside CBI offices across nation

CBI director Alok Verma was removed overnight without the approval of the selection committee because Prime Minister Narendra Modi feared that the top officer might take steps that could “hurt” him in the Rafale “scam”, the Congress alleged Wednesday. Talking to reporters here, Congress’s chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said the prime minister’s “desperate bid” to cover up the Rafale “scam” had pushed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into complete “disintegration”.

He claimed that the government “panicked” because Verma was likely to file an FIR in connection with the Rafale issue, based on complaints received by the probe agency.

Surjewala also sought an “explanation” from the prime minister over the overnight removal of the CBI director. There was no immediate reaction from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on the allegations.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has, however, dismissed as “rubbish” the allegations that Verma was removed because he wanted to look into the Rafale fighter jet deal. In an unprecedented fallout of a raging feud between Verma and CBI Special Director Rakesh Asthana, who is facing bribery and extortion charges, both the top officers were stripped of their powers and sent on leave.

Surjewala said, “The removal of CBI director Alok Verma was illegal and unconstitutional. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was petrified that the number one in the CBI (Verma) was about to take steps that might have hurt him in the Rafale scam. The government panicked because Verma was likely to file an FIR in the Rafale issue, based on complaints received by the investigating agency.”

He also hit out at Jaitley and Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad for putting out a “weak defence of cleaning the system to justify the prime minister’s panic reaction on the Rafale scam”.

“In order to save the prime minister, the finance minister and the law minister are taking refuge behind a bogus apology by giving an explanation of a fraud equivalence,” the Congress leader said. He asked the government to clarify if the new interim chief of the CBI, Nageshwar Rao, was “under a cloud”, adding, “Doesn’t this fact demolish the government’s argument of cleaning the system?”

“Prime Minister Modi must explain why the CBI director was removed past midnight and what was the tearing hurry to do so without an approval of the selection committee. The government wants to denigrate and disintegrate the CBI, in a desperate attempt to cover up the Rafale issue.

“Doesn’t it tantamount to complete trashing and slithering of Constitutional norms, laws and all semblance of political morality and accountability?” he asked. Surjewala also attacked the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), which has supervisory powers over the CBI.

“The CVC acted as a stooge and a captive puppet of the Modi government by abdicating its statutory responsibilities to play partisan politics for protecting the Modi government and its favourite government officer,” he alleged. The Congress leader accused the Centre of “trampling the Constitution and laws and making a mockery of the CBI and institutions”.

“As per the orders of the government, the CBI director was divested of his duties. Only a selection committee comprising the chief justice of India, the prime minister and the leader of the opposition can effect such a removal,” he said. Surjewala added that the CBI now stood for “complete burial of investigation”.

CBI director Alok Verma was removed overnight without the approval of the selection committee because Prime Minister Narendra Modi feared that the top officer might take steps that could “hurt” him in the Rafale “scam”, the Congress alleged Wednesday.

CBI director Alok Verma was removed overnight without the approval of the selection committee because Prime Minister Narendra Modi feared that the top officer might take steps that could “hurt” him in the Rafale “scam”, the Congress alleged Wednesday. Talking to reporters here, Congress’s chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said the prime minister’s “desperate bid” to cover up the Rafale “scam” had pushed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into complete “disintegration”. He claimed that the government “panicked” because Verma was likely to file an FIR in connection with the Rafale issue, based on complaints received by the probe agency. Surjewala also sought an “explanation” from the prime minister over the overnight removal of the CBI director. There was no immediate reaction from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on the allegations. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has, however, dismissed as “rubbish” the allegations that Verma was removed because he wanted to look into the Rafale fighter jet deal. In an unprecedented fallout of a raging feud between Verma and CBI Special Director Rakesh Asthana, who is facing bribery and extortion charges, both the top officers were stripped of their powers and sent on leave. Surjewala said, “The removal of CBI director Alok Verma was illegal and unconstitutional. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was petrified that the number one in the CBI (Verma) was about to take steps that might have hurt him in the Rafale scam. The government panicked because Verma was likely to file an FIR in the Rafale issue, based on complaints received by the investigating agency.” He also hit out at Jaitley and Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad for putting out a “weak defence of cleaning the system to justify the prime minister’s panic reaction on the Rafale scam”. “In order to save the prime minister, the finance minister and the law minister are taking refuge behind a bogus apology by giving an explanation of a fraud equivalence,” the Congress leader said. He asked the government to clarify if the new interim chief of the CBI, Nageshwar Rao, was “under a cloud”, adding, “Doesn’t this fact demolish the government’s argument of cleaning the system?” “Prime Minister Modi must explain why the CBI director was removed past midnight and what was the tearing hurry to do so without an approval of the selection committee. The government wants to denigrate and disintegrate the CBI, in a desperate attempt to cover up the Rafale issue. “Doesn’t it tantamount to complete trashing and slithering of Constitutional norms, laws and all semblance of political morality and accountability?” he asked. Surjewala also attacked the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), which has supervisory powers over the CBI. “The CVC acted as a stooge and a captive puppet of the Modi government by abdicating its statutory responsibilities to play partisan politics for protecting the Modi government and its favourite government officer,” he alleged. The Congress leader accused the Centre of “trampling the Constitution and laws and making a mockery of the CBI and institutions”. “As per the orders of the government, the CBI director was divested of his duties. Only a selection committee comprising the chief justice of India, the prime minister and the leader of the opposition can effect such a removal,” he said. Surjewala added that the CBI now stood for “complete burial of investigation”.

CBI director removed because PM Narendra Modi feared action in Rafale scam, says Congress

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