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Delhi Metro services may be hit on Saturday after talks between DMRC and the Metro employees&nbspUnion broke down on Friday afternoon.&nbsp&nbsp

Delhi Metro services might be severely affected from June 30 as the non-executive staff of the transporter have threatened to go on a strike, if their demands are not met by then.

There are nearly 12,000 people employed with the transporter, with non-executive staffers accounting for about 9,000.

Some of the non-executive staff of the DMRC have been demonstrating at a few metro stations, including Yamuna Bank and Shahdara, since June 19 in support of their eight-point demand.

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Staff Council had given a call to every member to join the agitation, but not all have participated in the stir.

The non-executive workforce includes train operators, station controllers, operations and maintenance staff and technicians, and form a major component in the operation of the rapid rail network.

Some of the council members have been protesting over a number of issues, including pay-scale revision, modification of DMRC Staff Council as an employees union, proper guidelines for sacking of an employee and that too in extreme conditions.

The council said the demands have been sent to Delhi Metro authorities and Union Urban Affairs Ministry.

"Our first demand is that that the DMRC Staff Council be changed to a DMRC employees union as the council is not a constitutional body and so, it does not have any teeth.

"Other demands include implementation of our Industrial Dearness Allowance (IDA) as per the 3rd pay revision scale," the council's secretary, Ravi Bhardwaj, said.

A senior DMRC official, when contacted, said: "Their is a possibility of services shutting down if no agreement is reached, but we are hopeful of reaching a resolution."

He also claimed that during these protests over the past several days "metro services have not been affected."

In a statement issued later in the evening, the DMRC said, "In connection with the HR issues pertaining to a section of the employees in the DMRC, this is to inform that a meeting was held today at the office of the Regional Labour Commissioner (RLC)."&nbsp

"All the issues raised by the employees are under discussion and all possible efforts are being made to reach a mutually acceptable resolution as early as possible," it said.

He said on the first day of the protest many employees - from drivers to station controllers and other staff - wore black armbands to register their protest.

"Subsequently, when the DMRC did not take cognisance of our demands, we went on symbolic hunger strike, when many of our members did not consume food while on duty and demonstrated by sitting on platforms," he said. 
"If our demands are not met by June 29, we will go on complete hunger strike and work in that condition, and drivers will drive trains in that condition. And, if anything happens to our members or to commuters then the DMRC shall be responsible for it," Bhardwaj said. 
"Even then if our voices are not heard by DMRC authorities, we will completely stop work from June 30," he claimed.

There are nearly 12,000 people employed with the transporter, with non-executive staffers accounting for about 9,000.

Delhi Metro services may be hit on Saturday after talks between DMRC and the Metro employees&nbspUnion broke down on Friday afternoon. Delhi Metro services might be severely affected from June 30 as the non-executive staff of the transporter have threatened to go on a strike, if their demands are not met by then. There are nearly 12,000 people employed with the transporter, with non-executive staffers accounting for about 9,000. Some of the non-executive staff of the DMRC have been demonstrating at a few metro stations, including Yamuna Bank and Shahdara, since June 19 in support of their eight-point demand. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Staff Council had given a call to every member to join the agitation, but not all have participated in the stir. The non-executive workforce includes train operators, station controllers, operations and maintenance staff and technicians, and form a major component in the operation of the rapid rail network. Some of the council members have been protesting over a number of issues, including pay-scale revision, modification of DMRC Staff Council as an employees union, proper guidelines for sacking of an employee and that too in extreme conditions. The council said the demands have been sent to Delhi Metro authorities and Union Urban Affairs Ministry. "Our first demand is that that the DMRC Staff Council be changed to a DMRC employees union as the council is not a constitutional body and so, it does not have any teeth. "Other demands include implementation of our Industrial Dearness Allowance (IDA) as per the 3rd pay revision scale," the council's secretary, Ravi Bhardwaj, said. A senior DMRC official, when contacted, said: "Their is a possibility of services shutting down if no agreement is reached, but we are hopeful of reaching a resolution." He also claimed that during these protests over the past several days "metro services have not been affected." In a statement issued later in the evening, the DMRC said, "In connection with the HR issues pertaining to a section of the employees in the DMRC, this is to inform that a meeting was held today at the office of the Regional Labour Commissioner (RLC)." "All the issues raised by the employees are under discussion and all possible efforts are being made to reach a mutually acceptable resolution as early as possible," it said. He said on the first day of the protest many employees - from drivers to station controllers and other staff - wore black armbands to register their protest. "Subsequently, when the DMRC did not take cognisance of our demands, we went on symbolic hunger strike, when many of our members did not consume food while on duty and demonstrated by sitting on platforms," he said. "If our demands are not met by June 29, we will go on complete hunger strike and work in that condition, and drivers will drive trains in that condition. And, if anything happens to our members or to commuters then the DMRC shall be responsible for it," Bhardwaj said. "Even then if our voices are not heard by DMRC authorities, we will completely stop work from June 30," he claimed.

Talks between DMRC, employees break down; Delhi Metro services may be hit on Saturday

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said in Bhopal on Friday that rapists were "burden on the earth" and do not deserve to live.

According to news agency PTI, he also condemned the incident in Mandsaur, where an eight-year-old girl was allegedly raped by a man, who abducted her from outside her school.

"Yeh darinde dharti par bojh hai. Yeh dharti par jeevit rahne ke layak nahi hai," (These beasts are a burden on the earth. They do not deserve to live)," Chouhan told reporters at his residence.

"In cases of rape, we have made a provision for trial in the fast track courts. We will request the high court and the Supreme Court to make a similar provision so that culprits in such crimes get capital punishment at the earliest," he added.

The Madhya Pradesh Assembly had unanimously passed a Bill last year awarding death penalty to those found guilty of raping girls aged 12 and below.

On the Mandsaur episode, Chouhan said, "It was a painful incident. We are with the (victim's) family and keeping an eye on the girl's condition. Her condition is improving and I am in constant touch with the doctors."

"The accused has already been arrested and there is evidence against him. We will ensure through fasfast-trackurts that he will get capital punishment at the earliest," the chief minister said.

The incident had taken place on Tuesday evening when the minor was waiting for her family members outside her school in order to go home. The accused, Irfan alias Bhaiyu (20) abducted her and took her to the bus stand area, where he raped her

in the bushes near Laxman Darwaja, police have said.

The accused, who even tried to kill her by slitting her throat using a knife, was arrested on Wednesday night.&nbsp;

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Victim's health condition is improving. The case should be heard in Court soon and the accused should be hanged till death for the heinous crime he committed: Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj S Chouhan on rape of a minor girl in Mansdaur <a href="https://t.co/j60SBedJnC">pic.twitter.com/j60SBedJnC</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1012604000963907584?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 29, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

The Madhya Pradesh Assembly had unanimously passed a Bill last year awarding death penalty to those found guilty of raping girls aged 12 and below.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said in Bhopal on Friday that rapists were "burden on the earth" and do not deserve to live. According to news agency PTI, he also condemned the incident in Mandsaur, where an eight-year-old girl was allegedly raped by a man, who abducted her from outside her school. "Yeh darinde dharti par bojh hai. Yeh dharti par jeevit rahne ke layak nahi hai," (These beasts are a burden on the earth. They do not deserve to live)," Chouhan told reporters at his residence. "In cases of rape, we have made a provision for trial in the fast track courts. We will request the high court and the Supreme Court to make a similar provision so that culprits in such crimes get capital punishment at the earliest," he added. The Madhya Pradesh Assembly had unanimously passed a Bill last year awarding death penalty to those found guilty of raping girls aged 12 and below. On the Mandsaur episode, Chouhan said, "It was a painful incident. We are with the (victim's) family and keeping an eye on the girl's condition. Her condition is improving and I am in constant touch with the doctors." "The accused has already been arrested and there is evidence against him. We will ensure through fasfast-trackurts that he will get capital punishment at the earliest," the chief minister said. The incident had taken place on Tuesday evening when the minor was waiting for her family members outside her school in order to go home. The accused, Irfan alias Bhaiyu (20) abducted her and took her to the bus stand area, where he raped her in the bushes near Laxman Darwaja, police have said. The accused, who even tried to kill her by slitting her throat using a knife, was arrested on Wednesday night. Victim's health condition is improving. The case should be heard in Court soon and the accused should be hanged till death for the heinous crime he committed: Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj S Chouhan on rape of a minor girl in Mansdaur pic.twitter.com/j60SBedJnC — ANI (@ANI) June 29, 2018 ×

Rapists burden on earth, don't deserve to live: Shivraj Singh Chouhan

Salman Khan has a lot to worry about as Ranbir Kapoor’s film Sanju hit the theatres today, with the widest screen presence possible in the country. Procuring more than 4000 screens in the country, trade predictions put Sanju’s <a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-sanju-box-office-prediction-ranbir-kapoor-starrer-expected-to-earn-rs-20-crore-on-opening-day-147838">first day collections</a> to more than Rs 20 crores on the first day. Not only this, it’s international release is also touted to be massive.&nbsp;

It might be too early to say that the film will be the biggest one this year but Sanju will give a major fight to Salman Khan’s Race 3 is a sure shot claim. This at a time when Race 3 has failed to make a mark at the box office even though it comes from a known and hit franchise starring the biggest superstar of our time, Salman Khan. The film has, however, made its money and crossed Rs 200 crore but it’s still much below what was expected from the film. Also, Salman Khan fans are not too happy with the film and his choice of films in the recent past.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Sanju that released today has been generating quite a buzz with Ranbir’s amazing transformation as the 'hunky, failure and hero' Sanjay Dutt. The film has now recorded the fifth highest advances of all times after Baahubali: The Conclusion, Avengers: Infinity War, Tiger Zinda Hai and Sultan.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
The movie has beaten Salman Khan's Race 3 and Aamir Khan's Dangal in the advances race with Race 3 taking the sixth spot after Sanju.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;&nbsp; 
Sanju also stars Sonam Kapoor, Anushka Sharma, Paresh Rawal, Manisha Koirala, Dia Mirza, Vicky Kausal, Jim Sarbh, among others. 
&nbsp; 
The top ten advances of all time in India are as follows: 
&nbsp; 
1. Bahubali - The Conclusion - Rs 37,53,00,000 
&nbsp; 
2. Avengers - Infinity War - Rs 28,14,00,000 
&nbsp; 
3. Tiger Zinda Hai - Rs 24,76,00,000&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
4. Sultan - Rs 21,53,00,000 
&nbsp; 
5. Sanju - Rs 20,50,00,000 approx 
&nbsp; 
6. Race 3 - Rs 19,16,00,000&nbsp;

'Sanju' is expected to witness the biggest opening for an Indian film in the country this year

Salman Khan has a lot to worry about as Ranbir Kapoor’s film Sanju hit the theatres today, with the widest screen presence possible in the country. Procuring more than 4000 screens in the country, trade predictions put Sanju’s first day collections to more than Rs 20 crores on the first day. Not only this, it’s international release is also touted to be massive. It might be too early to say that the film will be the biggest one this year but Sanju will give a major fight to Salman Khan’s Race 3 is a sure shot claim. This at a time when Race 3 has failed to make a mark at the box office even though it comes from a known and hit franchise starring the biggest superstar of our time, Salman Khan. The film has, however, made its money and crossed Rs 200 crore but it’s still much below what was expected from the film. Also, Salman Khan fans are not too happy with the film and his choice of films in the recent past. Meanwhile, Sanju that released today has been generating quite a buzz with Ranbir’s amazing transformation as the 'hunky, failure and hero' Sanjay Dutt. The film has now recorded the fifth highest advances of all times after Baahubali: The Conclusion, Avengers: Infinity War, Tiger Zinda Hai and Sultan. The movie has beaten Salman Khan's Race 3 and Aamir Khan's Dangal in the advances race with Race 3 taking the sixth spot after Sanju. Sanju also stars Sonam Kapoor, Anushka Sharma, Paresh Rawal, Manisha Koirala, Dia Mirza, Vicky Kausal, Jim Sarbh, among others. The top ten advances of all time in India are as follows: 1. Bahubali - The Conclusion - Rs 37,53,00,000 2. Avengers - Infinity War - Rs 28,14,00,000 3. Tiger Zinda Hai - Rs 24,76,00,000 4. Sultan - Rs 21,53,00,000 5. Sanju - Rs 20,50,00,000 approx 6. Race 3 - Rs 19,16,00,000

'Sanju' box office: Ranbir Kapoor's film's occupancy beats Salman Khan's Race 3?

