'Baseless and misconceived': India issues statement after Elon Musk's 'oligarchs' claim over Starlink delay

‘You earned that love’: Messi’s wife shares heartfelt message as football icon bids farewell to international stage

BJP chief Nitin Nabin calls Rahul Gandhi ‘anarchist’, says Oppn ‘spreading poison’ in society

‘Team first and team ahead’: India coach Gambhir pens heartfelt wish for chief selector Ajit Agarkar

Trump's naked 23-karat gold statue unveiled near European Parliament

Nana Patekar: Remembering a legend of the Indian cinema

Thai Actors Fourth Nattawat, Gemini Norawit face racism accusations from Indian fans over viral Bollywood act

Captain Smit Machchhar on feet again, walks 10 steps as recovery continues after Flydubai flight attack

Ronaldo sends 'a hug' after Messi says he misses 'wearing the blue and white'

Trump distances himself from senior political advisers over work for pro-Russian government

A Love Other Than Yours: The temptation to cheat and what pushes people over the edge

Narendra Modi Stadium bomb threat declared hoax; India & Australia U19 squads safe

US midterms 2026: Why the Latino vote could shape control of Congress

BTS agency HYBE announces first-ever Weverse Con Festival in India

US Midterms 2026: Barack Obama hits campaign trail to boost Democratic candidates

Shia LaBeouf and Mia Goth head for divorce after nearly 10 years

Who is DogeDesigner? All we know about the X account that sparked India-Musk-Starlink ‘oligarchs’ controversy

Christa Pike wakes after failed execution, asks 'Where am I and who are you?'

Christa Pike 'angry' and 'confused' after failed execution; judge orders to preserve evidence

Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu hails Modi’s 25-year leadership milestone, calls for deeper Nigeria-India strategic ties

US midterms 2026: 10 leaders and candidates to watch in the battle for Congress

Nana Patekar's #MeToo controversy: From Tanushree Dutta’s allegations to court ruling

Atlantic hurricane Isaias could make landfall as a strong Category 2 storm, tornado warnings issued

Veteran actor Nana Patekar dies at 75 after suffering cardiac arrest

Musk alleges ‘oligarchs’ blocking Starlink in India, here is what we know so far

Lightning strikes IndiGo Patna-Lucknow flight at 17,000 feet, damages nose; all 110 safe

Who is Nana Patekar's wife Neelakanti? The bank officer who earned Rs 2,500 when he earned Rs 50

Mall of America attack: FBI arrests man over alleged ISIS-inspired mass shooting plot with AK-47 and 200 rounds

France holds talks with Taliban government amid diplomatic outreach 

IndiGo flight struck by lightning at 17,000 feet, nose of Patna-Lucknow flight damaged

US readying to strike Iran? Report suggests Trump preparing to put on show of strength ahead of US midterms

Zendaya gives The Odyssey white lace jacket a stylish twist at Paris Fashion Week 2026

World’s top vehicle producers: Top 10 countries making the most cars. Check where India stands

Trump to honour Elon Musk, Sergey Brin and Jensen Huang with top science honour at White House. Check the full list here

'We don't think so': Trump says Russian plague lab worker's death not linked to bio-weapon

Sri Lankan Tamil worker gets death sentence in Saudi Arabia over blasphemy, calls for pardon intensify

France protests: How a Gen Z school movement turned into a political war | The Verdict

A day after Vijay Mallya claimed that he met Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley before leaving for London, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Subramanian Swamy said that a lookout notice against the fugitive liquor baron was diluted from "Block" to "Report" which helped in his departure.

Swamy tweeted: "We have now two undeniable facts on the Mallya escape issue: 1. Look Out Notice was diluted on October 24, 2015, from "Block" to "Report" departure enabling Mallya to depart with 54 checked luggage items. 2. Mallya told FM in Central Hall of Parliament that he was leaving for London."

Swamy also claimed that the dilution had been done at a very high level. The BJP leader requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to inquire about the matter.

"Vijay Mallya could not have left the country if the lookout notice had not been watered down. Originally, the lookout notice for him was to stop him and hand him over to the police. The immigration authorities were directed to do that. But suddenly it was diluted to report Mallya's departure," Swamy said while speaking to ANI.

"This dilution must have been done at a very high level. It needs to be investigated. Prime Minister should personally look into the inquiry otherwise this will taint the reputation of the party," he added.

On Wednesday, Mallya, who left India in March 2016, claimed that he had met the Finance Minister before leaving for London.

"I met the Finance Minister before I left," Mallya claimed outside Westminster Magistrates' Court where his extradition case is being heard. Mallya is wanted in India for allegedly defaulting on bank loans to the tune of Rs 9,000 crore.

Rebutting Mallya's claims, Jaitley told ANI on Wednesday: "I have seen the statement of Vijay Mallya where he claims to have met me with an offer of settlement. Nothing could be further from the truth. I never gave him (Mallya) an appointment, never at my office, never at my residence. Nor I was ever offered to meet him."

Recalling an instance Jaitley said: "I do remember on one occasion, he misused his privileges of Member of Rajya Sabha and while I was walking from the Rajya Sabha to my room and (he) suggested that he was going to make some offer of settlement. I did not even bother to get details from him."

The BJP leader requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to inquire about the matter.

A day after Vijay Mallya claimed that he met Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley before leaving for London, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Subramanian Swamy said that a lookout notice against the fugitive liquor baron was diluted from "Block" to "Report" which helped in his departure. Swamy tweeted: "We have now two undeniable facts on the Mallya escape issue: 1. Look Out Notice was diluted on October 24, 2015, from "Block" to "Report" departure enabling Mallya to depart with 54 checked luggage items. 2. Mallya told FM in Central Hall of Parliament that he was leaving for London." Swamy also claimed that the dilution had been done at a very high level. The BJP leader requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to inquire about the matter. "Vijay Mallya could not have left the country if the lookout notice had not been watered down. Originally, the lookout notice for him was to stop him and hand him over to the police. The immigration authorities were directed to do that. But suddenly it was diluted to report Mallya's departure," Swamy said while speaking to ANI. "This dilution must have been done at a very high level. It needs to be investigated. Prime Minister should personally look into the inquiry otherwise this will taint the reputation of the party," he added. On Wednesday, Mallya, who left India in March 2016, claimed that he had met the Finance Minister before leaving for London. "I met the Finance Minister before I left," Mallya claimed outside Westminster Magistrates' Court where his extradition case is being heard. Mallya is wanted in India for allegedly defaulting on bank loans to the tune of Rs 9,000 crore. Rebutting Mallya's claims, Jaitley told ANI on Wednesday: "I have seen the statement of Vijay Mallya where he claims to have met me with an offer of settlement. Nothing could be further from the truth. I never gave him (Mallya) an appointment, never at my office, never at my residence. Nor I was ever offered to meet him." Recalling an instance Jaitley said: "I do remember on one occasion, he misused his privileges of Member of Rajya Sabha and while I was walking from the Rajya Sabha to my room and (he) suggested that he was going to make some offer of settlement. I did not even bother to get details from him."

Lookout notice against Mallya was diluted: Subramanian Swamy

Three terrorists were killed, twelve security personnel have been injured in an encounter&nbsp;between militants and security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Kakriyal region today.&nbsp;

According to reports, the militants belonged to&nbsp;Pakistan's Jaish-e-Mohammed terror outfit.&nbsp;

"3 terrorists have been killed and 12 security personnel have been injured. These terrorists were from Pakistan's Jaish-e-Mohammed. The operation is over," Dr SD Singh Jamwal, IGP Jammu told media.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, two Pakistani militants were killed in an encounter with security forces in Sopore area of Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir earlier today.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
3 terrorists have been killed & 12 security personnel have been injured. These terrorists were from Pakistan's Jaish-e-Mohammed. Operation is over: Dr SD Singh Jamwal, IGP Jammu on encounter between security forces & terrorists in Kakriyal <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JammuAndKashmir?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JammuAndKashmir</a> <a href="https://t.co/Y6xB9LINWK">pic.twitter.com/Y6xB9LINWK</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1040206990897815552?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

The militants killed included the mastermind of an IED blast in which four policemen lost their lives earlier this year. The militants belonged to Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) outfit, PTI reported.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a>: Encounter underway between security forces & terrorists in Jammu's Kakriyal. 2 terrorists have been killed so far & 9 security personnel have been injured. Locals & journalists take cover. Visuals are deferred. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JammuAndKashmir?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JammuAndKashmir</a> <a href="https://t.co/NLuGQkBCKP">pic.twitter.com/NLuGQkBCKP</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1040195980241653761?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Chinkipora near Arampora area of Sopore township in the north Kashmir district this morning after receiving intelligence input about the presence of militants in the area.

The search operation turned into an encounter after the hiding militants fired upon the forces.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
On the basis of inputs we launched an operation in Sopore town and successfully elimiated two terrorists. We also ensured that no civilian was injured. It was joint operations by police, CRPF & Army: Brig V Hariharan,Commander,Watlab Sector on Sopore encounter. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JammuandKashmir?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JammuandKashmir</a> <a href="https://t.co/UeBDdGmO3s">pic.twitter.com/UeBDdGmO3s</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1040190542062137346?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

"On the basis of the inputs, we launched an operation in Sopore town and successfully eliminated two terrorists. We also ensured that no civilian was injured. It was a joint operation by the police, the CRPF and the Army," Brigadier V Hariharan, Commander of Watlab Sector on Sopore encounter told media.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Two Pakistani militants were killed in an encounter with security forces in Sopore area earlier today.

Three terrorists were killed, twelve security personnel have been injured in an encounter between militants and security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Kakriyal region today. According to reports, the militants belonged to Pakistan's Jaish-e-Mohammed terror outfit. "3 terrorists have been killed and 12 security personnel have been injured. These terrorists were from Pakistan's Jaish-e-Mohammed. The operation is over," Dr SD Singh Jamwal, IGP Jammu told media. Meanwhile, two Pakistani militants were killed in an encounter with security forces in Sopore area of Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir earlier today. 3 terrorists have been killed & 12 security personnel have been injured. These terrorists were from Pakistan's Jaish-e-Mohammed. Operation is over: Dr SD Singh Jamwal, IGP Jammu on encounter between security forces & terrorists in Kakriyal #JammuAndKashmir pic.twitter.com/Y6xB9LINWK — ANI (@ANI) September 13, 2018 × The militants killed included the mastermind of an IED blast in which four policemen lost their lives earlier this year. The militants belonged to Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) outfit, PTI reported. #WATCH: Encounter underway between security forces & terrorists in Jammu's Kakriyal. 2 terrorists have been killed so far & 9 security personnel have been injured. Locals & journalists take cover. Visuals are deferred. #JammuAndKashmir pic.twitter.com/NLuGQkBCKP — ANI (@ANI) September 13, 2018 × Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Chinkipora near Arampora area of Sopore township in the north Kashmir district this morning after receiving intelligence input about the presence of militants in the area. The search operation turned into an encounter after the hiding militants fired upon the forces. On the basis of inputs we launched an operation in Sopore town and successfully elimiated two terrorists. We also ensured that no civilian was injured. It was joint operations by police, CRPF & Army: Brig V Hariharan,Commander,Watlab Sector on Sopore encounter. #JammuandKashmir pic.twitter.com/UeBDdGmO3s — ANI (@ANI) September 13, 2018 × "On the basis of the inputs, we launched an operation in Sopore town and successfully eliminated two terrorists. We also ensured that no civilian was injured. It was a joint operation by the police, the CRPF and the Army," Brigadier V Hariharan, Commander of Watlab Sector on Sopore encounter told media. (With inputs from agencies)

J&K: 3 militants killed, 12 jawans injured in Kakriyal encounter 

The Supreme Court recently sought a response from the Centre on a batch of petitions filed against the amendments introduced in the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

The petitions, challenging the Centre's amendments to the apex court's decision,&nbsp;were filed by lawyers Prathvi Raj Chauhan and Priya Sharma. 
 
Terming the amendment as “arbitrary” as it reversed the apex court's decision to protect the innocent people from the abuse of the Act, the lawyers asserted that the government proposed the amendment under pressure from alliance partners.&nbsp;

They further added that the amendments were made in an attempt to garner votes from the Dalit community ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. 
The Centre has been given a time period of six weeks to respond to the court.

The Amendment introduced by the Centre

The Parliament had passed a bill on August 9 reversing the Supreme Court's order on Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Bill.

The amendment ruled out anticipatory bail for a person accused of atrocities against SC/STs and allowed an immediate arrest of anyone charged under the Act.

