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Former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam are expected to be arrested by a special team of Pakistan's National Accountability Bureau (NAB) later today at Abu Dhabi airport.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-blasts-mays-brexit-strategy-on-uk-visit-151227">Trump, in the UK, blasts Theresa May's Brexit strategy</a>

US President Donald Trump launched a scathing attack on UK Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit strategy during his visit to Britain even as campaigners planned a mass protest against the US president on Friday.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-tweets-very-nice-letter-from-kim-jong-un-151248">Trump tweets 'very nice' letter from Kim Jong-Un</a>

US President Donald Trump on Thursday signalled optimism about efforts to end the nuclear standoff with North Korea, as he took the extraordinary diplomatic step of tweeting out what he described a 'very nice' a letter from Kim Jong Un.

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The Board of Directors of Fortis Healthcare Limited has accepted the investment proposal by Malaysia’s IHH Healthcare Berhad to invest Rs 4,000 crores at a price Rs 170 per share. &nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/imran-khan-fathered-5-illegitimate-children-some-in-india-ex-wife-reham-khan-151255">Imran Khan fathered 5 illegitimate children, some in India: Ex-wife Reham Khan</a>

Imran Khan fathered five illegitimate children, some of them in India, the cricketer-turned-politician's ex-wife Reham Khan has alleged in her new book.&nbsp;

The book — "Reham Khan" — released Thursday.&nbsp;

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Former Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif, daughter Maryam to be arrested today Former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam are expected to be arrested by a special team of Pakistan's National Accountability Bureau (NAB) later today at Abu Dhabi airport. Trump, in the UK, blasts Theresa May's Brexit strategy US President Donald Trump launched a scathing attack on UK Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit strategy during his visit to Britain even as campaigners planned a mass protest against the US president on Friday. Trump tweets 'very nice' letter from Kim Jong-Un US President Donald Trump on Thursday signalled optimism about efforts to end the nuclear standoff with North Korea, as he took the extraordinary diplomatic step of tweeting out what he described a 'very nice' a letter from Kim Jong Un. Fortis accepts Malaysia’s IHH Healthcare's Rs 4,000 crore investment The Board of Directors of Fortis Healthcare Limited has accepted the investment proposal by Malaysia’s IHH Healthcare Berhad to invest Rs 4,000 crores at a price Rs 170 per share. Imran Khan fathered 5 illegitimate children, some in India: Ex-wife Reham Khan Imran Khan fathered five illegitimate children, some of them in India, the cricketer-turned-politician's ex-wife Reham Khan has alleged in her new book. The book — "Reham Khan" — released Thursday.

News brief: Big stories of the day

The Supreme Court on Friday disposed of a plea by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy seeking a SIT probe into the death of <a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/sunanda-pushkar-death-case-delhi-court-grants-congress-leader-shashi-tharoor-bail-149699">Congress MP Shashi Tharoor</a>'s wife Sunanda Pushkar saying it has become infructuous as Delhi police have filed a charge sheet in the case.

A bench of justices Arun Mishra and S Abdul Nazeer told Swamy that nothing more survives in the petition as now police have filed the charge sheet in the case.

"We are leaving all question open. The petition has become infructuous as police have now filed the charge sheet in the case," the bench said.

Swamy said that liberty should be granted to him to approach the court if he is aggrieved in the case.

"You may come at a later stage but this petition is over," the bench said and disposed of the matter.

The apex court had on February 23 sought the response of the Delhi Police on the plea of Swamy while leaving open the question of maintainability of the petition.

Swamy has filed an appeal against the Delhi High Court's October 26 verdict dismissing his plea for a probe into Pushkar's death by a court-monitored Special Investigation Team (SIT).

Pushkar was found dead under mysterious circumstances in a suite of a five-star hotel in Delhi on the night of January 17, 2014.

The high court had last year rejected Swamy's plea for a court-monitored SIT probe into Pushkar's death and termed his public interest litigation (PIL) a "textbook example of a political interest litigation".

Swamy, in his plea before the high court, had alleged that the police had "botched up" the probe and accused Tharoor of "interfering" in the investigation as a minister in the erstwhile UPA regime and later.

The high court had chastised the BJP leader and his lawyer, who was a co-petitioner before it, for making "sweeping allegations" in the petition against Tharoor and the Delhi Police without giving any basis for such accusations.

The high court had said that Swamy ought to have mentioned his political affiliation as well as that of Tharoor in his plea as these facts were important to the adjudication of the case.

Swamy has filed an appeal against the Delhi High Court's October 26 verdict dismissing his plea for a probe into Pushkar's death by a court-monitored Special Investigation Team (SIT)

The Supreme Court on Friday disposed of a plea by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy seeking a SIT probe into the death of Congress MP Shashi Tharoor's wife Sunanda Pushkar saying it has become infructuous as Delhi police have filed a charge sheet in the case. A bench of justices Arun Mishra and S Abdul Nazeer told Swamy that nothing more survives in the petition as now police have filed the charge sheet in the case. "We are leaving all question open. The petition has become infructuous as police have now filed the charge sheet in the case," the bench said. Swamy said that liberty should be granted to him to approach the court if he is aggrieved in the case. "You may come at a later stage but this petition is over," the bench said and disposed of the matter. The apex court had on February 23 sought the response of the Delhi Police on the plea of Swamy while leaving open the question of maintainability of the petition. Swamy has filed an appeal against the Delhi High Court's October 26 verdict dismissing his plea for a probe into Pushkar's death by a court-monitored Special Investigation Team (SIT). Pushkar was found dead under mysterious circumstances in a suite of a five-star hotel in Delhi on the night of January 17, 2014. The high court had last year rejected Swamy's plea for a court-monitored SIT probe into Pushkar's death and termed his public interest litigation (PIL) a "textbook example of a political interest litigation". Swamy, in his plea before the high court, had alleged that the police had "botched up" the probe and accused Tharoor of "interfering" in the investigation as a minister in the erstwhile UPA regime and later. The high court had chastised the BJP leader and his lawyer, who was a co-petitioner before it, for making "sweeping allegations" in the petition against Tharoor and the Delhi Police without giving any basis for such accusations. The high court had said that Swamy ought to have mentioned his political affiliation as well as that of Tharoor in his plea as these facts were important to the adjudication of the case.

Sunanda Pushkar death: Supreme Court terms Subramanian Swamy's plea infructuous

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday filed a charge sheet against industrialist and Congress leader Naveen Jindal and 14 others for alleged money laundering in a case pertaining to irregularities in allocation of a Jharkhand coal block.

In its final report filed before special judge Bharat Parashar, ED alleged that Jindal's firm "Jindal Steel and Power Ltd (JSPL)" along with others influenced the screening committee to allot the coal block by investing more than Rs two crore in illegal gratification.

The court put up the charge sheet, filed through special public prosecutor N K Matta and advocate Tarannum Cheema against Jindal and 14 other accused, for consideration on August 14.

The case pertains to the allocation of Amarkonda Murgadangal coal block in Jharkhand.&nbsp

The case pertains to the allocation of Amarkonda Murgadangal coal block in Jharkhand

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday filed a charge sheet against industrialist and Congress leader Naveen Jindal and 14 others for alleged money laundering in a case pertaining to irregularities in allocation of a Jharkhand coal block. In its final report filed before special judge Bharat Parashar, ED alleged that Jindal's firm "Jindal Steel and Power Ltd (JSPL)" along with others influenced the screening committee to allot the coal block by investing more than Rs two crore in illegal gratification. The court put up the charge sheet, filed through special public prosecutor N K Matta and advocate Tarannum Cheema against Jindal and 14 other accused, for consideration on August 14. The case pertains to the allocation of Amarkonda Murgadangal coal block in Jharkhand.

ED files charge sheet against Naveen Jindal, others in coal scam case

The Delhi High Court on Friday wondered what the state machinery was doing during the 1984 riots as one of the incidents of killing of Sikhs occurred right next to the Delhi Cantonment area.

A bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice Anu Malhotra said had the cases related to the riots, which followed the assassination of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, been dealt properly, it would not have been hearing the issue now.

The observation by the bench came while hearing the CBI's appeal against Congress leader Sajjan Kumar's acquittal in the murder of five Sikhs in Raj Nagar area of Delhi Cantonment on November 1, 1984.

"What was the state machinery doing? The incidents happened right next to the Delhi Cantonment," the court said.

Senior advocate Amit Sibal, appearing for Kumar, told the court there was no direction by the Justice G T Nanavati Commission to re-investigate the instant case against Kumar.

CBI counsel D P Singh and senior advocate H S Phoolka, representing the riot victims, told the court that after receiving the Nanavati commission report, Parliament had decided to re-investigate the instant case against Kumar.

The arguments remained inconclusive and are expected to continue on July 19.

Kumar had earlier told the high court that there was no allegation against him of instigating a mob against Sikhs after Indira Gandhi's assassination.

While Kumar was acquitted in the case by the trial court, former Congress councillor Balwan Khokhar, retired naval officer Captain Bhagmal, Girdhari Lal and two others were held guilty.

The trial court had awarded life term in May 2013 to Khokhar, Bhagmal and Girdhari Lal and a three-year jail term to two others - former MLA Mahender Yadav and Kishan Khokhar. They have challenged their conviction and jail terms awarded by the trial court.

The CBI in its appeal has also sought enhancement of sentence of the convicts, alleging that all of them were engaged in "a planned communal riot" and "religious cleansing".

The high court had on March 29 last year issued show cause notice to 11 accused, including Khokhar and Yadav, in five other 1984 anti-Sikh riots cases in which they had been acquitted by the trial court.

The accused, who were acquitted of the charges, were asked why the court should not order reinvestigation and retrial against them as they faced allegations of "horrifying crimes against humanity".

Earlier, the bench had sought a reply from Kumar on a letter purportedly written to it by the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee claiming that the accused in the case have confessed to being present at the spot where the violent incidents had occurred.

The observation by the bench came while hearing the CBI's appeal against Congress leader Sajjan Kumar's acquittal in the murder of five Sikhs in Raj Nagar area of Delhi Cantonment on November 1, 1984

The Delhi High Court on Friday wondered what the state machinery was doing during the 1984 riots as one of the incidents of killing of Sikhs occurred right next to the Delhi Cantonment area. A bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice Anu Malhotra said had the cases related to the riots, which followed the assassination of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, been dealt properly, it would not have been hearing the issue now. The observation by the bench came while hearing the CBI's appeal against Congress leader Sajjan Kumar's acquittal in the murder of five Sikhs in Raj Nagar area of Delhi Cantonment on November 1, 1984. "What was the state machinery doing? The incidents happened right next to the Delhi Cantonment," the court said. Senior advocate Amit Sibal, appearing for Kumar, told the court there was no direction by the Justice G T Nanavati Commission to re-investigate the instant case against Kumar. CBI counsel D P Singh and senior advocate H S Phoolka, representing the riot victims, told the court that after receiving the Nanavati commission report, Parliament had decided to re-investigate the instant case against Kumar. The arguments remained inconclusive and are expected to continue on July 19. Kumar had earlier told the high court that there was no allegation against him of instigating a mob against Sikhs after Indira Gandhi's assassination. While Kumar was acquitted in the case by the trial court, former Congress councillor Balwan Khokhar, retired naval officer Captain Bhagmal, Girdhari Lal and two others were held guilty. The trial court had awarded life term in May 2013 to Khokhar, Bhagmal and Girdhari Lal and a three-year jail term to two others - former MLA Mahender Yadav and Kishan Khokhar. They have challenged their conviction and jail terms awarded by the trial court. The CBI in its appeal has also sought enhancement of sentence of the convicts, alleging that all of them were engaged in "a planned communal riot" and "religious cleansing". The high court had on March 29 last year issued show cause notice to 11 accused, including Khokhar and Yadav, in five other 1984 anti-Sikh riots cases in which they had been acquitted by the trial court. The accused, who were acquitted of the charges, were asked why the court should not order reinvestigation and retrial against them as they faced allegations of "horrifying crimes against humanity". Earlier, the bench had sought a reply from Kumar on a letter purportedly written to it by the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee claiming that the accused in the case have confessed to being present at the spot where the violent incidents had occurred.

