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US President Donald Trump is expected to be the chief guest at next year's Republic Day parade.&nbsp;

News reports said Friday that an invite has been sent to Trump, and 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 <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/uss-haley-tells-india-to-rethink-ties-with-iran-147736">rethink</a> its ties with Iran. She added that in the US' eyes, Iran was the next North Korea.&nbsp;

Also read: <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 <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> 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;

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An invite was sent to Trump in April, and the US president is expected to reply in the affirmative

US President Donald Trump is expected to be the chief guest at next year's Republic Day parade. News reports said Friday that an invite has been sent to Trump, and 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.

Chief guest at next Republic Day parade may be Donald Trump

&nbspA former sugar mill manager allegedly shot himself after being pressured by a retired IAS officer to get demonetised currency notes worth Rs 10 crore exchanged in a village in Shamli district, police said on Friday.

The incident occurred in Badhev village under the Adarsh Mandi police station area last evening, Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Shalok Kumar said.

The victim, Vijay Singh (51), left a suicide note accusing brother-in-law and retired IAS officer Vinod Kumar Pawar of putting pressure on him to get the demonetised notes exchanged, he said.

According to the suicide note, the victim had helped the accused exchange demonetised notes worth Rs 50 lakh earlier, the ASP said, adding that he also alleged that Pawar had forcibly captured a piece of land belonging to Singh's mother.

The pistol used in the suicide was seized and the note sent to handwriting experts for verification, the ASP said.

A case was registered under various sections of the law and an investigation was underway, he added.

Pawar, a resident of Ghaziabad, was earlier posted as an additional district magistrate in Muzaffarnagar and as a district magistrate in Bijnore.&nbsp

The victim, Vijay Singh (51), left a suicide note accusing brother-in-law and retired IAS officer Vinod Kumar Pawar of putting pressure on him to get the demonetised notes exchanged, he said.

&nbspA former sugar mill manager allegedly shot himself after being pressured by a retired IAS officer to get demonetised currency notes worth Rs 10 crore exchanged in a village in Shamli district, police said on Friday. The incident occurred in Badhev village under the Adarsh Mandi police station area last evening, Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Shalok Kumar said. The victim, Vijay Singh (51), left a suicide note accusing brother-in-law and retired IAS officer Vinod Kumar Pawar of putting pressure on him to get the demonetised notes exchanged, he said. According to the suicide note, the victim had helped the accused exchange demonetised notes worth Rs 50 lakh earlier, the ASP said, adding that he also alleged that Pawar had forcibly captured a piece of land belonging to Singh's mother. The pistol used in the suicide was seized and the note sent to handwriting experts for verification, the ASP said. A case was registered under various sections of the law and an investigation was underway, he added. Pawar, a resident of Ghaziabad, was earlier posted as an additional district magistrate in Muzaffarnagar and as a district magistrate in Bijnore.

Man kills self under pressure from retired IAS to get demonetised notes worth Rs 10 cr exchanged

A lot of hue and cry has been made about Congress president Rahul Gandhi's meeting with Muslim activists and intellectuals. To put it bluntly, it is not minority appeasement. The treatment of minorities cannot be at the sufferance of a political narrative which seeks political compensation on ground of perceived injustice in public life. If political parties can have outreach with the scheduled castes and schedule tribes then they can also have an outreach with the Muslims and any other community. Traditional cultural and political outreach within Hinduism has been around various 'samaj'. Except RSS and BJP who focus on 'Hindu' nomenclature, the outreach has been historically around various communities which are part of Hinduism.

In the context of the Congress, the issue of engagement with the Muslim community remains unresolved post 2014 elections. The ease of yesteryears is absent. Senior leaders like Sonia Gandhi have accepted in public that perception about Congress is that it is a party only for the minorities. It is in this context, the outreach question has become political. If Congress is a national party with secular credentials, then do it require an outreach with a community which is expected to vote for them? Are Muslims the only minorities in India? Would it have been better if Jains, Buddhists, Sikhs, Parsis and Christians been part of the meeting with Rahul Gandhi? Is minority coterminous with Muslims for the Congress in India?

It also brings me to the issue of the people who met Mr. Gandhi. With due respect, the people who met Rahul Gandhi on Muslim issues, do they really reflect the&nbsp; anxiety of Muslims in far corners of India? Are they the political agents who have mobolised Muslim community for the Congress during elections? All of them are achievers but do they reflect the interest, ideas and experience of poor Muslims who have been left behind because of communalism and political appeasement at the same time.

Congress has decided to go for an outreach programme before the Lok Sabha elections. A similar exercise was done even during 2014 elections. Modi had no outreach exercise. He went for massive public mobolisation accompanied with massive messaging on the social media against Gandhi. It is history and we all know what happened.

The meeting shows that the dilemma in the Congress over its engagement with the Muslim community has not ended. BJP has the clarity that it would only go for the Hindu vote as originally envisaged by the RSS. Its politics would be opposed to any symbols associated with Muslims. Only outreach towards minority would be through governance. Even the reform within the community in context of nikah halala and triple talaq serves dual purpose. It helps Muslim women in India but has also send the message that BJP is treating both communities equally. The only irony is that reform which should have been done by the Congress today is a tool for politics because Congress leaders still support Islamic patriarchy and have not accommodated enlightened Muslim world view emanating from the better sex. 
&nbsp; 
Congress took a radical turn during the Gujarat assembly elections. Rahul Gandhi who throughout UPA’s tenure was not seen strongly associated with religious symbols, hopped from temple to another. It&nbsp; was a departure from his speech in Hyderabad where he said that national flag is his religion.

There is a section in the Congress which feels that Congress should be unapologetic about its politics of secularism and party’s close association with Muslims should not be undermined.

In my view the real problem from the Congress stemmed from Rahul Gandhi’s political world view during UPA’s regime. He did not gauge that societies despite prosperity and development can become conservative. Austria, US and Italy are case in example. &nbsp;

2014 elections broke the binary of religious and secular in Indian political life. Then new construct allowed people to be publically devout and still be unbiased towards other religions. It created a new balance between the majority and minority communities. It is for this reason that the first place Modi went to after the winning the election was Pashupathi Nath temple in Kathmandu. Not a single word was uttered. Vermillion on his forehead and silent streaming of the visuals did the rest. Rahul has done similar with a limited effect where vermillion on his forehead was visible through the campaign in Gujarat.

Congress requires an imagery of what it is and where does it stand on the issue of majority and minority. In my view one can be religious and tolerant at the same time. There is a difference between Hindutva and Hinduism. Congress should embrace Hinduism to defeat Hindutva. Hindusim is way of life and Hindutva is an ideology which is intolerant and discriminates against other religion. It is not that Hinduism does not have the problem of caste but it also has inclusive philosophies.

It is just that this imagery needs to be constructed and projected powerfully. The best example in case is former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. She could add secular to the Preamble of the Constitution during Emergency and still be perceived as a devout Hindu years later.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Rahul Gandhi's meeting with Muslim elites shows that the dilemma in the Congress over its engagement with the Muslim community has not ended.

A lot of hue and cry has been made about Congress president Rahul Gandhi's meeting with Muslim activists and intellectuals. To put it bluntly, it is not minority appeasement. The treatment of minorities cannot be at the sufferance of a political narrative which seeks political compensation on ground of perceived injustice in public life. If political parties can have outreach with the scheduled castes and schedule tribes then they can also have an outreach with the Muslims and any other community. Traditional cultural and political outreach within Hinduism has been around various 'samaj'. Except RSS and BJP who focus on 'Hindu' nomenclature, the outreach has been historically around various communities which are part of Hinduism. In the context of the Congress, the issue of engagement with the Muslim community remains unresolved post 2014 elections. The ease of yesteryears is absent. Senior leaders like Sonia Gandhi have accepted in public that perception about Congress is that it is a party only for the minorities. It is in this context, the outreach question has become political. If Congress is a national party with secular credentials, then do it require an outreach with a community which is expected to vote for them? Are Muslims the only minorities in India? Would it have been better if Jains, Buddhists, Sikhs, Parsis and Christians been part of the meeting with Rahul Gandhi? Is minority coterminous with Muslims for the Congress in India? It also brings me to the issue of the people who met Mr. Gandhi. With due respect, the people who met Rahul Gandhi on Muslim issues, do they really reflect the anxiety of Muslims in far corners of India? Are they the political agents who have mobolised Muslim community for the Congress during elections? All of them are achievers but do they reflect the interest, ideas and experience of poor Muslims who have been left behind because of communalism and political appeasement at the same time. Congress has decided to go for an outreach programme before the Lok Sabha elections. A similar exercise was done even during 2014 elections. Modi had no outreach exercise. He went for massive public mobolisation accompanied with massive messaging on the social media against Gandhi. It is history and we all know what happened. The meeting shows that the dilemma in the Congress over its engagement with the Muslim community has not ended. BJP has the clarity that it would only go for the Hindu vote as originally envisaged by the RSS. Its politics would be opposed to any symbols associated with Muslims. Only outreach towards minority would be through governance. Even the reform within the community in context of nikah halala and triple talaq serves dual purpose. It helps Muslim women in India but has also send the message that BJP is treating both communities equally. The only irony is that reform which should have been done by the Congress today is a tool for politics because Congress leaders still support Islamic patriarchy and have not accommodated enlightened Muslim world view emanating from the better sex. Congress took a radical turn during the Gujarat assembly elections. Rahul Gandhi who throughout UPA’s tenure was not seen strongly associated with religious symbols, hopped from temple to another. It was a departure from his speech in Hyderabad where he said that national flag is his religion. There is a section in the Congress which feels that Congress should be unapologetic about its politics of secularism and party’s close association with Muslims should not be undermined. In my view the real problem from the Congress stemmed from Rahul Gandhi’s political world view during UPA’s regime. He did not gauge that societies despite prosperity and development can become conservative. Austria, US and Italy are case in example. 2014 elections broke the binary of religious and secular in Indian political life. Then new construct allowed people to be publically devout and still be unbiased towards other religions. It created a new balance between the majority and minority communities. It is for this reason that the first place Modi went to after the winning the election was Pashupathi Nath temple in Kathmandu. Not a single word was uttered. Vermillion on his forehead and silent streaming of the visuals did the rest. Rahul has done similar with a limited effect where vermillion on his forehead was visible through the campaign in Gujarat. Congress requires an imagery of what it is and where does it stand on the issue of majority and minority. In my view one can be religious and tolerant at the same time. There is a difference between Hindutva and Hinduism. Congress should embrace Hinduism to defeat Hindutva. Hindusim is way of life and Hindutva is an ideology which is intolerant and discriminates against other religion. It is not that Hinduism does not have the problem of caste but it also has inclusive philosophies. It is just that this imagery needs to be constructed and projected powerfully. The best example in case is former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. She could add secular to the Preamble of the Constitution during Emergency and still be perceived as a devout Hindu years later. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Congress must embrace Hinduism unapologetically to defeat Hindutva

The Supreme Court on Friday took a strong note of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry's decision to set up a social media hub for monitoring online data, observing that it will be "like creating a surveillance state".&nbsp;

The top court said the government wants to tap citizens' WhatsApp messages and sought its response within two weeks.

A bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud issued notice to the Centre on a plea by Trinamool Congress (TMC) legislator Mahua Moitra and sought Attorney General K K Venugopal's assistance in the matter.

"The government wants to tap citizens' WhatsApp messages. It will be like creating a surveillance state," the bench said.

Senior advocate A M Singhvi, appearing for Moitra, said the government has issued request for proposal and the tender will be opened on August 20.

"They want to monitor social media content with the help of this social media hub," Singhvi said.

The bench then said it is listing the matter on August 3, before the opening of tender on August 20 and the AG or any law officer for the government will assist the court in the matter.

Earlier, on June 18, the apex court had refused to accord urgent hearing on the plea seeking to stay a central government move to set up a 'Social Media Communication Hub' that would collect and analyse digital and social media content.

The counsel for Moitra had said that the government is trying to monitor social media content of individuals by tracking their social media accounts such as those on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, and their e-mails.

Recently, the Broadcast Engineering Consultants India Limited (BECIL), a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) under the ministry, had floated a tender to supply a software for the project.

"A technology platform is needed to collect digital media chatter from all core social media platforms as well as digital platforms such as news, blogs... In a single system providing real-time insights, metrics and other valuable data," the tender document says.

Under the project, media persons would be employed on contractual basis in each district to be the "eyes and ears" of the government and provide real-time updates from the ground.

The tender document says the platform is expected to provide automated reports, tactical insights and comprehensive work-flows to initiate engagement across digital channels.

"The platform maybe used to disseminate content and hence, should support publishing features," the document says, adding the platform needs to power a real-time New Media Command Room," according to the tender document.

It should also help the ministry to understand the impact of various social media campaigns conducted on Centre-run schemes, it says.&nbsp;

The Supreme Court on Friday took strong note of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry's decision to set up a social media hub for monitoring online data, observing that it will be 'like creating a surveillance state'

The Supreme Court on Friday took a strong note of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry's decision to set up a social media hub for monitoring online data, observing that it will be "like creating a surveillance state". The top court said the government wants to tap citizens' WhatsApp messages and sought its response within two weeks. A bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud issued notice to the Centre on a plea by Trinamool Congress (TMC) legislator Mahua Moitra and sought Attorney General K K Venugopal's assistance in the matter. "The government wants to tap citizens' WhatsApp messages. It will be like creating a surveillance state," the bench said. Senior advocate A M Singhvi, appearing for Moitra, said the government has issued request for proposal and the tender will be opened on August 20. "They want to monitor social media content with the help of this social media hub," Singhvi said. The bench then said it is listing the matter on August 3, before the opening of tender on August 20 and the AG or any law officer for the government will assist the court in the matter. Earlier, on June 18, the apex court had refused to accord urgent hearing on the plea seeking to stay a central government move to set up a 'Social Media Communication Hub' that would collect and analyse digital and social media content. The counsel for Moitra had said that the government is trying to monitor social media content of individuals by tracking their social media accounts such as those on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, and their e-mails. Recently, the Broadcast Engineering Consultants India Limited (BECIL), a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) under the ministry, had floated a tender to supply a software for the project. "A technology platform is needed to collect digital media chatter from all core social media platforms as well as digital platforms such as news, blogs... In a single system providing real-time insights, metrics and other valuable data," the tender document says. Under the project, media persons would be employed on contractual basis in each district to be the "eyes and ears" of the government and provide real-time updates from the ground. The tender document says the platform is expected to provide automated reports, tactical insights and comprehensive work-flows to initiate engagement across digital channels. "The platform maybe used to disseminate content and hence, should support publishing features," the document says, adding the platform needs to power a real-time New Media Command Room," according to the tender document. It should also help the ministry to understand the impact of various social media campaigns conducted on Centre-run schemes, it says.

Monitoring social media is like 'creating surveillance state': SC to Centre

On June 26, Parineeti Chopra posted a video of Priyanka Chopra and herself dancing to the famous rain song 'Tip Tip Barsa Pani' on Monday. The sisters along with their family members were in Goa for a vacation. Priyanka's rumoured beau Nick Jonas has also accompanied the family. &nbsp;social media was abuzz with photos of Priyanka, Nick and Parineeti enjoying a hearty Goan meal.&nbsp;

Since social media captured the imagination of the young and the old alike, celebrities have not only milked them for maximum publicity, it also helped them to cut down on their spendings on PR.

Now, I really don't have any problem with celebrities seeking free publicity through social media postings or anything like that but, of late, it has reached a point where with the kind of fan following that the celebrities enjoy, everything they post spread like forest fire across Twitter and Facebook, and even WhatsApp resulting in issues of national importance which require much more public attention are being overlooked. With social media gaining prominence, people latch on to triviality which is worrying.&nbsp;

There is no misgiving about Priyanka Chopra ability as an actor. Priyanka, who had begun her career in a Tamil film opposite actor Vijay Joseph went on to conquer Bollywood and then forayed into television with Quantico, an American television series. &nbsp;In a way, we can proudly say that she put Indian entertainment industry on the global map, something former tennis player Vijay Amritraj couldn't do despite starring in James Bond film along Roger Moore. 
 
Though her foray into films with 'Bay Watch' was anything but disaster, she had a decent success with television, unlike Deepika Padukone's Hollywood foray with xXx: Return of Xander Cage or Sonam Kapoor in blink-and-you-miss-it cameo in Coldplay's ''Hymn for the weekend''.&nbsp;

However, of late Priyanka has started drawing considerable attention on social media and the media during her brief sojourn to India recently with her rumoured boyfriend. Media was running amok. So was her fans. Even the BJP's media blitzkrieg to divert the attention from its four-year failure in the past four years by raking up the Emergency did not receive so much press attention as did Chopra. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Another case which drew a lot of media attention recently is Virat Kohli's post of his Anushka Sharma schooling a young man seated in a car parallel to hers about not throwing garbage on the street. In the post, Kohli lauded his wife's heroics.&nbsp;

But what Kohli did not realise is that yelling at someone on the street just because he threw some garbage on the road is not courage. The point is that Kohli needs to be schooled on the real meaning of courage and told Robert De Niro going onto the stage at the Tony Award ceremony and declaring: “I’m gonna say one thing. Fuck Trump.”

The emergence of social media has given a head start to celebrities and politicians seeking free publicity, however, using it wisely and sparsely will help focus everyone on real issues.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

 
&nbsp;

The emergence of social media has given a head start to celebrities and politicians seeking free publicity, however, using it wisely and sparsely will help focus everyone on real issues.

On June 26, Parineeti Chopra posted a video of Priyanka Chopra and herself dancing to the famous rain song 'Tip Tip Barsa Pani' on Monday. The sisters along with their family members were in Goa for a vacation. Priyanka's rumoured beau Nick Jonas has also accompanied the family. social media was abuzz with photos of Priyanka, Nick and Parineeti enjoying a hearty Goan meal. Since social media captured the imagination of the young and the old alike, celebrities have not only milked them for maximum publicity, it also helped them to cut down on their spendings on PR. Now, I really don't have any problem with celebrities seeking free publicity through social media postings or anything like that but, of late, it has reached a point where with the kind of fan following that the celebrities enjoy, everything they post spread like forest fire across Twitter and Facebook, and even WhatsApp resulting in issues of national importance which require much more public attention are being overlooked. With social media gaining prominence, people latch on to triviality which is worrying. There is no misgiving about Priyanka Chopra ability as an actor. Priyanka, who had begun her career in a Tamil film opposite actor Vijay Joseph went on to conquer Bollywood and then forayed into television with Quantico, an American television series. In a way, we can proudly say that she put Indian entertainment industry on the global map, something former tennis player Vijay Amritraj couldn't do despite starring in James Bond film along Roger Moore. Though her foray into films with 'Bay Watch' was anything but disaster, she had a decent success with television, unlike Deepika Padukone's Hollywood foray with xXx: Return of Xander Cage or Sonam Kapoor in blink-and-you-miss-it cameo in Coldplay's ''Hymn for the weekend''. However, of late Priyanka has started drawing considerable attention on social media and the media during her brief sojourn to India recently with her rumoured boyfriend. Media was running amok. So was her fans. Even the BJP's media blitzkrieg to divert the attention from its four-year failure in the past four years by raking up the Emergency did not receive so much press attention as did Chopra. Another case which drew a lot of media attention recently is Virat Kohli's post of his Anushka Sharma schooling a young man seated in a car parallel to hers about not throwing garbage on the street. In the post, Kohli lauded his wife's heroics. But what Kohli did not realise is that yelling at someone on the street just because he threw some garbage on the road is not courage. The point is that Kohli needs to be schooled on the real meaning of courage and told Robert De Niro going onto the stage at the Tony Award ceremony and declaring: “I’m gonna say one thing. Fuck Trump.” The emergence of social media has given a head start to celebrities and politicians seeking free publicity, however, using it wisely and sparsely will help focus everyone on real issues. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Hey celebs, we'll give you privacy but please stop showboating on social media

A safety drill at a Coimbatore college went very wrong on Thursday evening, and left a&nbsp19-year-old girl dead.&nbsp

The incident took place at the Kovai Kalaimagal College of Arts and Science.&nbsp

Video footage of the incident shows a trainer urging N Logeswari, a second-year BBA student, off a second-floor ledge. In the video, Logeswari looks uncertain.&nbsp

News reports quoted police as saying that "even as she was clearly not prepared for the jump", the trainer, R Arumugam, pushed Logeswari.&nbsp

Logeswari hit her head on the first-foor ledge. Police said she suffered serious injuries to her head and to the right side of her neck.