Supreme Court's judgement on the SC/ST Act

The Centre's move had come in response to the Supreme Court's judgment of March 20, wherein the apex court had diluted the provisions of the SC/ST Act which allowed an immediate arrest of a person charged under the Act.

The apex court had ruled out automatic arrest of anyone accused under the Act and stated that a preliminary inquiry was needed before the arrest.

The inquiry was needed to ensure that the allegations levelled were not "frivolous or motivated" before a case is registered.

Citing "instances of abuse" of the Act by "vested interest' for political reasons the apex court had laid down guidelines for arrest under the Act "to avoid false implications".

Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Act

The Scheduled Caste and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 was enacted on September 9, 1989 by the Parliament to prevent atrocities against the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes.

Under this section, the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Rules was framed in 1995.&nbsp;

The law was formed to punish crime against people belonging to the scheduled Castes and Tribes. Giving special protections and rights to victims, it set up courts for fast completion of cases. 
 
Politics over caste

Following the Supreme Court ruling, the minority community and the opposition launched a scathing attack on the Centre and demanded an immediate action against the ruling.

In the protests that followed after the Supreme Court's judgment, at least seven people were killed and over 100 were injured in various parts of the country.

While a section of the society agreed that the provisions of the Act were misused, several others claimed that the government should take steps to protect the rights of the Dalit community.

On April 2, the Centre filed a review petition in the Supreme Court stating that the “Alleged potential of misuse would not deserve to be considered as a valid, justifiable or permissible ground for reading down stringent provisions of the PoA (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.”&nbsp; 
 
Eventually the Parliament passed the order reversing the Supreme Court's order on the SC/ST Act on August 9. 
 
The move by the centre is&nbsp;seen as an attempt by the ruling party to make its way into the vote bank of the Dalit community.

A similar upturning of the Supreme Court's order had earlier taken place in 1986 when the Rajiv Gandhi government had reversed the apex court's order in the Shah Bano case. Citing that the court's judgment in the case was a intervention into the Muslim Personal Law, the then government had introduced a law striking down the court's rule that allowed compensation to a Muslim woman after divorce.

Gandhi' move to appease Muslim clerics faces criticism from a major section of the community's women and liberal till date.

A decision taken in haste to favour a section of the society and proving detrimental for the other is certainly not going to reap benefits for any political party in the long run.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) 
&nbsp;

A decision taken in haste to favour a section of the society and proving detrimental for the other is certainly not going to reap benefits for any political party in the long run.

The Supreme Court recently sought a response from the Centre on a batch of petitions filed against the amendments introduced in the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The petitions, challenging the Centre's amendments to the apex court's decision, were filed by lawyers Prathvi Raj Chauhan and Priya Sharma. Terming the amendment as “arbitrary” as it reversed the apex court's decision to protect the innocent people from the abuse of the Act, the lawyers asserted that the government proposed the amendment under pressure from alliance partners. They further added that the amendments were made in an attempt to garner votes from the Dalit community ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. The Centre has been given a time period of six weeks to respond to the court. The Amendment introduced by the Centre The Parliament had passed a bill on August 9 reversing the Supreme Court's order on Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Bill. The amendment ruled out anticipatory bail for a person accused of atrocities against SC/STs and allowed an immediate arrest of anyone charged under the Act. Supreme Court's judgement on the SC/ST Act The Centre's move had come in response to the Supreme Court's judgment of March 20, wherein the apex court had diluted the provisions of the SC/ST Act which allowed an immediate arrest of a person charged under the Act. The apex court had ruled out automatic arrest of anyone accused under the Act and stated that a preliminary inquiry was needed before the arrest. The inquiry was needed to ensure that the allegations levelled were not "frivolous or motivated" before a case is registered. Citing "instances of abuse" of the Act by "vested interest' for political reasons the apex court had laid down guidelines for arrest under the Act "to avoid false implications". Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Act The Scheduled Caste and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 was enacted on September 9, 1989 by the Parliament to prevent atrocities against the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes. Under this section, the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Rules was framed in 1995. The law was formed to punish crime against people belonging to the scheduled Castes and Tribes. Giving special protections and rights to victims, it set up courts for fast completion of cases. Politics over caste Following the Supreme Court ruling, the minority community and the opposition launched a scathing attack on the Centre and demanded an immediate action against the ruling. In the protests that followed after the Supreme Court's judgment, at least seven people were killed and over 100 were injured in various parts of the country. While a section of the society agreed that the provisions of the Act were misused, several others claimed that the government should take steps to protect the rights of the Dalit community. On April 2, the Centre filed a review petition in the Supreme Court stating that the “Alleged potential of misuse would not deserve to be considered as a valid, justifiable or permissible ground for reading down stringent provisions of the PoA (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.” Eventually the Parliament passed the order reversing the Supreme Court's order on the SC/ST Act on August 9. The move by the centre is seen as an attempt by the ruling party to make its way into the vote bank of the Dalit community. A similar upturning of the Supreme Court's order had earlier taken place in 1986 when the Rajiv Gandhi government had reversed the apex court's order in the Shah Bano case. Citing that the court's judgment in the case was a intervention into the Muslim Personal Law, the then government had introduced a law striking down the court's rule that allowed compensation to a Muslim woman after divorce. Gandhi' move to appease Muslim clerics faces criticism from a major section of the community's women and liberal till date. A decision taken in haste to favour a section of the society and proving detrimental for the other is certainly not going to reap benefits for any political party in the long run. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: SC/ST Act should not be politicised

Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) on Thursday arrested a member of terrorist organisation Hizbul Mujahideen from Kanpur, news agency ANI reported.&nbsp

Director General of Uttar Pradesh Police, OP Singh, confirmed the arrest stating that the terrorist apparently had plans to attack the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi.&nbsp

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
ATS has arrested a Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist from Kanpur. He apparently had plans to attack on occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi. During questioning he told us that he had gone for training to Kashmir in April 2017. He is of Indian nationality & is a literate person: OP Singh, DGP <a href="https://t.co/EP0s4j1MXE">pic.twitter.com/EP0s4j1MXE</a>
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/1040192036983525376?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

"During the questioning, he told us that he had gone for training to Kashmir in April 2017. He is of Indian nationality and is a literate person," Singh said.&nbsp

The terrorist apparently had plans to attack the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi.

Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) on Thursday arrested a member of terrorist organisation Hizbul Mujahideen from Kanpur, news agency ANI reported. Director General of Uttar Pradesh Police, OP Singh, confirmed the arrest stating that the terrorist apparently had plans to attack the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi. ATS has arrested a Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist from Kanpur. He apparently had plans to attack on occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi. During questioning he told us that he had gone for training to Kashmir in April 2017. He is of Indian nationality & is a literate person: OP Singh, DGP pic.twitter.com/EP0s4j1MXE — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) September 13, 2018 × "During the questioning, he told us that he had gone for training to Kashmir in April 2017. He is of Indian nationality and is a literate person," Singh said.

Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad arrests Hizbul member in Kanpur

A traffic police officer in India catches the attention of drivers, using his unique moves to control traffic in the eastern city of Bhubaneswar.

Indian policeman controls traffic with dance moves

The BJP on Thursday alleged that the UPA government had given a "sweet deal" to Kingfisher Airlines. The BJP further suggested that the airline was perhaps owned by the Gandhi family.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national spokesperson Sambit Patra attacked Congress chief Rahul Gandhi and produced a purported confessional statement of a hawala trader. He alleged that the Congress chief had links with a shell company.

Patra added that Rahul Gandhi was on the backfoot in the case of Kingfisher Airlines and its promoter Vijay Mallya, as well as the entire Gandhi family, travelled on the airline and their travel was upgraded to business class for free.

"The entire Gandhi family was, in fact, helping Mallya and Kingfisher Airlines with the sweet deal," Patra said while showing a bunch of documents related to the loans given by banks to the airline.

"There is a series of letters between the RBI (Reserve Bank of India) and the SBI (State Bank of India). These letters show us how the previous dispensation under Sonia Gandhi was biased, partial and kept all norms and regulations at bay to give a sweet deal to Kingfisher Airlines," he alleged.

"Sometimes it seems the airline was not owned by Mallya, but by the Gandhi family in the proxy," Patra said.

He further added that Rahul Gandhi had no right to question others on corruption as he is out on bail (in the National Herald case).

Patra's retort came after Rahul Gandhi demanded a probe into Mallya's claim that he had met Finance Minister Arun Jaitley before leaving India.&nbsp

(With inputs from PTI)&nbsp

 
&nbsp

BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra further added that Rahul Gandhi had no right to question others on corruption as he is out on bail (in the National Herald case).

The BJP on Thursday alleged that the UPA government had given a "sweet deal" to Kingfisher Airlines. The BJP further suggested that the airline was perhaps owned by the Gandhi family. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national spokesperson Sambit Patra attacked Congress chief Rahul Gandhi and produced a purported confessional statement of a hawala trader. He alleged that the Congress chief had links with a shell company. Patra added that Rahul Gandhi was on the backfoot in the case of Kingfisher Airlines and its promoter Vijay Mallya, as well as the entire Gandhi family, travelled on the airline and their travel was upgraded to business class for free. "The entire Gandhi family was, in fact, helping Mallya and Kingfisher Airlines with the sweet deal," Patra said while showing a bunch of documents related to the loans given by banks to the airline. "There is a series of letters between the RBI (Reserve Bank of India) and the SBI (State Bank of India). These letters show us how the previous dispensation under Sonia Gandhi was biased, partial and kept all norms and regulations at bay to give a sweet deal to Kingfisher Airlines," he alleged. "Sometimes it seems the airline was not owned by Mallya, but by the Gandhi family in the proxy," Patra said. He further added that Rahul Gandhi had no right to question others on corruption as he is out on bail (in the National Herald case). Patra's retort came after Rahul Gandhi demanded a probe into Mallya's claim that he had met Finance Minister Arun Jaitley before leaving India. (With inputs from PTI)

UPA gave 'sweet deal' to Kingfisher Airlines to keep it afloat: BJP

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has visited Seoul's Cheonggyecheon stream that has been transformed from a polluted water body to a popular tourist spot, which his Aam Aadmi Party said can be an example for reviving the Yamuna River.

Kejriwal, accompanied by Urban Development Minister Satyendar Jain is currently visiting South Korea, his first bilateral visit to a foreign country after becoming chief minister.

Kejriwal also attended a leg of the ongoing India Festival in South Korea 'Sarang 2018' at Yonsei University, and praised the Indian Embassy in Seoul for showcasing India's heritage to Koreans.

"I am extremely pleased to participate in this festival and happy that the embassy has taken initiatives to showcase India's culture to Korea... And, this music fest is being launched today. I am very pleased, and I am here to attend a conference, to sign an agreement between Seoul city and Delhi city," he said in his address.

Cheonggyecheon is an over 8 km-long stream flowing west to east through downtown Seoul, and then meeting Jungnangcheon, which connects to the Han River and empties into the Yellow Sea.&nbsp;

Several decades ago, Cheonggyecheon was an eyesore and the stream was covered with concrete for roads and even public transportation system was later built over it.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government undertook a restoration of the stream in 2005 and renewed it.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Seoul Mayor Park Won-Soon welcomes Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal at the Seoul City Center. 
 
Mr Park Won-Soon had been awarded the 2006 Ramon Magsaysay Award for Public Service in 2006, the same year when <a href="https://twitter.com/ArvindKejriwal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ArvindKejriwal</a> won this award for his contribution to RTI. <a href="https://t.co/CMG83wKRVm">pic.twitter.com/CMG83wKRVm</a>
— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) <a href="https://twitter.com/AamAadmiParty/status/1040134899422748672?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

The Cheonggyecheon restoration project had the purpose of preserving the unique identity of the natural environment and the historic resources in the central business district of Seoul, and to reinforce the surrounding business area with information technology, international affairs and digital industries.

Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party also posted pictures of his Wednesday's visit on Twitter.

"Delhi CM @ArvindKejriwal & Urban Development Minister @SatyendarJain visit the Cheonggyecheon stream in downtown Seoul. Cheonggyecheon stream was a dirty polluted stream stretched around 11 km, said to be urban regeneration marvel as it is now a tourist hotspot," AAP tweeted.

"CM @ArvindKejriwal is in Seoul for Twin City Agreement b/w Delhi & Seoul on Pollution, Water, Public Transport, Education & Urban Devp. If Cheonggyecheon stream in downtown Seoul can be regenerated to a tourist hotspot, why can't river Yamuna & drains in Delhi be revived ?" the party said.&nbsp;

A Carnatic music concert was also held at the Yonsei University on its 100th anniversary on Wednesday.