Multinational companies like Amazon and H&M are lobbying to soften a <a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/maharashtra-relaxes-plastic-ban-for-retailers-147621">ban against single-use plastic</a> imposed by Maharashtra last week, according to four sources familiar with the matter.

The ban by the state, home to India's financial capital of Mumbai, could sharply raise costs for companies that rely heavily on plastic for packaging, such as retailers, beverage makers and sellers of bottled water.

Maharashtra's move, the first such broad action against plastic by an Indian state, comes as Prime Minister Narendra Modi pushes a plan to completely end the use of single-use plastic in the country by 2022.

Plastic packaging accounts for nearly half of all plastic waste globally, and much of it is thrown away within just a few minutes of its first use, according to the United Nations.

Representatives of companies including Amazon, H&M, Pepsi and Coca-Cola, as well as plastic industry bodies and lobby groups, met with Maharashtra government officials days before the ban came into effect on June 23, urging them to implement the rule in phases and relax some norms, said the four sources who declined to be named.

"Our demand to the government is: give the industry seven years to come up with alternatives," said Neemit Punamiya, general secretary of the Plastic Bags Manufacturers Association of India, who attended the meeting. "It cannot happen overnight - we've got investments, we've got loans to pay and people to manage."

The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, whose members include online retailers such as Amazon India and Flipkart, said in a June 7 letter to the state government that such a ban "will not be without its own share of adverse environmental impacts which are largely driven by issues associated with the use of alternatives".

The Internet and Mobile Association of India, which also counts Amazon and Flipkart as members, said it had asked the state to ease the rules but did not specify what relaxation it was seeking.

Beverage makers such as Pepsi and Coca-Cola, meanwhile, want an exemption from the rules as they mandate a buyback of empty bottles at a guaranteed price, which will raise costs, another source familiar with the talks said.

Amazon, Flipkart, Pepsi and Coca-Cola did not respond to requests for comment. H&M said in a statement that it supported reusing and recycling, adding that the company had asked the government to clarify the rules and for help coming up with solutions.

Maharashtra's environment minister said Wednesday that the government would relax rules for neighbourhood grocery stores allowing them to pack commodities such as rice and pulses in plastic. They would, however, have to ensure buyers return the packaging for recycling.

A senior state official told Reuters the government could moderate some aspects of the rule for online retailers as well or give them more time to comply. Another official confirmed that issues raised by the industry was being looked into.

Both officials declined to be named as the talks are not public.

Enforcing Compliance

Maharashtra's plastic ban includes bags, food containers, spoons, forks, glasses and packaging wraps - which the local plastics industry says could cost it up to 150 billion rupees ($2.20 billion) a year and nearly 300,000 jobs.

For online retailers, cost is one of the main issues.

An e-commerce industry source said that packaging charges comprise about 2 per cent to 3.5 per cent of fulfilment costs - the price of shipping, delivery and compensating sellers for discounts - and that the use of biodegradable plastic or other alternatives could push these costs higher.

Cardboard boxes, for example, could cost nearly a third more than plastic packing, according to industry estimates cited by the Economic Times daily.

Since the ban came into force, squads of officials in Mumbai have been raiding shops and restaurants, sometimes accompanied by police, to enforce compliance.

Violations could result in penalties of up to 25,000 rupees ($362.49) and jail terms of up to three months.

Nidhi Choudhari, Mumbai's deputy municipal commissioner, told Reuters it has collected more than 1.3 million rupees in penalties so far.

Bharati Chaturvedi, founder of the Chintan environmental advocacy group in New Delhi, said she feared the plastics industry would use any compliance extensions to try to put off the ban indefinitely.

"We should really have a hard ban," she said.

The ban by the state of Maharashtra, home to India's financial capital of Mumbai, could sharply raise costs for companies that rely heavily on plastic for packaging, such as retailers, beverage makers and sellers of bottled water

Multinational companies like Amazon and H&M are lobbying to soften a ban against single-use plastic imposed by Maharashtra last week, according to four sources familiar with the matter. The ban by the state, home to India's financial capital of Mumbai, could sharply raise costs for companies that rely heavily on plastic for packaging, such as retailers, beverage makers and sellers of bottled water. Maharashtra's move, the first such broad action against plastic by an Indian state, comes as Prime Minister Narendra Modi pushes a plan to completely end the use of single-use plastic in the country by 2022. Plastic packaging accounts for nearly half of all plastic waste globally, and much of it is thrown away within just a few minutes of its first use, according to the United Nations. Representatives of companies including Amazon, H&M, Pepsi and Coca-Cola, as well as plastic industry bodies and lobby groups, met with Maharashtra government officials days before the ban came into effect on June 23, urging them to implement the rule in phases and relax some norms, said the four sources who declined to be named. "Our demand to the government is: give the industry seven years to come up with alternatives," said Neemit Punamiya, general secretary of the Plastic Bags Manufacturers Association of India, who attended the meeting. "It cannot happen overnight - we've got investments, we've got loans to pay and people to manage." The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, whose members include online retailers such as Amazon India and Flipkart, said in a June 7 letter to the state government that such a ban "will not be without its own share of adverse environmental impacts which are largely driven by issues associated with the use of alternatives". The Internet and Mobile Association of India, which also counts Amazon and Flipkart as members, said it had asked the state to ease the rules but did not specify what relaxation it was seeking. Beverage makers such as Pepsi and Coca-Cola, meanwhile, want an exemption from the rules as they mandate a buyback of empty bottles at a guaranteed price, which will raise costs, another source familiar with the talks said. Amazon, Flipkart, Pepsi and Coca-Cola did not respond to requests for comment. H&M said in a statement that it supported reusing and recycling, adding that the company had asked the government to clarify the rules and for help coming up with solutions. Maharashtra's environment minister said Wednesday that the government would relax rules for neighbourhood grocery stores allowing them to pack commodities such as rice and pulses in plastic. They would, however, have to ensure buyers return the packaging for recycling. A senior state official told Reuters the government could moderate some aspects of the rule for online retailers as well or give them more time to comply. Another official confirmed that issues raised by the industry was being looked into. Both officials declined to be named as the talks are not public. Enforcing Compliance Maharashtra's plastic ban includes bags, food containers, spoons, forks, glasses and packaging wraps - which the local plastics industry says could cost it up to 150 billion rupees ($2.20 billion) a year and nearly 300,000 jobs. For online retailers, cost is one of the main issues. An e-commerce industry source said that packaging charges comprise about 2 per cent to 3.5 per cent of fulfilment costs - the price of shipping, delivery and compensating sellers for discounts - and that the use of biodegradable plastic or other alternatives could push these costs higher. Cardboard boxes, for example, could cost nearly a third more than plastic packing, according to industry estimates cited by the Economic Times daily. Since the ban came into force, squads of officials in Mumbai have been raiding shops and restaurants, sometimes accompanied by police, to enforce compliance. Violations could result in penalties of up to 25,000 rupees ($362.49) and jail terms of up to three months. Nidhi Choudhari, Mumbai's deputy municipal commissioner, told Reuters it has collected more than 1.3 million rupees in penalties so far. Bharati Chaturvedi, founder of the Chintan environmental advocacy group in New Delhi, said she feared the plastics industry would use any compliance extensions to try to put off the ban indefinitely. "We should really have a hard ban," she said.

Amazon, H&M and other multinationals pressing to soften Maharashtra's plastic ban

As Rajkumar Hirani’s much-awaited film Sanju released today in the country, it is expected to make a record opening on the first day. <a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-ahead-of-films-release-sanjay-dutts-cameo-appearance-in-ranbir-kapoors-sanju-leaked-147699">Also read:&nbsp;Ahead of film's release, Sanjay Dutt's cameo appearance in Ranbir Kapoor's 'Sanju' leaked!</a>

If reports are to be believed, the film is expected to earn Rs 20 crore on the first day, June 29. The film pits Ranbir Kapoor as Sanjay Dutt in a biopic on the Bollywood actor who has a tumultuous life with many ups and downs.&nbsp;Ranbir will take us through Sanjay’s different phases -- those that left a lingering effect -- his golden days of stardom to rough phases where he was jailed for illegal possession of weapons.&nbsp;

The film also stars Manisha Koirala, Paresh Rawal, Dia Mirza, Sonam Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal, Jim Sarbh and Anushka Sharma in pivotal roles.&nbsp;

<a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-alia-bhatt-ranbir-kapoor-spotted-at-sanjay-dutts-house-146033">Also read:&nbsp;Blessings from Sanju? Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor spotted at Sanjay Dutt's house</a>

The trailer of the film created a buzz as it established which actor would portray who in real life in the film. What intrigued the audience the most was whether Ranbir would do justice to Sanjay Dutt and his persona. The film’s trailer and posters released also left us curious with Ranbir’s transformation as he looked eerily similar to Sanjay Dutt in his mannerisms and looks.&nbsp; See <a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-watch-ranbir-kapoor-as-munna-bhai-in-new-teaser-for-sanju-will-leave-you-amazed--146328">Munnabhai teaser </a>here.&nbsp;

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Sanju?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Sanju</a> screen count... 
India: 4000 [second highest screen count of 2018, after <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Race3?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Race3</a>] 
Overseas: 1300+ [releasing in more than 65 countries] 
Worldwide total: 5300+ screens 
Note: Widest release of Ranbir Kapoor and director Rajkumar Hirani.
— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) <a href="https://twitter.com/taran_adarsh/status/1012336007742492673?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 28, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-karishma-tanna-evades-questions-on-playing-madhuri-dixit-in-sanju-says-want-to-do-her-biopic-146950">Also read:&nbsp;Karishma Tanna evades questions on playing Madhuri Dixit in 'Sanju', says 'want to do her biopic'</a>

The film's marketing strategy has been on point with the makers ensuring that it gets record number of screens to release the film -- 4000 across India. This makes it the second-biggest release of 2018. Internationally, it will be released in over 1300 screens in 65 countries. This will be the widest release for any Rajkumar Hirani's film or that for actor Ranbir Kapoor.&nbsp;

In another news, CBFC issued the film its certificate and passed it after asking for a scene cut. Read about the<a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-cbfc-cuts-the-controversial-toilet-leak-scene-in-jail-from-sanju--147640"> scene</a> here. The film went through a series of legal troubles when Anushka and Ranbir were issued a <a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-sanju-in-legal-trouble-complaint-filed-against-ranbir-kapoor-anushka-sharma-over-derogatory-remarks-147500">legal complaint </a>against them over a dialogue.&nbsp;

Watch out for this space for more information on the film!