What was state machinery doing during 1984 riots, says HC while hearing CBI plea against Sajjan Kumar

Congress on Thursday dubbed as a "rumour" a report in an Urdu daily which quoted Rahul Gandhi as saying that the Congress was a party of Muslims and asserted it was a party of all Indians.

Urdu daily 'Inqullab' had reported that the Congress chief who met Muslim intellectuals yesterday told them that the Congress was a party of Muslims.

Tweeting the report, BJP's national media in-charge Anil Baluni alleged that it was the statement of a "janeu-dhari (one who wears Brahminical thread) Gandhi".

He further said that the Congress was returning to its basic ideology whereas visits to temples were a diversionary tactic.

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दैनिक इंक़लाब में जनेऊधारी राहुल गांधी का बयान...हाँ कांगेस एक मुस्लिम पार्टी है। <a href="https://t.co/O7onTMm4S4">pic.twitter.com/O7onTMm4S4</a>
— Anil Baluni (@anil_baluni) <a href="https://twitter.com/anil_baluni/status/1017420843440332800?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Denying the report, Congress media in-charge Randeep Surjewala said it was a rumour.

"When governance fails, rumour rules. The Congress is party of 132 crore Indians, bereft of your faith-ethnicity-colour of one's skin-region-belief," Surjewala tweeted.&nbsp;

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When Governance fails, Rumour rules! 
 
Congress is party of 132 Cr Indians, bereft of your faith-ethnicity-colour of one’s skin-region-belief. 
 
For Congress is the foundational idea of India. 
 
No Bhakt will deter us from treading the path! 
Jai Hind!?? <a href="https://t.co/AgMX2tJdyd">https://t.co/AgMX2tJdyd</a>
— Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) <a href="https://twitter.com/rssurjewala/status/1017401690801168384?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Urdu daily 'Inqullab' had reported that the Congress chief who met Muslim intellectuals yesterday told them that the Congress was a party of Muslims.

Congress on Thursday dubbed as a "rumour" a report in an Urdu daily which quoted Rahul Gandhi as saying that the Congress was a party of Muslims and asserted it was a party of all Indians. Urdu daily 'Inqullab' had reported that the Congress chief who met Muslim intellectuals yesterday told them that the Congress was a party of Muslims. Tweeting the report, BJP's national media in-charge Anil Baluni alleged that it was the statement of a "janeu-dhari (one who wears Brahminical thread) Gandhi". He further said that the Congress was returning to its basic ideology whereas visits to temples were a diversionary tactic. दैनिक इंक़लाब में जनेऊधारी राहुल गांधी का बयान...हाँ कांगेस एक मुस्लिम पार्टी है। pic.twitter.com/O7onTMm4S4 — Anil Baluni (@anil_baluni) July 12, 2018 × Denying the report, Congress media in-charge Randeep Surjewala said it was a rumour. "When governance fails, rumour rules. The Congress is party of 132 crore Indians, bereft of your faith-ethnicity-colour of one's skin-region-belief," Surjewala tweeted. When Governance fails, Rumour rules! Congress is party of 132 Cr Indians, bereft of your faith-ethnicity-colour of one’s skin-region-belief. For Congress is the foundational idea of India. No Bhakt will deter us from treading the path! Jai Hind!?? https://t.co/AgMX2tJdyd — Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) July 12, 2018 ×

Congress terms as rumour a report in Urdu daily that said Congress was a 'party of Muslims'

Delhi government on Thursday approved the final revised estimate of Rs 1518.37 crore for the construction of Signature Bridge on Yamuna river at Wazirabad, according to news agency PTI.

The approval was given in a meeting of the Delhi cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, said a government statement.

The revised estimate was recommended by the Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC). It includes the Signature Bridge and its approach road, the report added.

Signature Bridge is expected to be completed by October 31 this year, according to Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia.&nbsp

After completion, the bridge will connect the Outer Ring Road on the western bank of Yamuna with the Wazirabad Road on the eastern side of the river benefitting thousands of commuters.

Earlier, Kejriwal and Sisodia had inspected the construction of a final pylon of the bridge in May. Then Kejriwal had said that the bridge will be completed by October.

On August 27, 2004, a MoU was signed between Delhi government's PWD and Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation Limited (DTTDC) that was entrusted with the project,

The project was delayed due to various reasons including a difference of opinion between PWD and DTTDC engineers

The bridge had obtained environmental clearance in 2011 and was set to be completed by December 2013.

The completion date of the project was pushed to June 2016 and then to July 2017, which was further pushed to December 2017.&nbsp

The approval was given in a meeting of the Delhi cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, said a government statement.

Delhi government on Thursday approved the final revised estimate of Rs 1518.37 crore for the construction of Signature Bridge on Yamuna river at Wazirabad, according to news agency PTI. The approval was given in a meeting of the Delhi cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, said a government statement. The revised estimate was recommended by the Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC). It includes the Signature Bridge and its approach road, the report added. Signature Bridge is expected to be completed by October 31 this year, according to Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia. After completion, the bridge will connect the Outer Ring Road on the western bank of Yamuna with the Wazirabad Road on the eastern side of the river benefitting thousands of commuters. Earlier, Kejriwal and Sisodia had inspected the construction of a final pylon of the bridge in May. Then Kejriwal had said that the bridge will be completed by October. On August 27, 2004, a MoU was signed between Delhi government's PWD and Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation Limited (DTTDC) that was entrusted with the project, The project was delayed due to various reasons including a difference of opinion between PWD and DTTDC engineers The bridge had obtained environmental clearance in 2011 and was set to be completed by December 2013. The completion date of the project was pushed to June 2016 and then to July 2017, which was further pushed to December 2017.

Signature bridge: Delhi government approves revised estimate Rs 1518.37 crore

Delhi Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash and other IAS officers who were <a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/delhi-hc-directs-cs-anshu-prakash-to-appear-before-assembly-panel-151368">summoned by the High Court</a> on Friday have challenged the court summons.

The High Court had asked the chief secretary and other IAS officers to appear before Question and Answer Committee and Privilege Committee.

The court had also ruled that non-appearance before Committees will amount to contempt of court.

Justice Vibhu Bakhru had warned the Chief Secretary and two other IAS officers that the court could issue contempt action against them if they failed to appear before the panels.

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Chief Secretary & other IAS officers had challenged summons issued to them to appear before Question & Answer Committee & Privilege Committee.
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1017732583092875264?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The High Court had asked the chief secretary and other IAS officers to appear before Question and Answer Committee and Privilege Committee

Delhi Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash and other IAS officers who were summoned by the High Court on Friday have challenged the court summons. The High Court had asked the chief secretary and other IAS officers to appear before Question and Answer Committee and Privilege Committee. The court had also ruled that non-appearance before Committees will amount to contempt of court. Justice Vibhu Bakhru had warned the Chief Secretary and two other IAS officers that the court could issue contempt action against them if they failed to appear before the panels. Chief Secretary & other IAS officers had challenged summons issued to them to appear before Question & Answer Committee & Privilege Committee. — ANI (@ANI) July 13, 2018 ×

Delhi Chief Secretary, IAS officers challenge High Court summons issued to them

The Indian Ambassador to the United States has exuded confidence that the two major issues of Iranian and Russian sanctions that have become an irritant in the Indo-US relationship would be sorted out soon.

Referring to a series of recent topics, including the Iranian sanctions under which India is required to stop its import of oil from Iran by November 4, Navtej Singh Sarna was quoted by news agency PTI as saying none of these were issues over which one can lose sleep.&nbsp

"This (the Indo-US) relationship has been through far more fundamental differences. I remember being in Washington three months after the nuclear tests in May '98&nbspand those were differences," Sarna said yesterday at the inaugural Annual Leadership summit of the US-India Strategic and Partnership Forum, according to PTI.

Asserting that the relationship between the two countries has seen a "steady upward graph", he expressed hope that both sides would find a way to resolve the thorny issues. "India and the United States have been down this road in the past and we have handled it in the past," he said, underlining that the South Asian nation was dependent on several countries for its oil and energy needs.

Pointing out the development of Chabahar port by India in Iran -- which is crucial for its developmental role in Afghanistan -- the top Indian diplomat said the US would have an interest in having that port open. That factor has been recognised several times, including during the meet between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi last June, Sarna said.

Acknowledging that there are going to be questions on resolving this issue about sanctions and India's energy needs, Sarna said it was far too early to predict where this needle would stop. "But I can share with you that these conversations are already ongoing and we'll see more of this in the coming weeks," the Indian ambassador said.

Responding to a question on CAATSA (Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act), Sarna said India was not the target of the federal law and it should not become collateral damage of it. The administration has to find a way in which they can find a waiver for the partner on this particular thorny issue, he said.

"We are hopeful that given the broad understanding on this issue on the Hill as well as the administrations' enthusiasm behind it, he added.&nbsp

Referring to a series of recent topics, including the Iranian sanctions under which India is required to stop its import of oil from Iran by November 4, Navtej Singh Sarna said none of these were issues over which one can lose sleep.

The Indian Ambassador to the United States has exuded confidence that the two major issues of Iranian and Russian sanctions that have become an irritant in the Indo-US relationship would be sorted out soon. Referring to a series of recent topics, including the Iranian sanctions under which India is required to stop its import of oil from Iran by November 4, Navtej Singh Sarna was quoted by news agency PTI as saying none of these were issues over which one can lose sleep. "This (the Indo-US) relationship has been through far more fundamental differences. I remember being in Washington three months after the nuclear tests in May '98&nbspand those were differences," Sarna said yesterday at the inaugural Annual Leadership summit of the US-India Strategic and Partnership Forum, according to PTI. Asserting that the relationship between the two countries has seen a "steady upward graph", he expressed hope that both sides would find a way to resolve the thorny issues. "India and the United States have been down this road in the past and we have handled it in the past," he said, underlining that the South Asian nation was dependent on several countries for its oil and energy needs. Pointing out the development of Chabahar port by India in Iran -- which is crucial for its developmental role in Afghanistan -- the top Indian diplomat said the US would have an interest in having that port open. That factor has been recognised several times, including during the meet between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi last June, Sarna said. Acknowledging that there are going to be questions on resolving this issue about sanctions and India's energy needs, Sarna said it was far too early to predict where this needle would stop. "But I can share with you that these conversations are already ongoing and we'll see more of this in the coming weeks," the Indian ambassador said. Responding to a question on CAATSA (Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act), Sarna said India was not the target of the federal law and it should not become collateral damage of it. The administration has to find a way in which they can find a waiver for the partner on this particular thorny issue, he said. "We are hopeful that given the broad understanding on this issue on the Hill as well as the administrations' enthusiasm behind it, he added.