Kejriwal, accompanied by Urban Development Minister Satyendar Jain is currently visiting South Korea, his first bilateral visit to a foreign country after becoming chief minister

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has visited Seoul's Cheonggyecheon stream that has been transformed from a polluted water body to a popular tourist spot, which his Aam Aadmi Party said can be an example for reviving the Yamuna River. Kejriwal, accompanied by Urban Development Minister Satyendar Jain is currently visiting South Korea, his first bilateral visit to a foreign country after becoming chief minister. Kejriwal also attended a leg of the ongoing India Festival in South Korea 'Sarang 2018' at Yonsei University, and praised the Indian Embassy in Seoul for showcasing India's heritage to Koreans. "I am extremely pleased to participate in this festival and happy that the embassy has taken initiatives to showcase India's culture to Korea... And, this music fest is being launched today. I am very pleased, and I am here to attend a conference, to sign an agreement between Seoul city and Delhi city," he said in his address. Cheonggyecheon is an over 8 km-long stream flowing west to east through downtown Seoul, and then meeting Jungnangcheon, which connects to the Han River and empties into the Yellow Sea. Several decades ago, Cheonggyecheon was an eyesore and the stream was covered with concrete for roads and even public transportation system was later built over it. The Seoul Metropolitan Government undertook a restoration of the stream in 2005 and renewed it. Seoul Mayor Park Won-Soon welcomes Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal at the Seoul City Center. Mr Park Won-Soon had been awarded the 2006 Ramon Magsaysay Award for Public Service in 2006, the same year when @ArvindKejriwal won this award for his contribution to RTI. pic.twitter.com/CMG83wKRVm — AAP (@AamAadmiParty) September 13, 2018 × The Cheonggyecheon restoration project had the purpose of preserving the unique identity of the natural environment and the historic resources in the central business district of Seoul, and to reinforce the surrounding business area with information technology, international affairs and digital industries. Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party also posted pictures of his Wednesday's visit on Twitter. "Delhi CM @ArvindKejriwal & Urban Development Minister @SatyendarJain visit the Cheonggyecheon stream in downtown Seoul. Cheonggyecheon stream was a dirty polluted stream stretched around 11 km, said to be urban regeneration marvel as it is now a tourist hotspot," AAP tweeted. "CM @ArvindKejriwal is in Seoul for Twin City Agreement b/w Delhi & Seoul on Pollution, Water, Public Transport, Education & Urban Devp. If Cheonggyecheon stream in downtown Seoul can be regenerated to a tourist hotspot, why can't river Yamuna & drains in Delhi be revived ?" the party said. A Carnatic music concert was also held at the Yonsei University on its 100th anniversary on Wednesday.

Kejriwal in Seoul: Visits Cheonggyecheon stream

Two Pakistani militants, including the mastermind of an IED blast in which four policemen lost their lives earlier this year, were killed in an encounter with security forces in Sopore area of Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said.

The militants belonged to Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) outfit.

Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Chinkipora near Arampora area of Sopore township in the north Kashmir district this morning after receiving intelligence input about the presence of militants in the area.

The search operation turned into an encounter after the hiding militants fired upon the forces.

Initially, civilians were evacuated from the encounter site to safer areas before engaging the terrorists in the encounter, a police spokesman said. 
He said in the ensuing gunfight, two militants were killed.&nbsp 
Some arms, ammunition and incriminating material were recovered from the site of the encounter, the spokesman said.

From the incriminating material recovered from the encounter site, the killed terrorists have been identified as foreigners from Pakistan namely Ali alias Athar and Zia-ur-Rehman. They were affiliated with proscribed terror outfit JeM,&nbsphe said.&nbsp

The spokesman said Ali was one of the important commanders of JeM and was active since 2014.&nbsp

He was the mastermind of the January 6 Sopore IED blast in which four policemen attained martyrdom. Besides, both of them were involved in attacks on security force establishments and civilian atrocities,&nbsphe said.

Police have registered a case in this regard and the investigation has been initiated, the spokesman said.&nbsp

The militants belonged to Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) outfit.

Two Pakistani militants, including the mastermind of an IED blast in which four policemen lost their lives earlier this year, were killed in an encounter with security forces in Sopore area of Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said. The militants belonged to Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) outfit. Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Chinkipora near Arampora area of Sopore township in the north Kashmir district this morning after receiving intelligence input about the presence of militants in the area. The search operation turned into an encounter after the hiding militants fired upon the forces. Initially, civilians were evacuated from the encounter site to safer areas before engaging the terrorists in the encounter, a police spokesman said. He said in the ensuing gunfight, two militants were killed. Some arms, ammunition and incriminating material were recovered from the site of the encounter, the spokesman said. From the incriminating material recovered from the encounter site, the killed terrorists have been identified as foreigners from Pakistan namely Ali alias Athar and Zia-ur-Rehman. They were affiliated with proscribed terror outfit JeM,&nbsphe said. The spokesman said Ali was one of the important commanders of JeM and was active since 2014. He was the mastermind of the January 6 Sopore IED blast in which four policemen attained martyrdom. Besides, both of them were involved in attacks on security force establishments and civilian atrocities,&nbsphe said. Police have registered a case in this regard and the investigation has been initiated, the spokesman said.

Two Pakistani militants killed in Sopore encounter

The Ministry of Health Wednesday banned the manufacture for sale or distribution of 328 fixed-dose combination (FDC) drugs with immediate effect.

Besides, it has also restricted the manufacture, sale or distribution of six FDCs subject to certain conditions, an official statement said.

FDCs are two or more drugs combined in a fixed ratio into a single dosage form.

The now-banned drugs include the popular painkiller Saridon, the skin cream Panderm, the diabetes drug Gluconorm PG, and the antibiotic Lupidiclox.&nbsp;

The Health Ministry, through its notification published on March 10, 2016, had prohibited the manufacture for sale and distribution for human use of 349 FDCs under Section 26 A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.&nbsp;

But the matter was contested by the affected manufacturers in various high courts and the Supreme Court.&nbsp;

Complying with the Supreme Court verdict in December last year, an expert panel formed by the Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB), in its report to the Centre, stated that there is no therapeutic justification for the ingredients contained in 328 FDCs and that these FDCs may involve risk to human beings, the statement stated.

The Board recommended that it is necessary to prohibit the manufacture, sale or distribution of these FDCs under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 in the larger public interest.&nbsp;

Fixed-dose drugs are two or more drugs combined in a fixed ratio.

The Ministry of Health Wednesday banned the manufacture for sale or distribution of 328 fixed-dose combination (FDC) drugs with immediate effect. Besides, it has also restricted the manufacture, sale or distribution of six FDCs subject to certain conditions, an official statement said. FDCs are two or more drugs combined in a fixed ratio into a single dosage form. The now-banned drugs include the popular painkiller Saridon, the skin cream Panderm, the diabetes drug Gluconorm PG, and the antibiotic Lupidiclox. The Health Ministry, through its notification published on March 10, 2016, had prohibited the manufacture for sale and distribution for human use of 349 FDCs under Section 26 A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. But the matter was contested by the affected manufacturers in various high courts and the Supreme Court. Complying with the Supreme Court verdict in December last year, an expert panel formed by the Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB), in its report to the Centre, stated that there is no therapeutic justification for the ingredients contained in 328 FDCs and that these FDCs may involve risk to human beings, the statement stated. The Board recommended that it is necessary to prohibit the manufacture, sale or distribution of these FDCs under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 in the larger public interest.

Govt bans sale of 328 fixed-dose drugs including the popular Saridorn, Panderm

Opposition parties Wednesday latched on to Vijay Mallya's statement he <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/jaitley-mallya-met-in-parliament-for-15-20-minutes-congress-165411">had met Arun Jaitley before leaving India</a>, and demanded a probe into the fugitive liquor baron's claim, which was rubbished by the finance minister as "factually false". 
Congress chief Rahul Gandhi tweeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi should immediately order an independent probe into Mallya's "extremely serious allegations" and Jaitley should step down while the investigation is underway.

The claim made by Mallya, facing charges of fraud and money laundering amounting to Rs 9,000 crore, has triggered a political storm, with the Congress saying the government must explain how and why Mallya was allowed to leave India. 
Jaitley, however, said he never gave Mallya an appointment after becoming a minister in 2014, but the liquor baron misused his position as an MP to accost him once in Parliament.

Soon after Jaitley's rebuttal, Mallya appeared to tone down the seriousness of his claim, saying it was not a "formal meeting" and he only "happened to meet" the minister, when he told him he was going to London. Mallya also said he was not "tipped off" by anyone to flee the country.

Reacting on the issue, BJP leader Subramanian Swamy tweeted, "I learn from my sources that the Lookout Notice issued by CBI for Mallya was modified from "Block Departure" to "Report Departure" on October 24, 2015 on orders from someone in MoF. Who? (sic)"&nbsp;

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, too, described as "absolutely shocking" the revelation by Mallya and asked, "Why did the finance minister hide this information till now?"

"Absolutely shocking. PM Modi meets Neerav (sic) Modi before he flees the country. FM meets Vijay Mallya before he flees India. What transpired in these meetings? People want to know," Kejriwal said on Twitter.

Former BJP leader Yashwant Sinha, a former union finance minister who has been critical of Jaitley and his handling of the ministry, said the entire BJP leadership, not just the finance minister, must come clean on its ties with Mallya. 
Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi said the government was "fully complicit" in the flight of Mallya and Punjab National Bank fraud accused Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi from India.

"Everybody was complacent and everybody was aware... Whether it was - a casual meeting or a structured meeting. We need proper disclosures, full inquiries on this," he said.

Singhvi said the moot question remains why was no action taken before Mallya fled the country.

He said Mallya's claim is a vindication of the Congress's stand that the government always knew about the fleeing defaulters. He said India wants to know what transpired during the meeting between Mallya and Jaitley.

CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury said Mallya's escape reconfirmed how Modi government "enables big defaulters to loot public money and scoot". 
 
"The fundamental point is how he got away despite 'lookout notices'?" Yechury tweeted while mocking Prime Minister Narendra Modi by tagging a picture of him performing yoga by resting on a stone and facing the sky.&nbsp;

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav said the entire NDA government was "hand in glove" with scamsters and absconders.

"They hatched a plot to loot hundreds of thousands of crores. PM and FM must respond on this," Yadav said in a tweet.

Terming Mallya's offer to settle overdue loans of more than Rs 9,000 crore to his now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines as "bluff offers", Jaitley said he did not even take the papers the liquor baron was carrying during that brief encounter.

Mallya, 62, is fighting numerous lawsuits in the UK and back home over fraud and money-laundering allegations as well as an extradition to India.

"I left because I had a scheduled meeting in Geneva. I met the Finance Minister before I left, repeated my offer to settle with the banks. That is the truth," he told reporters outside a London court hearing a case for his extradition.

The verdict in the extradition case will be announced on December 10.

The Congress also said on its official Twitter handle that Mallya met Jaitley "several times" before escaping the country to discuss a settlement plan.

"In spite of this, the BJP government allowed him to flee with thousands of crores debt. Do we need anymore proof that this govt. Is in the pocket of crony capitalists."

Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said Mallya's revelation shows that the BJP is running "a travel, tour and immigration agency for looters to settle abroad".

"Vijay Mallya left India with the country's money after a farewell from Arun Jaitley. Chowkidaar nahin, Bhagidaar hai (Not a watchman, but a partner)," he tweeted in Hindi.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Mallya had on Wednesday said he had met Finance Minisiter Arun Jaitley before leaving the country. Jaitley refuted the claim, saying it was 'factually false'.