The reports said students on the ground had been waiting to catch her with a net, and that at least five people had jumped before her and landed safely.&nbsp

The reports quoted a source close to the college as saying the safety drill had been carried out by the National Disaster Management Authority.&nbsp

The incident took place at the Kovai Kalaimagal College of Arts and Science. News reports quoted a source close to the college as saying the safety drill had been carried out by the National Disaster Management Authority

A safety drill at a Coimbatore college went very wrong on Thursday evening, and left a&nbsp19-year-old girl dead. The incident took place at the Kovai Kalaimagal College of Arts and Science. Video footage of the incident shows a trainer urging N Logeswari, a second-year BBA student, off a second-floor ledge. In the video, Logeswari looks uncertain. News reports quoted police as saying that "even as she was clearly not prepared for the jump", the trainer, R Arumugam, pushed Logeswari. Logeswari hit her head on the first-foor ledge. Police said she suffered serious injuries to her head and to the right side of her neck. The reports said students on the ground had been waiting to catch her with a net, and that at least five people had jumped before her and landed safely. The reports quoted a source close to the college as saying the safety drill had been carried out by the National Disaster Management Authority.

Safety drill at Coimbatore college leaves 19-year-old girl dead

Two CRPF jawans were killed and one injured in a militant attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district today, news agency PTI reported quoting official sources.

A civilian was also injured when militants opened fire on a CRPF team deployed on law and order duty at Achabal Chowk in Anantnag and escaped, the sources said.

The two CRPF jawans killed were assistant sub-inspector Meena and constable Sandeep, they said.

The area has been cordoned off and a hunt launched to track down the assailants, the sources added.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UPDATE?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UPDATE</a>: One more CRPF personnel succumbs to his injuries. Terrorists had attacked CRPF party in Anantnag's Sheer Pora earlier today. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JammuAndKashmir?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JammuAndKashmir</a> <a href="https://t.co/Q4yE8gAhvh">https://t.co/Q4yE8gAhvh</a>
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&nbsp

A civilian was also injured when militants opened fire on a CRPF team deployed on law and order duty at Achabal Chowk in Anantnag and escaped, the sources said.

Two CRPF jawans were killed and one injured in a militant attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district today, news agency PTI reported quoting official sources. A civilian was also injured when militants opened fire on a CRPF team deployed on law and order duty at Achabal Chowk in Anantnag and escaped, the sources said. The two CRPF jawans killed were assistant sub-inspector Meena and constable Sandeep, they said. The area has been cordoned off and a hunt launched to track down the assailants, the sources added. #UPDATE: One more CRPF personnel succumbs to his injuries. Terrorists had attacked CRPF party in Anantnag's Sheer Pora earlier today. #JammuAndKashmir https://t.co/Q4yE8gAhvh — ANI (@ANI) July 13, 2018 ×

Two CRPF jawans killed in militant attack in Kashmir

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh will embark on a three-day visit to Bangladesh from July 13 to July 15.

During the visit, Singh will meet Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and will hold a bilateral discussion on various issues like anti-terror cooperation, attempts by terror groups to radicalise youth and the constant inflow of Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) from across the border.

Both Singh and Hasina are also expected to hold an informal talk on the Rohingya issue during the meeting.

The Union Home Minister will be accompanied by some of the top officials of the Home Ministry.

Raj Nath Singh will meet Sheikh Hasina and will hold a bilateral discussion on various issues like anti-terror cooperation.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh will embark on a three-day visit to Bangladesh from July 13 to July 15. During the visit, Singh will meet Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and will hold a bilateral discussion on various issues like anti-terror cooperation, attempts by terror groups to radicalise youth and the constant inflow of Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) from across the border. Both Singh and Hasina are also expected to hold an informal talk on the Rohingya issue during the meeting. The Union Home Minister will be accompanied by some of the top officials of the Home Ministry.

Rajnath to make three-day visit to Bangladesh

The 12 boys rescued from a Thai cave were sedated and passed on stretchers along the twisting, narrow passageways of the Tham Luang complex, a rescuer said Wednesday as the first footage emerged of an astonishing mission that has captivated the world.

The video of the rescue, which ended on Tuesday when the final four boys and their 25-year-old coach emerged from the cave, was released by authorities who had until late Wednesday closely guarded the details of the seemingly unprecedented operation.

Other video footage shows several of the boys in hospital, in quarantine and wearing face masks but seemingly in good health as they nod, wave and flash peace signs to the camera.

The nerve-shredding three-day operation ended on Tuesday when the final members of the "Wild Boars" were freed from the cave which had held them captive since June 23.

The rescue sparked jubilation with Thais heaping praise on the rescue team of foreign and local divers as the triumphant tagline "Hooyah" pinballed across social media.

&nbsp;But Thai authorities have been coy on how a group of boys, many of whom could not swim and none with diving experience, could have navigated the treacherous narrow and submerged passageways of the Tham Luang complex, even with expert diving support.

After days of mounting speculation, a former Thai Navy SEAL diver broke the silence, revealing the boys were sleeping or partially-conscious as they were passed from diver-to-diver through the cave.

"Some of them were asleep, some of them were wiggling their fingers... (as if) groggy, but they were breathing," Commander Chaiyananta Peeranarong told AFP.

"My job was to transfer them along," he said, adding the "boys were wrapped up in stretchers already when they were being transferred" and were monitored at regular intervals by doctors posted along the kilometres-long escape route.

He did not say if the coach, the only adult with the boys for nine days before they found, was able to dive and walk out unaided.

Footage released by the Thai Navy SEALs showed foreign and Thai divers using pulleys, ropes and rubber piping to haul stretchers bearing two of the barely moving young footballers to safety, their exit framed by the jagged cave overhead.

Junta leader Prayut Chan-O-Cha on Tuesday said the boys had been given a "minor tranquiliser" to prevent anxiety during the complex extraction bid.

But he had denied they were knocked out for an operation the chief of the rescue had dubbed "mission impossible".

&nbsp;The rescue was fraught with danger, a point underscored last Friday by the death of a retired Thai Navy SEAL diver as he ran out of air in the flooded cave complex.

Then, with the final divers slowly exiting the cave on Tuesday, the pumps suddenly failed, pushing the water level up towards head height in a previously wadeable section of the cave.

"If you didn’t use the water pump in that location, you could only come out with an oxygen tank," ex-SEAL Commander Chaiyananta said.

That left 20 or so divers scrambling to flee the rising waters, he said, explaining they narrowly made it out time.

Saga grips the world

Thailand spent Wednesday celebrating the successful mission.

It received blanket coverage in Thai media with newspaper The Nation running the headline "Hooyah! Mission accomplished" and the Bangkok Post emblazoned with "All Wild Boars saved".

Despite spending days in the dark, dank, cave health officials said the boys -- who are aged 11 to 16 -- are in good physical and mental health and eating normal food.

"It might be because they were all together as a team," public health ministry inspector general Thongchai Lertwilairatanapong told reporters.

The saga of the "Wild Boars" gripped the world, with the lives of the group hanging in the balance as the threat of heavy rain injected urgency to an already perilous extraction bid.

Closer to home, Chiang Rai locals rejoiced at the odds-upsetting rescue bid.

Duangduen Sittiwongsa, a classmate of 16-year-old Pheeraphat "Night" Sompiengjai, whose birthday fell on the same day the team entered the cave, said they would give him cake when he came back to school.

"We will sing a song for him," she said.

Risky rescue

Rescuers had weighed up several options to save the boys, including keeping them in the cave through the months-long monsoon season.

But they were prodded into the dangerous task of bringing the team through submerged chambers and claustrophobic passages as oxygen levels in the cave plummeted and rains menaced.

The group were taken out in three batches by a team of 13 international divers flanked by the Thai Navy SEALs, who greeted each successful rescue with a "Hooyah" on their Facebook page.

That sign off quickly turned into a hashtag shared across social media, where luminaries of business, politics and sport extended their best wishes to the team and the rescuers.

Other video footage shows several of the boys in hospital, in quarantine and wearing face masks but seemingly in good health as they nod, wave and flash peace signs to the camera.