'Sanju' is a biopic on Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt

As Rajkumar Hirani’s much-awaited film Sanju released today in the country, it is expected to make a record opening on the first day. Also read: Ahead of film's release, Sanjay Dutt's cameo appearance in Ranbir Kapoor's 'Sanju' leaked! If reports are to be believed, the film is expected to earn Rs 20 crore on the first day, June 29. The film pits Ranbir Kapoor as Sanjay Dutt in a biopic on the Bollywood actor who has a tumultuous life with many ups and downs. Ranbir will take us through Sanjay’s different phases -- those that left a lingering effect -- his golden days of stardom to rough phases where he was jailed for illegal possession of weapons. The film also stars Manisha Koirala, Paresh Rawal, Dia Mirza, Sonam Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal, Jim Sarbh and Anushka Sharma in pivotal roles. Also read: Blessings from Sanju? Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor spotted at Sanjay Dutt's house The trailer of the film created a buzz as it established which actor would portray who in real life in the film. What intrigued the audience the most was whether Ranbir would do justice to Sanjay Dutt and his persona. The film’s trailer and posters released also left us curious with Ranbir’s transformation as he looked eerily similar to Sanjay Dutt in his mannerisms and looks. See Munnabhai teaser here. #Sanju screen count... India: 4000 [second highest screen count of 2018, after #Race3] Overseas: 1300+ [releasing in more than 65 countries] Worldwide total: 5300+ screens Note: Widest release of Ranbir Kapoor and director Rajkumar Hirani. — taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) June 28, 2018 × Also read: Karishma Tanna evades questions on playing Madhuri Dixit in 'Sanju', says 'want to do her biopic' The film's marketing strategy has been on point with the makers ensuring that it gets record number of screens to release the film -- 4000 across India. This makes it the second-biggest release of 2018. Internationally, it will be released in over 1300 screens in 65 countries. This will be the widest release for any Rajkumar Hirani's film or that for actor Ranbir Kapoor. In another news, CBFC issued the film its certificate and passed it after asking for a scene cut. Read about the scene here. The film went through a series of legal troubles when Anushka and Ranbir were issued a legal complaint against them over a dialogue. Watch out for this space for more information on the film!

'Sanju' box office prediction: Ranbir Kapoor starrer expected to earn Rs 20 crore on opening day

Noting that the conviction rate, investigations, prosecutions and convictions in India were "disproportionately low" relative to the scale of human trafficking, the US has continued to place the country in 'Tier 2' of its annual report on the trade of humans.

The US State Department in its annual Trafficking in Persons Report for 2018 urged India to increase prosecutions and convictions for all forms of trafficking, including forced and bonded labour, and of officials allegedly complicit in it.

"The government of India does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking, however, it is making significant efforts to do so. The government demonstrated increasing efforts compared to the previous reporting period, therefore India remained on Tier 2," the department said.

The Department places each country in this report onto one of four tiers, as mandated by The Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (TVPA) of the US.

Tier 2 suggests that the government of the country does not fully meet the TVPA's minimum standards, but is making significant efforts to bring itself into compliance with those standards.

At the same time, the report said India has demonstrated increasing efforts by nearly tripling the number of victims identified and increasing its budget for shelter programmes for female and child trafficking victims.

It also noted that the government's inter-ministerial committee in 2017 to discuss and revise a draft anti-trafficking bill and India's border guard force along its Nepal border conducted several awareness activities on human trafficking for students and border communities.

"However, the government did not meet the minimum standards in several key areas. Overall victim protection remained inadequate and inconsistent and the government sometimes penalised victims through arrests for crimes committed as a result of being subjected to human trafficking," it said.

As reported over the past five years, the State Department said India is a source, destination, and transit country for men, women and children subjected to forced labour and sex trafficking.

Forced labour constitutes India's largest trafficking problem. Men, women, and children in debt bondage -? sometimes inherited from previous generations -- are forced to work in brick kilns, rice mills, embroidery factories and agriculture, it said.

Most of India's trafficking problem is internal and those from the most disadvantaged social strata -? lowest caste Dalits, members of tribal communities, religious minorities, and women and girls from excluded groups -? are most vulnerable, the report stated.

It added that within India, some are subjected to forced labour in sectors such as construction, steel, garment and textile industries, wire manufacturing for underground cables, biscuit factories, pickling, floriculture, fish farms and ship breaking.

"Workers within India who mine for sand are potentially vulnerable to human trafficking. Thousands of unregulated work placement agencies reportedly lure adults and children under false promises of employment into sex trafficking or forced labour, including domestic servitude," the report said.

Observing that experts estimate millions of women and children are victims of sex trafficking in India, the report said traffickers use false promises of employment or arrange sham marriages within India or Gulf states and subject women and girls to sex trafficking.

"In addition to traditional red light districts, women and children increasingly endure sex trafficking in small hotels, vehicles, huts, and private residences. Traffickers increasingly use websites, mobile applications," the report said.

Since 2011, India has remained on Tier 2 of the State Department reports on human trafficking.

Since 2011, India has remained on Tier 2 of the State Department reports on human trafficking

Noting that the conviction rate, investigations, prosecutions and convictions in India were "disproportionately low" relative to the scale of human trafficking, the US has continued to place the country in 'Tier 2' of its annual report on the trade of humans. The US State Department in its annual Trafficking in Persons Report for 2018 urged India to increase prosecutions and convictions for all forms of trafficking, including forced and bonded labour, and of officials allegedly complicit in it. "The government of India does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking, however, it is making significant efforts to do so. The government demonstrated increasing efforts compared to the previous reporting period, therefore India remained on Tier 2," the department said. The Department places each country in this report onto one of four tiers, as mandated by The Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (TVPA) of the US. Tier 2 suggests that the government of the country does not fully meet the TVPA's minimum standards, but is making significant efforts to bring itself into compliance with those standards. At the same time, the report said India has demonstrated increasing efforts by nearly tripling the number of victims identified and increasing its budget for shelter programmes for female and child trafficking victims. It also noted that the government's inter-ministerial committee in 2017 to discuss and revise a draft anti-trafficking bill and India's border guard force along its Nepal border conducted several awareness activities on human trafficking for students and border communities. "However, the government did not meet the minimum standards in several key areas. Overall victim protection remained inadequate and inconsistent and the government sometimes penalised victims through arrests for crimes committed as a result of being subjected to human trafficking," it said. As reported over the past five years, the State Department said India is a source, destination, and transit country for men, women and children subjected to forced labour and sex trafficking. Forced labour constitutes India's largest trafficking problem. Men, women, and children in debt bondage -? sometimes inherited from previous generations -- are forced to work in brick kilns, rice mills, embroidery factories and agriculture, it said. Most of India's trafficking problem is internal and those from the most disadvantaged social strata -? lowest caste Dalits, members of tribal communities, religious minorities, and women and girls from excluded groups -? are most vulnerable, the report stated. It added that within India, some are subjected to forced labour in sectors such as construction, steel, garment and textile industries, wire manufacturing for underground cables, biscuit factories, pickling, floriculture, fish farms and ship breaking. "Workers within India who mine for sand are potentially vulnerable to human trafficking. Thousands of unregulated work placement agencies reportedly lure adults and children under false promises of employment into sex trafficking or forced labour, including domestic servitude," the report said. Observing that experts estimate millions of women and children are victims of sex trafficking in India, the report said traffickers use false promises of employment or arrange sham marriages within India or Gulf states and subject women and girls to sex trafficking. "In addition to traditional red light districts, women and children increasingly endure sex trafficking in small hotels, vehicles, huts, and private residences. Traffickers increasingly use websites, mobile applications," the report said. Since 2011, India has remained on Tier 2 of the State Department reports on human trafficking.

Human trafficking: Investigations, convictions in India 'disproportionately' low, says US report

India's ICICI Bank Ltd said on Friday it appointed Girish Chandra Chaturvedi as part-time, non-executive chairman, effective July 1.

Chaturvedi, a former Indian Administrative Services officer, most recently served as chairman of the Warehousing Development and Regulatory Authority.

He has also served as a government nominee director on the boards of Life Insurance Corp (LIC) of India, Canara Bank, Bank of Baroda, IDBI Bank Ltd and IDFC Ltd.

ICICI Bank's current Chairman MK Sharma's term expires on June 30, the bank said in a statement.

The bank, India's third-largest lender by assets, also named Chaturvedi as an independent director for three years.

This comes shortly after the bank tapped group veteran Sandeep Bakhshi to be its interim head, with Chief Executive Chanda Kochhar on leave pending a probe over an alleged conflict of interest.

Chaturvedi, a former Indian Administrative Services officer, most recently served as chairman of the Warehousing Development and Regulatory Authority.

India's ICICI Bank Ltd said on Friday it appointed Girish Chandra Chaturvedi as part-time, non-executive chairman, effective July 1. Chaturvedi, a former Indian Administrative Services officer, most recently served as chairman of the Warehousing Development and Regulatory Authority. He has also served as a government nominee director on the boards of Life Insurance Corp (LIC) of India, Canara Bank, Bank of Baroda, IDBI Bank Ltd and IDFC Ltd. ICICI Bank's current Chairman MK Sharma's term expires on June 30, the bank said in a statement. The bank, India's third-largest lender by assets, also named Chaturvedi as an independent director for three years. This comes shortly after the bank tapped group veteran Sandeep Bakhshi to be its interim head, with Chief Executive Chanda Kochhar on leave pending a probe over an alleged conflict of interest.

Chanda Kochhar on leave, ICICI names Girish Chaturvedi as non-executive chairman

A day after the release of <a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/watch-surgical-strikes-video-shows-indian-army-destroying-terror-launch-pads-in-pok-147550">surgical strike</a> video, Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala held a press conference slamming the BJP government.

While addressing the press he said that the Modi government was politicising the strikes and was using the surgical strikes for political gains.

He said that the BJP was using the soldiers to garner votes.

He said, "The ruling party will have to remember that they cannot make the sacrifice of the Army a tool to garner votes for them. It is the soldiers who sacrificed their lives and it is Modi ji who was glorified".

He further said, &nbsp;"Modi government discriminated against the army. He stole away the army's credit".

He also slammed the BJP saying that the Central canteen is taxed with GST.

"Modi government is exploiting the slogan of 'Jai Jawan Jai Kisan' and trying to win votes through Surgical Strike. Nation wants to ask them did Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh boast of the success of Army operations during their tenure, just like them?"

Responding to BJP's attack on Congress for demanding the reliability of the surgical strikes, he said that the Congress was proud of the strikes conducted by the Indian army.&nbsp;

He also added that the UPA government had also conducted surgical strikes during its tenure but never boasted about it. He said several strikes were launched in the last two decades.

Hitting out at the BJP President he said, "Shah insulted out force".

He also said that repeated terror attacks and ceasefire violation have increased in the recent years.&nbsp;

Over a year after the Indian Army launched surgical strikes on terror launchpads in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, POK, across the Line of Control, the video of the attack is finally out. The video of the surgical strikes, accessed by Zee News, shows Army officials demolishing terror launch pads on the intervening night of September 28 and 29, 2016.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

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The ruling party will have to remember that they cannot make the sacrifice of the Army a tool to garner votes for them. It is the soldiers who sacrificed their lives and it is Modi ji who was glorified: Randeep Surjewala, Congress on the release of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SurgicalStrike?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SurgicalStrike</a> video <a href="https://t.co/QL9worG6pL">pic.twitter.com/QL9worG6pL</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1012179177372618752?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 28, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The nation needs to be cautioned that whenever Modi govt starts failing, whenever Amit Shah ji's BJP start losing, they misuse the valour of the Army for their political benefit: Randeep Surjewala, Congress <a href="https://t.co/2QbLbfdoxY">pic.twitter.com/2QbLbfdoxY</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1012186501973594113?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 28, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Responding to the attacks of the Congress, BHP leader Subramanian Swamy said, " Just because the Congress can't produce such videos because there's none, we should not do it too? How's this exploiting people's sentiments in BJP's favour? If you did it, why did you hide it? It's just like the old saying 'grapes are sour'".