Opposition parties Wednesday latched on to Vijay Mallya's statement he had met Arun Jaitley before leaving India, and demanded a probe into the fugitive liquor baron's claim, which was rubbished by the finance minister as "factually false". Congress chief Rahul Gandhi tweeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi should immediately order an independent probe into Mallya's "extremely serious allegations" and Jaitley should step down while the investigation is underway. The claim made by Mallya, facing charges of fraud and money laundering amounting to Rs 9,000 crore, has triggered a political storm, with the Congress saying the government must explain how and why Mallya was allowed to leave India. Jaitley, however, said he never gave Mallya an appointment after becoming a minister in 2014, but the liquor baron misused his position as an MP to accost him once in Parliament. Soon after Jaitley's rebuttal, Mallya appeared to tone down the seriousness of his claim, saying it was not a "formal meeting" and he only "happened to meet" the minister, when he told him he was going to London. Mallya also said he was not "tipped off" by anyone to flee the country. Reacting on the issue, BJP leader Subramanian Swamy tweeted, "I learn from my sources that the Lookout Notice issued by CBI for Mallya was modified from "Block Departure" to "Report Departure" on October 24, 2015 on orders from someone in MoF. Who? (sic)" Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, too, described as "absolutely shocking" the revelation by Mallya and asked, "Why did the finance minister hide this information till now?" "Absolutely shocking. PM Modi meets Neerav (sic) Modi before he flees the country. FM meets Vijay Mallya before he flees India. What transpired in these meetings? People want to know," Kejriwal said on Twitter. Former BJP leader Yashwant Sinha, a former union finance minister who has been critical of Jaitley and his handling of the ministry, said the entire BJP leadership, not just the finance minister, must come clean on its ties with Mallya. Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi said the government was "fully complicit" in the flight of Mallya and Punjab National Bank fraud accused Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi from India. "Everybody was complacent and everybody was aware... Whether it was - a casual meeting or a structured meeting. We need proper disclosures, full inquiries on this," he said. Singhvi said the moot question remains why was no action taken before Mallya fled the country. He said Mallya's claim is a vindication of the Congress's stand that the government always knew about the fleeing defaulters. He said India wants to know what transpired during the meeting between Mallya and Jaitley. CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury said Mallya's escape reconfirmed how Modi government "enables big defaulters to loot public money and scoot". "The fundamental point is how he got away despite 'lookout notices'?" Yechury tweeted while mocking Prime Minister Narendra Modi by tagging a picture of him performing yoga by resting on a stone and facing the sky. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav said the entire NDA government was "hand in glove" with scamsters and absconders. "They hatched a plot to loot hundreds of thousands of crores. PM and FM must respond on this," Yadav said in a tweet. Terming Mallya's offer to settle overdue loans of more than Rs 9,000 crore to his now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines as "bluff offers", Jaitley said he did not even take the papers the liquor baron was carrying during that brief encounter. Mallya, 62, is fighting numerous lawsuits in the UK and back home over fraud and money-laundering allegations as well as an extradition to India. "I left because I had a scheduled meeting in Geneva. I met the Finance Minister before I left, repeated my offer to settle with the banks. That is the truth," he told reporters outside a London court hearing a case for his extradition. The verdict in the extradition case will be announced on December 10. The Congress also said on its official Twitter handle that Mallya met Jaitley "several times" before escaping the country to discuss a settlement plan. "In spite of this, the BJP government allowed him to flee with thousands of crores debt. Do we need anymore proof that this govt. Is in the pocket of crony capitalists." Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said Mallya's revelation shows that the BJP is running "a travel, tour and immigration agency for looters to settle abroad". "Vijay Mallya left India with the country's money after a farewell from Arun Jaitley. Chowkidaar nahin, Bhagidaar hai (Not a watchman, but a partner)," he tweeted in Hindi.

Vijay Mallya: Was not tipped off to leave the country

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Thursday that the Congress has failed <a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/jaitley-mallya-met-in-parliament-for-15-20-minutes-congress-165411">to play the role of the opposition</a>.&nbsp;

"In last four years, the truth of Congress and its associates has been revealed. Earlier, the public removed them because of their failure to deliver good governance, inefficiency in taking decisions, and corruption. Now they've failed to play the role of the opposition," Modi said.&nbsp;

Modi made his comments while speaking to the BJP's booth level workers via his NaMo app.&nbsp;

Modi said the Congress and its associates are coming together now because the "elections are approaching".&nbsp;

"If Congress and its associates had worked together in the last four years and placed issues before the public, the people would at least have believed them. But they were not bothered over the last four years," Modi said.&nbsp;

"Now that the elections are approaching, they've come together," Modi added.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
In last 4 yrs truth of Congress&its associates have been revealed. Earlier public removed them due to their failure to deliver good governance, inefficiency to take decision&corruption. Now they've failed to play the role of opposition:PM while speaking to BJP booth level workers <a href="https://t.co/UwjQqBd3uf">pic.twitter.com/UwjQqBd3uf</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1040123950884442112?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

A large-scale alliance of opposition parties is working at fashioning a grand alliance before the 2019 general elections to take on the BJP. There has been talk of the alliance putting up only one opposition candidate against the BJP in every seat, so as to not split the non-BJP vote.&nbsp;

The opposition has had a fair amount of success with the strategy so far.&nbsp;

Modi added in his talk Thursday that "I often feel sympathy for old Congress workers who struggled and worked on the ground for the party". &nbsp;Modi added that "their entire struggle and support are being used for a single family".&nbsp;

And that the "best people were sacrificed for the interest of that family".&nbsp;

Modi's references to the family of course were to the first family of the Congress — the Gandhi family.&nbsp;

'If Congress and its associates had worked together in the last four years and placed issues before the public, the people would at least have believed them. But they were not bothered over the last four years,' Modi said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Thursday that the Congress has failed to play the role of the opposition. "In last four years, the truth of Congress and its associates has been revealed. Earlier, the public removed them because of their failure to deliver good governance, inefficiency in taking decisions, and corruption. Now they've failed to play the role of the opposition," Modi said. Modi made his comments while speaking to the BJP's booth level workers via his NaMo app. Modi said the Congress and its associates are coming together now because the "elections are approaching". "If Congress and its associates had worked together in the last four years and placed issues before the public, the people would at least have believed them. But they were not bothered over the last four years," Modi said. "Now that the elections are approaching, they've come together," Modi added. In last 4 yrs truth of Congress&its associates have been revealed. Earlier public removed them due to their failure to deliver good governance, inefficiency to take decision&corruption. Now they've failed to play the role of opposition:PM while speaking to BJP booth level workers pic.twitter.com/UwjQqBd3uf — ANI (@ANI) September 13, 2018 × A large-scale alliance of opposition parties is working at fashioning a grand alliance before the 2019 general elections to take on the BJP. There has been talk of the alliance putting up only one opposition candidate against the BJP in every seat, so as to not split the non-BJP vote. The opposition has had a fair amount of success with the strategy so far. Modi added in his talk Thursday that "I often feel sympathy for old Congress workers who struggled and worked on the ground for the party". Modi added that "their entire struggle and support are being used for a single family". And that the "best people were sacrificed for the interest of that family". Modi's references to the family of course were to the first family of the Congress — the Gandhi family.

Congress has failed as an opposition: PM Modi

The Congress claimed Thursday that Vijay Mallya had met Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in Parliament on March 1, 2016 and that the two of them had talked for 15 to 20 minutes.&nbsp;

Mallya <a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/vijay-mallya-was-not-tipped-off-to-leave-the-country-165374">left the country on March 2</a>, 2016.&nbsp;

The claim that Mallya met Jaitley was made by Congress MP PL Punia at a press conference called by <a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/congress-has-failed-as-an-opposition-pm-modi-165403">Congress President Rahul Gandhi</a> at the party's headquarters in Delhi.&nbsp;

Punia said he had seen Jaitley and Mallya talking to each other in the Central Hall of Parliament. Punia said the two of them talked — they were standing, not sitting —&nbsp;for 15 to 20 minutes.&nbsp;

Punia added that the meeting took place on March 1, 2016. And that the CCTV cameras in the hall could be checked to corroborate his claim.&nbsp;

Mallya had Wednesday said in London that he had met Jaitley and had told him that he was leaving for the UK. He added that he had repeated his offer to settle with the banks to Jaitley.&nbsp;

Jaitley had yesterday refuted Mallya's claim, saying it was "factually false".

Jaitley said Mallya, who was a Rajya Sabha MP at the time, had accosted him in a Parliament corridor. Jaitley said he cut Mallya off and told him that if he wanted to settle, then he should be talking to the banks.&nbsp;

Mallya had backed down from his claim after's Jaitley's rebuttal, saying that he only "happened to meet" the finance minister and that it was not a "formal meeting".&nbsp;

The opposition however very quickly latched on to Mallya's claim, and demanded a probe.&nbsp;

The waters were further muddied by BJP MP Subramanian Swamy who claimed Wednesday that his sources had told him the lookout notice against Mallya was changed from "block" to "report" departure, which allowed Mallya to leave the country.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
We have now two undeniable facts on the Mallya escape issue: 1. Look Out Notice was diluted on Oct 24, 2015 from “Block” to “Report” departure enabling Mallya to depart with 54 checked luggage items. 2. Mallya told FM in Central Hall of Parliament that he was leaving for London.
— Subramanian Swamy (@Swamy39) <a href="https://twitter.com/Swamy39/status/1040106948924989441?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

On Thursday, Rahul Gandhi said that meant Jaitley had colluded with Mally to allow him to leave the country.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Even if he (Mallya) caught up with you in the corridor why did you not tell the CBI, ED that he's going to flee, catch him? This is clearly a collusion, there is definitely a deal. Finance Minister should clearly say what transpired and he should resign: Rahul Gandhi <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VijayMallya?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#VijayMallya</a> <a href="https://t.co/MSMdmYUwWL">pic.twitter.com/MSMdmYUwWL</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1040149001427988480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
The Finance Minister has colluded in a criminal running away from the country: Rahul Gandhi <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VijayMallya?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#VijayMallya</a> <a href="https://t.co/pPA6wqajzl">pic.twitter.com/pPA6wqajzl</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1040145826415181825?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

And that he must therefore resign.&nbsp;

The claim that Mallya met Jaitley was made by Congress MP PL Punia at a press conference called by Congress President Rahul Gandhi. Punia said he had seen Jaitley and Mallya meet in the Central Hall of Parliament.

The Congress claimed Thursday that Vijay Mallya had met Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in Parliament on March 1, 2016 and that the two of them had talked for 15 to 20 minutes. Mallya left the country on March 2, 2016. The claim that Mallya met Jaitley was made by Congress MP PL Punia at a press conference called by Congress President Rahul Gandhi at the party's headquarters in Delhi. Punia said he had seen Jaitley and Mallya talking to each other in the Central Hall of Parliament. Punia said the two of them talked — they were standing, not sitting — for 15 to 20 minutes. Punia added that the meeting took place on March 1, 2016. And that the CCTV cameras in the hall could be checked to corroborate his claim. Mallya had Wednesday said in London that he had met Jaitley and had told him that he was leaving for the UK. He added that he had repeated his offer to settle with the banks to Jaitley. Jaitley had yesterday refuted Mallya's claim, saying it was "factually false". Jaitley said Mallya, who was a Rajya Sabha MP at the time, had accosted him in a Parliament corridor. Jaitley said he cut Mallya off and told him that if he wanted to settle, then he should be talking to the banks. Mallya had backed down from his claim after's Jaitley's rebuttal, saying that he only "happened to meet" the finance minister and that it was not a "formal meeting". The opposition however very quickly latched on to Mallya's claim, and demanded a probe. The waters were further muddied by BJP MP Subramanian Swamy who claimed Wednesday that his sources had told him the lookout notice against Mallya was changed from "block" to "report" departure, which allowed Mallya to leave the country. We have now two undeniable facts on the Mallya escape issue: 1. Look Out Notice was diluted on Oct 24, 2015 from “Block” to “Report” departure enabling Mallya to depart with 54 checked luggage items. 2. Mallya told FM in Central Hall of Parliament that he was leaving for London. — Subramanian Swamy (@Swamy39) September 13, 2018 × On Thursday, Rahul Gandhi said that meant Jaitley had colluded with Mally to allow him to leave the country. Even if he (Mallya) caught up with you in the corridor why did you not tell the CBI, ED that he's going to flee, catch him? This is clearly a collusion, there is definitely a deal. Finance Minister should clearly say what transpired and he should resign: Rahul Gandhi #VijayMallya pic.twitter.com/MSMdmYUwWL — ANI (@ANI) September 13, 2018 × The Finance Minister has colluded in a criminal running away from the country: Rahul Gandhi #VijayMallya pic.twitter.com/pPA6wqajzl — ANI (@ANI) September 13, 2018 × And that he must therefore resign.

Jaitley met Mallya for 15-20 minutes day before he fled: Congress

The US shares a concern with India over the continued ability of terrorist proxies to operate on Pakistani soil, a senior Trump administration official has said, stressing that tackling this core issue by Islamabad is critical to the prospects of its better relations with New Delhi.&nbsp;

Alice Wells, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, said conversations on counterterrorism had always been always a very important part of the US-India relationship and the two countries have been coordinating on terrorist designations.

"We have a thriving counterterrorism dialogue. We have ongoing efforts by the US administration to sanction a range of global terrorists, including nearly a dozen Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) targets and aliases over the last year," she said at an event at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a top American think-tank.