The 12 boys rescued from a Thai cave were sedated and passed on stretchers along the twisting, narrow passageways of the Tham Luang complex, a rescuer said Wednesday as the first footage emerged of an astonishing mission that has captivated the world. The video of the rescue, which ended on Tuesday when the final four boys and their 25-year-old coach emerged from the cave, was released by authorities who had until late Wednesday closely guarded the details of the seemingly unprecedented operation. Other video footage shows several of the boys in hospital, in quarantine and wearing face masks but seemingly in good health as they nod, wave and flash peace signs to the camera. The nerve-shredding three-day operation ended on Tuesday when the final members of the "Wild Boars" were freed from the cave which had held them captive since June 23. The rescue sparked jubilation with Thais heaping praise on the rescue team of foreign and local divers as the triumphant tagline "Hooyah" pinballed across social media. But Thai authorities have been coy on how a group of boys, many of whom could not swim and none with diving experience, could have navigated the treacherous narrow and submerged passageways of the Tham Luang complex, even with expert diving support. After days of mounting speculation, a former Thai Navy SEAL diver broke the silence, revealing the boys were sleeping or partially-conscious as they were passed from diver-to-diver through the cave. "Some of them were asleep, some of them were wiggling their fingers... (as if) groggy, but they were breathing," Commander Chaiyananta Peeranarong told AFP. "My job was to transfer them along," he said, adding the "boys were wrapped up in stretchers already when they were being transferred" and were monitored at regular intervals by doctors posted along the kilometres-long escape route. He did not say if the coach, the only adult with the boys for nine days before they found, was able to dive and walk out unaided. Footage released by the Thai Navy SEALs showed foreign and Thai divers using pulleys, ropes and rubber piping to haul stretchers bearing two of the barely moving young footballers to safety, their exit framed by the jagged cave overhead. Junta leader Prayut Chan-O-Cha on Tuesday said the boys had been given a "minor tranquiliser" to prevent anxiety during the complex extraction bid. But he had denied they were knocked out for an operation the chief of the rescue had dubbed "mission impossible". The rescue was fraught with danger, a point underscored last Friday by the death of a retired Thai Navy SEAL diver as he ran out of air in the flooded cave complex. Then, with the final divers slowly exiting the cave on Tuesday, the pumps suddenly failed, pushing the water level up towards head height in a previously wadeable section of the cave. "If you didn’t use the water pump in that location, you could only come out with an oxygen tank," ex-SEAL Commander Chaiyananta said. That left 20 or so divers scrambling to flee the rising waters, he said, explaining they narrowly made it out time. Saga grips the world Thailand spent Wednesday celebrating the successful mission. It received blanket coverage in Thai media with newspaper The Nation running the headline "Hooyah! Mission accomplished" and the Bangkok Post emblazoned with "All Wild Boars saved". Despite spending days in the dark, dank, cave health officials said the boys -- who are aged 11 to 16 -- are in good physical and mental health and eating normal food. "It might be because they were all together as a team," public health ministry inspector general Thongchai Lertwilairatanapong told reporters. The saga of the "Wild Boars" gripped the world, with the lives of the group hanging in the balance as the threat of heavy rain injected urgency to an already perilous extraction bid. Closer to home, Chiang Rai locals rejoiced at the odds-upsetting rescue bid. Duangduen Sittiwongsa, a classmate of 16-year-old Pheeraphat "Night" Sompiengjai, whose birthday fell on the same day the team entered the cave, said they would give him cake when he came back to school. "We will sing a song for him," she said. Risky rescue Rescuers had weighed up several options to save the boys, including keeping them in the cave through the months-long monsoon season. But they were prodded into the dangerous task of bringing the team through submerged chambers and claustrophobic passages as oxygen levels in the cave plummeted and rains menaced. The group were taken out in three batches by a team of 13 international divers flanked by the Thai Navy SEALs, who greeted each successful rescue with a "Hooyah" on their Facebook page. That sign off quickly turned into a hashtag shared across social media, where luminaries of business, politics and sport extended their best wishes to the team and the rescuers.

Pumps failed as sedated Thai boys were stretchered out: Divers recount final moments of rescue operation

Dada J. P. Vaswani, the spiritual head of The Sadhu Vaswani Mission, passed away on Thursday here at the age of 99.

An acclaimed writer, humanitarian, philosopher, and educator, Vaswani excelled as a student and had obtained his Bachelor of Science degree at the age of 17. He also wrote a thesis on 'The scattering of X-Rays by Solids', which was examined by Nobel-Laureate, Dr C.V. Raman.

He then relinquished academics to follow the footsteps of his uncle, Sadhu T.L Vaswani.

Vaswani has authored over 50 books in English and many more in the Sindhi language. He also edited three monthly journals, the Excelsior, the India Digest and the East and West series.

He was regarded as a powerful orator, having addressed eminent forums like the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago, the Global Forum of Spiritual Leaders at Kyoto, the United Nations Millennium World Peace Summit and the House of Commons in London.&nbsp

Vaswani has authored over 50 books in English and many more in the Sindhi language.

Dada J. P. Vaswani, the spiritual head of The Sadhu Vaswani Mission, passed away on Thursday here at the age of 99. An acclaimed writer, humanitarian, philosopher, and educator, Vaswani excelled as a student and had obtained his Bachelor of Science degree at the age of 17. He also wrote a thesis on 'The scattering of X-Rays by Solids', which was examined by Nobel-Laureate, Dr C.V. Raman. He then relinquished academics to follow the footsteps of his uncle, Sadhu T.L Vaswani. Vaswani has authored over 50 books in English and many more in the Sindhi language. He also edited three monthly journals, the Excelsior, the India Digest and the East and West series. He was regarded as a powerful orator, having addressed eminent forums like the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago, the Global Forum of Spiritual Leaders at Kyoto, the United Nations Millennium World Peace Summit and the House of Commons in London.

Spiritual leader J P Vaswani passes away

The Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) issued notices to the Delhi Police and the Education Department seeking factual reports over alleged confinement of children in the basement of Delhi's Rabea Girls' Public School.

Taking suo motu cognisance of the matter, the DCW sought details of action taken by them against the school authorities.

"It has been reported that 59 girls, aged four and five years, were allegedly confined to the basement of the school for around five hours as punishment for non-payment of fees. This is a serious matter and in light of the same, please provide a factual report of the incident and action taken against school authorities," read the notice issued by the DCW. The DCW has further asked the Delhi Police and the State Education Department to respond by July 17 concerning the same.

According to media reports on July 9, few kindergarten students were allegedly locked up in the basement of the school building for not clearing their fees.

However, the school authorities denied the reports and said that the students were asked to sit in the activity room only for few hours.

Education Department seeking factual reports over alleged confinement of children in the basement of Delhi's Rabea Girls' Public School.

The Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) issued notices to the Delhi Police and the Education Department seeking factual reports over alleged confinement of children in the basement of Delhi's Rabea Girls' Public School. Taking suo motu cognisance of the matter, the DCW sought details of action taken by them against the school authorities. "It has been reported that 59 girls, aged four and five years, were allegedly confined to the basement of the school for around five hours as punishment for non-payment of fees. This is a serious matter and in light of the same, please provide a factual report of the incident and action taken against school authorities," read the notice issued by the DCW. The DCW has further asked the Delhi Police and the State Education Department to respond by July 17 concerning the same. According to media reports on July 9, few kindergarten students were allegedly locked up in the basement of the school building for not clearing their fees. However, the school authorities denied the reports and said that the students were asked to sit in the activity room only for few hours.

DCW issues notice to police, Education Department on students' confinement

Shridhar Chillal, the Pune-based man, who holds the Guinness World Record for having the longest fingernails, has cut them after 66 years.

Chillal clipped his nails, which had a combined length of 909.6 cm during a nail clipping ceremony in Times Square.

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Meet the extraordinary Shridhar Chillal - Longest fingernails on a single hand ever <a href="http://t.co/4SxWtxU7WJ">http://t.co/4SxWtxU7WJ</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GWR2016?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GWR2016</a> <a href="http://t.co/sHM3DofpQE">pic.twitter.com/sHM3DofpQE</a>
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The 82-year-old had been growing his left hand's fingernails since 1952, when he was 14.

Chillal's longest single nail was his thumbnail, measuring 197.8 centimeters, while the measurement of his index fingernails was 164.5 cm, middle fingernails was 186.6 cm, ring fingernails was 181.6 cm and little fingernails was 179.1 cm.

He had made it to the Guinness Book of World Records in 2015 for having the 'Longest Fingernails on a Single Hand Ever'.

Shridhar's nails will now be displayed at Ripley's Believe It or Not! in Times Square in New York.

Shridhar Chilla holds the Guinness World Record for having the longest fingernails.

Shridhar Chillal, the Pune-based man, who holds the Guinness World Record for having the longest fingernails, has cut them after 66 years. Chillal clipped his nails, which had a combined length of 909.6 cm during a nail clipping ceremony in Times Square. Meet the extraordinary Shridhar Chillal - Longest fingernails on a single hand ever http://t.co/4SxWtxU7WJ #GWR2016 pic.twitter.com/sHM3DofpQE — GuinnessWorldRecords (@GWR) September 30, 2015 × The 82-year-old had been growing his left hand's fingernails since 1952, when he was 14. Chillal's longest single nail was his thumbnail, measuring 197.8 centimeters, while the measurement of his index fingernails was 164.5 cm, middle fingernails was 186.6 cm, ring fingernails was 181.6 cm and little fingernails was 179.1 cm. He had made it to the Guinness Book of World Records in 2015 for having the 'Longest Fingernails on a Single Hand Ever'. Shridhar's nails will now be displayed at Ripley's Believe It or Not! in Times Square in New York.

The man with world's longest nails cuts them after 66 years

A man from Agra hanged himself Wednesday and live streamed his suicide on Facebook.&nbsp;

News reports Thursday said some 2,750 people watched the suicide but nobody called the authorities or his family to try and stop him.&nbsp;

The man was identifed as Munna Kumar, with the reports saying he had been depressed because he had been unable to get into the army despite five attempts.&nbsp;

The reports added that Kumar left a six-page suicide note.&nbsp;

The reports quoted Kumar's family as saying Munna had thought of Bhagat Singh as an inspiration.&nbsp;

And that his father had recently set up a grocery store for him to help him overcome his depression.&nbsp;

Munna Kumar had reportedly been depressed because he had been unable to get into the army. His suicide was reportedly watched by 2,750 people.

A man from Agra hanged himself Wednesday and live streamed his suicide on Facebook. News reports Thursday said some 2,750 people watched the suicide but nobody called the authorities or his family to try and stop him. The man was identifed as Munna Kumar, with the reports saying he had been depressed because he had been unable to get into the army despite five attempts. The reports added that Kumar left a six-page suicide note. The reports quoted Kumar's family as saying Munna had thought of Bhagat Singh as an inspiration. And that his father had recently set up a grocery store for him to help him overcome his depression.

Agra man hangs himself, live streams suicide on FB. Thousands watch but nobody raises alarm

A CCTV footage has emerged from the national capital in which a thief is seen dancing before attempting robbery in a shop. The incident reportedly took place on July 10.

Delhi: Thief dances, break into shops, caught on camera

Women are indispensable part of India's dairy sector and agriculture, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday.

Prime Minister Modi was interacting with women associated with Self Help Groups through video conferencing on the Narendra Modi (NaMo) app.