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Just because they (Congress) can't produce such videos,because there's none,we shouldn't do it too? How's this exploiting people's sentiments in BJP's favour? If you did it, why did you hide it? It's just like the old saying 'grapes are sour': Subramanian Swamy on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SurgicalStrike?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SurgicalStrike</a> <a href="https://t.co/rryPhTOx92">pic.twitter.com/rryPhTOx92</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1012192503154520064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 28, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

A day after the release of surgical strike video, Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala held a press conference slamming the BJP government

A day after the release of surgical strike video, Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala held a press conference slamming the BJP government. While addressing the press he said that the Modi government was politicising the strikes and was using the surgical strikes for political gains. He said that the BJP was using the soldiers to garner votes. He said, "The ruling party will have to remember that they cannot make the sacrifice of the Army a tool to garner votes for them. It is the soldiers who sacrificed their lives and it is Modi ji who was glorified". He further said, "Modi government discriminated against the army. He stole away the army's credit". He also slammed the BJP saying that the Central canteen is taxed with GST. "Modi government is exploiting the slogan of 'Jai Jawan Jai Kisan' and trying to win votes through Surgical Strike. Nation wants to ask them did Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh boast of the success of Army operations during their tenure, just like them?" Responding to BJP's attack on Congress for demanding the reliability of the surgical strikes, he said that the Congress was proud of the strikes conducted by the Indian army. He also added that the UPA government had also conducted surgical strikes during its tenure but never boasted about it. He said several strikes were launched in the last two decades. Hitting out at the BJP President he said, "Shah insulted out force". He also said that repeated terror attacks and ceasefire violation have increased in the recent years. Over a year after the Indian Army launched surgical strikes on terror launchpads in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, POK, across the Line of Control, the video of the attack is finally out. The video of the surgical strikes, accessed by Zee News, shows Army officials demolishing terror launch pads on the intervening night of September 28 and 29, 2016. The ruling party will have to remember that they cannot make the sacrifice of the Army a tool to garner votes for them. It is the soldiers who sacrificed their lives and it is Modi ji who was glorified: Randeep Surjewala, Congress on the release of #SurgicalStrike video pic.twitter.com/QL9worG6pL — ANI (@ANI) June 28, 2018 × The nation needs to be cautioned that whenever Modi govt starts failing, whenever Amit Shah ji's BJP start losing, they misuse the valour of the Army for their political benefit: Randeep Surjewala, Congress pic.twitter.com/2QbLbfdoxY — ANI (@ANI) June 28, 2018 × Responding to the attacks of the Congress, BHP leader Subramanian Swamy said, " Just because the Congress can't produce such videos because there's none, we should not do it too? How's this exploiting people's sentiments in BJP's favour? If you did it, why did you hide it? It's just like the old saying 'grapes are sour'". Just because they (Congress) can't produce such videos,because there's none,we shouldn't do it too? How's this exploiting people's sentiments in BJP's favour? If you did it, why did you hide it? It's just like the old saying 'grapes are sour': Subramanian Swamy on #SurgicalStrike pic.twitter.com/rryPhTOx92 — ANI (@ANI) June 28, 2018 ×

BJP politicising surgical strikes, using soldiers to garner votes: Congress

PM Modi addressed a rally in <a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-visits-lucknow-will-lay-foundation-stone-of-sant-kabir-research-academy-147610">Uttar Pradesh's Maghar in Sant Kabir </a>Nagar today before paying floral tribute to the world famous poet Kabir.&nbsp;

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a>: PM Narendra Modi addresses a public rally in Maghar in Sant Kabir Nagar district. <a href="https://t.co/M6HPBLBeIW">https://t.co/M6HPBLBeIW</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1012219538031558656?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 28, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The rally aimed at pitching the NDA government's programme ahead of the 2019 election was also attended by UP chief minister Adityanath who had earlier received the prime minister at the airport.

"My wishes to all Amarnath Yatra pilgrims," the PM said while addressing the rally. Invoking the spirit of communal harmony, the PM said saint Kabir, Guru Nanak and baba Goraknath visited Maghar.

Saint Kabir showed the way towards communal harmony, he said, adding that he broke the shackles of religion in India

The PM had inaugurated the Sant Kabir academy earlier.

Saint Kabir dedicated his life in pursuit of truth, he told the rally. "Saint Kabir wasn't born into a privileged family," he added.

"Our saints kept India's integrity," he told the crowd, informing that Kabir spoke the language of common man and left a treasure for humanity.

"Those dividing society never understood saint Kabir," he said.

On Ambedkar, the PM said he helped Indian society to gain equality. "Parties are using Ambedkar for political gains," he declared taking a swipe at Akhilesh Yadav's Samajwadi Party and Mayawati's BSP.

"Saints ideals are being politicised," he said.

"Previous government were more interested in their own bungalows," he said signalling at the controversy over Akhilesh's CM house in Lucknow.

"We started Awas yogna, others more interested in bungalows," he said taking another dig at SP leader Akhilesh Yadav. The PM took on the Opposition saying they were against triple talaq.

"Those who fought Emergency, are now forming alliances," he said, adding that the Opposition is exploiting the people for votes.

Unlike Kabir, Opposition leaders don't believe in hard work, the PM declared.

On Ambedkar, the PM said he helped Indian society to gain equality.

PM Modi addressed a rally in Uttar Pradesh's Maghar in Sant Kabir Nagar today before paying floral tribute to the world famous poet Kabir. #WATCH: PM Narendra Modi addresses a public rally in Maghar in Sant Kabir Nagar district. https://t.co/M6HPBLBeIW — ANI (@ANI) June 28, 2018 × The rally aimed at pitching the NDA government's programme ahead of the 2019 election was also attended by UP chief minister Adityanath who had earlier received the prime minister at the airport. "My wishes to all Amarnath Yatra pilgrims," the PM said while addressing the rally. Invoking the spirit of communal harmony, the PM said saint Kabir, Guru Nanak and baba Goraknath visited Maghar. Saint Kabir showed the way towards communal harmony, he said, adding that he broke the shackles of religion in India The PM had inaugurated the Sant Kabir academy earlier. Saint Kabir dedicated his life in pursuit of truth, he told the rally. "Saint Kabir wasn't born into a privileged family," he added. "Our saints kept India's integrity," he told the crowd, informing that Kabir spoke the language of common man and left a treasure for humanity. "Those dividing society never understood saint Kabir," he said. On Ambedkar, the PM said he helped Indian society to gain equality. "Parties are using Ambedkar for political gains," he declared taking a swipe at Akhilesh Yadav's Samajwadi Party and Mayawati's BSP. "Saints ideals are being politicised," he said. "Previous government were more interested in their own bungalows," he said signalling at the controversy over Akhilesh's CM house in Lucknow. "We started Awas yogna, others more interested in bungalows," he said taking another dig at SP leader Akhilesh Yadav. The PM took on the Opposition saying they were against triple talaq. "Those who fought Emergency, are now forming alliances," he said, adding that the Opposition is exploiting the people for votes. Unlike Kabir, Opposition leaders don't believe in hard work, the PM declared.

In Uttar Pradesh rally, PM Modi invokes Kabir; attacks Opposition on Emergency & alliance

The Maharashtra government on Thursday relaxed its stringent ban on plastic usage by allowing small retailers to use plastic bags for packaging for the next three months.

The relaxation will be applicable for plastic bags above 50 microns.

The new announcement came within four days of imposing the ban on single-use plastic across the state.

The relaxation granted to small retailers is along the lines of a similar exception already available for branded products.

Making the announcement to this effect, State Environment Minister Ramdas Kadam said representatives of small traders had submitted a proposal to work out a mechanism for recycling plastic bags within the next three months.

He said the small retailers also submitted a proposal on collecting plastic bags that would be giving to the consumers.

"They have assured that the plastic bags issued (by them) will bear an imprint of whether they are thicker than 50 microns or not, besides the place of manufacturing. They have also assured that the plastic bags given by retailers to consumers will not end up in garbage dumps," the minister said.

Kadam said the government has granted the relaxation for a period of three months during which the association of retail traders has assured them of coming up with a recycling plan.

The relaxation will be applicable for plastic carry bags above 50 microns.

"The government had relaxed the ban on usage of plastic bags in packaging industry. It looked like the government had given the concession to big traders and left out the smaller traders," he said.

Kadam said the small retailers have submitted a proposal assuring that they will collect plastic bags after paying 50 paise per bag to the consumer.

The state government banned all kinds of plastic bags, irrespective of their thickness, tea cups, glasses, thermocol glasses, thermocol used for decoration, plastic used in hotels to parcel food like boxes, spoons from June 23.

The ban prescribes Rs 5,000 fine for the first-time offenders and Rs 10,000 for the second-time offenders. Those who violate the ban for the third time will face a fine of Rs 25,000, along with a three-month imprisonment.

The new announcement came within four days of imposing the ban on single-use plastic across the state

The Maharashtra government on Thursday relaxed its stringent ban on plastic usage by allowing small retailers to use plastic bags for packaging for the next three months. The relaxation will be applicable for plastic bags above 50 microns. The new announcement came within four days of imposing the ban on single-use plastic across the state. The relaxation granted to small retailers is along the lines of a similar exception already available for branded products. Making the announcement to this effect, State Environment Minister Ramdas Kadam said representatives of small traders had submitted a proposal to work out a mechanism for recycling plastic bags within the next three months. He said the small retailers also submitted a proposal on collecting plastic bags that would be giving to the consumers. "They have assured that the plastic bags issued (by them) will bear an imprint of whether they are thicker than 50 microns or not, besides the place of manufacturing. They have also assured that the plastic bags given by retailers to consumers will not end up in garbage dumps," the minister said. Kadam said the government has granted the relaxation for a period of three months during which the association of retail traders has assured them of coming up with a recycling plan. The relaxation will be applicable for plastic carry bags above 50 microns. "The government had relaxed the ban on usage of plastic bags in packaging industry. It looked like the government had given the concession to big traders and left out the smaller traders," he said. Kadam said the small retailers have submitted a proposal assuring that they will collect plastic bags after paying 50 paise per bag to the consumer. The state government banned all kinds of plastic bags, irrespective of their thickness, tea cups, glasses, thermocol glasses, thermocol used for decoration, plastic used in hotels to parcel food like boxes, spoons from June 23. The ban prescribes Rs 5,000 fine for the first-time offenders and Rs 10,000 for the second-time offenders. Those who violate the ban for the third time will face a fine of Rs 25,000, along with a three-month imprisonment.

Maharashtra relaxes plastic ban for retailers

Dia Mirza bid for and bought an original six-sheet poster of the cult classic 'Mother India' - featuring the iconic Nargis Dutt -- for Rs 145,000 in an auction. The actress, who features in a pivotal role in &nbsp;the upcoming film 'Sanju', based on Nargis' son Sanjay Dutt's life, plans to gift the poster to him.&nbsp;

Dia bid for the poster at Osian`s IIFA Auction at the recently concluded International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Weekend and Awards in Bangkok.