The LeT militant group carried out the 2008 Mumbai attack, killing 166 people, including American nationals.

"And certainly, with the 10th anniversary of the Mumbai attack approaching, we share a concern over the continued ability of terrorists proxies to operate on Pakistani soil," Wells said.

Referring to a recent remark by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Wells said the US was "looking for actions, not words" from the government of Pakistan. And obviously this is a shared concern, she said.

Pompeo, who recently visited Islamabad before he travelled to New Delhi, had a good constructive consultation with the new Pakistani leadership, she said.

"It was his first opportunity to meet with Prime Minister Imran Khan and it was an opportunity for the Secretary to lay out aspirations for the relationship," she said, adding that she sees Pakistan as a sovereign country that has a choice to make.

"I would hope that the choice is what was attributed to a Chief of Army Staff, General (Qamar Javed) Bajwa who said as long as there are extremists non-state forces operating in Pakistan Pakistan can't be a normal state," Wells said.

"It is tackling that core issue that's going to be so critical both to the quality of our bilateral relationship but also to the prospects for better relations between India and Pakistan," she said.&nbsp;

Referring to a recent remark by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Wells said the US was "looking for actions, not words" from the government of Pakistan.

The US shares a concern with India over the continued ability of terrorist proxies to operate on Pakistani soil, a senior Trump administration official has said, stressing that tackling this core issue by Islamabad is critical to the prospects of its better relations with New Delhi. Alice Wells, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, said conversations on counterterrorism had always been always a very important part of the US-India relationship and the two countries have been coordinating on terrorist designations. "We have a thriving counterterrorism dialogue. We have ongoing efforts by the US administration to sanction a range of global terrorists, including nearly a dozen Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) targets and aliases over the last year," she said at an event at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a top American think-tank. The LeT militant group carried out the 2008 Mumbai attack, killing 166 people, including American nationals. "And certainly, with the 10th anniversary of the Mumbai attack approaching, we share a concern over the continued ability of terrorists proxies to operate on Pakistani soil," Wells said. Referring to a recent remark by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Wells said the US was "looking for actions, not words" from the government of Pakistan. And obviously this is a shared concern, she said. Pompeo, who recently visited Islamabad before he travelled to New Delhi, had a good constructive consultation with the new Pakistani leadership, she said. "It was his first opportunity to meet with Prime Minister Imran Khan and it was an opportunity for the Secretary to lay out aspirations for the relationship," she said, adding that she sees Pakistan as a sovereign country that has a choice to make. "I would hope that the choice is what was attributed to a Chief of Army Staff, General (Qamar Javed) Bajwa who said as long as there are extremists non-state forces operating in Pakistan Pakistan can't be a normal state," Wells said. "It is tackling that core issue that's going to be so critical both to the quality of our bilateral relationship but also to the prospects for better relations between India and Pakistan," she said.

US shares concern with India over terrorist proxies operating on Pakistan soil: Senior Trump official

A Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) trooper and a forest guard were injured on Wednesday in firing by militants on the Jammu-Srinagar highway in Udhampur district, police said.

A high alert was issued in Katra after the incident that took place at around 8 am. The terrorists escaped the scene after launching the attack.&nbsp;

"During a routine checking at a check-post near the Jhajar Kotli police station, one gunman fired at the paramilitary trooper and fled into a lane nearby. The area has been cordoned off," the police said.

The police, the army and CRPF have launched a joint operation to arrest the militants. “The search operation is on ahead of Suketar village near Katra crossing of the national highway,” said the police.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
One AK&3 magazines recovered from an intercepted truck. Driver, conductor taken into custody. 2-3 suspected terrorists who fled from the truck are being chased. Cordon &search operation is on ahead of Suketar near Katra crossing National Highway: J&K Police <a href="https://t.co/xpJwaBrfgH">pic.twitter.com/xpJwaBrfgH</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1039739447766601728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

"One AK&3 magazine recovered from an intercepted truck. The driver, conductor have been taken into custody. 2-3 suspected terrorists who fled from the truck are being chased. Cordon and search operation is on ahead of Suketar near Katra crossing National Highway," Jammu and Kashmir police was quoted as saying by ANI.

he police, the army and CRPF have launched a joint operation to arrest the militants.

A Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) trooper and a forest guard were injured on Wednesday in firing by militants on the Jammu-Srinagar highway in Udhampur district, police said. A high alert was issued in Katra after the incident that took place at around 8 am. The terrorists escaped the scene after launching the attack. "During a routine checking at a check-post near the Jhajar Kotli police station, one gunman fired at the paramilitary trooper and fled into a lane nearby. The area has been cordoned off," the police said. The police, the army and CRPF have launched a joint operation to arrest the militants. “The search operation is on ahead of Suketar village near Katra crossing of the national highway,” said the police. One AK&3 magazines recovered from an intercepted truck. Driver, conductor taken into custody. 2-3 suspected terrorists who fled from the truck are being chased. Cordon &search operation is on ahead of Suketar near Katra crossing National Highway: J&K Police pic.twitter.com/xpJwaBrfgH — ANI (@ANI) September 12, 2018 × "One AK&3 magazine recovered from an intercepted truck. The driver, conductor have been taken into custody. 2-3 suspected terrorists who fled from the truck are being chased. Cordon and search operation is on ahead of Suketar near Katra crossing National Highway," Jammu and Kashmir police was quoted as saying by ANI.

Suspected terrorists open fire injuring two at police check post on Jammu-Srinagar highway

Six labourers died while two others were seriously injured in an explosion in a private petrochemical factory here on Wednesday morning, police said.

According to the police, one labourer is still missing.

The blast took place around 8 am when the boiler of the factory was being repaired.

“There was a blast in the Mohit Petro-Chemical Factory located on Nagina Road. In the blast, labourers Balgovind, Ravi, Lokendra, Kamalveer, Vikrant and Chetram died. Two labourers were brought to a hospital in a serious condition. One labourer is said to be missing.” Superintendent of Police Umesh Kumar Singh said.

“As per information gathered so far, the boiler of the factory was not functioning for the past few days. On Wednesday, while it was being repaired, there was a blast in the boiler while welding work was going on,” he said.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SpotVisuals?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SpotVisuals</a>: Six dead, three critically injured following a cylinder blast in a chemical factory on Bijnor's Nagina road. Police at the spot. <a href="https://t.co/OmbETEaKMv">pic.twitter.com/OmbETEaKMv</a>
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/1039766260941086720?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Singh said efforts were on to trace the owner of the factory.

The blast took place around 8 am when the boiler of the factory was being repaired.

Six labourers died while two others were seriously injured in an explosion in a private petrochemical factory here on Wednesday morning, police said. According to the police, one labourer is still missing. The blast took place around 8 am when the boiler of the factory was being repaired. “There was a blast in the Mohit Petro-Chemical Factory located on Nagina Road. In the blast, labourers Balgovind, Ravi, Lokendra, Kamalveer, Vikrant and Chetram died. Two labourers were brought to a hospital in a serious condition. One labourer is said to be missing.” Superintendent of Police Umesh Kumar Singh said. “As per information gathered so far, the boiler of the factory was not functioning for the past few days. On Wednesday, while it was being repaired, there was a blast in the boiler while welding work was going on,” he said. #SpotVisuals: Six dead, three critically injured following a cylinder blast in a chemical factory on Bijnor's Nagina road. Police at the spot. pic.twitter.com/OmbETEaKMv — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) September 12, 2018 × Singh said efforts were on to trace the owner of the factory.

Six killed in explosion in petrochemical factory in UP’s Bijnor

Pakistan`s military is using fear and intimidation to stifle the media and undermine press freedom even as overall violence against reporters has fallen, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CJP) said on Wednesday.&nbsp

The press freedom group said the military had established "lines of control" to pressure the media and journalists who pushed back or were overly critical were attacked, threatened or arrested.

"The military has quietly, but effectively, set restrictions on reporting: from barring access to regions ... to encouraging self-censorship through direct and indirect methods of intimidation, including ... allegedly instigating violence against reporters," the CPJ said in a report.

The military routinely denies interference in politics or with the media. Its information wing could not be reached for comment by telephone nor did it respond to text messages seeking comment on the report.

Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry told no media complaints about intimidation had been lodged with his ministry but if they were, they would be investigated.

The CPJ spoke to various journalists and media organisations for its report, including Geo News, Pakistan`s most popular television news channel.

In April, in the run-up to a general election, cable distributors stopped distributing Geo`s programming, cutting off about 80 per cent of households.

At the time, two sources at the broadcaster told the military had told it to refrain from reporting on various topics including alleged military involvement in the ouster of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

The Supreme Court forced Sharif from office in July 2017 over his failure to declare some income.

The CPJ said while it was hard to document who made the order restricting Geo`s distribution and for what reason, the broadcaster was known to have had disputes with the authorities.

"Geo News`s clashes with authorities started well before April 2018 and exemplify the divide between some media houses and the military ... (and) the growing use of indirect tactics to impose censorship, and the rise of self-censorship," it said. 
`INDIRECT WAYS`

Similarly, the English-language Dawn newspaper has seen its circulation blocked in some places, which the paper`s editor said pointed to military intervention.

"They`re clearly not happy with Dawn`s policies, they want Dawn to stay away from certain subjects," editor Zaffar Abbas told, adding that non-compliance was met with circulation blockages and cuts in advertising by enterprises linked to the military.

"Some papers are unable to take those pressures."

The CPJ said military success against militants over the past few years had slashed the number of journalists being killed. But at the same time, several reporters had been attacked by unidentified men after publishing reports critical of the military.

"People in the military and sometimes in government have discovered that there are indirect ways of putting influence on the press," CPJ Asia coordinator Steven Butler, who wrote the report, told.

A handful of unexplained abduction and assault cases served as a reminder, he said.&nbsp

"The threat of violence is there."&nbsp

The press freedom group said the military had established "lines of control" to pressure the media and journalists who pushed back or were overly critical were attacked, threatened or arrested

Pakistan`s military is using fear and intimidation to stifle the media and undermine press freedom even as overall violence against reporters has fallen, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CJP) said on Wednesday. The press freedom group said the military had established "lines of control" to pressure the media and journalists who pushed back or were overly critical were attacked, threatened or arrested. "The military has quietly, but effectively, set restrictions on reporting: from barring access to regions ... to encouraging self-censorship through direct and indirect methods of intimidation, including ... allegedly instigating violence against reporters," the CPJ said in a report. The military routinely denies interference in politics or with the media. Its information wing could not be reached for comment by telephone nor did it respond to text messages seeking comment on the report. Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry told no media complaints about intimidation had been lodged with his ministry but if they were, they would be investigated. The CPJ spoke to various journalists and media organisations for its report, including Geo News, Pakistan`s most popular television news channel. In April, in the run-up to a general election, cable distributors stopped distributing Geo`s programming, cutting off about 80 per cent of households. At the time, two sources at the broadcaster told the military had told it to refrain from reporting on various topics including alleged military involvement in the ouster of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. The Supreme Court forced Sharif from office in July 2017 over his failure to declare some income. The CPJ said while it was hard to document who made the order restricting Geo`s distribution and for what reason, the broadcaster was known to have had disputes with the authorities. "Geo News`s clashes with authorities started well before April 2018 and exemplify the divide between some media houses and the military ... (and) the growing use of indirect tactics to impose censorship, and the rise of self-censorship," it said. `INDIRECT WAYS` Similarly, the English-language Dawn newspaper has seen its circulation blocked in some places, which the paper`s editor said pointed to military intervention. "They`re clearly not happy with Dawn`s policies, they want Dawn to stay away from certain subjects," editor Zaffar Abbas told, adding that non-compliance was met with circulation blockages and cuts in advertising by enterprises linked to the military. "Some papers are unable to take those pressures." The CPJ said military success against militants over the past few years had slashed the number of journalists being killed. But at the same time, several reporters had been attacked by unidentified men after publishing reports critical of the military. "People in the military and sometimes in government have discovered that there are indirect ways of putting influence on the press," CPJ Asia coordinator Steven Butler, who wrote the report, told. A handful of unexplained abduction and assault cases served as a reminder, he said. "The threat of violence is there."

Pakistan military 'quietly' stifles press with intimidation: Report

“Honest” reporting of delays and efforts by railway employees in monitoring trains and routes have improved punctuality of the national transporter by 20 per cent this year, Railway Minister Piyush Goyal said Tuesday. Goyal said the railways lost 88,000 minutes per day in journey time in March 2018, but the number of minutes lost was reduced to 59,000 per day by August 2018.