India hopeful of resolving both Iranian and Russian sanctions issue: Indian ambassador to US

<a href="http://wionews.com/world/trump-says-relationship-with-uk-is-very-very-strong-151366">Trump says </a><a class="gr-progress" href=" http://wionews.com/world/trump-says-relationship-with-uk-is-very-very-strong-151366">relationship</a><a href="http://wionews.com/world/trump-says-relationship-with-uk-is-very-very-strong-151366"> with </a><a href="http://wionews.com/world/trump-says-relationship-with-uk-is-very-very-strong-151366">UK</a><a href="http://wionews.com/world/trump-says-relationship-with-uk-is-very-very-strong-151366"> is very, very strong after criticising her Brexit policies</a>

President Donald Trump on Friday said he had a very strong relationship with British Prime Minister Theresa May, having earlier scorned her Brexit strategy which he said had probably killed off hope for a future US-British trade deal.

<a href="http://wionews.com/south-asia/what-credibility-is-now-left-of-elections-nawaz-sharif-says-in-abu-dhabi-151377">'What credibility is now left of elections?' Nawaz Sharif says in Abu Dhabi</a>

Pakistan's embattled former prime minister Nawaz Sharif has said that whatever is happening with him in Pakistan will have a direct impact on July 25 elections.

<a href="http://wionews.com/world/tens-of-thousands-gather-in-london-for-anti-trump-protests-151399">Tens of thousands gather in London for anti-Trump protests</a>

Tens of thousands of protesters demonstrated in London on Friday against US President Donald Trump, whose four-day visit to Britain has been marred by his extraordinary attack on Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit strategy.

<a href="http://wionews.com/entertainment/ranbir-kapoor-admits-drinking-problem-says-its-in-the-genes-151414">Ranbir Kapoor admits drinking problem, says 'it's in the genes'</a>

Ranbir Kapoor is the most-sought-after actor in Bollywood currently, with his extremely successful film Sanju ringing huge collections at the box office. Receiving critical acclaim for essaying Sanjay Dutt’s role in his biopic, Ranbir has cemented his name as one of the best actors of the Hindi entertainment industry.&nbsp

<a href="http://wionews.com/south-asia/10-killed-as-suicide-bomber-hits-campaign-convoy-in-pakistan-151394">10 killed as suicide bomber hits campaign convoy in Pakistan</a>

A suicide bomber hit a campaign convoy in southwestern Pakistan, a police official said, killing 10 people in the second election-related attack on Friday amid tensions over ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif's return ahead of July 25 elections.

&nbsp

Trump says relationship with UK is very, very strong after criticising her Brexit policies President Donald Trump on Friday said he had a very strong relationship with British Prime Minister Theresa May, having earlier scorned her Brexit strategy which he said had probably killed off hope for a future US-British trade deal. 'What credibility is now left of elections?' Nawaz Sharif says in Abu Dhabi Pakistan's embattled former prime minister Nawaz Sharif has said that whatever is happening with him in Pakistan will have a direct impact on July 25 elections. Tens of thousands gather in London for anti-Trump protests Tens of thousands of protesters demonstrated in London on Friday against US President Donald Trump, whose four-day visit to Britain has been marred by his extraordinary attack on Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit strategy. Ranbir Kapoor admits drinking problem, says 'it's in the genes' Ranbir Kapoor is the most-sought-after actor in Bollywood currently, with his extremely successful film Sanju ringing huge collections at the box office. Receiving critical acclaim for essaying Sanjay Dutt’s role in his biopic, Ranbir has cemented his name as one of the best actors of the Hindi entertainment industry. 10 killed as suicide bomber hits campaign convoy in Pakistan A suicide bomber hit a campaign convoy in southwestern Pakistan, a police official said, killing 10 people in the second election-related attack on Friday amid tensions over ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif's return ahead of July 25 elections.

President Moon Jae-in's visit to India was very successful and gave momentum to the bilateral relationship, the South Korean envoy to New Delhi said today.

At an interactive session at Foreign Correspondents Club of South Asia here, Korean envoy Shin Bong-kil said President Moon's state visit between July 8 and 11 was a "milestone" in re-energising the ties between the two countries.

"Our president was warmly received in India. He was very happy to establish a personal bonding...With Prime Minister Modi. I was moved (after) seeing pictures in the press of the president's visit to various places in the city," he said.

On July 10, the two sides signed 10 agreements covering a broad spectrum of sectors, including infrastructure, trade, railways, artificial intelligence, big data and anti-dumping.

They also signed a document to facilitate negotiations to upgrade the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement and set a goal of raising the bilateral trade to $ 50 billion by 2030. The bilateral trade stands at $ 20 billion currently.

"Our president's visit was remarkable, very successful and lend momentum to upgrade the overall relationship between the two countries," the ambassador said.

After holding talks with Moon on July 10, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said that India has a stake in the peace process on the Korean peninsula.

During Moon's visit, the two leaders jointly inaugurated the world's largest mobile phone factory in Noida.

The factory is built by South Korean consumer electronics major Samsung, which will double its annual handset production capacity from the unit to 120 million units by 2020.&nbsp

'Our president was warmly received in India. He was very happy to establish a personal bonding...With Prime Minister Modi. I was moved (after) seeing pictures in the press of the president's visit to various places in the city,' he said

President Moon Jae-in's visit to India was very successful and gave momentum to the bilateral relationship, the South Korean envoy to New Delhi said today. At an interactive session at Foreign Correspondents Club of South Asia here, Korean envoy Shin Bong-kil said President Moon's state visit between July 8 and 11 was a "milestone" in re-energising the ties between the two countries. "Our president was warmly received in India. He was very happy to establish a personal bonding...With Prime Minister Modi. I was moved (after) seeing pictures in the press of the president's visit to various places in the city," he said. On July 10, the two sides signed 10 agreements covering a broad spectrum of sectors, including infrastructure, trade, railways, artificial intelligence, big data and anti-dumping. They also signed a document to facilitate negotiations to upgrade the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement and set a goal of raising the bilateral trade to $ 50 billion by 2030. The bilateral trade stands at $ 20 billion currently. "Our president's visit was remarkable, very successful and lend momentum to upgrade the overall relationship between the two countries," the ambassador said. After holding talks with Moon on July 10, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said that India has a stake in the peace process on the Korean peninsula. During Moon's visit, the two leaders jointly inaugurated the world's largest mobile phone factory in Noida. The factory is built by South Korean consumer electronics major Samsung, which will double its annual handset production capacity from the unit to 120 million units by 2020.

President Moon's visit lend momentum to India-Korea ties: South Korean envoy

Employee unions of banks and state-run insurance companies will stage a sit-in at Azad Maiden in the city tomorrow to protest against privatisation of banks, allowing foreign direct investment (FDI) in the insurance sector and to expedite wage revision.

The protest is called by the Co-ordination Committee of Bank, Insurance and Financial Sector Unions (CCBIFU), a joint platform of unions - All India Bank Employee Association (AIBEA), All India Banks Officers Association (AIBOA) and All India LIC Employees Federation (AILICEF), a release from CCBIFU said today.

Employee unions from General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC Re), New India Assurance and United India Insurance are also participating, it added.

The unions are protesting against the Financial Resolution and Deposit (FRDI) Bill, privatisation of banks, disinvestment in General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC Re), outsourcing of jobs in banks and other state-run insurance players and FDI in the insurance sector.

"Since the present political dispensation at the centre is implementing anti-people and anti-labour policies, unions operating in the financial sectors have come together to raise the fight against these policies," CCBIFU said. 
The unions are also demanding expedition of wage revision process and adequate recruitments at banks and government-owned insurance companies.&nbsp;

The unions are protesting against the Financial Resolution and Deposit (FRDI) Bill, privatisation of banks, disinvestment in General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC Re), outsourcing of jobs in banks and other state-run insurance players and FDI in the insurance sector

Employee unions of banks and state-run insurance companies will stage a sit-in at Azad Maiden in the city tomorrow to protest against privatisation of banks, allowing foreign direct investment (FDI) in the insurance sector and to expedite wage revision. The protest is called by the Co-ordination Committee of Bank, Insurance and Financial Sector Unions (CCBIFU), a joint platform of unions - All India Bank Employee Association (AIBEA), All India Banks Officers Association (AIBOA) and All India LIC Employees Federation (AILICEF), a release from CCBIFU said today. Employee unions from General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC Re), New India Assurance and United India Insurance are also participating, it added. The unions are protesting against the Financial Resolution and Deposit (FRDI) Bill, privatisation of banks, disinvestment in General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC Re), outsourcing of jobs in banks and other state-run insurance players and FDI in the insurance sector. "Since the present political dispensation at the centre is implementing anti-people and anti-labour policies, unions operating in the financial sectors have come together to raise the fight against these policies," CCBIFU said. The unions are also demanding expedition of wage revision process and adequate recruitments at banks and government-owned insurance companies.

Bank, LIC, GIC unions to protest against govt policies tomorrow

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will begin a two-day tour of eastern Uttar Pradesh tomorrow, visiting his parliamentary constituency Varanasi and laying the foundation stone in Azamgarh for the 340-km Purvanchal Expressway.

The prime minister will also inaugurate other development projects and address rallies in Varanasi, Azamgarh and Mirzapur during the tour, his second visit to the politically crucial state in a week.

He was in Noida on the outskirts of Delhi on Monday, launching a Samsung mobile phone factory with South Korean president Moon Jae-in.

The projects to be launched in Varanasi alone are estimated to be worth Rs 1,000 crore.

Modi will land in Varanasi tomorrow and head straight by helicopter to Azamgarh, where he will launch the expressway project that the opposition Samajwadi Party claims were the brainchild of former chief minister Akhilesh Yadav.

SP workers staged a demonstration at the Azamgarh district collectorate yesterday, saying the party was being denied credit.

The six-lane expressway will provide a smooth ride between the state capital and Ghazipur in eastern UP, where the BJP is trying to consolidate its position ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

The Rs 23,000-crore expressway will be constructed in three years, an official said.

After laying its foundation stone, the prime minister will address a public rally and fly back to Varanasi.

He will address another rally at Kachnar village there in the afternoon and also meet BJP workers at Varanasi's DLW guest house.

On Sunday, he will address a public meeting in Mirzapur. He will also dedicate the Bansagar Canal Project to the nation there and lay the foundation stone for the Mirzapur Medical College.

The Mirzapur Lok Sabha constituency is represented by Apna Dal (Sonelal), an ally of the ruling BJP in Uttar Pradesh and at the Centre.

BJP president Amit Shah also visited Mirzapur recently.

The Apna Dal faction today said the prime minister's Mirzapur visit indicated a further cementing of ties between the two allies.

At the rally in Kachnar village, Modi will inaugurate or formally launch work on development projects worth Rs 1,000 crore, according to UP minister Neelkanth Tiwari.

The projects include a perishable cargo centre, road repair schemes, remodelling of a town hall, a community health centre, a cancer hospital, a heritage walk, a BPO centre, and a new train service to Ballia.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and his cabinet colleagues along with Union ministers Piyush Goyal, Manoj Sinha and Dharmendra Pradhan will attend the rally.