The poster of the 1957 movie 'Mother India' was much in demand but the winning bid of Rs 145,000 came from the UN Environment Goodwill Ambassador Dia, known as much for her community services and activism as for her acting in cinema. She mentioned that she was buying the iconic poster and would like to offer it as a gift to Sanjay, read a statement.

In 'Sanju', a Rajkumar Hirani directorial, Dia essays the role of Manyata Dutt, Sanjay`s current wife, opposite Ranbir Kapoor.

The Osian`s and IIFA collaboration saw the film fraternity put its weight firmly behind preserving and nurturing of India`s rich cinematic culture and its fragile paper-based heritage.

At the auction, actor Anil Kapoor got his hands on the iconic first release three-sheet poster of 'Mughal-e-Azam' for Rs 210,000.

Anupam Kher made successful bids for the re-release half-sheet poster of 'Bandini' for Rs 26,000, and a rare poster of 'Kabuliwala' for Rs 34,000.&nbsp;

This was the first public auction in which this rare version of Bimal Roy's 1961 'Kabuliwala' poster came up for sale.

Anil Kapoor bought the first release three-sheet poster of 'Mughal-e-Azam' at the same auction.

Dia Mirza bid for and bought an original six-sheet poster of the cult classic 'Mother India' - featuring the iconic Nargis Dutt -- for Rs 145,000 in an auction. The actress, who features in a pivotal role in the upcoming film 'Sanju', based on Nargis' son Sanjay Dutt's life, plans to gift the poster to him. Dia bid for the poster at Osian`s IIFA Auction at the recently concluded International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Weekend and Awards in Bangkok. The poster of the 1957 movie 'Mother India' was much in demand but the winning bid of Rs 145,000 came from the UN Environment Goodwill Ambassador Dia, known as much for her community services and activism as for her acting in cinema. She mentioned that she was buying the iconic poster and would like to offer it as a gift to Sanjay, read a statement. In 'Sanju', a Rajkumar Hirani directorial, Dia essays the role of Manyata Dutt, Sanjay`s current wife, opposite Ranbir Kapoor. The Osian`s and IIFA collaboration saw the film fraternity put its weight firmly behind preserving and nurturing of India`s rich cinematic culture and its fragile paper-based heritage. At the auction, actor Anil Kapoor got his hands on the iconic first release three-sheet poster of 'Mughal-e-Azam' for Rs 210,000. Anupam Kher made successful bids for the re-release half-sheet poster of 'Bandini' for Rs 26,000, and a rare poster of 'Kabuliwala' for Rs 34,000. This was the first public auction in which this rare version of Bimal Roy's 1961 'Kabuliwala' poster came up for sale.

Dia Mirza buys iconic 'Mother India' poster, plans to gift to Sanjay Dutt

United States Ambassador<a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/here-to-make-india-us-relations-stronger-us-ambassador-to-un-nikki-haley-147350"> to the United Nations Nikki today</a> visited Delhi's Jama Masjid, before making "chappatis" at the&nbsp;Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib.

The US ambassador to <a href="http://wionews.com/videos/nikki-haley-to-meet-pm-modi-indian-officials-ngo-leaders-during-2-day-visit-to-india-147465">UN on a two-day visit to </a><a href="http://wionews.com/videos/nikki-haley-to-meet-pm-modi-indian-officials-ngo-leaders-during-2-day-visit-to-india-147465">India,</a> also visited the Gauri Shankar temple in Delhi.

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RT <a href="https://twitter.com/USUN?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@USUN</a>: We have a great love and respect for Foreign Minister <a href="https://twitter.com/SushmaSwaraj?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SushmaSwaraj</a>. It was wonderful seeing her again. We had a great discussion on UN reform, counterterrorism, and leadership roles for women in India. <a href="https://t.co/t3ZhOzR57B">pic.twitter.com/t3ZhOzR57B</a>
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On Wednesday, Haley had visited Delhi's historic Humayun's Tomb which was visited by ex-US president Barack Obama and his wife &nbsp;Michelle Obama in 2010.

The US diplomat had met India's foreign minister Sushma Swaraj with the two ministers discussing UN reforms, counter-terrorism and leadership role for women in India.

During her visit, Haley met senior government officials. Trump's top diplomat is also expected to meet PM Narendra Modi today.

Haley had last visited India in 2014 as governor of South Carolina, this is her first official visit as a member of President Trump's cabinet.

During her visit, Haley met senior government officials. Trump's top diplomat is also expected to meet PM Narendra Modi today.

United States Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki today visited Delhi's Jama Masjid, before making "chappatis" at the Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib. The US ambassador to UN on a two-day visit to India, also visited the Gauri Shankar temple in Delhi. RT @USUN: We have a great love and respect for Foreign Minister @SushmaSwaraj. It was wonderful seeing her again. We had a great discussion on UN reform, counterterrorism, and leadership roles for women in India. pic.twitter.com/t3ZhOzR57B — Nikki Haley (@nikkihaley) June 28, 2018 × On Wednesday, Haley had visited Delhi's historic Humayun's Tomb which was visited by ex-US president Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Obama in 2010. The US diplomat had met India's foreign minister Sushma Swaraj with the two ministers discussing UN reforms, counter-terrorism and leadership role for women in India. During her visit, Haley met senior government officials. Trump's top diplomat is also expected to meet PM Narendra Modi today. Haley had last visited India in 2014 as governor of South Carolina, this is her first official visit as a member of President Trump's cabinet.

Watch: On day 2, Nikki Haley visits Delhi's Jama Masjid, Gurudwara & Gauri Shankar temple

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate a two-day `Kabir Mahotsav` in Lucknow Uttar Pradesh on Thursday, besides laying a foundation stone of the Rs 25 crore proposed Sant Kabir Research Academy.&nbsp;

The academy will be based on the teachings and the philosophy of Saint Kabir.

The event is organised to mark the 500th death anniversary of Kabir Das.

The Mahotsav will be organised by the Ministry of Culture and will feature folk music, dance performances, and musical theatre, artists from all over the country.

Modi was received by Governor Ram Naik, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, city mayor Sanyukta Bhatia and other state cabinet ministers and bureaucrats, an official said.

The Prime Minister will also offer a chadar at the mazaar of Kabir," read an official statement and will also address a public rally at Maghar.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Lucknow. He will attend multiple events in Sant Kabir Nagar district's Maghar today. <a href="https://t.co/VJvaNLEiaA">pic.twitter.com/VJvaNLEiaA</a>
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/1012182229114597377?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 28, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Sant Kabir Nagar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi offers 'chadar' at Sant Kabir's Mazar in Maghar <a href="https://t.co/kKJo4hwNwL">pic.twitter.com/kKJo4hwNwL</a>
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&nbsp;

The PM will also lay the foundation stone of the Rs 25 crore proposed Sant Kabir Research Academy

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate a two-day `Kabir Mahotsav` in Lucknow Uttar Pradesh on Thursday, besides laying a foundation stone of the Rs 25 crore proposed Sant Kabir Research Academy. The academy will be based on the teachings and the philosophy of Saint Kabir. The event is organised to mark the 500th death anniversary of Kabir Das. The Mahotsav will be organised by the Ministry of Culture and will feature folk music, dance performances, and musical theatre, artists from all over the country. Modi was received by Governor Ram Naik, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, city mayor Sanyukta Bhatia and other state cabinet ministers and bureaucrats, an official said. The Prime Minister will also offer a chadar at the mazaar of Kabir," read an official statement and will also address a public rally at Maghar. Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Lucknow. He will attend multiple events in Sant Kabir Nagar district's Maghar today. pic.twitter.com/VJvaNLEiaA — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) June 28, 2018 × Sant Kabir Nagar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi offers 'chadar' at Sant Kabir's Mazar in Maghar pic.twitter.com/kKJo4hwNwL — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) June 28, 2018 ×

PM Modi visits Lucknow, will lay foundation stone of 'Sant Kabir Research Academy' 

BJP chief Amit Shah today accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for "unleashing violence" on her political rivals and said the sacrifice of his party workers will not go waste and it will win 22 of the state's 42 Lok Sabha seats in 2019.

Addressing a public rally here, he asserted that the BJP will oust Trinamool Congress from West Bengal and ridiculed Mamata's bid to form a grand alliance for next year's Lok Sabha polls, saying she should first take care of her own state.

Shah attacked the TMC government for unleashing violence in the state and said that its people "who are used to listening to Rabindra Sangeet are now hearing the sound of bomb blasts".

Shah, who earlier in the day visited the families of the BJP workers who were allegedly killed in the political violence, said their sacrifice will not go waste.&nbsp;

"More than 20 of our party workers were killed in the state in recent past. Their sacrifice will not go waste. I challenge Mamata Banerjee that we will dethrone you in coming days," he said.&nbsp;

He further said the next general elections will lay the foundation stone for change in the state and the party will win 22 Lok Sabha seats. The BJP had won two seats in the 2014 elections.&nbsp;

Hitting back, the TMC advised Shah to pay more attention to his party's government at the Centre.

TMC secretary general Partha Chatterjee told reporters in Kolkata that Shah should be "more worried" about the BJP-led government at the Centre and in states where assembly polls are due, instead of "looking" at West Bengal.

Referring to Shah's claim that BJP would win 22 Lok Sabha seats in the state, he said the party was "day dreaming".

On Mamata's move to form a grand alliance against the BJP in the next parliamentary poll, Shah said, "We have no objection to her move to cobble up an alliance of opposition parties, but before doing that she should be worried that the political ground in Bengal is slipping out of her hands."

Claiming that the BJP will win two-third majority in the next Lok Sabha elections, he said that the party will make the Mamata Banerjee government lose its sleep.

He said though Mamata had raised the slogan of 'Maa Mati Manush' and claimed to work for the development of the people, "The bitter truth is that the women folk in rural areas have still to walk five km to fetch water and electricity has not reached the homes of the poor."

Shah also alleged that despite the central government's financial help, development has taken a back seat in the state and "only bomb-making industry and TMC's syndicate business have flourished".

"Violence has never been the culture of Bengal. This is a state of great personalities such as Gurudev Rabindra Nath Tagore, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhya among others. And you all can see what Mamata has done to this state."

He said that the UPA II government gave Bengal Rs 1.32 lakh crore in the 13th Finance Commission, while the Narendra Modi government gave Rs 3.60 lakh crore.

"But has the benefits reached the people? Where has the money gone? Who comes between the Modi government and the people of the state? TMC syndicates have eaten away the money," the BJP president claimed.

He also claimed that the Modi government is offering money under many welfare schemes for the poor and backward people, but the TMC regime is refusing it saying it was not needed.

Shah alleged that West Bengal's debt has risen from from Rs two lakh crore during the Left Front regime to Rs 3.5 lakh crore under the TMC dispensation.

Keeping up his diatribe, the BJP president said that if the people of Bengal want to stop the illegal immigration from Bangladesh then they have to dethrone the Mamata-led TMC government.

"Tripura also faced similar problems. People there decided to bring in a change and threw out the Marxists and voted for the BJP. Now the border has become so impenetrable that not a fly cannot enter," he claimed.

The stage from which Shah spoke was named after Trilochan Mahato, Dulal Kumar and Jagannath Tudu, who the BJP claimed were killed for working for the saffron party in the May panchayat polls in Bengal.

"The TMC had unleashed terror in the last panchayat poll but despite so much of violence it could not stop the BJP from winning so many seats," he said.