This, he said, shows that more trains were sticking to their schedule now than during the beginning of the year. “We implemented the automatic data logger at over 98 places of railway routes. Due to the automatic data collection, the punctuality of trains dipped in the last few months.

“However, now with honest reporting of figures, efforts of the staff, minute analysis of routes and close monitoring, we have been able to improve our punctuality by 20 per cent on an average,” Goyal told media on the sidelines of an event to launch the Rail Sahyog portal.

The minister said before the data loggers became operational on April 1, over 57 trains ran late by more than six hours per day, which meant that more than 1,000 trains ran late for more than six hours per month. “After a series of meeting with officials of the zonal railways, the situation improved in July as only 33 trains ran late for more than six hours per day,” he said, adding that in August the number has now come down to 25.

In March 2018, the railways lost over 88,000 minutes per day in journey time out of the 27 lakh minutes per day that trains ran, he said. “In April, it went up to 1.20 lakh minutes and 1.18 lakh minutes in May. In June, railways lost 95,000 minutes and in July it fell to 67,000 minutes. And 59,000 minutes in August,” Goyal added.

Piyush Goyal said the railways lost 88,000 minutes per day in journey time in March 2018, but the number of minutes lost was reduced to 59,000 per day by August 2018.

“Honest” reporting of delays and efforts by railway employees in monitoring trains and routes have improved punctuality of the national transporter by 20 per cent this year, Railway Minister Piyush Goyal said Tuesday. Goyal said the railways lost 88,000 minutes per day in journey time in March 2018, but the number of minutes lost was reduced to 59,000 per day by August 2018. This, he said, shows that more trains were sticking to their schedule now than during the beginning of the year. “We implemented the automatic data logger at over 98 places of railway routes. Due to the automatic data collection, the punctuality of trains dipped in the last few months. “However, now with honest reporting of figures, efforts of the staff, minute analysis of routes and close monitoring, we have been able to improve our punctuality by 20 per cent on an average,” Goyal told media on the sidelines of an event to launch the Rail Sahyog portal. The minister said before the data loggers became operational on April 1, over 57 trains ran late by more than six hours per day, which meant that more than 1,000 trains ran late for more than six hours per month. “After a series of meeting with officials of the zonal railways, the situation improved in July as only 33 trains ran late for more than six hours per day,” he said, adding that in August the number has now come down to 25. In March 2018, the railways lost over 88,000 minutes per day in journey time out of the 27 lakh minutes per day that trains ran, he said. “In April, it went up to 1.20 lakh minutes and 1.18 lakh minutes in May. In June, railways lost 95,000 minutes and in July it fell to 67,000 minutes. And 59,000 minutes in August,” Goyal added.

Honest reporting, efforts of employees improved punctuality of trains: Piyush Goyal

A magnitude 5.5 earthquake rattled Assam on Wednesday sending tremors as far as West Bengal and Kolkata .&nbsp

Tremors were felt for 25-30 seconds in Kolkata, Siliguri and West Bengal up to Katihar, Purnea, Araria, Kishanganj, Sahebganj in Bihar.&nbsp

There were no reports of casualties or damage to property anywhere as of last updating this report.

Tremors were felt for 25-30 seconds in Kolkata, Siliguri and West Bengal up to Katihar, Purnea, Araria, Kishanganj, Sahebganj in Bihar.

A magnitude 5.5 earthquake rattled Assam on Wednesday sending tremors as far as West Bengal and Kolkata . Tremors were felt for 25-30 seconds in Kolkata, Siliguri and West Bengal up to Katihar, Purnea, Araria, Kishanganj, Sahebganj in Bihar. There were no reports of casualties or damage to property anywhere as of last updating this report.

Earthquake rocks Assam, tremors felt across West Bengal, Bihar

The relevance of culture and nation is getting more and more important in a globalised world, a top RSS leader has said, emphasising that the key factor for a real globalisation to take place is the universal consciousness of tolerance, mutual respect and acceptance.

RSS joint general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale told a Washington audience Tuesday that India’s contribution to globalisation had been through Vedanta.

“Culture and nation and their relevance even in a globalised world are more and they are getting more and more important,” Hosabale said in a major policy speech on “Role of Culture and Nation in a Globalised World – An Indian Perspective”.

“For a real globalisation to take place this universal consciousness – tolerance, respect and acceptance on the basis of strong human cultural values – (is the key)…If these things are underlined and strengthened then economic globalisation will not be a threat. Otherwise such globalisation will destroy all that is achieved for humankind since times immemorial,” Hosabale said.

He said when globalisation was introduced in the fields of economy and communication technology, the perception or the anticipation was that a globalised world will diffuse the strength of culture and relevance of nations.

“Contrary to this perception, the relevance of nations and the strength of culture are there to see and experience for all,” the RSS leader said at event organised by the US-based India-centric think tank, Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies(FFIDS).

The event was chaired by Walter Anderson, Senior Adjunct Professor of South Asia Studies at Johns Hopkins.

Noting that a certain degree of uniformity and hominisation has taken place, Hosabale said the challenge of globalisation was its propensity towards hominisation, bringing about artificial unity through uniformity.

At the same time, aspects of globalisation like the interconnectedness and communication technologies have helped in creating a new-found awareness of the original culture, he said.

Hosbale said while the dominant nations had indulged in cultural hegemony in globalisation, India was different.

He said while exchange of ideas and commodities, hybridisation of both had gone on for centuries, India’s cultural footprint in Southeast Asia was an example where “we did not enter through coercion, but through a process of osmosis and developed a sense of family”.

He said in the context of globalisation, dominant nations impose their cultural agendas through various channels.

“While it went through an unchallenged phase, such an imposition is no more unchallenged,” he told the audience.

Many communities across the world, because of the new found awareness of cultural origins and roots, are now challenging this homogenisation of cultural agendas and impositions.

Colonisation is also based on commercial and cultural hegemony, he said, adding that the fight for decolonisation has also resulted in cultural recovery of identity.

Neo-colonization and new imperialism are essentially based on cultural hegemony and exploitation of local resources, he said.

Indian approach through culture and soft power has attracted interest, as its approach is soft, respecting local tradition, live and let live, tolerance, mutual respect and acceptance, Hosbale said.

Every community is not only important, it is also a sign of diversity and their presence and relevance are of utmost importance, he said.

“This is what makes India different from China,” Hosbale said.

India does not interfere with social structures, does not create imbalance where they have penetrated through cultural or developmental outreach, he said, adding that this approach stems from civilisational wisdom and experience.

“In a globalising world this is a very crucial approach for creating a large network and universal acceptability,” he said.

Indian approach is that the same divinity is present everywhere, that one consciousness irrespective of cultural and civilisational differences of humankind, exists everywhere, Hosbale said.

“We conceived this idea and realised its truth in India many years ago,” he said.

That atma is infinite, invisible, that concept would inspire modern effort towards globalisation, then it will become an accomplished fact, globalisation will bring international peace, international co-operation, international understanding, he said.

“Without that, the present day concept merely at the technology and economic level will lead to the exploitation of the weak by the strong, creating uniformity without achieving unity. This should not happen,” he said.

“Why not fill up the situation today with something basic, something profound, something inspirable. That is what India contributes to the concept of globalisation, through our Vedant,” he said.

He said when globalisation was introduced in the fields of economy and communication technology, the perception or the anticipation was that a globalised world will diffuse the strength of culture and relevance of nations.

The relevance of culture and nation is getting more and more important in a globalised world, a top RSS leader has said, emphasising that the key factor for a real globalisation to take place is the universal consciousness of tolerance, mutual respect and acceptance. RSS joint general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale told a Washington audience Tuesday that India’s contribution to globalisation had been through Vedanta. “Culture and nation and their relevance even in a globalised world are more and they are getting more and more important,” Hosabale said in a major policy speech on “Role of Culture and Nation in a Globalised World – An Indian Perspective”. “For a real globalisation to take place this universal consciousness – tolerance, respect and acceptance on the basis of strong human cultural values – (is the key)…If these things are underlined and strengthened then economic globalisation will not be a threat. Otherwise such globalisation will destroy all that is achieved for humankind since times immemorial,” Hosabale said. He said when globalisation was introduced in the fields of economy and communication technology, the perception or the anticipation was that a globalised world will diffuse the strength of culture and relevance of nations. “Contrary to this perception, the relevance of nations and the strength of culture are there to see and experience for all,” the RSS leader said at event organised by the US-based India-centric think tank, Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies(FFIDS). The event was chaired by Walter Anderson, Senior Adjunct Professor of South Asia Studies at Johns Hopkins. Noting that a certain degree of uniformity and hominisation has taken place, Hosabale said the challenge of globalisation was its propensity towards hominisation, bringing about artificial unity through uniformity. At the same time, aspects of globalisation like the interconnectedness and communication technologies have helped in creating a new-found awareness of the original culture, he said. Hosbale said while the dominant nations had indulged in cultural hegemony in globalisation, India was different. He said while exchange of ideas and commodities, hybridisation of both had gone on for centuries, India’s cultural footprint in Southeast Asia was an example where “we did not enter through coercion, but through a process of osmosis and developed a sense of family”. He said in the context of globalisation, dominant nations impose their cultural agendas through various channels. “While it went through an unchallenged phase, such an imposition is no more unchallenged,” he told the audience. Many communities across the world, because of the new found awareness of cultural origins and roots, are now challenging this homogenisation of cultural agendas and impositions. Colonisation is also based on commercial and cultural hegemony, he said, adding that the fight for decolonisation has also resulted in cultural recovery of identity. Neo-colonization and new imperialism are essentially based on cultural hegemony and exploitation of local resources, he said. Indian approach through culture and soft power has attracted interest, as its approach is soft, respecting local tradition, live and let live, tolerance, mutual respect and acceptance, Hosbale said. Every community is not only important, it is also a sign of diversity and their presence and relevance are of utmost importance, he said. “This is what makes India different from China,” Hosbale said. India does not interfere with social structures, does not create imbalance where they have penetrated through cultural or developmental outreach, he said, adding that this approach stems from civilisational wisdom and experience. “In a globalising world this is a very crucial approach for creating a large network and universal acceptability,” he said. Indian approach is that the same divinity is present everywhere, that one consciousness irrespective of cultural and civilisational differences of humankind, exists everywhere, Hosbale said. “We conceived this idea and realised its truth in India many years ago,” he said. That atma is infinite, invisible, that concept would inspire modern effort towards globalisation, then it will become an accomplished fact, globalisation will bring international peace, international co-operation, international understanding, he said. “Without that, the present day concept merely at the technology and economic level will lead to the exploitation of the weak by the strong, creating uniformity without achieving unity. This should not happen,” he said. “Why not fill up the situation today with something basic, something profound, something inspirable. That is what India contributes to the concept of globalisation, through our Vedant,” he said.

Culture, nation getting more important in globalised world, says RSS leader Dattatreya Hosabale

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj Tuesday condoled the death of Pakistani’s former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s wife.&nbsp

Begum Kulsoom Nawaz died Tuesday in London after a prolonged illness, Sharif’s brother and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz president Shehbaz Sharif said.&nbsp

The wife of Pakistan’s jailed former&nbspprime minister&nbspSharif was under treatment at London’s Harley Street Clinic&nbspsince June 2014.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
I am sorry to know about the sad demise of Mrs.Kulsoom Nawaz. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. May her soul rest in peace.
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) <a href="https://twitter.com/SushmaSwaraj/status/1039560649007751168?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 11, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

“I am sorry to know about the sad demise of Mrs Kulsoom Nawaz. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. May her soul rest in peace,” Swaraj tweeted.&nbsp

The 68-year-old former first lady&nbspof Pakistan was diagnosed with lymphoma (throat) cancer in August last year.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj Tuesday condoled the death of Pakistani's former prime minister Nawaz Sharif's wife.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj Tuesday condoled the death of Pakistani’s former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s wife. Begum Kulsoom Nawaz died Tuesday in London after a prolonged illness, Sharif’s brother and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz president Shehbaz Sharif said. The wife of Pakistan’s jailed former&nbspprime minister&nbspSharif was under treatment at London’s Harley Street Clinic&nbspsince June 2014. I am sorry to know about the sad demise of Mrs.Kulsoom Nawaz. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. May her soul rest in peace. — Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) September 11, 2018 × “I am sorry to know about the sad demise of Mrs Kulsoom Nawaz. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. May her soul rest in peace,” Swaraj tweeted. The 68-year-old former first lady&nbspof Pakistan was diagnosed with lymphoma (throat) cancer in August last year.