The prime minister will also inaugurate other development projects and address rallies in Varanasi, Azamgarh and Mirzapur during the tour, his second visit to the politically crucial state in a week

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will begin a two-day tour of eastern Uttar Pradesh tomorrow, visiting his parliamentary constituency Varanasi and laying the foundation stone in Azamgarh for the 340-km Purvanchal Expressway. The prime minister will also inaugurate other development projects and address rallies in Varanasi, Azamgarh and Mirzapur during the tour, his second visit to the politically crucial state in a week. He was in Noida on the outskirts of Delhi on Monday, launching a Samsung mobile phone factory with South Korean president Moon Jae-in. The projects to be launched in Varanasi alone are estimated to be worth Rs 1,000 crore. Modi will land in Varanasi tomorrow and head straight by helicopter to Azamgarh, where he will launch the expressway project that the opposition Samajwadi Party claims were the brainchild of former chief minister Akhilesh Yadav. SP workers staged a demonstration at the Azamgarh district collectorate yesterday, saying the party was being denied credit. The six-lane expressway will provide a smooth ride between the state capital and Ghazipur in eastern UP, where the BJP is trying to consolidate its position ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. The Rs 23,000-crore expressway will be constructed in three years, an official said. After laying its foundation stone, the prime minister will address a public rally and fly back to Varanasi. He will address another rally at Kachnar village there in the afternoon and also meet BJP workers at Varanasi's DLW guest house. On Sunday, he will address a public meeting in Mirzapur. He will also dedicate the Bansagar Canal Project to the nation there and lay the foundation stone for the Mirzapur Medical College. The Mirzapur Lok Sabha constituency is represented by Apna Dal (Sonelal), an ally of the ruling BJP in Uttar Pradesh and at the Centre. BJP president Amit Shah also visited Mirzapur recently. The Apna Dal faction today said the prime minister's Mirzapur visit indicated a further cementing of ties between the two allies. At the rally in Kachnar village, Modi will inaugurate or formally launch work on development projects worth Rs 1,000 crore, according to UP minister Neelkanth Tiwari. The projects include a perishable cargo centre, road repair schemes, remodelling of a town hall, a community health centre, a cancer hospital, a heritage walk, a BPO centre, and a new train service to Ballia. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and his cabinet colleagues along with Union ministers Piyush Goyal, Manoj Sinha and Dharmendra Pradhan will attend the rally.

PM Modi begins 2-day UP tour tomorrow

China is preparing to give swift regulatory approvals to India-manufactured drugs, the head of an Indian export promotion group said, as Beijing looks for new commercial partners ahead of what could be a protracted trade war with the United States.

Indian firms are looking to fill gaps in Chinese demand for generic drugs, software, sugar and some varieties of rice, trade officials in New Delhi said.

"We do feel that China is receptive at this time and it's all about making prices competitive," said a government official involved in the effort to promote trade with China. The official declined to be identified since he is not authorised to speak to the media.

No concrete deals have been signed but the outlook for pharmaceutical sales from India is positive, according to officials from both nations.

India dominates the world's generic drugs market, exporting $17.3 billion of drugs in the 2017/18 (April-March) year, including to the United States and the EU. But only 1 per cent of that went to China, the world's second-largest market for pharmaceuticals, industry data shows.

Dinesh Dua, chairman of the Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council (Pharmexcil), which falls under India's trade ministry, told Reuters in an interview that Indian firms could expect to win licences to export to China within six months of application.

"We understand internally that Chinese authorities have issued instructions that EU-approved Indian suppliers should be granted the industrial drug licence in an expeditious manner so they can enter the Chinese market within six months," Dua said.

Many Indian drug-makers are already selling to the European Union. The EU is already one of India's key export markets for medicines, and accounted for about 15 per cent of overall drug exports in 2016/17, according to Pharmexcil.

Swift regulatory approvals in China would allow Indian companies to boost revenue at a time when pricing scrutiny and regulatory troubles have hurt U.S. sales.

Some of India's largest drugmakers, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries and Lupin Ltd as well as Aurobindo Pharma Ltd, have been trying for years to expand in the massive Chinese market, which is second only to the United States.

Details of Chinese moves to open up its heavily regulated pharmaceuticals sector have not been previously reported.

The China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) did not respond to a Reuters' request for comment.

But Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said this week that China was moving forward on giving greater market access to Indian drug makers.

"China and India are witnessing a growth in pharmaceutical trade, and the two sides are in sound communication on opening the Chinese market to drugs from India and conducting dialogue and co-operation between the two sides' pharmaceutical industries," Hua told a regular news conference on Monday.

"The relevant departments have formulated specific measures on promoting China-India pharmaceutical trade cooperation and granting greater access to drugs from India. We believe that stronger pharmaceutical trade co-operation will contribute to the well being of the people in our two countries."

Pending clearance

In May, China exempted import tariffs on 28 drugs, including all cancer drugs, a move that would help India reduce its trade imbalance with China, Luo Zhaohui, the Chinese ambassador to India said.

China has been touting greater access to cancer drugs and pushing to lower prices in a bid to soothe a major social issue in the country, where traditionally many patients with serious illness have had to pay out of their pocket for cutting-edge drugs or have had to buy medicines through unapproved grey market channels.

China also lags far behind in terms of drug approvals versus developed markets.

The issue was highlighted in a recent film that went viral in China which echoed the U.S. “Dallas Buyers Club” about a Chinese cancer patient who had helped others getting unapproved cancer drugs at lower prices shipped in from India.

About 250 product applications from Indian drug firms are pending before the CFDA, some of them for years, an Indian trade ministry official said.

Bilateral trade between the two Asian nations touched $89.6 billion in 2017/18 with the trade deficit widening to $62.9 billion in China's favour, an over nine-fold increase over the last decade.

The two sides are discussing ways to increase Indian sales of farm products, including sugar and some varieties of rice, to China.

India is also trying to persuade China to give access to its cost-competitive software service firms that have dominated global markets. Some of these firms are pitching for 'smart' manufacturing projects in the central city of Wuhan and two other provinces in the healthcare and automotive sector.

But it is in the drugs sector that India is hoping to make the first dent, according to officials and a government document.

China has agreed to train Indian pharmaceutical executives to help them gain a swifter entry into the Chinese market, a government document seen by Reuters on efforts to improve trade with China showed. The training is planned for next month.

India's Pharmexcil and the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Medicines and Health Products will shortly sign an agreement to ease clearance processes and help Indian companies find Chinese partners, according to the document.

Dua and the Indian trade ministry official said China will soon open a desk at its embassy in New Delhi to facilitate Indian drug makers.

Indian firms are looking to fill gaps in Chinese demand for generic drugs, software, sugar and some varieties of rice, trade officials in New Delhi said

China is preparing to give swift regulatory approvals to India-manufactured drugs, the head of an Indian export promotion group said, as Beijing looks for new commercial partners ahead of what could be a protracted trade war with the United States. Indian firms are looking to fill gaps in Chinese demand for generic drugs, software, sugar and some varieties of rice, trade officials in New Delhi said. "We do feel that China is receptive at this time and it's all about making prices competitive," said a government official involved in the effort to promote trade with China. The official declined to be identified since he is not authorised to speak to the media. No concrete deals have been signed but the outlook for pharmaceutical sales from India is positive, according to officials from both nations. India dominates the world's generic drugs market, exporting $17.3 billion of drugs in the 2017/18 (April-March) year, including to the United States and the EU. But only 1 per cent of that went to China, the world's second-largest market for pharmaceuticals, industry data shows. Dinesh Dua, chairman of the Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council (Pharmexcil), which falls under India's trade ministry, told Reuters in an interview that Indian firms could expect to win licences to export to China within six months of application. "We understand internally that Chinese authorities have issued instructions that EU-approved Indian suppliers should be granted the industrial drug licence in an expeditious manner so they can enter the Chinese market within six months," Dua said. Many Indian drug-makers are already selling to the European Union. The EU is already one of India's key export markets for medicines, and accounted for about 15 per cent of overall drug exports in 2016/17, according to Pharmexcil. Swift regulatory approvals in China would allow Indian companies to boost revenue at a time when pricing scrutiny and regulatory troubles have hurt U.S. sales. Some of India's largest drugmakers, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries and Lupin Ltd as well as Aurobindo Pharma Ltd, have been trying for years to expand in the massive Chinese market, which is second only to the United States. Details of Chinese moves to open up its heavily regulated pharmaceuticals sector have not been previously reported. The China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) did not respond to a Reuters' request for comment. But Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said this week that China was moving forward on giving greater market access to Indian drug makers. "China and India are witnessing a growth in pharmaceutical trade, and the two sides are in sound communication on opening the Chinese market to drugs from India and conducting dialogue and co-operation between the two sides' pharmaceutical industries," Hua told a regular news conference on Monday. "The relevant departments have formulated specific measures on promoting China-India pharmaceutical trade cooperation and granting greater access to drugs from India. We believe that stronger pharmaceutical trade co-operation will contribute to the well being of the people in our two countries." Pending clearance In May, China exempted import tariffs on 28 drugs, including all cancer drugs, a move that would help India reduce its trade imbalance with China, Luo Zhaohui, the Chinese ambassador to India said. China has been touting greater access to cancer drugs and pushing to lower prices in a bid to soothe a major social issue in the country, where traditionally many patients with serious illness have had to pay out of their pocket for cutting-edge drugs or have had to buy medicines through unapproved grey market channels. China also lags far behind in terms of drug approvals versus developed markets. The issue was highlighted in a recent film that went viral in China which echoed the U.S. “Dallas Buyers Club” about a Chinese cancer patient who had helped others getting unapproved cancer drugs at lower prices shipped in from India. About 250 product applications from Indian drug firms are pending before the CFDA, some of them for years, an Indian trade ministry official said. Bilateral trade between the two Asian nations touched $89.6 billion in 2017/18 with the trade deficit widening to $62.9 billion in China's favour, an over nine-fold increase over the last decade. The two sides are discussing ways to increase Indian sales of farm products, including sugar and some varieties of rice, to China. India is also trying to persuade China to give access to its cost-competitive software service firms that have dominated global markets. Some of these firms are pitching for 'smart' manufacturing projects in the central city of Wuhan and two other provinces in the healthcare and automotive sector. But it is in the drugs sector that India is hoping to make the first dent, according to officials and a government document. China has agreed to train Indian pharmaceutical executives to help them gain a swifter entry into the Chinese market, a government document seen by Reuters on efforts to improve trade with China showed. The training is planned for next month. India's Pharmexcil and the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Medicines and Health Products will shortly sign an agreement to ease clearance processes and help Indian companies find Chinese partners, according to the document. Dua and the Indian trade ministry official said China will soon open a desk at its embassy in New Delhi to facilitate Indian drug makers.

With US trade under a cloud, China opens to Indian pharma

The Shiv Sena today asked whether BJP president Amit Shah would apologise for his party's UP MLA's remark that even Lord Ram cannot curb rapes.

The Sena's poser came a day after the BJP sought an apology from Congress president Rahul Gandhi for Shashi Tharoor's 'Hindu Pakistan' remark.

"Tharoor said if the BJP wins the 2019 (Lok Sabha) polls, India will become 'Hindu Pakistan'. In short, if (Narendra) Modi is voted to power again, India will be declared a Hindu Rashtra (nation).

"This is RSS's agenda, which Tharoor has only expressed from the Congress platform," the Sena said in an editorial in its mouthpiece 'Saamana'.

The Lok Sabha MP from Thiruvananthapuram, Tharoor, had set off a political controversy on Wednesday with his remark that if voted to power again, the BJP will rewrite the Constitution and pave the way for the creation of a "Hindu Pakistan".

Yesterday, the BJP had demanded an apology from Gandhi for the "attack on Indian democracy and Hindus".

"The BJP wants Congress president Gandhi to apologise for Tharoor's remarks. But one needs to understand that Tharoor is only speaking the language of the BJP," the Sena said.

"One of its MLAs Surendra Narayan Singh had said even Lord Ram cannot curb rapes. His statement is an insult to Hindus. Shouldn't BJP chief Amit Shah apologise for his remark?" it said.

BJP MLA from Bairia in Uttar Pradesh, Singh, had recently said, "Bhagwan Ram bhi aa jaayenge, tab bhi balaatkaar ki ghatna per niyantran nahi ho paayegaa (The incidents of rape cannot be curbed, even if Lord Ram descends on earth)".