In his reaction, Chatterjee said the people of the country will defeat the "anti-people" BJP government in the next Lok Sabha election.

He said BJP's politics of dividing people along religious lines will not work in West Bengal and the people of the state "will defeat the sinister designs of BJP."

"It will lose the two Lok Sabha seats - Asansol and Darjeeling this time. They should stop day dreaming," he added.&nbsp;

Addressing a public rally, he asserted that the BJP will oust Trinamool Congress from West Bengal and ridiculed Mamata's bid to form a grand alliance for next year's Lok Sabha polls, saying she should first take care of her own state

BJP chief Amit Shah today accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for "unleashing violence" on her political rivals and said the sacrifice of his party workers will not go waste and it will win 22 of the state's 42 Lok Sabha seats in 2019. Addressing a public rally here, he asserted that the BJP will oust Trinamool Congress from West Bengal and ridiculed Mamata's bid to form a grand alliance for next year's Lok Sabha polls, saying she should first take care of her own state. Shah attacked the TMC government for unleashing violence in the state and said that its people "who are used to listening to Rabindra Sangeet are now hearing the sound of bomb blasts". Shah, who earlier in the day visited the families of the BJP workers who were allegedly killed in the political violence, said their sacrifice will not go waste. "More than 20 of our party workers were killed in the state in recent past. Their sacrifice will not go waste. I challenge Mamata Banerjee that we will dethrone you in coming days," he said. He further said the next general elections will lay the foundation stone for change in the state and the party will win 22 Lok Sabha seats. The BJP had won two seats in the 2014 elections. Hitting back, the TMC advised Shah to pay more attention to his party's government at the Centre. TMC secretary general Partha Chatterjee told reporters in Kolkata that Shah should be "more worried" about the BJP-led government at the Centre and in states where assembly polls are due, instead of "looking" at West Bengal. Referring to Shah's claim that BJP would win 22 Lok Sabha seats in the state, he said the party was "day dreaming". On Mamata's move to form a grand alliance against the BJP in the next parliamentary poll, Shah said, "We have no objection to her move to cobble up an alliance of opposition parties, but before doing that she should be worried that the political ground in Bengal is slipping out of her hands." Claiming that the BJP will win two-third majority in the next Lok Sabha elections, he said that the party will make the Mamata Banerjee government lose its sleep. He said though Mamata had raised the slogan of 'Maa Mati Manush' and claimed to work for the development of the people, "The bitter truth is that the women folk in rural areas have still to walk five km to fetch water and electricity has not reached the homes of the poor." Shah also alleged that despite the central government's financial help, development has taken a back seat in the state and "only bomb-making industry and TMC's syndicate business have flourished". "Violence has never been the culture of Bengal. This is a state of great personalities such as Gurudev Rabindra Nath Tagore, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhya among others. And you all can see what Mamata has done to this state." He said that the UPA II government gave Bengal Rs 1.32 lakh crore in the 13th Finance Commission, while the Narendra Modi government gave Rs 3.60 lakh crore. "But has the benefits reached the people? Where has the money gone? Who comes between the Modi government and the people of the state? TMC syndicates have eaten away the money," the BJP president claimed. He also claimed that the Modi government is offering money under many welfare schemes for the poor and backward people, but the TMC regime is refusing it saying it was not needed. Shah alleged that West Bengal's debt has risen from from Rs two lakh crore during the Left Front regime to Rs 3.5 lakh crore under the TMC dispensation. Keeping up his diatribe, the BJP president said that if the people of Bengal want to stop the illegal immigration from Bangladesh then they have to dethrone the Mamata-led TMC government. "Tripura also faced similar problems. People there decided to bring in a change and threw out the Marxists and voted for the BJP. Now the border has become so impenetrable that not a fly cannot enter," he claimed. The stage from which Shah spoke was named after Trilochan Mahato, Dulal Kumar and Jagannath Tudu, who the BJP claimed were killed for working for the saffron party in the May panchayat polls in Bengal. "The TMC had unleashed terror in the last panchayat poll but despite so much of violence it could not stop the BJP from winning so many seats," he said. In his reaction, Chatterjee said the people of the country will defeat the "anti-people" BJP government in the next Lok Sabha election. He said BJP's politics of dividing people along religious lines will not work in West Bengal and the people of the state "will defeat the sinister designs of BJP." "It will lose the two Lok Sabha seats - Asansol and Darjeeling this time. They should stop day dreaming," he added.

Party workers' sacrifice won't go waste, BJP will win 22 LS seats in Bengal: Amit Shah

Prabhat Kuthariya, husband of a pilot, who lost her life in&nbspMumbai plane crash&nbsptoday, has held the aviation company responsible for the incident.

Talking to ANI, Kuthariya on Thursday said that the incident could have been averted.

"The incident could have been averted. Maria had told me that the flight won't be flown due to bad weather. The aviation company is responsible for this unfortunate incident," he said.

A chartered plane crashed into an under-construction building in Mumbai's Ghatkopar on Thursday afternoon, leading to the deaths of five people.&nbsp

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation said the dead included the plane's two pilots, two maintenance engineers on board, and a man on the ground.&nbsp&nbsp

The crash occurred at around 1 pm.&nbsp

"An aircraft of&nbspUA Aviation Pvt Ltd&nbspdeparted from Juhu airport at 12.20pm and lost ATC contact at 1.08 pm," Juhu Airport authorities said.

The plane,&nbspa 12-seater Beechcraft King Air C90 turboprop, belonged to Mumbai's UY Aviation, and had been been sold to the company by the Uttar Pradesh government in 2014.&nbsp

Talking to ANI, Kuthariya on Thursday said that the incident could have been averted

Prabhat Kuthariya, husband of a pilot, who lost her life in&nbspMumbai plane crash&nbsptoday, has held the aviation company responsible for the incident. Talking to ANI, Kuthariya on Thursday said that the incident could have been averted. "The incident could have been averted. Maria had told me that the flight won't be flown due to bad weather. The aviation company is responsible for this unfortunate incident," he said. A chartered plane crashed into an under-construction building in Mumbai's Ghatkopar on Thursday afternoon, leading to the deaths of five people. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation said the dead included the plane's two pilots, two maintenance engineers on board, and a man on the ground. The crash occurred at around 1 pm. "An aircraft of&nbspUA Aviation Pvt Ltd&nbspdeparted from Juhu airport at 12.20pm and lost ATC contact at 1.08 pm," Juhu Airport authorities said. The plane,&nbspa 12-seater Beechcraft King Air C90 turboprop, belonged to Mumbai's UY Aviation, and had been been sold to the company by the Uttar Pradesh government in 2014.

Deceased pilot's husband blames aviation company for Mumbai plane crash

The Indian Space Research Organisation is planning to go to the moon and when it gets there, mine it for a waste-free nuclear energy source that could be worth trillions of dollars and could theoretically power the Earth's energy needs for 250 years.&nbsp

That energy source is helium-3.&nbsp

Helium-3 is rare on Earty but abundantly available on the moon.&nbsp

Solar winds have bombarded the moon with helium-3 because it is not protected by a magnetic field.&nbsp

The presence of the isotope on the moon was confirmed by the American Apollo missions.&nbsp

The ISRO rover will take off from Earth in October. The next steps would be putting a space station in orbit and then finally a crew on the moon.&nbsp

The first step — getting the rover there — will cost about $125 million.&nbsp

This will not be India's first moon mission.&nbsp

ISRO's Chandrayaan-1 craft, launched in October 2008, completed over 3,400 orbits of the moon and landed a probe that discovered molecules of water in the moon's surface for the first time.

Helium-3 waste-free nuclear energy source that could be worth trillions of dollars and could theoretically power the Earth's energy needs for 250 years

The Indian Space Research Organisation is planning to go to the moon and when it gets there, mine it for a waste-free nuclear energy source that could be worth trillions of dollars and could theoretically power the Earth's energy needs for 250 years. That energy source is helium-3. Helium-3 is rare on Earty but abundantly available on the moon. Solar winds have bombarded the moon with helium-3 because it is not protected by a magnetic field. The presence of the isotope on the moon was confirmed by the American Apollo missions. The ISRO rover will take off from Earth in October. The next steps would be putting a space station in orbit and then finally a crew on the moon. The first step — getting the rover there — will cost about $125 million. This will not be India's first moon mission. ISRO's Chandrayaan-1 craft, launched in October 2008, completed over 3,400 orbits of the moon and landed a probe that discovered molecules of water in the moon's surface for the first time.

India wants to go to the moon, mine it for trillion-dollar energy source

United States Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley also visited Delhi's Gauri Shankar temple

Nikki Haley visits Jama Masjid, Gurudwara in Delhi

Who knew that the iconic song `Khaike Paan Banaras Wala` was not supposed to be a part of Amitabh Bachchan starrer `Don`.&nbsp; 
 
In a tweet on Wednesday, Big B went down the memory lane and confirmed that the song was shot after `Don` was completed.&nbsp; 
 
Big B tweeted, "T 2849 - An after thought, that became THE thought .. song `khaike paan banaras wala` was done after film DON was completed ..(sic)"

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T 2849 - An after thought, that became THE thought .. song 'khaike paan banaras wala' was done after film DON was completed .. <a href="https://t.co/5M6QQjn6Tp">pic.twitter.com/5M6QQjn6Tp</a>
— Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) <a href="https://twitter.com/SrBachchan/status/1011759314506219520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 26, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The song was actually supposed to be a part of the Dev Anand's film 'Benarasi Babu' but the makers decided to include it in 'Don' post interval to break the monotony of the action sequences. &nbsp;It was shot after filming was complete and was added after the intermission.&nbsp;

<iframe allow="autoplay encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/I08ex7M5WTw" width="560"></iframe> 
 
In the original movie shot in 1978, Bachchan plays a double role, as a Mumbai underworld boss (Don) and his doppelganger Vijay.The film`s plot revolves around Vijay, a Mumbai slum-dweller who is asked to resemble the powerful crime boss by law enforcement officer in order to act as an informant for the police and track down the root of the criminal organisation. 
 
In the recent times, Shah Rukh Khan has been seen playing the role of the crime boss in two remakes, `Don: The Chase Begins Again` (2006) and its sequel `Don 2` (2011) directed by Farhan Akhtar.&nbsp;

The song was added after the filming of 'Don' was completed.

Who knew that the iconic song `Khaike Paan Banaras Wala` was not supposed to be a part of Amitabh Bachchan starrer `Don`. In a tweet on Wednesday, Big B went down the memory lane and confirmed that the song was shot after `Don` was completed. Big B tweeted, "T 2849 - An after thought, that became THE thought .. song `khaike paan banaras wala` was done after film DON was completed ..(sic)" T 2849 - An after thought, that became THE thought .. song 'khaike paan banaras wala' was done after film DON was completed .. pic.twitter.com/5M6QQjn6Tp — Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) June 26, 2018 × The song was actually supposed to be a part of the Dev Anand's film 'Benarasi Babu' but the makers decided to include it in 'Don' post interval to break the monotony of the action sequences. It was shot after filming was complete and was added after the intermission. In the original movie shot in 1978, Bachchan plays a double role, as a Mumbai underworld boss (Don) and his doppelganger Vijay.The film`s plot revolves around Vijay, a Mumbai slum-dweller who is asked to resemble the powerful crime boss by law enforcement officer in order to act as an informant for the police and track down the root of the criminal organisation. In the recent times, Shah Rukh Khan has been seen playing the role of the crime boss in two remakes, `Don: The Chase Begins Again` (2006) and its sequel `Don 2` (2011) directed by Farhan Akhtar.