MEA Sushma Swaraj condoles death of ex-Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif’s wife Kulsoom Nawaz

Prohibitory orders under Section 144 have been promulgated in Uttar Pradesh’s Mathura district with immediate effect in view of the upcoming festivals and exams, an official said on Tuesday.&nbsp

“The orders would remain in force till November 9,” District Magistrate Sarvagya Ram Mishra said. He said step has been taken owing to the celebration of a few festivals and some important competitive examinations.

Advance permission from the city magistrate/ SDM&nbsp&nbsphas been made mandatory for any dharna. Use of loudspeakers during the examination, entry of persons other than those conducting examination, has also been banned in the 100-metre periphery of the centre, he added.

Prohibitory orders under Section 144 have been promulgated in Uttar Pradesh's Mathura district with immediate effect in view of the upcoming festivals and exams, an official said on Tuesday.

Prohibitory orders under Section 144 have been promulgated in Uttar Pradesh’s Mathura district with immediate effect in view of the upcoming festivals and exams, an official said on Tuesday. “The orders would remain in force till November 9,” District Magistrate Sarvagya Ram Mishra said. He said step has been taken owing to the celebration of a few festivals and some important competitive examinations. Advance permission from the city magistrate/ SDM &nbsphas been made mandatory for any dharna. Use of loudspeakers during the examination, entry of persons other than those conducting examination, has also been banned in the 100-metre periphery of the centre, he added.

Section 144 imposed in Mathura for upcoming exams, festivals

A court in Mumbai on Wednesday remanded two persons, originally arrested in the murder case of journalist-activist Gauri Lankesh, in the custody of the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad in connection with the seizure of explosives from different parts of the state.

The accused, Sujeeth Kumar and Bharat Kurane, were arrested earlier by the Karnataka police.

The ATS brought them in Maharashtra from Bengaluru and produced them before Additional Sessions Judge Vinod Padalkar. The court granted the ATS custody of the accused till September 17.

Chief prosecutor Jaisingh Desai told the court that the names of the two came up during the questioning of other accused in the explosives seizure case.

The ATS wanted to bring them face to face with the other accused and question them, he added.

Kumar and Kurane were present when the other accused conducted a reconnaissance, Jaisingh said.

The prosecutor added that arms training was provided at a farm owned by Kurane.

Last month, the ATS had arrested Vaibhav Raut, Sharad Kalaskar, Sudhanwa Gondhalekar, Shrikant Pangarkar and Avinash Pawar following the seizure of arms and explosives.

Their questioning led to the arrest of Vasudev Suryawanshi and Liladhar alias Vijay alias Bhaiyya Lodhi (32) on September 8.

Some of the accused were allegedly linked to radical Hindu groups, the ATS had said.

Among other things, they were planning to target a western music festival in Pune, it had said.&nbsp

The ATS brought them in Maharashtra from Bengaluru and produced them before Additional Sessions Judge Vinod Padalkar. The court granted the ATS custody of the accused till September 17.

A court in Mumbai on Wednesday remanded two persons, originally arrested in the murder case of journalist-activist Gauri Lankesh, in the custody of the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad in connection with the seizure of explosives from different parts of the state. The accused, Sujeeth Kumar and Bharat Kurane, were arrested earlier by the Karnataka police. The ATS brought them in Maharashtra from Bengaluru and produced them before Additional Sessions Judge Vinod Padalkar. The court granted the ATS custody of the accused till September 17. Chief prosecutor Jaisingh Desai told the court that the names of the two came up during the questioning of other accused in the explosives seizure case. The ATS wanted to bring them face to face with the other accused and question them, he added. Kumar and Kurane were present when the other accused conducted a reconnaissance, Jaisingh said. The prosecutor added that arms training was provided at a farm owned by Kurane. Last month, the ATS had arrested Vaibhav Raut, Sharad Kalaskar, Sudhanwa Gondhalekar, Shrikant Pangarkar and Avinash Pawar following the seizure of arms and explosives. Their questioning led to the arrest of Vasudev Suryawanshi and Liladhar alias Vijay alias Bhaiyya Lodhi (32) on September 8. Some of the accused were allegedly linked to radical Hindu groups, the ATS had said. Among other things, they were planning to target a western music festival in Pune, it had said.

Explosives case: Maharashtra ATS gets custody of 2 accused held for Gauri Lankesh's murder

US President Donald Trump has identified India along with 21 other countries as among the major illicit drug producing or transit nations.

Other Asian countries identified as major drug transit or major illicit drug producing countries are Afghanistan, Pakistan and Myanmar.

The Bahamas, Belize, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Laos, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela, are other countries listed in the group, as per a presidential determination.

“A country’s presence on the foregoing list is not necessarily a reflection of its government’s counternarcotics efforts or level of cooperation with the United States,” Trump said.

The reasons countries are placed on the list is the combination of geographic, commercial, and economic factors that allow drugs to transit or be produced, even if a government has engaged in robust and diligent narcotics control measures, he said.

Simultaneously, Trump designated Bolivia and Venezuela as countries that have failed demonstrably during the previous 12 months to adhere to their obligations under international counter-narcotics agreements.

He also determined that support for programmes to aid the promotion of democracy in Venezuela are vital to the national interests of the United States.

Asserting that combatting the ongoing United States opioid epidemic is one of his Administration’s most urgent priorities, Trump said his government has dedicated nearly USD 4 billion in additional funding to confront this national crisis.

The Trump Administration is committed to addressing all factors fueling the drug crisis, which is devastating communities across America, including steps to curb over-prescription, expand access to treatment and recovery programs, improve public education programs to prevent illicit drug use before it begins, and to strengthening domestic drug enforcement at the borders, he said.

“Alongside these massive and historic United States efforts, I expect the governments of countries where illicit drugs originate and through which they transit to similarly strengthen their commitments to reduce dangerous drug production and trafficking,” Trump said.

In his presidential determination, Trump expressed his deep concerns that illicit drug crops have expanded over successive years in Colombia, Mexico, and Afghanistan, and are now at record levels.

Drug production and trafficking in these three countries directly affect the US national interests and the health and safety of American citizens, he said.

“Heroin originating from Mexico and cocaine from Colombia are claiming thousands of lives annually in the United States. Afghanistan’s illicit opium economy promotes corruption, funds the Taliban, and undermines that country’s security, which thousands of United States servicemen and women help defend,” Trump said.

Despite the efforts of law enforcement and security forces, these countries are falling behind in the fight to eradicate illicit crops and reduce drug production and trafficking, he rued.

As such, Trump said that these governments must redouble their efforts to rise to the challenge posed by the criminal organisations producing and trafficking these drugs, and achieve greater progress over the coming year in stopping and reversing illicit drug production and trafficking.

The US will continue its strong support for international efforts against drug production and trafficking, as well as to strengthen prevention and treatment efforts in the United States, he added.

US President Donald Trump has identified India along with 21 other countries as among the major illicit drug producing or transit nations.

US President Donald Trump has identified India along with 21 other countries as among the major illicit drug producing or transit nations. Other Asian countries identified as major drug transit or major illicit drug producing countries are Afghanistan, Pakistan and Myanmar. The Bahamas, Belize, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Laos, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela, are other countries listed in the group, as per a presidential determination. “A country’s presence on the foregoing list is not necessarily a reflection of its government’s counternarcotics efforts or level of cooperation with the United States,” Trump said. The reasons countries are placed on the list is the combination of geographic, commercial, and economic factors that allow drugs to transit or be produced, even if a government has engaged in robust and diligent narcotics control measures, he said. Simultaneously, Trump designated Bolivia and Venezuela as countries that have failed demonstrably during the previous 12 months to adhere to their obligations under international counter-narcotics agreements. He also determined that support for programmes to aid the promotion of democracy in Venezuela are vital to the national interests of the United States. Asserting that combatting the ongoing United States opioid epidemic is one of his Administration’s most urgent priorities, Trump said his government has dedicated nearly USD 4 billion in additional funding to confront this national crisis. The Trump Administration is committed to addressing all factors fueling the drug crisis, which is devastating communities across America, including steps to curb over-prescription, expand access to treatment and recovery programs, improve public education programs to prevent illicit drug use before it begins, and to strengthening domestic drug enforcement at the borders, he said. “Alongside these massive and historic United States efforts, I expect the governments of countries where illicit drugs originate and through which they transit to similarly strengthen their commitments to reduce dangerous drug production and trafficking,” Trump said. In his presidential determination, Trump expressed his deep concerns that illicit drug crops have expanded over successive years in Colombia, Mexico, and Afghanistan, and are now at record levels. Drug production and trafficking in these three countries directly affect the US national interests and the health and safety of American citizens, he said. “Heroin originating from Mexico and cocaine from Colombia are claiming thousands of lives annually in the United States. Afghanistan’s illicit opium economy promotes corruption, funds the Taliban, and undermines that country’s security, which thousands of United States servicemen and women help defend,” Trump said. Despite the efforts of law enforcement and security forces, these countries are falling behind in the fight to eradicate illicit crops and reduce drug production and trafficking, he rued. As such, Trump said that these governments must redouble their efforts to rise to the challenge posed by the criminal organisations producing and trafficking these drugs, and achieve greater progress over the coming year in stopping and reversing illicit drug production and trafficking. The US will continue its strong support for international efforts against drug production and trafficking, as well as to strengthen prevention and treatment efforts in the United States, he added.

Donald Trump identifies India among 21 major illicit drug producing, transit nations

The Opposition took a dig at Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and BJP after Mallya claimed that he met with the Finance Minister before leaving the country.

Accusing the BJP of crony capitalists,&nbsp;the Congress tweeted, "Vijay Mallya met FM @arunjaitley several times before escaping the country to discuss a settlement plan, inspite of this the BJP govt. allowed him to flee with thousands of crores debt. Do we need anymore proof that this govt. is in the pocket of crony capitalists".

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Vijay Mallya met FM <a href="https://twitter.com/arunjaitley?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@arunjaitley</a> several times before escaping the country to discuss a settlement plan, inspite of this the BJP govt. allowed him to flee with thousands of crores debt. Do we need anymore proof that this govt. is in the pocket of crony capitalists.
— Congress (@INCIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/INCIndia/status/1039882445032747009?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Former BJP leader Yashwant Sinha also attacked the party saying, "Not only the finance minister, the entire BJP must come clean on its relations with Vijay Mallya".

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Not only the finance minister, the entire BJP must come clean on its relations with Vijay Mallya.
— Yashwant Sinha (@YashwantSinha) <a href="https://twitter.com/YashwantSinha/status/1039863244037414912?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Reacting to Mallya's claims, Congress President Rahul Gandhi demanded and immediate probe in the matter and asked Arun Jaitley to resign from his post.

Gandhi tweeted, "Given Vijay Mallya’s extremely serious allegations in London today, the PM should immediately order an independent probe into the matter. Arun Jaitley should step down as FInance Minister while this probe is underway".

Delhi chief minister and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal also questioned the Finance Minister why he hid the information till now.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Why did the Finance Minister hide this information till now? <a href="https://t.co/KSR13ODOQx">https://t.co/KSR13ODOQx</a>
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) <a href="https://twitter.com/ArvindKejriwal/status/1039856693621010432?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Kejriwal further tweeted, "PM Modi meets Neerav Modi before he flees the country. FM meets Vijay Mallya before he flees India. What transpired in these meetings? People want to know".

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
PM Modi meets Neerav Modi before he flees the country. FM meets Vijay Mallya before he flees India. What transpired in these meetings? People want to know.
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) <a href="https://twitter.com/ArvindKejriwal/status/1039861551811813377?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Sitaram Yechury targetted the government saying, "It's a fact that all of us had known earlier. Whatever denials government may issue, it confirms that all those who looted public money by taking loans from banks and absconded, not one of them happened to leave the country without knowledge of the government. They (government) have to own up to the fact that they allowed this loot to happen and the fact that they are allowing this loot to happen, more are looting".

Congress leader Anand Sharma said, "Vijay Mallya has run away after looting money from banks. Government had this information. So,when Finance Minister gave statements in Parliament on Vijay Mallya issue,he should have mentioned about this meeting with Mallya. Only Finance Minister can tell why he didn't tell about it?