The Sena said, "India was divided because of the Congress. That party is responsible for the division. If Pakistan was founded on the basis of religious identity, then Hindustan is a Hindu Rashtra."

"The Sangh parivar always accused (Jawaharlal) Nehru, (Sardar) Patel and others of turning Hindustan into a 'secular' state. If Nehru and others had committed this mistake, then the country gave two opportunities to the BJP to rectify it.

"First during (Atal Bihari) Vajpayee's reign and now under Modi. It is not necessary to wait till 2019 to declare India a Hindu state. Modi can do it right now and we insist that he does it immediately," the Uddhav Thackeray-led party said.

The situation in India is not such that it should be called 'Hindu Pakistan'. There is a different kind of anarchy in Pakistan, the Sena said.

"The democratic system in that country (Pakistan) is over. Inflation, unemployment, corruption and other evils are wreaking havoc. Those speaking truths are being eliminated there. Pakistan has been like this since its birth," it added.

"But have the problems in India been resolved? They still persist. After the demonetisation, the financial condition of the poor worsened. The government seeks to save cows and sheep, but cannot stop farmers' suicides," the Sena said.

Though the government has not been able to build a Ram temple in Ayodhya, the Railways has announced Ramayan Express to touch the sentiments of the people, it said. 
"Till the 2019 elections, such colourful balloons will be released in the air and new promises will be made. This cannot be called a 'Ram Rajya'," the party said.

&nbsp;

The Sena's poser came a day after the BJP sought an apology from Congress president Rahul Gandhi for Shashi Tharoor's 'Hindu Pakistan' remark

The Shiv Sena today asked whether BJP president Amit Shah would apologise for his party's UP MLA's remark that even Lord Ram cannot curb rapes. The Sena's poser came a day after the BJP sought an apology from Congress president Rahul Gandhi for Shashi Tharoor's 'Hindu Pakistan' remark. "Tharoor said if the BJP wins the 2019 (Lok Sabha) polls, India will become 'Hindu Pakistan'. In short, if (Narendra) Modi is voted to power again, India will be declared a Hindu Rashtra (nation). "This is RSS's agenda, which Tharoor has only expressed from the Congress platform," the Sena said in an editorial in its mouthpiece 'Saamana'. The Lok Sabha MP from Thiruvananthapuram, Tharoor, had set off a political controversy on Wednesday with his remark that if voted to power again, the BJP will rewrite the Constitution and pave the way for the creation of a "Hindu Pakistan". Yesterday, the BJP had demanded an apology from Gandhi for the "attack on Indian democracy and Hindus". "The BJP wants Congress president Gandhi to apologise for Tharoor's remarks. But one needs to understand that Tharoor is only speaking the language of the BJP," the Sena said. "One of its MLAs Surendra Narayan Singh had said even Lord Ram cannot curb rapes. His statement is an insult to Hindus. Shouldn't BJP chief Amit Shah apologise for his remark?" it said. BJP MLA from Bairia in Uttar Pradesh, Singh, had recently said, "Bhagwan Ram bhi aa jaayenge, tab bhi balaatkaar ki ghatna per niyantran nahi ho paayegaa (The incidents of rape cannot be curbed, even if Lord Ram descends on earth)". The Sena said, "India was divided because of the Congress. That party is responsible for the division. If Pakistan was founded on the basis of religious identity, then Hindustan is a Hindu Rashtra." "The Sangh parivar always accused (Jawaharlal) Nehru, (Sardar) Patel and others of turning Hindustan into a 'secular' state. If Nehru and others had committed this mistake, then the country gave two opportunities to the BJP to rectify it. "First during (Atal Bihari) Vajpayee's reign and now under Modi. It is not necessary to wait till 2019 to declare India a Hindu state. Modi can do it right now and we insist that he does it immediately," the Uddhav Thackeray-led party said. The situation in India is not such that it should be called 'Hindu Pakistan'. There is a different kind of anarchy in Pakistan, the Sena said. "The democratic system in that country (Pakistan) is over. Inflation, unemployment, corruption and other evils are wreaking havoc. Those speaking truths are being eliminated there. Pakistan has been like this since its birth," it added. "But have the problems in India been resolved? They still persist. After the demonetisation, the financial condition of the poor worsened. The government seeks to save cows and sheep, but cannot stop farmers' suicides," the Sena said. Though the government has not been able to build a Ram temple in Ayodhya, the Railways has announced Ramayan Express to touch the sentiments of the people, it said. "Till the 2019 elections, such colourful balloons will be released in the air and new promises will be made. This cannot be called a 'Ram Rajya'," the party said.

Will Shah apologise for UP BJP MLA's remark on rape, asks Sena

Former Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy returned to the Congress fold today, four years after quitting the party.

Congress' communications in-charge Randeep Surjewala announced Reddy's return to the party after the former chief minister met party president Rahul Gandhi at his residence today.&nbsp;

Reddy joined the party in the presence of AICC Andhra Pradesh in-charge Oommen Chandy, Surjewala and APCC chief N Raghuveera Reddy at the AICC headquarters here.

Reddy had quit as chief minister and the Congress in February 2014, protesting against the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh.

His meeting with the Congress chief came following talks with the party's leaders over two months.&nbsp;

Reddy, the last chief minister of united Andhra Pradesh, had floated the Jai Samaikya Andhra party after quitting the Congress. He fought the 2014 elections but failed to make a mark.&nbsp;

Congress' communications in-charge Randeep Surjewala announced Reddy's return to the party after the former chief minister met party president Rahul Gandhi at his residence today

Former Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy returned to the Congress fold today, four years after quitting the party. Congress' communications in-charge Randeep Surjewala announced Reddy's return to the party after the former chief minister met party president Rahul Gandhi at his residence today. Reddy joined the party in the presence of AICC Andhra Pradesh in-charge Oommen Chandy, Surjewala and APCC chief N Raghuveera Reddy at the AICC headquarters here. Reddy had quit as chief minister and the Congress in February 2014, protesting against the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh. His meeting with the Congress chief came following talks with the party's leaders over two months. Reddy, the last chief minister of united Andhra Pradesh, had floated the Jai Samaikya Andhra party after quitting the Congress. He fought the 2014 elections but failed to make a mark.

Former Andhra CM Kiran Kumar Reddy rejoins Congress

One after the other, the Supreme Court has passed some landmark judgements recently. &nbsp;Without mincing words, the court took on central government, state governments and various authorities in respective cases.

The court on Monday said it was even open to the idea of livestreaming its proceedings to bring in transparency and accountability. "The concept of access to justice provides that though a litigant is not in court, they are able to know what is happening in their case in the court,” the bench said."

Last year, the SC ruled that the Right to Privacy was a fundamental right under constitution. The landmark observation was made by a nine-judge Constitution bench, which unimously overruled the two earlier apex court decision that Right to Privacy was not protected under constitution.&nbsp;

The judgement indicated that citizens' privacy is a matter of utmost importance in the digital age when personal information was randomly shared with all types of government and private entities. With the verdict, the court favoured overarching guidelines to protect private information in public domain.&nbsp;

Notably, Right to be Left Alone found significant mention in the verdict and the court also recognised Right to Sexual Orientation. This verdict holds a lot of importance because as they say --&nbsp;your private life should be none of anyone else's business.

In the same month, the apex court passed another historic judgement. Pronouncing the practice of Triple Talaq as unconstitutional, the court stated that the practice was against the basic tenets of the Holy Quran and not a religious matter - as portrayed by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) and some other Muslim organisations.

This judgement grants equality and empowerment to the Muslim women who have been subjected to the trauma of instant talaq for a very long time.

In another important decision, which registered a big win for freedom of choice, the SC in March this year, ruled that the court had no authority to annul a marriage between two consenting adults. It was hearing a case wherein a Hindu woman, Hadiya, had converted to Islam and got married to a Muslim Man. However, Hadiya's father had claimed that she was a victim of 'Love Jihad'.

With the judgement, the top court gave a clear message that adults were free to choose their companions independently, and that marriage has to be separate from criminal activity.

Furthermore, the court this month settled the long pending dispute between Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and the Lieutenant Governor over division of powers. This decision has finally brought some relief for people of Delhi who have been the victim of this turf war. It's important for the Delhi government and the LG to work in harmony so that the civic services are not stalled.&nbsp;Let's hope&nbsp;the projects of public importance will run smoothly now.

Recently, the court came down heavily on the government, state government and various authorities for failing to protect Taj Mahal. Taj Mahal is one of the seven wonders of the world, it's our national pride, therefore there is an urgent need for the government,&nbsp;state government and concerned authorities to come up with appropriate measures to preserve the monument.

Moreover, taking a strong note of the lynching incidents and mob violence, the court intervened and asked the state governments to prevent such incidents. Here, court reminded states of their obligation and asserted that no one can take law in his hands.

The above mentioned and many other landmark judgements passed by the Supreme Court have major political and social implications on the country. These decisions are a clear indicator of the fact that India has a strong judiciary, and reaffirm our faith in the rule of law.&nbsp;

Refusing&nbsp;to bow down to any pressure or protest, the country's top court has been upfront and fair in dealing with cases that have an impact on public at large.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) 
&nbsp;

These landmark judgements by the Supreme Court are a clear indicator of the fact that India has a strong judiciary.

One after the other, the Supreme Court has passed some landmark judgements recently. Without mincing words, the court took on central government, state governments and various authorities in respective cases. The court on Monday said it was even open to the idea of livestreaming its proceedings to bring in transparency and accountability. "The concept of access to justice provides that though a litigant is not in court, they are able to know what is happening in their case in the court,” the bench said." Last year, the SC ruled that the Right to Privacy was a fundamental right under constitution. The landmark observation was made by a nine-judge Constitution bench, which unimously overruled the two earlier apex court decision that Right to Privacy was not protected under constitution. The judgement indicated that citizens' privacy is a matter of utmost importance in the digital age when personal information was randomly shared with all types of government and private entities. With the verdict, the court favoured overarching guidelines to protect private information in public domain. Notably, Right to be Left Alone found significant mention in the verdict and the court also recognised Right to Sexual Orientation. This verdict holds a lot of importance because as they say -- your private life should be none of anyone else's business. In the same month, the apex court passed another historic judgement. Pronouncing the practice of Triple Talaq as unconstitutional, the court stated that the practice was against the basic tenets of the Holy Quran and not a religious matter - as portrayed by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) and some other Muslim organisations. This judgement grants equality and empowerment to the Muslim women who have been subjected to the trauma of instant talaq for a very long time. In another important decision, which registered a big win for freedom of choice, the SC in March this year, ruled that the court had no authority to annul a marriage between two consenting adults. It was hearing a case wherein a Hindu woman, Hadiya, had converted to Islam and got married to a Muslim Man. However, Hadiya's father had claimed that she was a victim of 'Love Jihad'. With the judgement, the top court gave a clear message that adults were free to choose their companions independently, and that marriage has to be separate from criminal activity. Furthermore, the court this month settled the long pending dispute between Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and the Lieutenant Governor over division of powers. This decision has finally brought some relief for people of Delhi who have been the victim of this turf war. It's important for the Delhi government and the LG to work in harmony so that the civic services are not stalled. Let's hope the projects of public importance will run smoothly now. Recently, the court came down heavily on the government, state government and various authorities for failing to protect Taj Mahal. Taj Mahal is one of the seven wonders of the world, it's our national pride, therefore there is an urgent need for the government, state government and concerned authorities to come up with appropriate measures to preserve the monument. Moreover, taking a strong note of the lynching incidents and mob violence, the court intervened and asked the state governments to prevent such incidents. Here, court reminded states of their obligation and asserted that no one can take law in his hands. The above mentioned and many other landmark judgements passed by the Supreme Court have major political and social implications on the country. These decisions are a clear indicator of the fact that India has a strong judiciary, and reaffirm our faith in the rule of law. Refusing to bow down to any pressure or protest, the country's top court has been upfront and fair in dealing with cases that have an impact on public at large. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Supreme Court, take a bow

Congress President Rahul Gandhi today cited a media report to hit out at Narendra Modi's visit to China in April, saying never in India's history has a prime minister "capitulated to pressure from a foreign power as this one has".&nbsp;

Gandhi, who took to Twitter to attack the prime minister, tagged a media report which claimed that the Army has decided to shelve all-new "raisings" for a China-specific Mountain Strike Corps due to financial constraints.