"Today you take any sector, you will see women are working in large numbers. The country's agriculture sector and dairy sector can't be imagined without the contribution of women," the Prime Minister said.

The interaction is aimed at highlighting the positive changes various Self Help Groups have brought at the rural level.

"I will interact with those associated with women Self Help Groups across India. It would be wonderful to hear their experiences, especially how they are driving a positive change at the grassroots level," PM Modi had tweeted on Tuesday.

Some of the groups, which participated in Thursday's interaction, were from Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) and Rural Self Employment Training Institutes (RSETIs).&nbsp;

PM Narendra Modi was interacting with women associated with Self Help Groups through video conferencing on the (NaMo) app.

Women are indispensable part of India's dairy sector and agriculture, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday. Prime Minister Modi was interacting with women associated with Self Help Groups through video conferencing on the Narendra Modi (NaMo) app. "Today you take any sector, you will see women are working in large numbers. The country's agriculture sector and dairy sector can't be imagined without the contribution of women," the Prime Minister said. The interaction is aimed at highlighting the positive changes various Self Help Groups have brought at the rural level. "I will interact with those associated with women Self Help Groups across India. It would be wonderful to hear their experiences, especially how they are driving a positive change at the grassroots level," PM Modi had tweeted on Tuesday. Some of the groups, which participated in Thursday's interaction, were from Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) and Rural Self Employment Training Institutes (RSETIs).

PM Modi hails women's contribution at the grass-root level

The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to pass any interim order against its 12-year-old verdict that had dealt with the application of the 'creamy layer' for reservations to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes categories in government job promotions, saying it will be examined by a seven-judge bench.

A bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud said it cannot hear the matter only for the purpose of interim relief as a reference has already been made to the constitution bench.

"You see, a reference has already been made for hearing the matter by a larger bench. A seven-judge constitution bench needs to be constituted to consider M Nagaraj verdict which was heard by a five-judge bench," the bench said.

The M Nagaraj verdict of 2006 had held that the 'creamy layer' concept cannot be applied to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes for promotions in government jobs, like two earlier verdicts of 1992 Indra Sawhney and others versus Union of India (popularly called Mandal Commission verdict) and 2005 EV Chinnaiah versus State of Andhra Pradesh which had dealt with creamy layer in Other Backward Classes category.

Attorney General KK Venugopal, appearing for the centre, said the matter required urgent consideration by a seven-judge constitution bench as lakhs of jobs in Railways and the services were stuck due to confusion over various judicial pronouncements.

Senior advocate Rajeev Dhavan, appearing for one of the petitioners, contended that a lot of confusion has occurred due to conflicting judicial pronouncements given by different benches of top court and high courts.

He said that one of the orders says there would be "status quo" as far as reservation in promotion to SC/ST employees are concerned, while another order by a bench headed by Justice Kurian Joseph in a similar matter held that pendency of a petition before a court shall not stand in the way of the centre taking steps for the purpose of promotion.

The Attorney General said he supported senior advocate Rajeev Dhavan on this point as there are several aspects which needed to be looked into and conflicting orders were causing confusion.

The bench said that a five-judge constitution bench was already seized of various matters and it will take time to conclude the arguments.

Senior advocate Shekhar Naphade, appearing for Maharashtra, maintained there was no confusion and said "this practice of referring the matter to larger bench needs to be stopped. There is reference to a larger bench every five years. This practice needs to be stopped. There has to be some certainty in the law."

The Attorney General said that in the reference order, there were several grounds given for consideration by a larger bench.

When some counsel said that some interim orders can be passed in the matter, the bench, said it would hear the matter on August 3.

On June 5, in a major relief to the Centre, the top court had allowed it to go ahead with reservations in promotion for SC/ST employees in accordance with law.

The top court took into account the Centre's submissions that the entire process of promotions had come to a "standstill" due to the orders of various high courts and the top court had also ordered "status quo" in a similar matter in 2015. It had said the centre was not "debarred" from making promotions.

The government had said there were separate verdicts by the high courts of Delhi, Bombay and Punjab and Haryana on the issue of reservation in promotion to SC/ST employees and the top court had also passed different orders on appeals filed against those judgments

On November 15 last year, the top court had said a five-judge constitution bench will examine the limited issue of whether the 2006 verdict delivered in M Nagaraj and other versus Union of India was required to be re-looked at or not.

The two-judge bench in its reference order had said that clarity was required on the applications in creamy layer in a situation of competing claims within the same races, communities or groups.

It had sought clarification on Articles 16(4), 16(4A) and 16(4B) of the Constitution which dealt with the power of state government to make provisions for reservation of appointments or posts in favour of any backward class of citizens which was not adequately represented in the services under the state.

The Nagaraj verdict had reiterated that the ceiling-limit of 50 per cent, the concept of the creamy layer and the compelling reasons like backwardness, inadequacy of representation and overall administrative efficiency were all constitutional requirements, without which the structure of equality of opportunity in Article 16 would collapse.

It had also said the state was not bound to make the reservation for SC/ST in the matter of promotions.

A bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud said it cannot hear the matter only for the purpose of interim relief as a reference has already been made to the constitution bench.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to pass any interim order against its 12-year-old verdict that had dealt with the application of the 'creamy layer' for reservations to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes categories in government job promotions, saying it will be examined by a seven-judge bench. A bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud said it cannot hear the matter only for the purpose of interim relief as a reference has already been made to the constitution bench. "You see, a reference has already been made for hearing the matter by a larger bench. A seven-judge constitution bench needs to be constituted to consider M Nagaraj verdict which was heard by a five-judge bench," the bench said. The M Nagaraj verdict of 2006 had held that the 'creamy layer' concept cannot be applied to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes for promotions in government jobs, like two earlier verdicts of 1992 Indra Sawhney and others versus Union of India (popularly called Mandal Commission verdict) and 2005 EV Chinnaiah versus State of Andhra Pradesh which had dealt with creamy layer in Other Backward Classes category. Attorney General KK Venugopal, appearing for the centre, said the matter required urgent consideration by a seven-judge constitution bench as lakhs of jobs in Railways and the services were stuck due to confusion over various judicial pronouncements. Senior advocate Rajeev Dhavan, appearing for one of the petitioners, contended that a lot of confusion has occurred due to conflicting judicial pronouncements given by different benches of top court and high courts. He said that one of the orders says there would be "status quo" as far as reservation in promotion to SC/ST employees are concerned, while another order by a bench headed by Justice Kurian Joseph in a similar matter held that pendency of a petition before a court shall not stand in the way of the centre taking steps for the purpose of promotion. The Attorney General said he supported senior advocate Rajeev Dhavan on this point as there are several aspects which needed to be looked into and conflicting orders were causing confusion. The bench said that a five-judge constitution bench was already seized of various matters and it will take time to conclude the arguments. Senior advocate Shekhar Naphade, appearing for Maharashtra, maintained there was no confusion and said "this practice of referring the matter to larger bench needs to be stopped. There is reference to a larger bench every five years. This practice needs to be stopped. There has to be some certainty in the law." The Attorney General said that in the reference order, there were several grounds given for consideration by a larger bench. When some counsel said that some interim orders can be passed in the matter, the bench, said it would hear the matter on August 3. On June 5, in a major relief to the Centre, the top court had allowed it to go ahead with reservations in promotion for SC/ST employees in accordance with law. The top court took into account the Centre's submissions that the entire process of promotions had come to a "standstill" due to the orders of various high courts and the top court had also ordered "status quo" in a similar matter in 2015. It had said the centre was not "debarred" from making promotions. The government had said there were separate verdicts by the high courts of Delhi, Bombay and Punjab and Haryana on the issue of reservation in promotion to SC/ST employees and the top court had also passed different orders on appeals filed against those judgments On November 15 last year, the top court had said a five-judge constitution bench will examine the limited issue of whether the 2006 verdict delivered in M Nagaraj and other versus Union of India was required to be re-looked at or not. The two-judge bench in its reference order had said that clarity was required on the applications in creamy layer in a situation of competing claims within the same races, communities or groups. It had sought clarification on Articles 16(4), 16(4A) and 16(4B) of the Constitution which dealt with the power of state government to make provisions for reservation of appointments or posts in favour of any backward class of citizens which was not adequately represented in the services under the state. The Nagaraj verdict had reiterated that the ceiling-limit of 50 per cent, the concept of the creamy layer and the compelling reasons like backwardness, inadequacy of representation and overall administrative efficiency were all constitutional requirements, without which the structure of equality of opportunity in Article 16 would collapse. It had also said the state was not bound to make the reservation for SC/ST in the matter of promotions.

7-Judge bench to revisit verdict on SC/ST quota in government jobs

The two-time Lok Sabha MP and senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Wednesday sparked a row after he said that if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) comes to power in 2019, it will compromise with the Indian Constitution and create a Hindu Pakistan.

Addressing an event in Thiruvananthapuram, Mr Tharoor further stated that the BJP will write a new Constitution which will pave the way for a nation, much like Pakistan, where rights of minorities are not respected.

"If they (BJP) win a repeat in the Lok Sabha, our democratic constitution as we understand it, will not survive as they will have all the elements they need to tear apart the constitution of India and write a new one," he added.

"That new one will be the one which will enshrine principles of Hindu Rashtra, that will remove equality for minorities, that'll create a Hindu Pakistan and that isn't what Mahatma Gandhi, Nehru, Sardar Patel, Maulana Azad and great heroes of freedom struggle fought for," he added.

Tharoor's comments have triggered a controversy with the BJP demanding an apology from Congress President Rahul Gandhi over what Tharoor said.

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/tharoor-now-gives-us-rodomontade-twitter-laps-up-the-word-26744">Tharoor now gives us 'rodomontade', Twitter laps up the word</a>

BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra also took to Twitter and said that the Congress doesn't lose any opportunity to demean India and defame Hindus.