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
This only reconfirms how this Modi government enables big defaulters to loot public money and scoot <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LalitModi?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LalitModi</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Choksi?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Choksi</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NiravModi?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NiravModi</a> <a href="https://t.co/I1hEvCat0l">https://t.co/I1hEvCat0l</a>
— Sitaram Yechury (@SitaramYechury) <a href="https://twitter.com/SitaramYechury/status/1039877194728828928?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Salman Khurshid said, "He(Mallya) was an MP and in his becoming a MP,Jaitley's party had a role to play.The fact is if such an offer was made,Finance Minister should have told him (Mallya) lets us fix how you'll take this forward.Fact remains a person who owes it to the country isn't available in the country".&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
He(Mallya) was an MP&in his becoming a MP,Jaitley's party had a role to play.The fact is if such an offer was made,he(FM) should've told him(Mallya) lets us fix how you'll take this forward.Fact remains a person who owes it to the country isn't available in the country:S Khurshid <a href="https://t.co/kzlxv5KeH8">pic.twitter.com/kzlxv5KeH8</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1039901393941880833?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Mallya, the 62-year-old former Kingfisher Airline boss, who arrived in London to appear before the Westminster Magistrates' Court in a case regarding his extradition to India to face the trial on fraud and money laundering charges, was asked by reporters if he was "tipped off" to leave the country.

"I left because I had a scheduled meeting in Geneva. I met the finance minister before I left, repeated my offer to settle with the banks. That is the truth," he responded, without naming the minister.

Arun Jaitley was the finance minister in 2016 when Mallya left India.

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

'I left because I had a scheduled meeting in Geneva. I met the finance minister before I left, repeated my offer to settle with the banks. That is the truth,' Mallya said without naming the minister.

The Opposition took a dig at Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and BJP after Mallya claimed that he met with the Finance Minister before leaving the country. Accusing the BJP of crony capitalists, the Congress tweeted, "Vijay Mallya met FM @arunjaitley several times before escaping the country to discuss a settlement plan, inspite of this the BJP govt. allowed him to flee with thousands of crores debt. Do we need anymore proof that this govt. is in the pocket of crony capitalists". Vijay Mallya met FM @arunjaitley several times before escaping the country to discuss a settlement plan, inspite of this the BJP govt. allowed him to flee with thousands of crores debt. Do we need anymore proof that this govt. is in the pocket of crony capitalists. — Congress (@INCIndia) September 12, 2018 × Former BJP leader Yashwant Sinha also attacked the party saying, "Not only the finance minister, the entire BJP must come clean on its relations with Vijay Mallya". Not only the finance minister, the entire BJP must come clean on its relations with Vijay Mallya. — Yashwant Sinha (@YashwantSinha) September 12, 2018 × Reacting to Mallya's claims, Congress President Rahul Gandhi demanded and immediate probe in the matter and asked Arun Jaitley to resign from his post. Gandhi tweeted, "Given Vijay Mallya’s extremely serious allegations in London today, the PM should immediately order an independent probe into the matter. Arun Jaitley should step down as FInance Minister while this probe is underway". Delhi chief minister and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal also questioned the Finance Minister why he hid the information till now. Why did the Finance Minister hide this information till now? https://t.co/KSR13ODOQx — Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) September 12, 2018 × Kejriwal further tweeted, "PM Modi meets Neerav Modi before he flees the country. FM meets Vijay Mallya before he flees India. What transpired in these meetings? People want to know". PM Modi meets Neerav Modi before he flees the country. FM meets Vijay Mallya before he flees India. What transpired in these meetings? People want to know. — Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) September 12, 2018 × Sitaram Yechury targetted the government saying, "It's a fact that all of us had known earlier. Whatever denials government may issue, it confirms that all those who looted public money by taking loans from banks and absconded, not one of them happened to leave the country without knowledge of the government. They (government) have to own up to the fact that they allowed this loot to happen and the fact that they are allowing this loot to happen, more are looting". Congress leader Anand Sharma said, "Vijay Mallya has run away after looting money from banks. Government had this information. So,when Finance Minister gave statements in Parliament on Vijay Mallya issue,he should have mentioned about this meeting with Mallya. Only Finance Minister can tell why he didn't tell about it? This only reconfirms how this Modi government enables big defaulters to loot public money and scoot #LalitModi #Choksi #NiravModi https://t.co/I1hEvCat0l — Sitaram Yechury (@SitaramYechury) September 12, 2018 × Salman Khurshid said, "He(Mallya) was an MP and in his becoming a MP,Jaitley's party had a role to play.The fact is if such an offer was made,Finance Minister should have told him (Mallya) lets us fix how you'll take this forward.Fact remains a person who owes it to the country isn't available in the country". He(Mallya) was an MP&in his becoming a MP,Jaitley's party had a role to play.The fact is if such an offer was made,he(FM) should've told him(Mallya) lets us fix how you'll take this forward.Fact remains a person who owes it to the country isn't available in the country:S Khurshid pic.twitter.com/kzlxv5KeH8 — ANI (@ANI) September 12, 2018 × Mallya, the 62-year-old former Kingfisher Airline boss, who arrived in London to appear before the Westminster Magistrates' Court in a case regarding his extradition to India to face the trial on fraud and money laundering charges, was asked by reporters if he was "tipped off" to leave the country. "I left because I had a scheduled meeting in Geneva. I met the finance minister before I left, repeated my offer to settle with the banks. That is the truth," he responded, without naming the minister. Arun Jaitley was the finance minister in 2016 when Mallya left India. (With inputs from agencies)

Opposition parties slam government on Mallya-Jaitley meeting, demand probe

The Chinese Army crossed the border into Uttarakhand three times in August, ANI quoted sources as saying on Wednesday.&nbsp

ANI quoted the sources as saying the incursions occurred in Barahoti. And that the People's Liberation Army entered as much as 4 kilometres into Indian territory.&nbsp

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
The People's Liberation Army(Chinese Army) transgressed the Line of Actual Control (LAC) three times in August towards the central sector, Uttarakhand in Barahoti where the transgression was 4 kms deep: Sources <a href="https://t.co/HMa2It5yS2">pic.twitter.com/HMa2It5yS2</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1039724993528176640?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

India and China share a 3,500-km border, and large parts of territory are claimed by both sides.&nbsp

The Indian media reports incursions by the PLA&nbspat fairly regular intervals.&nbsp

In June 2017, the Indian and Chinese armies faced off from each other for over 60 days in Doklam in Bhutan.

India side said the standoff began after Bhutan discovered the Chinese building a road in the area. The Bhutanese asked the Chinese to stop when they did not, Bhutan asked India to intervene.&nbsp

The Doklam plateau lies in Bhutan near the Bhutan-India-China trijunction, but the area is claimed by China.&nbsp

The Indian and Chinese troops backed off from each other in Doklam in August 2017. The details of how that came about however are still fuzzy. &nbsp

sources as saying the incursions occurred in Barahoti. And that the People's Liberation Army entered as much as 4 kilometres into Indian territory.

The Chinese Army crossed the border into Uttarakhand three times in August, ANI quoted sources as saying on Wednesday. ANI quoted the sources as saying the incursions occurred in Barahoti. And that the People's Liberation Army entered as much as 4 kilometres into Indian territory. The People's Liberation Army(Chinese Army) transgressed the Line of Actual Control (LAC) three times in August towards the central sector, Uttarakhand in Barahoti where the transgression was 4 kms deep: Sources pic.twitter.com/HMa2It5yS2 — ANI (@ANI) September 12, 2018 × India and China share a 3,500-km border, and large parts of territory are claimed by both sides. The Indian media reports incursions by the PLA&nbspat fairly regular intervals. In June 2017, the Indian and Chinese armies faced off from each other for over 60 days in Doklam in Bhutan. India side said the standoff began after Bhutan discovered the Chinese building a road in the area. The Bhutanese asked the Chinese to stop when they did not, Bhutan asked India to intervene. The Doklam plateau lies in Bhutan near the Bhutan-India-China trijunction, but the area is claimed by China. The Indian and Chinese troops backed off from each other in Doklam in August 2017. The details of how that came about however are still fuzzy.

Chinese Army crossed border into Uttarakhand 3 times in August: Sources

Currency fluctuations are inherent in the economic narrative of every country. Its appreciation or depreciation may not always be encouraging or discouraging, respectively, for a country’s economy. Nevertheless, it determines and indicates requisite actions. The relative free fall of the Indian rupee (INR) is actuating economic ripples, entailing its rectification, sooner than later. &nbsp;

Till date, this fiscal year, rupee has plummeted 13 per cent against the US dollar it is hovering around an exchange rate of 72/$. It has been dubbed the worst performing Asian currency, at present. Would it depreciate further in the coming months, before appreciating upward in value again?&nbsp; &nbsp; 
 
The downslide of the value of rupee relative to the US dollar attests the relatively growing Indian demand for the US dollar due to a rise in American nominal interest rates. Foreign portfolio investors have shifted nearly $11 billion-valued assets to the US from India. Crude oil prices are upward bound. India’s net import bill has been exceeding its total export earnings for quite some time. That has lead to a negative trade balance: the difference between export earnings and import expenditure.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Rising import bills require increased payment in US dollar. It surges up further demand for American currency, raises its value, and consequently puts downward pressure on the value of rupee.

India follows a managed floating rate for its currency, which entails that the rupee is usually allowed its true equilibrium value in the market. The RBI intervenes only during pressing situations by releasing or accruing foreign exchange reserves to bring about a temporary stability to the value of the rupee. The ongoing scenario has raised queries whether the RBI would intervene again to prevent further free fall of the rupee as it did around in June to protect the sliding value of the rupee. The RBI’s decision is yet to be made official. &nbsp;

However, country is emphasising on developmental activities. To that purpose, expenditure is proceeding apace. Earnings are also being harped upon. Even then, however, in certain crucial sectors, the level of expenditure, at this point in time, is getting past the necessary returns. That might be somewhat inevitable, but it is necessary to prevent an undue widening of the concerned breach. The depreciating rupee is a good propeller to ensure that. It ensures a reality check as regards the necessary adjustments across the economy and debt reduction.&nbsp;

Once that is underway, the rupee is bound to undergo relative appreciation. Meanwhile, a depreciated rupee might help to boost exports and restrain growing import costs. &nbsp;

Policy makers need to ensure that amid the debate surrounding the depreciating rupee, market confidence is not adversely affected. Appropriate adjustments from the prevailing exchange rate would ensure a balanced, stable, and bolstered-up economic growth. It might be even higher than the estimated economic growth rate of 7.5 per cent. &nbsp; &nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

The relative free fall of the Indian rupee (INR) is actuating economic ripples, entailing its rectification, sooner than later.

Currency fluctuations are inherent in the economic narrative of every country. Its appreciation or depreciation may not always be encouraging or discouraging, respectively, for a country’s economy. Nevertheless, it determines and indicates requisite actions. The relative free fall of the Indian rupee (INR) is actuating economic ripples, entailing its rectification, sooner than later. Till date, this fiscal year, rupee has plummeted 13 per cent against the US dollar it is hovering around an exchange rate of 72/$. It has been dubbed the worst performing Asian currency, at present. Would it depreciate further in the coming months, before appreciating upward in value again? The downslide of the value of rupee relative to the US dollar attests the relatively growing Indian demand for the US dollar due to a rise in American nominal interest rates. Foreign portfolio investors have shifted nearly $11 billion-valued assets to the US from India. Crude oil prices are upward bound. India’s net import bill has been exceeding its total export earnings for quite some time. That has lead to a negative trade balance: the difference between export earnings and import expenditure. Rising import bills require increased payment in US dollar. It surges up further demand for American currency, raises its value, and consequently puts downward pressure on the value of rupee. India follows a managed floating rate for its currency, which entails that the rupee is usually allowed its true equilibrium value in the market. The RBI intervenes only during pressing situations by releasing or accruing foreign exchange reserves to bring about a temporary stability to the value of the rupee. The ongoing scenario has raised queries whether the RBI would intervene again to prevent further free fall of the rupee as it did around in June to protect the sliding value of the rupee. The RBI’s decision is yet to be made official. However, country is emphasising on developmental activities. To that purpose, expenditure is proceeding apace. Earnings are also being harped upon. Even then, however, in certain crucial sectors, the level of expenditure, at this point in time, is getting past the necessary returns. That might be somewhat inevitable, but it is necessary to prevent an undue widening of the concerned breach. The depreciating rupee is a good propeller to ensure that. It ensures a reality check as regards the necessary adjustments across the economy and debt reduction. Once that is underway, the rupee is bound to undergo relative appreciation. Meanwhile, a depreciated rupee might help to boost exports and restrain growing import costs. Policy makers need to ensure that amid the debate surrounding the depreciating rupee, market confidence is not adversely affected. Appropriate adjustments from the prevailing exchange rate would ensure a balanced, stable, and bolstered-up economic growth. It might be even higher than the estimated economic growth rate of 7.5 per cent. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Rupee depreciation determines a careful response

india-news

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

india news