"Our PM's 'no agenda' China visit, clearly had a 'Chinese hidden agenda' which is now unravelling. Never before in India's history has a PM capitulated to pressure from a foreign power, as this one has. This is BJP nationalism on full display," he tweeted.

Prime Minister Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held an unprecedented two-day informal summit in Wuhan city in April during which they decided to issue "strategic guidance" to their militaries to strengthen communications to build trust and understanding.

Gandhi had called Prime Minister Modi's visit as one having "no agenda"

Gandhi, who took to Twitter to attack the prime minister, tagged a media report which claimed that the Army has decided to shelve all-new 'raisings' for a China-specific Mountain Strike Corps due to financial constraints

Congress President Rahul Gandhi today cited a media report to hit out at Narendra Modi's visit to China in April, saying never in India's history has a prime minister "capitulated to pressure from a foreign power as this one has". Gandhi, who took to Twitter to attack the prime minister, tagged a media report which claimed that the Army has decided to shelve all-new "raisings" for a China-specific Mountain Strike Corps due to financial constraints. "Our PM's 'no agenda' China visit, clearly had a 'Chinese hidden agenda' which is now unravelling. Never before in India's history has a PM capitulated to pressure from a foreign power, as this one has. This is BJP nationalism on full display," he tweeted. Prime Minister Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held an unprecedented two-day informal summit in Wuhan city in April during which they decided to issue "strategic guidance" to their militaries to strengthen communications to build trust and understanding. Gandhi had called Prime Minister Modi's visit as one having "no agenda"

Rahul attacks PM for capitulating to foreign pressure, cites China visit

Restrictions were imposed today on a movement of people in parts of the city ahead of the separatists' call for a march to the Martyrs' Graveyard near Nowhatta while Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was detained, an official said.

The restrictions were imposed in Khanyar, Maharajgunj, Nowhatta, Rainawari and Safakadal as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order, he said.

The separatists had called for a march to the Martyrs' Graveyard at Naqshband Sahib shrine to pay homage to 22 people killed in firing by Dogra soldiers on this day in 1931.

Farooq was detained outside his residence in Nigeen area of the city and taken to the local police station, the official said.

He was taken into preventive custody as his presence in old city area could lead to violence by his supporters, the official added.

More than 22 men were killed in firing by soldiers of Dogra Maharaja Hari Singh on this day in 1931 during protests against his autocratic rule.

&nbsp;

The restrictions were imposed in Khanyar, Maharajgunj, Nowhatta, Rainawari and Safakadal as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order, he said

Restrictions were imposed today on a movement of people in parts of the city ahead of the separatists' call for a march to the Martyrs' Graveyard near Nowhatta while Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was detained, an official said. The restrictions were imposed in Khanyar, Maharajgunj, Nowhatta, Rainawari and Safakadal as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order, he said. The separatists had called for a march to the Martyrs' Graveyard at Naqshband Sahib shrine to pay homage to 22 people killed in firing by Dogra soldiers on this day in 1931. Farooq was detained outside his residence in Nigeen area of the city and taken to the local police station, the official said. He was taken into preventive custody as his presence in old city area could lead to violence by his supporters, the official added. More than 22 men were killed in firing by soldiers of Dogra Maharaja Hari Singh on this day in 1931 during protests against his autocratic rule.

Restrictions imposed in parts of Srinagar; Hurriyat leader Farooq detained

Home Minister Rajnath Singh today left for Bangladesh for a three-day visit during which he will hold discussions on various issues, including anti-terror cooperation and the influx of Rohingya refugees, officials said today.

The Home Minister will also meet Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and discuss various bilateral issues.

"The relationship between India and Bangladesh is anchored in history, culture, language and shared values of democracy. India attaches great significance to ties with Bangladesh," Singh tweeted before embarking on the visit.

The Home Minister said India and Bangladesh have made notable progress in transforming land and maritime boundaries into zones of peace and tranquillity.

"Looking forward to strengthening the bilateral relations between both the countries on the basis of friendship and trust," he said in another tweet.

In his meeting with Bangladesh Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, Singh will discuss ways to strengthen the anti-terror mechanism between the two countries and check radicalisation of youths by terrorist groups, a Home Ministry official said.

The Rohingya issue is also likely to figure in the meeting.

Singh is accompanied by top officials of the Home Ministry and security agencies.

The delegation will discuss the steps to be taken to strengthen the existing mechanism to check movement of illegal immigrants and smuggling of cattle, arms and ammunition, narcotics and other items through the porous Indo-Bangla border.

The Indian side is expected to take up the issue of the continuous inflow of Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) from across the border and the attacks on BSF personnel by criminals based in Bangladesh.

FICN with a face value of about Rs 13.66 lakh have been seized along the border till March this year, another official said, adding that fake notes with face value of more than Rs 68.96 lakh were confiscated last year.

The attacks on BSF personnel by criminals based in Bangladesh is expected to be flagged by the Indian side during delegation-level talks.

Two BSF men were killed and 122 injured in criminal attacks on this frontier last year, and as many as 109 personnel were injured in 2016, the official said.

The Bangladesh side is expected to raise the issue of their nationals being killed or injured in BSF firing along the border and the illegal transport of drugs into their territory from the Indian side.

India shares a 4,096-km-long border with Bangladesh.

The Home Minister will also meet Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and discuss various bilateral issues.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh today left for Bangladesh for a three-day visit during which he will hold discussions on various issues, including anti-terror cooperation and the influx of Rohingya refugees, officials said today. The Home Minister will also meet Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and discuss various bilateral issues. "The relationship between India and Bangladesh is anchored in history, culture, language and shared values of democracy. India attaches great significance to ties with Bangladesh," Singh tweeted before embarking on the visit. The Home Minister said India and Bangladesh have made notable progress in transforming land and maritime boundaries into zones of peace and tranquillity. "Looking forward to strengthening the bilateral relations between both the countries on the basis of friendship and trust," he said in another tweet. In his meeting with Bangladesh Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, Singh will discuss ways to strengthen the anti-terror mechanism between the two countries and check radicalisation of youths by terrorist groups, a Home Ministry official said. The Rohingya issue is also likely to figure in the meeting. Singh is accompanied by top officials of the Home Ministry and security agencies. The delegation will discuss the steps to be taken to strengthen the existing mechanism to check movement of illegal immigrants and smuggling of cattle, arms and ammunition, narcotics and other items through the porous Indo-Bangla border. The Indian side is expected to take up the issue of the continuous inflow of Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) from across the border and the attacks on BSF personnel by criminals based in Bangladesh. FICN with a face value of about Rs 13.66 lakh have been seized along the border till March this year, another official said, adding that fake notes with face value of more than Rs 68.96 lakh were confiscated last year. The attacks on BSF personnel by criminals based in Bangladesh is expected to be flagged by the Indian side during delegation-level talks. Two BSF men were killed and 122 injured in criminal attacks on this frontier last year, and as many as 109 personnel were injured in 2016, the official said. The Bangladesh side is expected to raise the issue of their nationals being killed or injured in BSF firing along the border and the illegal transport of drugs into their territory from the Indian side. India shares a 4,096-km-long border with Bangladesh.

Rajnath leaves for 3-day Bangladesh visit; to discuss various bilateral issues

&nbsp;Union Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh today dubbed the UN Human Rights Commission report on alleged human rights violations in Kashmir an "individual report" and said it has nothing to do with the international body.

"That report has nothing to with the UN. That was an individual report and let's keep it that," he said, responding to a question on the issue on the sidelines of an event in New Delhi.

Earlier this week, Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the UN Maleeha Lodhi referred to the June 14 report on Kashmir and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein when the Security Council was discussion Children and Armed Conflict.

In the report, Al Hussein has called for a commission of inquiry by the Human Rights Council to conduct an independent international investigation into human rights situation in Kashmir.

In a sharp rebuttal, India's Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Tanmaya Lal has said that the "so-called" report reflects the "clear bias of an official who was acting without any mandate whatsoever and relied on unverified sources of information."

According to media reports, Zafar Bangash, a Pakistani-origin journalist based in Canada has claimed that Al Hussein was in touch with him when he was preparing the controversial report, which India has rejected.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar yesterday questioned the intention of bringing out the report.&nbsp;

"The document that was brought out reflected the clear bias of the official, who was acting without a mandate whatsoever and who relied on unverified source of information. The report which was put out was very motivated. It had a clear bias. And when I say motivated, it explains what you are alluding to," he had said.

Speaking on 'Global Dialogue Security Summit' at a seminar in New Delhi, V K Singh said, "historically, India has had a continental outlook. It never had a global outlook".

And because of this, the former Army chief said, India remained within its borders and did not venture out extensively anywhere.

"However, its culture, soft power and religion has reached many places," he said.

"Our cultural outreach was far and wide but otherwise in a projection of power, we had a continental outlook," he said.

'That report has nothing to with the UN. That was an individual report and let's keep it that,' he said, responding to a question on the issue on the sidelines of an event in New Delhi

Union Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh today dubbed the UN Human Rights Commission report on alleged human rights violations in Kashmir an "individual report" and said it has nothing to do with the international body. "That report has nothing to with the UN. That was an individual report and let's keep it that," he said, responding to a question on the issue on the sidelines of an event in New Delhi. Earlier this week, Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the UN Maleeha Lodhi referred to the June 14 report on Kashmir and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein when the Security Council was discussion Children and Armed Conflict. In the report, Al Hussein has called for a commission of inquiry by the Human Rights Council to conduct an independent international investigation into human rights situation in Kashmir. In a sharp rebuttal, India's Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Tanmaya Lal has said that the "so-called" report reflects the "clear bias of an official who was acting without any mandate whatsoever and relied on unverified sources of information." According to media reports, Zafar Bangash, a Pakistani-origin journalist based in Canada has claimed that Al Hussein was in touch with him when he was preparing the controversial report, which India has rejected. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar yesterday questioned the intention of bringing out the report. "The document that was brought out reflected the clear bias of the official, who was acting without a mandate whatsoever and who relied on unverified source of information. The report which was put out was very motivated. It had a clear bias. And when I say motivated, it explains what you are alluding to," he had said. Speaking on 'Global Dialogue Security Summit' at a seminar in New Delhi, V K Singh said, "historically, India has had a continental outlook. It never had a global outlook". And because of this, the former Army chief said, India remained within its borders and did not venture out extensively anywhere. "However, its culture, soft power and religion has reached many places," he said. "Our cultural outreach was far and wide but otherwise in a projection of power, we had a continental outlook," he said.

UNHRC report on Kashmir has nothing to do with the intelligence body: V K Singh

Maharashtra has asked multiplex owners to permit movie-goers to bring their own food items as well as reduce the price of eatables sold inside the premises, a state minister said on Friday.