Amitabh Bachchan's iconic song 'Khaike paan banaras wala' was originally written for Dev Anand's film

Amul Thapar, an Indian-American legal luminary, is among the 25 shortlisted judges US President Donald Trump could nominate to replace Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy, according to American media reports.

Justice Kennedy, 81, announced his retirement from the US Supreme Court yesterday. He met Trump at the White House last afternoon soon after he told his colleagues in the Supreme Court that July 31 would be his last day at the apex court.

Thapar, 49, is one of the 25 shortlisted judges on Trump's Supreme Court List. Trump told reporters that his nominee to replace Judge Kennedy would be from this list compiled by the Heritage Foundation and the Federalist Society.

Multiple American media outlets later identified Thapar from Kentucky as one among the shortlisted judges.

Last year, Trump appointed Thapar, who sits on the 6th US Circuit Court of Appeals and a former United States Attorney, for the District of Kentucky and District Judge.

The son of Indian-American immigrants, Thapar is the Nation's first Article III judge of South Asian descent. He was confirmed by the Senate 52-44.

Thapar began his legal career in private practice, after clerkships with Judge S Arthur Spiegel of the District Court for the Southern District of Ohio and Judge Nathaniel R Jones of the Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.

He received his BS from Boston College in 1991 and his JD from the University of California, Berkeley.

According to 'The Washington Post', seven judges could be on Trump's mind to replace Kennedy on the Supreme Court and Thapar as among one among them.

"Thapar is a favourite of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, and as a candidate, Trump said he would consider Thapar as a Supreme Court pick," it said.

"He was interviewed by Trump for the Supreme Court vacancy last year," the report said.

"Kennedy's resignation reopens the door for Thapar's consideration," said Courier Journal.

McConnell, who called for a nominee who will interpret the law fairly and apply it even-handedly, has praised Thapar in the pas

 
&nbsp

Justice Kennedy, 81, announced his retirement from the US Supreme Court yesterday. He met Trump at the White House last afternoon soon after he told his colleagues in the Supreme Court that July 31 would be his last day at the apex court

Amul Thapar, an Indian-American legal luminary, is among the 25 shortlisted judges US President Donald Trump could nominate to replace Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy, according to American media reports. Justice Kennedy, 81, announced his retirement from the US Supreme Court yesterday. He met Trump at the White House last afternoon soon after he told his colleagues in the Supreme Court that July 31 would be his last day at the apex court. Thapar, 49, is one of the 25 shortlisted judges on Trump's Supreme Court List. Trump told reporters that his nominee to replace Judge Kennedy would be from this list compiled by the Heritage Foundation and the Federalist Society. Multiple American media outlets later identified Thapar from Kentucky as one among the shortlisted judges. Last year, Trump appointed Thapar, who sits on the 6th US Circuit Court of Appeals and a former United States Attorney, for the District of Kentucky and District Judge. The son of Indian-American immigrants, Thapar is the Nation's first Article III judge of South Asian descent. He was confirmed by the Senate 52-44. Thapar began his legal career in private practice, after clerkships with Judge S Arthur Spiegel of the District Court for the Southern District of Ohio and Judge Nathaniel R Jones of the Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. He received his BS from Boston College in 1991 and his JD from the University of California, Berkeley. According to 'The Washington Post', seven judges could be on Trump's mind to replace Kennedy on the Supreme Court and Thapar as among one among them. "Thapar is a favourite of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, and as a candidate, Trump said he would consider Thapar as a Supreme Court pick," it said. "He was interviewed by Trump for the Supreme Court vacancy last year," the report said. "Kennedy's resignation reopens the door for Thapar's consideration," said Courier Journal. McConnell, who called for a nominee who will interpret the law fairly and apply it even-handedly, has praised Thapar in the pas

Indian-American among Trump's list of judges to replace Kennedy

Changes in temperature and rainfall will impact almost half of South Asia in the coming decades, reducing economic growth in one of the world's poorest regions, the World Bank said.

A World Bank report released on Thursday analyses two scenarios — "climate sensitive", based on collective action by nations to limit greenhouse gas emissions, and "carbon intensive", which assumes no action on climate change.

The report combines future changes in temperature and rainfall with household survey data linking living standards to weather conditions for the first time.

More than 800 million people now live in areas predicted to become moderate-to-severe "hotspots", or affected areas, by 2050 under the carbon intensive scenario, with India accounting for almost three quarters of them, the report said.

Moderate hotspots are areas where projected consumption spending declines by 4-8 percent and severe ones are where the drop exceeds 8 percent.

"There seems to be some kind of correlation between climate hotspots and water stressed areas," Muthukumara Mani, a World Bank economist, said.

The World Bank's expectation of about half of India living in moderately or severely-affected areas by 2050 tallies with a federal think tank's report two weeks ago. This warned that 600 million Indians could suffer high to extreme water stress as the country faces the worst long-term water crisis in its history.

Rising temperature and changing monsoon rainfall patterns from climate change could cost India 2.8 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) and depress the living standards of one in every two Indians by 2050, the World Bank report said.

In terms of GDP per capita, it predicted changes in average weather would hit Bangladeshis living in severe hotspots the hardest among South Asians. It projected a 14.4 percent fall in income by 2050 for them. The comparative figures for Sri Lanka and India were 10.0 percent and 9.8 percent respectively under the carbon intensive scenario.

Nepal and Afghanistan, as well as hilly areas in India, may benefit from the weather changes because of their colder climates. However, their extensive reliance on streams fed by melting snow would mean that higher temperatures may affect timing and availability of water resources.

"Climate changes will impact you based on where you live and what you do," said Mani, who is also the main author of the report.

Inland areas would be more affected than coastal areas and mountainous regions, and the most vulnerable would be those dependent on agriculture as their main livelihood, he added.

Targeted policies such as enhancing educational attainment, reducing water stress and improving opportunities in the non-agricultural sector could reduce the impact of climate change on living standards, the report added.

More than 800 million people now live in areas predicted to become moderate-to-severe 'hotspots', or affected areas, by 2050, with India accounting for almost three-quarters of them. The bank added that the climate change would reduce economic growth

Changes in temperature and rainfall will impact almost half of South Asia in the coming decades, reducing economic growth in one of the world's poorest regions, the World Bank said. A World Bank report released on Thursday analyses two scenarios — "climate sensitive", based on collective action by nations to limit greenhouse gas emissions, and "carbon intensive", which assumes no action on climate change. The report combines future changes in temperature and rainfall with household survey data linking living standards to weather conditions for the first time. More than 800 million people now live in areas predicted to become moderate-to-severe "hotspots", or affected areas, by 2050 under the carbon intensive scenario, with India accounting for almost three quarters of them, the report said. Moderate hotspots are areas where projected consumption spending declines by 4-8 percent and severe ones are where the drop exceeds 8 percent. "There seems to be some kind of correlation between climate hotspots and water stressed areas," Muthukumara Mani, a World Bank economist, said. The World Bank's expectation of about half of India living in moderately or severely-affected areas by 2050 tallies with a federal think tank's report two weeks ago. This warned that 600 million Indians could suffer high to extreme water stress as the country faces the worst long-term water crisis in its history. Rising temperature and changing monsoon rainfall patterns from climate change could cost India 2.8 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) and depress the living standards of one in every two Indians by 2050, the World Bank report said. In terms of GDP per capita, it predicted changes in average weather would hit Bangladeshis living in severe hotspots the hardest among South Asians. It projected a 14.4 percent fall in income by 2050 for them. The comparative figures for Sri Lanka and India were 10.0 percent and 9.8 percent respectively under the carbon intensive scenario. Nepal and Afghanistan, as well as hilly areas in India, may benefit from the weather changes because of their colder climates. However, their extensive reliance on streams fed by melting snow would mean that higher temperatures may affect timing and availability of water resources. "Climate changes will impact you based on where you live and what you do," said Mani, who is also the main author of the report. Inland areas would be more affected than coastal areas and mountainous regions, and the most vulnerable would be those dependent on agriculture as their main livelihood, he added. Targeted policies such as enhancing educational attainment, reducing water stress and improving opportunities in the non-agricultural sector could reduce the impact of climate change on living standards, the report added.

Climate change will affect half of South Asia, India to be worst-hit: World Bank

Nearly a couple of years after the Indian Army launched surgical strikes on terror launchpads in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, POK, across the Line of Control, the video of the attack is finally out. The video of the surgical strikes, accessed by Zee News, shows Army officials demolishing terror launch pads on the intervening night of September 28 and 29, 2016.&nbsp;

The video footage was originally captured through drones and cameras mounted atop the helmets of the commandos.&nbsp;

The strikes came in response to the Uri military base attack carried out by Pakistan-based terrorists.&nbsp;

As per reports, para-commandos of the 4th and 9th battalions carried out the operation. The terror launch pads that were targeted were located at least 2 to 3 kilometres from the Line of Control.

"Based on receiving specific and credible inputs that some terrorist teams had positioned themselves at launch pads along the Line of Control to carry out infiltration and conduct terrorist strikes inside Jammu and Kashmir and in various metros in other states, the Indian Army conducted surgical strikes at several of these launch pads to pre-empt infiltration by terrorists," the Director-General of Military Operations had said in a statement after the strike.

The operation lasted for around five hours wherein commandos successfully destroyed seven terror launch pads. The strikes were conducted days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the Uri attack and warned that the incident would not go unpunished.&nbsp;

The 2016 Uri attack was carried out by four heavily armed militants near Jammu and Kashmir's Uri on September 18, 2016. As many as 17 Army personnel lost their lives in what is described as "the deadliest attack on security forces in Kashmir in two decades".

The video footage was originally captured through drones and cameras mounted atop the helmets of the commandos

Nearly a couple of years after the Indian Army launched surgical strikes on terror launchpads in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, POK, across the Line of Control, the video of the attack is finally out. The video of the surgical strikes, accessed by Zee News, shows Army officials demolishing terror launch pads on the intervening night of September 28 and 29, 2016. The video footage was originally captured through drones and cameras mounted atop the helmets of the commandos. The strikes came in response to the Uri military base attack carried out by Pakistan-based terrorists. As per reports, para-commandos of the 4th and 9th battalions carried out the operation. The terror launch pads that were targeted were located at least 2 to 3 kilometres from the Line of Control. "Based on receiving specific and credible inputs that some terrorist teams had positioned themselves at launch pads along the Line of Control to carry out infiltration and conduct terrorist strikes inside Jammu and Kashmir and in various metros in other states, the Indian Army conducted surgical strikes at several of these launch pads to pre-empt infiltration by terrorists," the Director-General of Military Operations had said in a statement after the strike. The operation lasted for around five hours wherein commandos successfully destroyed seven terror launch pads. The strikes were conducted days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the Uri attack and warned that the incident would not go unpunished. The 2016 Uri attack was carried out by four heavily armed militants near Jammu and Kashmir's Uri on September 18, 2016. As many as 17 Army personnel lost their lives in what is described as "the deadliest attack on security forces in Kashmir in two decades".

Watch: Surgical strikes' video shows Indian Army destroying terror launch pads in POK

India has requested a group of countries to deny entry to diamantaire&nbspNirav Modi, who is wanted in a money laundering case, related to multi-crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam, Ministry of External Affairs Raveesh Kumar said on Thursday.

Nirav is reportedly in the UK and needs to be extradited as non-bailable warrants (NBW) has already issued against him.