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MR Sashi Tharoor says India will become “Hindu-Pakistan” if BJP returns to power in 2019! 
Shameless <a href="https://twitter.com/INCIndia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@INCIndia</a> doesn’t lose any opportunity to demean India & defame the Hindus! 
From “Hindu terrorists” to “Hindu-Pakistan” the Pak appeasing policies of Cong are unparalleled!
— Sambit Patra (@sambitswaraj) <a href="https://twitter.com/sambitswaraj/status/1017067860240293890?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 11, 2018</a></blockquote>
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"Rahul Gandhi must apologise for what Shashi Tharoor has said. Congress was responsible for the creation of Pakistan because of its ambitions. Yet again it has gone ahead to demean India and defame Hindus of India," Patra said.

The Congress leader also said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is more interested in political campaigning than in running the country.

Tharoor's remark came after Modi launched a scathing attack at the Congress Party while addressing a farmers' rally in Punjab.

Earlier in the day, Modi alleged that Congress had betrayed the peasantry and used them as a vote bank to further the interests of "one particular family".

Addressing an event in Thiruvananthapuram, Shashi Tharoor further stated that the BJP will write a new Constitution which will pave the way for a nation, much like Pakistan, where rights of minorities are not respected.

The two-time Lok Sabha MP and senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Wednesday sparked a row after he said that if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) comes to power in 2019, it will compromise with the Indian Constitution and create a Hindu Pakistan. Addressing an event in Thiruvananthapuram, Mr Tharoor further stated that the BJP will write a new Constitution which will pave the way for a nation, much like Pakistan, where rights of minorities are not respected. "If they (BJP) win a repeat in the Lok Sabha, our democratic constitution as we understand it, will not survive as they will have all the elements they need to tear apart the constitution of India and write a new one," he added. "That new one will be the one which will enshrine principles of Hindu Rashtra, that will remove equality for minorities, that'll create a Hindu Pakistan and that isn't what Mahatma Gandhi, Nehru, Sardar Patel, Maulana Azad and great heroes of freedom struggle fought for," he added. Tharoor's comments have triggered a controversy with the BJP demanding an apology from Congress President Rahul Gandhi over what Tharoor said. Also read: Tharoor now gives us 'rodomontade', Twitter laps up the word BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra also took to Twitter and said that the Congress doesn't lose any opportunity to demean India and defame Hindus. MR Sashi Tharoor says India will become “Hindu-Pakistan” if BJP returns to power in 2019! Shameless @INCIndia doesn’t lose any opportunity to demean India & defame the Hindus! From “Hindu terrorists” to “Hindu-Pakistan” the Pak appeasing policies of Cong are unparalleled! — Sambit Patra (@sambitswaraj) July 11, 2018 × "Rahul Gandhi must apologise for what Shashi Tharoor has said. Congress was responsible for the creation of Pakistan because of its ambitions. Yet again it has gone ahead to demean India and defame Hindus of India," Patra said. The Congress leader also said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is more interested in political campaigning than in running the country. Tharoor's remark came after Modi launched a scathing attack at the Congress Party while addressing a farmers' rally in Punjab. Earlier in the day, Modi alleged that Congress had betrayed the peasantry and used them as a vote bank to further the interests of "one particular family".

India will become a 'Hindu Pakistan' if BJP comes to power in 2019: Shashi Tharoor

Iran on Wednesday said it will do its best to ensure security of oil supply to India, asserting that it has been a reliable energy partner for New Delhi.

The clarification by Iranian Embassy came a day after Iran's Deputy Ambassador and Charge d'Affaires Massoud Rezvanian Rahaghi cautioned New Delhi that it will stand to lose "<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/iran-criticises-india-for-not-making-promised-investments-in-chabahar-port-150636">special privileges</a>" if it cuts import of Iranian oil following US sanctions.

It said Iran understands the difficulties being faced by New Delhi in dealing with the unstable energy market and that it was for India to choose its energy partners, taking into account various factors like geopolitical considerations and reliability of the oil suppliers.

The embassy said Iran will do its best to ensure the security of oil supply to India by offering various flexible measures which facilitate bilateral trade, particularly Indian exports to Iran.

In an address at a seminar yesterday, Rahaghi said Iran will end the privileges being provided to India if it tries to source oil from countries like Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, the US and others to offset cuts in Iranian oil import.

The Trump administration brought back sanctions against Iran after pulling out the US from the Iran nuclear deal in May. The US has told India and other countries to cut oil imports from the Gulf nation to "zero" by November 4 or face sanctions.

India is yet to take a call on complying with the US sanctions on Iran.

"Iran has always been a reliable energy partner for India and others, seeking a balanced oil market and rational prices of oil which ensure the interests of both countries as consumer and supplier," the embassy said in a statement.

Mr Rahaghi had also criticised India for not fulfilling its promise of making investments in the expansion of the strategically located Chabahar port

On Chabahar, the embassy said Iran has always welcomed Indian initiatives in the project.

"However, due to the importance of the issue, Iran has frequently emphasised on expediting Indian investment, and pushing Indian partner companies to accelerate their engagement in the execution of the projects," it said.

The embassy said Iran and India share the same understanding towards many global and regional challenges and cooperate harmoniously in many international fronts.

Iran said it will will do its best to ensure security of oil supply to India by offering various flexible measures which facilitate bilateral trade, particularly Indian exports to Iran.

Iran on Wednesday said it will do its best to ensure security of oil supply to India, asserting that it has been a reliable energy partner for New Delhi. The clarification by Iranian Embassy came a day after Iran's Deputy Ambassador and Charge d'Affaires Massoud Rezvanian Rahaghi cautioned New Delhi that it will stand to lose "special privileges" if it cuts import of Iranian oil following US sanctions. It said Iran understands the difficulties being faced by New Delhi in dealing with the unstable energy market and that it was for India to choose its energy partners, taking into account various factors like geopolitical considerations and reliability of the oil suppliers. The embassy said Iran will do its best to ensure the security of oil supply to India by offering various flexible measures which facilitate bilateral trade, particularly Indian exports to Iran. In an address at a seminar yesterday, Rahaghi said Iran will end the privileges being provided to India if it tries to source oil from countries like Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, the US and others to offset cuts in Iranian oil import. The Trump administration brought back sanctions against Iran after pulling out the US from the Iran nuclear deal in May. The US has told India and other countries to cut oil imports from the Gulf nation to "zero" by November 4 or face sanctions. India is yet to take a call on complying with the US sanctions on Iran. "Iran has always been a reliable energy partner for India and others, seeking a balanced oil market and rational prices of oil which ensure the interests of both countries as consumer and supplier," the embassy said in a statement. Mr Rahaghi had also criticised India for not fulfilling its promise of making investments in the expansion of the strategically located Chabahar port On Chabahar, the embassy said Iran has always welcomed Indian initiatives in the project. "However, due to the importance of the issue, Iran has frequently emphasised on expediting Indian investment, and pushing Indian partner companies to accelerate their engagement in the execution of the projects," it said. The embassy said Iran and India share the same understanding towards many global and regional challenges and cooperate harmoniously in many international fronts.

Amid threat of US sanctions, Iran says will do its best to ensure oil supply to India

When President Trump took the oath with ‘America First’ slogan, with a promise to bring all the wealth and power back to the country, it was quite clear that there is going to be an ‘Inward looking America’ causing wide departures from erstwhile policies. He did not take much time to withdraw from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA) fulfilling his election promise, even at the cost of annoying its allies and strategic partners. This was followed up with existing trade war, causing turbulence in international relations with its adversaries, competitors and allies, the side effects of which are being felt by its strategic partners like India as well.

Why is Iran criticising India? What is the real issue?

Although Iran has criticised India for not making adequate investments in expansion and connectivity projects in Chabahar Port, possibly due to variation in mutual expectations/liabilities, which can be settled through dialogue, but the real frustration lies elsewhere. US has re-imposed sanctions on Iran, which were suspended in return for curbs on their nuclear programme, hence Iran is expecting a financial crisis, depending on the number of customers succumbs to the US pressure. During Nikky Haley’s recent visit to India, she advised India to rethink its relationship with Iran, with a subtle threat of sanctions. Iran is apprehensive and concerned that India may get inclined to find alternatives to oil supply from Iran, despite Iran being the third largest crude oil supplier to India. Iran is also well aware that Chabahar Port is very crucial to India strategically as well as economically. Under pressure, Iran is therefore trying to extract maximum investment from India, with a subtle ultimatum to withdraw ‘special privileges’, if India cuts import of Iranian oil, which would increase crude bill for India, besides drain on foreign currency.

The US official position versus the reality

Officially US is putting pressure on India, along with other major oil consumers to stop importing oil from Iran, or face economic sanctions effective from November 4, 2018. A similar pressure is also being exercised for trading with Russia. The reality is that US is fully aware that the historic, civilisation and oil centric umbilical cord between Iran and India can never be cut, and crude oil supply to India can never be brought to zero. It is also a fact&nbspthat India can never compromise on its ‘Energy Security’.

What should India Do?

India has always followed an independent foreign policy since independence, and I do not see any change in that. India is strong enough to ensure that no country in the world can muddle with its strategic and economic choices. I think India will act independent of any pressure from Iran or US, but will work out some implementable solution with both. The progress of S-400 deal with Russia is indicative of the fact that India will act in its national interest. Last time when sanctions were clamped on Iran, India got a waiver from the Obama Administration. In the current case even if the Trump Administration does not give waiver, the oil will still flow. It is also noteworthy that India and China are on the same page in respect of Iranian oil, both being members of SCO, and Iran having observers status.

It is time for the US to realise the core interests of its strategic partners and ensure that ‘America First’ does not lead to ‘America alone’. Iran also needs to be realistic, because if India could bring down its oil purchase, when sanctions were clamped on Iran last time, from 17 per cent to seven per cent, it is capable of doing it again. Nonetheless, I am sure India and Iran with plans for the first round of negotiations on a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) scheduled for later this year will be able to resolve these differences. 
&nbsp

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

&nbsp

The reality is that US is fully aware that the historic, civilisation and oil centric umbilical cord between Iran and India can never be cut.