People cannot be prohibited from carrying outside food and the government has given directives regarding this to owners of malls and multiplexes, said Ravindra Chavan, junior minister for food and civil supplies and consumer protection.

Food and beverages at high-end cinemas in India are often priced at a significant premium to their retail price in the market and help bulk up revenues for multiplex operators.

The government's decision, which will be enforced on August 1, sent shares of multiplex operators tumbling, with PVR Ltd and INOX Leisure Ltd diving as much as 14.1 percent and 14 percent, respectively, on the broader NSE index that ended slightly lower.

PVR did not respond to Reuters` request for comment, while INOX was not immediately reachable.

Food and beverages at high-end cinemas in India are often priced at a significant premium to their retail price in the market and help bulk up revenues for multiplex operators.

Maharashtra has asked multiplex owners to permit movie-goers to bring their own food items as well as reduce the price of eatables sold inside the premises, a state minister said on Friday. People cannot be prohibited from carrying outside food and the government has given directives regarding this to owners of malls and multiplexes, said Ravindra Chavan, junior minister for food and civil supplies and consumer protection. Food and beverages at high-end cinemas in India are often priced at a significant premium to their retail price in the market and help bulk up revenues for multiplex operators. The government's decision, which will be enforced on August 1, sent shares of multiplex operators tumbling, with PVR Ltd and INOX Leisure Ltd diving as much as 14.1 percent and 14 percent, respectively, on the broader NSE index that ended slightly lower. PVR did not respond to Reuters` request for comment, while INOX was not immediately reachable.

Maharashtra asks multiplexes to allow outside food, cap prices

The Delhi High Court on Friday directed Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash and two other bureaucrats to appear before the committees of Delhi Legislative Assembly which had issued notices to them, warning them of contempt if they did not do so.

Justice Vibhu Bakhru warned the Chief Secretary and two other IAS officers that the court could issue contempt action against them if they failed to appear before the panels, saying they are officers and will have to appear before all the committees.

The order came after the counsel for Delhi Legislative Assembly, the Speaker and two panels informed the court that the three officers were neither appearing before the committees nor giving a reply to the information sought from them.

They were taking advantage of the court's earlier order restraining the authorities from taking action against them, the counsels alleged. The high court had on March 9 asked the panels not to take coercive steps against the IAS officers.

The court today said, "it is clarified that the petitioners (bureaucrats) shall participate in the proceedings of the panels without prejudice to their rights and contentions."

"It is the direction of this court that you will have to appear. If you fail to appear, forget about them (authorities), this court will issue contempt action against you".

The court also made it clear that the committees will not take any coercive action against the bureaucrats until the pendency of petitions and directed that the proceedings of the panel meetings should be videographed.

The chief secretary was earlier served a notice by the Privileges Committee for skipping a meeting on February 20, which was scheduled a day after he was allegedly assaulted by two AAP MLAs -- Amanatullah Khan and Prakash Jarwal.

The Privileges Committee had issued the notice after receiving a complaint against the Chief Secretary by the Question & Reference (Q&R) Committee.

The Q&R Committee had also served notice on two IAS officers -- J B Singh, Registrar of Cooperative Societies, and Shurbir Singh, the chief executive officer of the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB).

The chief secretary and the two officers were called for the meeting by the Q&R Committee to examine issues in which a reply from the Department of Cooperative Society was found to be incomplete and unsatisfactory. The issues related to the Delhi Nagrik Sahkari Bank Ltd.&nbsp;

Justice Vibhu Bakhru warned the Chief Secretary and two other IAS officers that the court could issue contempt action against them if they failed to appear before the panels, saying they are officers and will have to appear before all the committees

The Delhi High Court on Friday directed Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash and two other bureaucrats to appear before the committees of Delhi Legislative Assembly which had issued notices to them, warning them of contempt if they did not do so. Justice Vibhu Bakhru warned the Chief Secretary and two other IAS officers that the court could issue contempt action against them if they failed to appear before the panels, saying they are officers and will have to appear before all the committees. The order came after the counsel for Delhi Legislative Assembly, the Speaker and two panels informed the court that the three officers were neither appearing before the committees nor giving a reply to the information sought from them. They were taking advantage of the court's earlier order restraining the authorities from taking action against them, the counsels alleged. The high court had on March 9 asked the panels not to take coercive steps against the IAS officers. The court today said, "it is clarified that the petitioners (bureaucrats) shall participate in the proceedings of the panels without prejudice to their rights and contentions." "It is the direction of this court that you will have to appear. If you fail to appear, forget about them (authorities), this court will issue contempt action against you". The court also made it clear that the committees will not take any coercive action against the bureaucrats until the pendency of petitions and directed that the proceedings of the panel meetings should be videographed. The chief secretary was earlier served a notice by the Privileges Committee for skipping a meeting on February 20, which was scheduled a day after he was allegedly assaulted by two AAP MLAs -- Amanatullah Khan and Prakash Jarwal. The Privileges Committee had issued the notice after receiving a complaint against the Chief Secretary by the Question & Reference (Q&R) Committee. The Q&R Committee had also served notice on two IAS officers -- J B Singh, Registrar of Cooperative Societies, and Shurbir Singh, the chief executive officer of the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB). The chief secretary and the two officers were called for the meeting by the Q&R Committee to examine issues in which a reply from the Department of Cooperative Society was found to be incomplete and unsatisfactory. The issues related to the Delhi Nagrik Sahkari Bank Ltd.

Delhi High Court directs Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash to appear before Assembly panels

Head of the communications department of the Congress party, Randeep Surjewala spoke to WION. During the exclusive conversation, he said that Congress should not have any tie-up with any party including BSP.&nbsp;

Surjewala also said that he would like to re-contest from his assembly constituency indicating that he would like to go back to his home state Haryana. Importantly, Randeep expressed his disappointment at the state of affairs in Haryana Congress. He said non-constitution of various committees has led to sluggishness in the party. He says that Congress as an organization has miles to travel in the state.

WION: How do you evaluate Haryana’s Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar’s performance?

Randeep Surjewala: His performance has been a zero-sum game. BJP wants to destroy societal harmony in Haryana. The state has witnessed caste oriented riots consistently for 3 years. For the first time, it is also witnessing communal polarisation in the belt surrounding Delhi which has a minority population. He promised crores of investment but nothing much happened on the ground the inefficiency is best illustrated by the paper leakage in Haryana staff selection commission scandal.

WION: If Haryana is so important why has Congress not done anything organisationally? Most of the positions vacant? The state does not have an in-charge and basic committees are not formed?

Randeep Surjewala: I must admit that in Haryana when it comes to the organisation, we will have miles to go. Non-constitution of the block Congress committees and district committees and sub-committees has led to disappointment in the Congress workers. It has led to sluggishness in organisational activities. Most of the Congress leaders, former CM, myself, Kumar Sailja and others have tried to make up for the lack of organisational hierarchy by organising public rallies across the state. We have tried to bridge the lack of an organisational hierarchy with active political activity.

WION: Why has that happened? You are talking about individual effort?

Randeep Surjewala: I cannot answer this question because neither I’m the PCC President nor in charge of the state. It should be addressed to those in the organisational hierarchy.

WION: The image of the Congress suffered when non-Jat communities were targeted in Haryana. What has the party done to correct the image?

Randeep Surjewala: People have seen through the game plan of the incumbent BJP government in Haryana. &nbsp;Congress workers and leaders reached out to the various sections of the community. It was the Khattar government which did not take any action against those who were part of the riots. There was an agenda to malign the Congress leaders. We are organising empowerment meetings with various sections of the society in the state. Congress Party’s vision of the future and the work we have done in past will tide over the confine of caste which has been accentuated in past three years.

WION: Name of a close aide of the former CM of the party also cropped up?

Randeep Surjewala: BJP led a malicious campaign to tie many leaders to riots. My question is that if Congress leaders were involved in the riots, why have they not been charge-sheeted? We are not in power, It is BJP who is running the state. The aide mentioned in the interview was exonerated by the police itself.

WION: Is there a possibility of a tie-up with smaller parties in Haryana in the Congress? With BSP or other smaller parties?

Randeep Surjewala: I don’t want to pre-guess the position, Congress would take at the national level as it is yet to be decided. In Haryana, Congress is capable of fighting elections and does not require any coalition with any political party including the BSP. We believe that the poorer section and the schedule caste section has a direct affiliation and faith in the Congress Party which is far more than either BSP or any other party. Congress must go alone in the state assembly elections in Haryana.

WION: Who is the CM candidate?

Randeep Surjewala: It will be decided by the Congress legislators and the party leadership. Many people may aspire and may have ambition, the Congress Party is higher than them.&nbsp;

WION: Have you thought of going back to Haryana politics?

Randeep Surjewala: Ultimately it would depend on the party but I would like to recontest the next assembly election as my constituents elected me from the most challenging time&nbsp;when Congress lost from Sirsa to Kalka in the state. My margin of victory was higher than in 2009. When Congress forms the government, people of the area should be able to reap the rewards of the development. I would like to re-contest from the seat of Kaithal again.

WION: If get the opportunity to become the CM of the state?

Randeep Surjewala: Everyone has an ambition but such ambitions and aspirations should be subservient to the larger interest of the Congress Party in the state.

WION: What is the agenda of the Congress in the state?

Randeep Surjewala: There is no administration in Haryana. Haryana lacks efficient distribution of water in the state. The industry also needs to be given new impetus. Khattar transferred two of the units of Maruti from Haryana to Gujarat. It has led to a loss of jobs. We will need to get more industries in the state. Even urban development requires fresh focus as many cities do not even have a proper drainage system. Lastly, law and order have become a major issue as organised gangs are ruling the roost in the state. Gang-rapes are common in the state which makes us very infamous and all this needs to be changed.

During the exclusive conversation, he said that Congress should not have any tie-up with any party including BSP.

Head of the communications department of the Congress party, Randeep Surjewala spoke to WION. During the exclusive conversation, he said that Congress should not have any tie-up with any party including BSP. Surjewala also said that he would like to re-contest from his assembly constituency indicating that he would like to go back to his home state Haryana. Importantly, Randeep expressed his disappointment at the state of affairs in Haryana Congress. He said non-constitution of various committees has led to sluggishness in the party. He says that Congress as an organization has miles to travel in the state. WION: How do you evaluate Haryana’s Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar’s performance? Randeep Surjewala: His performance has been a zero-sum game. BJP wants to destroy societal harmony in Haryana. The state has witnessed caste oriented riots consistently for 3 years. For the first time, it is also witnessing communal polarisation in the belt surrounding Delhi which has a minority population. He promised crores of investment but nothing much happened on the ground the inefficiency is best illustrated by the paper leakage in Haryana staff selection commission scandal. WION: If Haryana is so important why has Congress not done anything organisationally? Most of the positions vacant? The state does not have an in-charge and basic committees are not formed? Randeep Surjewala: I must admit that in Haryana when it comes to the organisation, we will have miles to go. Non-constitution of the block Congress committees and district committees and sub-committees has led to disappointment in the Congress workers. It has led to sluggishness in organisational activities. Most of the Congress leaders, former CM, myself, Kumar Sailja and others have tried to make up for the lack of organisational hierarchy by organising public rallies across the state. We have tried to bridge the lack of an organisational hierarchy with active political activity. WION: Why has that happened? You are talking about individual effort? Randeep Surjewala: I cannot answer this question because neither I’m the PCC President nor in charge of the state. It should be addressed to those in the organisational hierarchy. WION: The image of the Congress suffered when non-Jat communities were targeted in Haryana. What has the party done to correct the image? Randeep Surjewala: People have seen through the game plan of the incumbent BJP government in Haryana. Congress workers and leaders reached out to the various sections of the community. It was the Khattar government which did not take any action against those who were part of the riots. There was an agenda to malign the Congress leaders. We are organising empowerment meetings with various sections of the society in the state. Congress Party’s vision of the future and the work we have done in past will tide over the confine of caste which has been accentuated in past three years. WION: Name of a close aide of the former CM of the party also cropped up? Randeep Surjewala: BJP led a malicious campaign to tie many leaders to riots. My question is that if Congress leaders were involved in the riots, why have they not been charge-sheeted? We are not in power, It is BJP who is running the state. The aide mentioned in the interview was exonerated by the police itself. WION: Is there a possibility of a tie-up with smaller parties in Haryana in the Congress? With BSP or other smaller parties? Randeep Surjewala: I don’t want to pre-guess the position, Congress would take at the national level as it is yet to be decided. In Haryana, Congress is capable of fighting elections and does not require any coalition with any political party including the BSP. We believe that the poorer section and the schedule caste section has a direct affiliation and faith in the Congress Party which is far more than either BSP or any other party. Congress must go alone in the state assembly elections in Haryana. WION: Who is the CM candidate? Randeep Surjewala: It will be decided by the Congress legislators and the party leadership. Many people may aspire and may have ambition, the Congress Party is higher than them. WION: Have you thought of going back to Haryana politics? Randeep Surjewala: Ultimately it would depend on the party but I would like to recontest the next assembly election as my constituents elected me from the most challenging time when Congress lost from Sirsa to Kalka in the state. My margin of victory was higher than in 2009. When Congress forms the government, people of the area should be able to reap the rewards of the development. I would like to re-contest from the seat of Kaithal again. WION: If get the opportunity to become the CM of the state? Randeep Surjewala: Everyone has an ambition but such ambitions and aspirations should be subservient to the larger interest of the Congress Party in the state. WION: What is the agenda of the Congress in the state? Randeep Surjewala: There is no administration in Haryana. Haryana lacks efficient distribution of water in the state. The industry also needs to be given new impetus. Khattar transferred two of the units of Maruti from Haryana to Gujarat. It has led to a loss of jobs. We will need to get more industries in the state. Even urban development requires fresh focus as many cities do not even have a proper drainage system. Lastly, law and order have become a major issue as organised gangs are ruling the roost in the state. Gang-rapes are common in the state which makes us very infamous and all this needs to be changed.

'Congress has miles to go in Haryana', Randeep Surjewala to WION

India is in the final stage of sealing the deal for procuring Russia's S-400 missile system, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said today.

"The talks have reached conclusive stage. Once done, it will take about two and a half to four years to implement," she said.

The deal to procure the S-400 Triumf air defence missile systems for Indian Air Force is worth Rs 40,000 crore.

India has been negotiating the deal with Russia for the missile system for quite some time. The two countries are trying to insulate the deal from the sanctions announced by the US against Russia under its Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).

The issue is understood to have figured during Modi's informal talks with Putin in Sochi in May this year.

There has been mounting concerns in India over the US sanctions against Russian defence majors including Rosoboronexport as billions of dollars of military purchases may be impacted because of the punitive measure.

The US had announced sanctions against Russia under the stringent law for its alleged meddling in the American presidential election in 2016.

CAATSA, which came into effect in January, mandates the Donald Trump administration to punish entities engaging in significant transaction with the defence or intelligence establishment of Russia.

India wants to procure the long-range missile systems to tighten its air defence mechanism, particularly along the nearly 4,000-km-long Sino-India border.

In 2016, India and Russia had signed an agreement on the 'Triumf' interceptor-based missile system which can destroy incoming hostile aircraft, missiles and even drones at ranges of up to 400 km. S-400 is known as Russia's most advanced long-range surface-to-air missile defence system.

The S-400 is an upgraded version of the S-300 systems. The missile system, manufactured by Almaz-Antey, has been in service in Russia since 2007.

(With inputs from agencies)

The issue is understood to have figured during Modi's informal talks with Putin in Sochi in May this year.

India is in the final stage of sealing the deal for procuring Russia's S-400 missile system, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said today. "The talks have reached conclusive stage. Once done, it will take about two and a half to four years to implement," she said. The deal to procure the S-400 Triumf air defence missile systems for Indian Air Force is worth Rs 40,000 crore. India has been negotiating the deal with Russia for the missile system for quite some time. The two countries are trying to insulate the deal from the sanctions announced by the US against Russia under its Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA). The issue is understood to have figured during Modi's informal talks with Putin in Sochi in May this year. There has been mounting concerns in India over the US sanctions against Russian defence majors including Rosoboronexport as billions of dollars of military purchases may be impacted because of the punitive measure. The US had announced sanctions against Russia under the stringent law for its alleged meddling in the American presidential election in 2016. CAATSA, which came into effect in January, mandates the Donald Trump administration to punish entities engaging in significant transaction with the defence or intelligence establishment of Russia. India wants to procure the long-range missile systems to tighten its air defence mechanism, particularly along the nearly 4,000-km-long Sino-India border. In 2016, India and Russia had signed an agreement on the 'Triumf' interceptor-based missile system which can destroy incoming hostile aircraft, missiles and even drones at ranges of up to 400 km. S-400 is known as Russia's most advanced long-range surface-to-air missile defence system. The S-400 is an upgraded version of the S-300 systems. The missile system, manufactured by Almaz-Antey, has been in service in Russia since 2007. (With inputs from agencies)

Talks to procure S-400 missiles from Russia at conclusive stage: Nirmala Sitharaman

US sanctions on Iran and Russia have caused anxieties around the world, and India is no exception.

The country is dependent on Iranian oil and Russian defence hardware.&nbsp;Even as India weighs its options, America's NATO ally Turkey says it will buy oil from Iran and defence equipment from Russia in defiance of US sanctions.

Turkey's foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told a meeting on the margins of the NATO summit that, ''I tried to buy from my allies. I wanted to buy from the US for the last 10 years It didn’t work. I couldn’t buy from NATO allies, so Russia gave me the best proposal. and now I’m buying from Russia.”

Sakir Torunlar, Turkey's envoy to India also echoed the same view when he said "As, during the past sanctions period, Turkey never followed unilateral sanctions... like India, only with united nations security council sanctions... I don't think Turkey will change position a sit never had prior to 2015 period." 
&nbsp; 
The Turkish envoy was referring to Indian foreign minister's comments.

''Our policy is very clear. We only honour United Nations sanctions. We do not honour country-specific sanctions. Even the last time when the US sanctions were imposed on Iran, we carried on with our trade ties with Iran,'' said Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj recently in Delhi.&nbsp;

The US, which wants India to reduce its Iranian oil imports to zero, has threatened punitive action against India and Turkey.

Meanwhile. the first installment of sanctions&nbsp;kicks in on August 6. Remaining sanctions to take effect from November 4 which will target Iran's banking and energy sectors.&nbsp;

Russia is India's mainstay when it comes to defence procurement. For Turkey, Russia is a key player in neighbouring Syria which makes Erdogan and Modi unlikely allies.&nbsp;

Even as India weighs its options, America's NATO ally Turkey says it will buy oil from Iran and defence equipment from Russia in defiance of US sanctions.

US sanctions on Iran and Russia have caused anxieties around the world, and India is no exception. The country is dependent on Iranian oil and Russian defence hardware. Even as India weighs its options, America's NATO ally Turkey says it will buy oil from Iran and defence equipment from Russia in defiance of US sanctions. Turkey's foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told a meeting on the margins of the NATO summit that, ''I tried to buy from my allies. I wanted to buy from the US for the last 10 years It didn’t work. I couldn’t buy from NATO allies, so Russia gave me the best proposal. and now I’m buying from Russia.” Sakir Torunlar, Turkey's envoy to India also echoed the same view when he said "As, during the past sanctions period, Turkey never followed unilateral sanctions... like India, only with united nations security council sanctions... I don't think Turkey will change position a sit never had prior to 2015 period." The Turkish envoy was referring to Indian foreign minister's comments. ''Our policy is very clear. We only honour United Nations sanctions. We do not honour country-specific sanctions. Even the last time when the US sanctions were imposed on Iran, we carried on with our trade ties with Iran,'' said Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj recently in Delhi. The US, which wants India to reduce its Iranian oil imports to zero, has threatened punitive action against India and Turkey. Meanwhile. the first installment of sanctions kicks in on August 6. Remaining sanctions to take effect from November 4 which will target Iran's banking and energy sectors. Russia is India's mainstay when it comes to defence procurement. For Turkey, Russia is a key player in neighbouring Syria which makes Erdogan and Modi unlikely allies.

Turkey defies Iran sanctions as India bids its time

India has invited US President Donald Trump as the chief guest for Republic Day.

Quoting sources, news agency ANI reported on Friday that an invite has been sent to Trump.

Earlier reports said that Trump is expected to reply in the affirmative.&nbsp;

The reports said the invite was sent to Trump in April and that it was followed by several rounds of diplomatic engagement.&nbsp;

Should he come, the Modi government will think of Trump's visit as a major coup. Trump's predecessor Barack Obama was Modi's first Republic Day chief guest in 2015.&nbsp;

But it is not a done deal yet. And remember, Trump is unpredictable.&nbsp;

Also remember, the Americans are not comfortable with India's historical and close ties with Iran.

Nikki Haley recently told India to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/uss-haley-tells-india-to-rethink-ties-with-iran-147736">rethink</a>&nbsp;its ties with Iran. She added that in the US' eyes, Iran was the next North Korea.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-to-act-in-national-interest-as-iran-us-tussle-government-sources-to-wion-148945">India to act in 'national interest' as Iran-US tussle intensifies, government sources tell WION</a>

Iran is also a major oil supplier to India.&nbsp;

Nor has the US been very happy about India's choosing of the Russian&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/what-is-the-s-400-missile-defence-system-that-india-is-eyeing-to-buy-140653">S-400</a>&nbsp;missile defence system over the US' Thaad system.&nbsp;

And of course, Trump has also mentioned the "high" tariffs India slaps on American goods. India also has a trade surplus with the US although it pales in comparison with the size of China's surplus.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

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Quoting sources, news agency ANI reported on Friday that an invite has been sent to Trump

India has invited US President Donald Trump as the chief guest for Republic Day. Quoting sources, news agency ANI reported on Friday that an invite has been sent to Trump. Earlier reports said that Trump is expected to reply in the affirmative. The reports said the invite was sent to Trump in April and that it was followed by several rounds of diplomatic engagement. Should he come, the Modi government will think of Trump's visit as a major coup. Trump's predecessor Barack Obama was Modi's first Republic Day chief guest in 2015. But it is not a done deal yet. And remember, Trump is unpredictable. Also remember, the Americans are not comfortable with India's historical and close ties with Iran. Nikki Haley recently told India to rethink its ties with Iran. She added that in the US' eyes, Iran was the next North Korea. Also read: India to act in 'national interest' as Iran-US tussle intensifies, government sources tell WION Iran is also a major oil supplier to India. Nor has the US been very happy about India's choosing of the Russian S-400 missile defence system over the US' Thaad system. And of course, Trump has also mentioned the "high" tariffs India slaps on American goods. India also has a trade surplus with the US although it pales in comparison with the size of China's surplus. India has invited US President Donald Trump as the chief guest for Republic Day: Sources pic.twitter.com/vk6QC8ShBf — ANI (@ANI) July 13, 2018 ×

US President Donald Trump to be chief guest of 2019 Republic Day parade

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