When President Trump took the oath with ‘America First’ slogan, with a promise to bring all the wealth and power back to the country, it was quite clear that there is going to be an ‘Inward looking America’ causing wide departures from erstwhile policies. He did not take much time to withdraw from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA) fulfilling his election promise, even at the cost of annoying its allies and strategic partners. This was followed up with existing trade war, causing turbulence in international relations with its adversaries, competitors and allies, the side effects of which are being felt by its strategic partners like India as well. Why is Iran criticising India? What is the real issue? Although Iran has criticised India for not making adequate investments in expansion and connectivity projects in Chabahar Port, possibly due to variation in mutual expectations/liabilities, which can be settled through dialogue, but the real frustration lies elsewhere. US has re-imposed sanctions on Iran, which were suspended in return for curbs on their nuclear programme, hence Iran is expecting a financial crisis, depending on the number of customers succumbs to the US pressure. During Nikky Haley’s recent visit to India, she advised India to rethink its relationship with Iran, with a subtle threat of sanctions. Iran is apprehensive and concerned that India may get inclined to find alternatives to oil supply from Iran, despite Iran being the third largest crude oil supplier to India. Iran is also well aware that Chabahar Port is very crucial to India strategically as well as economically. Under pressure, Iran is therefore trying to extract maximum investment from India, with a subtle ultimatum to withdraw ‘special privileges’, if India cuts import of Iranian oil, which would increase crude bill for India, besides drain on foreign currency. The US official position versus the reality Officially US is putting pressure on India, along with other major oil consumers to stop importing oil from Iran, or face economic sanctions effective from November 4, 2018. A similar pressure is also being exercised for trading with Russia. The reality is that US is fully aware that the historic, civilisation and oil centric umbilical cord between Iran and India can never be cut, and crude oil supply to India can never be brought to zero. It is also a fact&nbspthat India can never compromise on its ‘Energy Security’. What should India Do? India has always followed an independent foreign policy since independence, and I do not see any change in that. India is strong enough to ensure that no country in the world can muddle with its strategic and economic choices. I think India will act independent of any pressure from Iran or US, but will work out some implementable solution with both. The progress of S-400 deal with Russia is indicative of the fact that India will act in its national interest. Last time when sanctions were clamped on Iran, India got a waiver from the Obama Administration. In the current case even if the Trump Administration does not give waiver, the oil will still flow. It is also noteworthy that India and China are on the same page in respect of Iranian oil, both being members of SCO, and Iran having observers status. It is time for the US to realise the core interests of its strategic partners and ensure that ‘America First’ does not lead to ‘America alone’. Iran also needs to be realistic, because if India could bring down its oil purchase, when sanctions were clamped on Iran last time, from 17 per cent to seven per cent, it is capable of doing it again. Nonetheless, I am sure India and Iran with plans for the first round of negotiations on a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) scheduled for later this year will be able to resolve these differences. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Chabahar faces side effects of US withdrawal from JCPoA

Gangster Prem Prakash alias Munna Bajrangi, who was killed in the Baghpat district jail here by a co-prisoner, had been shot at seven times, the police said today.

The postmortem examination report of Bajrangi said he was shot at seven times by jail inmate Sunil Rathi, Superintendent of Police Jai Prakash said today.

He said one of the bullets had hit Munna Bajrangi's head and a portion of his head was badly mutilated on the right side.

"A pistol, two magazines and 22 cartridges have been recovered from a drain inside the jail," he said, adding it was yet to be ascertained as to how the pistol reached inside the jail.

"A probe is on," he added.

"Bajrangi had an argument over 'supari' (contract killing) with Rathi after which the latter killed him. This has come to the fore but it is &nbsp;being verified," he said.

Mafia don Bajrangi was shot dead inside Baghpat jail on Monday morning hours before he was to be produced in a local court in a case of extortion of money from a former BSP legislator.

The postmortem examination report of Munna Bajrangi said he was shot at seven times by jail inmate Sunil Rathi, Superintendent of Police Jai Prakash said today.

Gangster Prem Prakash alias Munna Bajrangi, who was killed in the Baghpat district jail here by a co-prisoner, had been shot at seven times, the police said today. The postmortem examination report of Bajrangi said he was shot at seven times by jail inmate Sunil Rathi, Superintendent of Police Jai Prakash said today. He said one of the bullets had hit Munna Bajrangi's head and a portion of his head was badly mutilated on the right side. "A pistol, two magazines and 22 cartridges have been recovered from a drain inside the jail," he said, adding it was yet to be ascertained as to how the pistol reached inside the jail. "A probe is on," he added. "Bajrangi had an argument over 'supari' (contract killing) with Rathi after which the latter killed him. This has come to the fore but it is being verified," he said. Mafia don Bajrangi was shot dead inside Baghpat jail on Monday morning hours before he was to be produced in a local court in a case of extortion of money from a former BSP legislator.

Munna Bajrangi was shot 7 times by Baghpat jail inmate, say police

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/croatia-create-history-enter-first-world-cup-final-after-defeating-england-in-semi-final-150934">Croatia create history, enter first World Cup final after defeating England in semis</a>

Croatia showed magnificent resilience to come from behind and beat England 2-1 on Wednesday as Mario Mandzukic's extra-time goal sent them into their first World Cup final and sparked celebrations across the Balkan nation.

England had looked on course for their first final since 1966 as they led through Kieran Trippier's fifth-minute free kick and totally dominated the opening half.

But Croatia, in their first semi since 1998, levelled through Ivan Perisic after 68 minutes and then looked the more dangerous side.

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-tells-nato-allies-to-more-than-double-defence-spending-150940">Trump tells NATO allies to double defence spending</a>

US President Donald Trump accused Germany on Wednesday of being a "captive" of Russia due to its energy reliance, before a NATO summit where he pressed allies to more than double defence spending.

Having lambasted NATO members for failing to reach a target of spending 2 percent of national income on defence, Trump told fellow leaders in Brussels he would prefer a goal of 4 percent, similar to US levels, officials said.

That would represent a massive upheaval of budgetary priorities in Europe where Germany and many others have pledged only to reach 2 percent by 2024 or later, and it was not clear what allies would spend the money on.

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/all-migrant-children-under-5-will-be-reunited-with-families-by-thursday-us-official-150946">All migrant children under 5 will be reunited with families by Thursday: US official</a>

All migrant children under age 5 will be reunited with their families by Thursday, Reuters quoted a Trump administration official as saying.&nbsp;

The official said all children who are "eligible" will be reunited with their families.&nbsp;

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-will-become-a-hindu-pakistan-if-bjp-comes-to-power-in-2019-shashi-tharoor-150941">India will become a 'Hindu Pakistan' if BJP comes to power in 2019: Shashi Tharoor</a>

The two-time Lok Sabha MP and senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Wednesday sparked a row after he said that if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) comes to power in 2019, it will compromise with the Indian Constitution and create a Hindu Pakistan.

Addressing an event in Thiruvananthapuram, Mr Tharoor further stated that the BJP will write a new Constitution which will pave the way for a nation, much like Pakistan, where rights of minorities are not respected.

"If they (BJP) win a repeat in the Lok Sabha, our democratic constitution as we understand it, will not survive as they will have all the elements they need to tear apart the constitution of India and write a new one," he added.

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/thailands-tham-luang-cave-to-become-museum-to-showcase-boys-rescue-150937">Thailand's Tham Luang cave to be turned into </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/thailands-tham-luang-cave-to-become-museum-to-showcase-boys-rescue-150937">museum</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/thailands-tham-luang-cave-to-become-museum-to-showcase-boys-rescue-150937"> to showcase boys' rescue</a>

A cave complex in Thailand where 12 schoolboys and their soccer coach were trapped for more than two weeks before they were safely brought out will be turned into a museum to showcase the rescue, the head of the operation said on Wednesday.

Read the five big stories of the day here

Croatia create history, enter first World Cup final after defeating England in semis Croatia showed magnificent resilience to come from behind and beat England 2-1 on Wednesday as Mario Mandzukic's extra-time goal sent them into their first World Cup final and sparked celebrations across the Balkan nation. England had looked on course for their first final since 1966 as they led through Kieran Trippier's fifth-minute free kick and totally dominated the opening half. But Croatia, in their first semi since 1998, levelled through Ivan Perisic after 68 minutes and then looked the more dangerous side. Trump tells NATO allies to double defence spending US President Donald Trump accused Germany on Wednesday of being a "captive" of Russia due to its energy reliance, before a NATO summit where he pressed allies to more than double defence spending. Having lambasted NATO members for failing to reach a target of spending 2 percent of national income on defence, Trump told fellow leaders in Brussels he would prefer a goal of 4 percent, similar to US levels, officials said. That would represent a massive upheaval of budgetary priorities in Europe where Germany and many others have pledged only to reach 2 percent by 2024 or later, and it was not clear what allies would spend the money on. All migrant children under 5 will be reunited with families by Thursday: US official All migrant children under age 5 will be reunited with their families by Thursday, Reuters quoted a Trump administration official as saying. The official said all children who are "eligible" will be reunited with their families. India will become a 'Hindu Pakistan' if BJP comes to power in 2019: Shashi Tharoor The two-time Lok Sabha MP and senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Wednesday sparked a row after he said that if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) comes to power in 2019, it will compromise with the Indian Constitution and create a Hindu Pakistan. Addressing an event in Thiruvananthapuram, Mr Tharoor further stated that the BJP will write a new Constitution which will pave the way for a nation, much like Pakistan, where rights of minorities are not respected. "If they (BJP) win a repeat in the Lok Sabha, our democratic constitution as we understand it, will not survive as they will have all the elements they need to tear apart the constitution of India and write a new one," he added. Thailand's Tham Luang cave to be turned into museum to showcase boys' rescue A cave complex in Thailand where 12 schoolboys and their soccer coach were trapped for more than two weeks before they were safely brought out will be turned into a museum to showcase the rescue, the head of the operation said on Wednesday.

News brief: Big stories of the day

At least 6 people died, while 5 others were injured in Andhra Pradesh's Anantapur district on Thursday due to poisonous gas leak in a steel plant.

The incident occurred at Gerdau Steel India Limited.

The cause of the leak is not yet known.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Visuals?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Visuals</a> from Andhra Pradesh: 6 people dead & 5 injured after a poisonous gas leak in Gerdau Steel India Limited in Tadepatri of Anantapur district this evening. Cause of leak is yet to be ascertained. <a href="https://t.co/ZWrubEJOv7">pic.twitter.com/ZWrubEJOv7</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1017419446053318659?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
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At least 6 people died, while 5 others were injured in Andhra Pradesh's Anantapur district on Thursday due to poisonous gas leak in a steel plant. The incident occurred at Gerdau Steel India Limited. The cause of the leak is not yet known. #Visuals from Andhra Pradesh: 6 people dead & 5 injured after a poisonous gas leak in Gerdau Steel India Limited in Tadepatri of Anantapur district this evening. Cause of leak is yet to be ascertained. pic.twitter.com/ZWrubEJOv7 — ANI (@ANI) July 12, 2018 ×

6 dead, 5 injured after poisonous gas leak in Andhra Pradesh

A British lawyer assisting Bangladesh's opposition leader in her fight against corruption charges has been refused entry to India where he was scheduled to give a press conference about the case.

India's foreign ministry said Lord Alexander Carlile, a former MP and international lawyer, was denied entry at New Delhi on Wednesday evening for visa irregularities.&nbsp;

The peer returned on a flight to London after being deported from Delhi's international airport.

"Carlile, a British national, arrived in New Delhi... without having obtained appropriate Indian visa," foreign ministry spokesman Raveesh Kumar said in a statement.

"His intended activity in India was incompatible with the purpose of his visit as mentioned in his visa application. It was therefore decided to deny him entry into India upon arrival."

Carlile was scheduled to give a press conference in New Delhi related to the charges against Khaleda Zia, who was imprisoned in February after being accused of embezzlement.

Zia, who was granted bail while she appeals against the five-year jail term, has denied the charges and described them as politically motivated.

Bangladesh had objected to Carlile's visit to India and had made its reservations clear to New Delhi, the BBC reported in its Bengali language service.

Carlile has said there is no evidence against Zia and her prosecution for corruption was designed to keep her from campaigning in general elections this December. &nbsp;

Zia's party boycotted the 2014 polls in which Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina -- a former ally turned arch-foe -- was elected.

She had planned to challenge Hasina in the upcoming vote.

Zia, who entered politics in the mid-1980s after her military dictator husband was assassinated in an abortive coup, also faces dozens of separate charges related to violence and corruption. 
&nbsp;

India's foreign ministry said Lord Alexander Carlile, a former MP and international lawyer, was denied entry at New Delhi on Wednesday evening for visa irregularities.

A British lawyer assisting Bangladesh's opposition leader in her fight against corruption charges has been refused entry to India where he was scheduled to give a press conference about the case. India's foreign ministry said Lord Alexander Carlile, a former MP and international lawyer, was denied entry at New Delhi on Wednesday evening for visa irregularities. The peer returned on a flight to London after being deported from Delhi's international airport. "Carlile, a British national, arrived in New Delhi... without having obtained appropriate Indian visa," foreign ministry spokesman Raveesh Kumar said in a statement. "His intended activity in India was incompatible with the purpose of his visit as mentioned in his visa application. It was therefore decided to deny him entry into India upon arrival." Carlile was scheduled to give a press conference in New Delhi related to the charges against Khaleda Zia, who was imprisoned in February after being accused of embezzlement. Zia, who was granted bail while she appeals against the five-year jail term, has denied the charges and described them as politically motivated. Bangladesh had objected to Carlile's visit to India and had made its reservations clear to New Delhi, the BBC reported in its Bengali language service. Carlile has said there is no evidence against Zia and her prosecution for corruption was designed to keep her from campaigning in general elections this December. Zia's party boycotted the 2014 polls in which Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina -- a former ally turned arch-foe -- was elected. She had planned to challenge Hasina in the upcoming vote. Zia, who entered politics in the mid-1980s after her military dictator husband was assassinated in an abortive coup, also faces dozens of separate charges related to violence and corruption.

British lawyer for Bangladesh's Zia refused entry to India

The Madras High Court has asked the Tamil Nadu government to submit video recordings, documents and reports pertaining to protests against the Sterlite Copper smelter plant in Tuticorin, which saw violence and firing in the town on the 100th day of the stir.

Thirteen people were killed in police firing on&nbsp;May 22 and 23&nbsp;when violence broke out during the protest by locals, demanding the closure of the Sterlite plant (a unit of Vedanta Limited) over pollution issues.

A division bench comprising justices C T Selvam and A M Basheer Ahmed also sought details of the intelligence report on the agitation and directed the state government to submit the same on&nbsp;July 18.

The judges were yesterday hearing a PIL filed by AWD Tilak, a Tuticorin-based advocate, who sought a copy of the order issued to invoke Section 144 of CrPC that was clamped in parts of the town during the anti-Sterlite agitation.

The petitioner submitted that prohibitory orders had been clamped in the jurisdiction of State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu (SIPCOT) and Tuticorin South Police Station limits only.

The protest was peaceful for 99 days, he submitted.

The petitioner also questioned why some people attached to certain outfits were not invited to the peace committee meeting.

The district Collector was not in town during the crisis, he claimed.

Multiple cases had been filed against individuals, the petitioner alleged.

The government counsel submitted that policemen were also affected and an equal number of policemen were injured.

The court heard all the related petitions including PIL and habeas corpus petition (HCP) seeking to restrain the police from invoking National Security Act etc.

The Madras High Court had on July 9 directed the state government to furnish a video in its possession allegedly showing some anti-Sterlite protesters with petrol bombs during the stir in May as it observed a CBI probe into the violent incidents will instil confidence in the minds of the people.

The state government had issued an order for "permanent closure" of the operation of Sterlite plant and the company has recently moved the National Green Tribunal challenging it.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The protests against the Sterlite Copper smelter plant in Tuticorin, which saw violence and firing in the town on the 100th day of the stir.

The Madras High Court has asked the Tamil Nadu government to submit video recordings, documents and reports pertaining to protests against the Sterlite Copper smelter plant in Tuticorin, which saw violence and firing in the town on the 100th day of the stir. Thirteen people were killed in police firing on May 22 and 23 when violence broke out during the protest by locals, demanding the closure of the Sterlite plant (a unit of Vedanta Limited) over pollution issues. A division bench comprising justices C T Selvam and A M Basheer Ahmed also sought details of the intelligence report on the agitation and directed the state government to submit the same on July 18. The judges were yesterday hearing a PIL filed by AWD Tilak, a Tuticorin-based advocate, who sought a copy of the order issued to invoke Section 144 of CrPC that was clamped in parts of the town during the anti-Sterlite agitation. The petitioner submitted that prohibitory orders had been clamped in the jurisdiction of State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu (SIPCOT) and Tuticorin South Police Station limits only. The protest was peaceful for 99 days, he submitted. The petitioner also questioned why some people attached to certain outfits were not invited to the peace committee meeting. The district Collector was not in town during the crisis, he claimed. Multiple cases had been filed against individuals, the petitioner alleged. The government counsel submitted that policemen were also affected and an equal number of policemen were injured. The court heard all the related petitions including PIL and habeas corpus petition (HCP) seeking to restrain the police from invoking National Security Act etc. The Madras High Court had on July 9 directed the state government to furnish a video in its possession allegedly showing some anti-Sterlite protesters with petrol bombs during the stir in May as it observed a CBI probe into the violent incidents will instil confidence in the minds of the people. The state government had issued an order for "permanent closure" of the operation of Sterlite plant and the company has recently moved the National Green Tribunal challenging it.

Anti-Sterlite protests: High Court seeks video, documents prior to firing incident

A militant was killed in an encounter with security forces in Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir today, the Army said.

"One militant has been killed in the ongoing encounter in the forest area of Kupwara district," an Army official said.

Security forces had launched an operation in the Kandi forest area of Kupwara yesterday after a patrol of Army soldiers came under fire from militants, the official said.

He said a gunbattle broke out between the two sides in which one soldier was critically injured. The jawan was evacuated to an Army hospital where he succumbed yesterday.

The operation was in progress when last reports came in, he added.

One militant has been killed in the ongoing encounter in the forest area of Kupwara district.

A militant was killed in an encounter with security forces in Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir today, the Army said. "One militant has been killed in the ongoing encounter in the forest area of Kupwara district," an Army official said. Security forces had launched an operation in the Kandi forest area of Kupwara yesterday after a patrol of Army soldiers came under fire from militants, the official said. He said a gunbattle broke out between the two sides in which one soldier was critically injured. The jawan was evacuated to an Army hospital where he succumbed yesterday. The operation was in progress when last reports came in, he added.

A Militant killed in the encounter in Kupwara

Amid the growing <a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/ahead-of-2019-polls-bjp-jdu-clash-over-seat-sharing-in-bihar-147101">rift between BJP and JD(U) in Bihar</a>, BJP President Amit Shah announced on Thursday that the two parties will continue to fight the 2019 elections together.

The announcement came after Shah met with Nitish Kumar in Bihar today.

The meeting was held to strengthen the alliance between the two parties as recent reports stated alleged differences between the parties.

The JD(U) has demanded that the results of the 2015 Bihar Assembly polls be considered while deciding how many seats each of the four National Democratic Alliance (NDA) parties in the state will get to contest in the 2019 Lok Sabha election.&nbsp;

(With inputs from ANI) 
&nbsp;

The announcement came after Shah met with Nitish Kumar in Bihar on Thursday

Amid the growing rift between BJP and JD(U) in Bihar, BJP President Amit Shah announced on Thursday that the two parties will continue to fight the 2019 elections together. The announcement came after Shah met with Nitish Kumar in Bihar today. The meeting was held to strengthen the alliance between the two parties as recent reports stated alleged differences between the parties. The JD(U) has demanded that the results of the 2015 Bihar Assembly polls be considered while deciding how many seats each of the four National Democratic Alliance (NDA) parties in the state will get to contest in the 2019 Lok Sabha election. (With inputs from ANI)

Our alliance with Nitish Kumar will continue in Bihar: Amit Shah

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