Addressing media here, the&nbspMEA&nbspspokesperson said, "We have sent messages to a group of countries requesting them to help the Indian government in denying entry to&nbspNirav Modi&nbspand to inform us if he is residing in that country. So far we have not received any extradition request in respect of&nbspNirav Modi."

Kumar further clarified that Nirav was not in a possession of more than one passport and said, "Nirav Modi&nbspwas issued a fresh passport only after his previous passport was physically cancelled. At no stage, he had more than one valid passport in his possession. In February his passport was suspended and eventually revoked."

The&nbspPNB&nbspdetected a 1.77 billion dollars scam, in which jeweller&nbspNirav Modi&nbspacquired fraudulent letters of undertaking from one of its branches for overseas credit from other Indian lenders.

Nirav is reportedly in the UK and needs to be extradited as non-bailable warrants (NBW) has already issued against him

India has requested a group of countries to deny entry to diamantaire&nbspNirav Modi, who is wanted in a money laundering case, related to multi-crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam, Ministry of External Affairs Raveesh Kumar said on Thursday. Nirav is reportedly in the UK and needs to be extradited as non-bailable warrants (NBW) has already issued against him. Addressing media here, the&nbspMEA&nbspspokesperson said, "We have sent messages to a group of countries requesting them to help the Indian government in denying entry to&nbspNirav Modi&nbspand to inform us if he is residing in that country. So far we have not received any extradition request in respect of&nbspNirav Modi." Kumar further clarified that Nirav was not in a possession of more than one passport and said, "Nirav Modi&nbspwas issued a fresh passport only after his previous passport was physically cancelled. At no stage, he had more than one valid passport in his possession. In February his passport was suspended and eventually revoked." The&nbspPNB&nbspdetected a 1.77 billion dollars scam, in which jeweller&nbspNirav Modi&nbspacquired fraudulent letters of undertaking from one of its branches for overseas credit from other Indian lenders.

India asks group of countries to deny entry to Nirav Modi

The United States on Wednesday postponed the <a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/sushma-swaraj-nirmala-sitharaman-to-visit-united-states-for-1st-22-dialogue-146271">first "2+2 dialogue" </a>with India citing "unavoidable reasons".

The dialogue was scheduled for July 6 in the US was to be held between external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj, defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman and US secretary of state Michael R Pompeo and secretary of defence James Mattis.

The Ministry of External Affairs Raveesh Kumar&nbsp;tweeted on Wednesday night that the US Secretary of State spoke to Sushma Swaraj and expressed his "regret and deep disappointment"&nbsp;for postponing the dialogue.

Also read:<a href="http://wionews.com/world/india-charges-as-much-as-100--tariff-we-want-tariffs-removed-trump-147334"> India charges as much as 100 % tariff, we want tariffs removed: Trump</a>

He added that the two have agreed to identify "new mutually convenient dates"&nbsp;to hold the dialogue as early as possible. &nbsp;

His&nbsp;tweet said, "US @SecPompeo spoke to EAM @SushmaSwaraj a short while ago to express his regret and deep disappointment at the US having to postpone the 2+2 Dialogue for unavoidable reasons".

"US @SecPompeo sought EAM @SushmaSwaraj understanding, and they agreed to identify new mutually convenient dates to hold the Dialogue at the earliest, in India or the US".

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US <a href="https://twitter.com/SecPompeo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecPompeo</a> spoke to EAM <a href="https://twitter.com/SushmaSwaraj?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SushmaSwaraj</a> a short while ago to express his regret and deep disappointment at the US having to postpone the 2+2 Dialogue for unavoidable reasons. 1/2
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US <a href="https://twitter.com/SecPompeo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecPompeo</a> sought EAM <a href="https://twitter.com/SushmaSwaraj?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SushmaSwaraj</a> understanding, and they agreed to identify new mutually convenient dates to hold the Dialogue at the earliest, in India or the US. 2/2
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&nbsp;

The Dialogue which was scheduled for July 6 in the US was to be held between External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and US Secretary of State Michael R Pompeo and Secretary of Defence James Mattis

The United States on Wednesday postponed the first "2+2 dialogue" with India citing "unavoidable reasons". The dialogue was scheduled for July 6 in the US was to be held between external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj, defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman and US secretary of state Michael R Pompeo and secretary of defence James Mattis. The Ministry of External Affairs Raveesh Kumar tweeted on Wednesday night that the US Secretary of State spoke to Sushma Swaraj and expressed his "regret and deep disappointment" for postponing the dialogue. Also read: India charges as much as 100 % tariff, we want tariffs removed: Trump He added that the two have agreed to identify "new mutually convenient dates" to hold the dialogue as early as possible. His tweet said, "US @SecPompeo spoke to EAM @SushmaSwaraj a short while ago to express his regret and deep disappointment at the US having to postpone the 2+2 Dialogue for unavoidable reasons". "US @SecPompeo sought EAM @SushmaSwaraj understanding, and they agreed to identify new mutually convenient dates to hold the Dialogue at the earliest, in India or the US". US @SecPompeo spoke to EAM @SushmaSwaraj a short while ago to express his regret and deep disappointment at the US having to postpone the 2+2 Dialogue for unavoidable reasons. 1/2 — Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) June 27, 2018 × US @SecPompeo sought EAM @SushmaSwaraj understanding, and they agreed to identify new mutually convenient dates to hold the Dialogue at the earliest, in India or the US. 2/2 — Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) June 27, 2018 ×

US postpones '2+2 Dialogue' with India, cites 'unavoidable reasons'

The knife allegedly used by Indian Army Major Nikhil Handa to murder his fellow officer's wife Shailza Dwivedi was recovered on Thursday. This comes two days after the police clarified that the weapon they earlier had in their custody wasn’t the one used by the accused.

West Delhi police DCP Vijay Kumar had said, "The weapon that we have in our custody is not the weapon with which Shailaja was killed."&nbsp;

The Delhi Police had, on Wednesday, said Handa was repeatedly giving them "misleading information". A Delhi Court had recently sent the major to a four-day custody.

Kumar had said that Handa had met his brother after the incident and they travelled from CR Park to Akshardham in the former's car, PTI reported.

His brother told the police that Handa had said he was involved in a road accident and did not mention to him about the killing of the woman, the officer said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/major-handa-exchanged-over-3000-calls-with-army-officers-wife--147051">Major Handa exchanged over 3000 calls with Army officer's wife</a>

The 40-year-old accused was arrested from Meerut in Uttar Pradesh on Sunday for killing the woman. Police had said that he was "obsessed" with her.

Another police officer had claimed that the woman and the accused had an affair, PTI reported. Major Handa, who is married with two kids, knew the women and her husband, also a Major in the Army, since 2015, when they both were posted in Nagaland, the DCP had said.

The woman's husband had spotted Major Handa in the CCTV footage of the hospital, where his wife had gone for a physiotherapy session and went missing from there and had told the police that he suspected him.

Also read:<a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/army-majors-wife-last-facebook-post-before-she-was-brutally-murdered-146862">&nbsp;'In black & white': Army officer's wife Shailja's last Facebook post before she was brutally murdered</a>

Dwivedi was found with her throat slit near the Brar Square in the Delhi Cantonment area on June 23.&nbsp;

Initially, the police was informed that a woman had died in an accident. Later, when they inspected the body, it was found that her throat was slit.

The accused had allegedly run his car over her face and the body in order to make the incident appear as an accident.

Shailza was married to another Army major. Handa, who was married himself, was reportedly 'obsessed' with her and had been trying to convince her to marry him

The knife allegedly used by Indian Army Major Nikhil Handa to murder his fellow officer's wife Shailza Dwivedi was recovered on Thursday. This comes two days after the police clarified that the weapon they earlier had in their custody wasn’t the one used by the accused. West Delhi police DCP Vijay Kumar had said, "The weapon that we have in our custody is not the weapon with which Shailaja was killed." The Delhi Police had, on Wednesday, said Handa was repeatedly giving them "misleading information". A Delhi Court had recently sent the major to a four-day custody. Kumar had said that Handa had met his brother after the incident and they travelled from CR Park to Akshardham in the former's car, PTI reported. His brother told the police that Handa had said he was involved in a road accident and did not mention to him about the killing of the woman, the officer said. Also read: Major Handa exchanged over 3000 calls with Army officer's wife The 40-year-old accused was arrested from Meerut in Uttar Pradesh on Sunday for killing the woman. Police had said that he was "obsessed" with her. Another police officer had claimed that the woman and the accused had an affair, PTI reported. Major Handa, who is married with two kids, knew the women and her husband, also a Major in the Army, since 2015, when they both were posted in Nagaland, the DCP had said. The woman's husband had spotted Major Handa in the CCTV footage of the hospital, where his wife had gone for a physiotherapy session and went missing from there and had told the police that he suspected him. Also read: 'In black & white': Army officer's wife Shailja's last Facebook post before she was brutally murdered Dwivedi was found with her throat slit near the Brar Square in the Delhi Cantonment area on June 23. Initially, the police was informed that a woman had died in an accident. Later, when they inspected the body, it was found that her throat was slit. The accused had allegedly run his car over her face and the body in order to make the incident appear as an accident.

Delhi Police find knife Army Major Nikhil Handa allegedly used to kill Shailza Dwivedi

A chartered plane crashed into an under-construction building in Mumbai's Ghatkopar on Thursday afternoon, leading to the deaths of five people.&nbsp;

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation said the dead included the plane's two pilots, two maintenance engineers on board, and a man on the ground.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The crash occurred at around 1 pm.&nbsp;

Video and photographs on social media showed the plane, by then engulfed in flames, had crashed into the side of the building.

Smoke rose from the crash site. One particularly gruesome video also seemed to show the charred body of the man on the ground who had been killed in the crash.&nbsp;

The plane,&nbsp;a 12-seater Beechcraft King Air C90 turboprop, belonged to Mumbai's UY Aviation, and had been been sold to the company by the Uttar Pradesh government in 2014.&nbsp;

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"The deal was done after the plane had met with an accident in Allahabad," Principal Secretary, UP, Avnish Awasthi was quoted as saying by the news agency ANI.

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The chartered plane which has crashed (in Mumbai's Ghatkopar) does not belong to UP govt. The state govt had sold it to Mumbai's UY Aviation. The deal was done after the plane had met with an accident in Allahabad: Principal Secretary Information Avnish Awasthi <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UttarPradesh?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UttarPradesh</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1012254762409046016?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 28, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a>: A chartered plane crashes near Jagruti building in Ghatkopar where a construction work was going on. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Mumbai?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Mumbai</a> <a href="https://t.co/ACyGYymydX">pic.twitter.com/ACyGYymydX</a>
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&nbsp;

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A chartered plane has crashed near Jagruti building in Ghatkopar where construction work was going on. Further investigation underway: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Mumbai?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Mumbai</a> Police <a href="https://t.co/KdYIWp0nJZ">pic.twitter.com/KdYIWp0nJZ</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1012248584165773312?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 28, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Mumbai?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Mumbai</a>: A chartered plane has crashed near Jagruti building in Ghatkopar where construction work was going on. More details awaited <a href="https://t.co/QvDGtJqYF3">pic.twitter.com/QvDGtJqYF3</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1012249356475432960?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 28, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Fire brigade teams were rushed to the spot after the crash.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation said the dead included the plane's two pilots, two maintenance engineers on board, and a man on the ground

A chartered plane crashed into an under-construction building in Mumbai's Ghatkopar on Thursday afternoon, leading to the deaths of five people. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation said the dead included the plane's two pilots, two maintenance engineers on board, and a man on the ground. The crash occurred at around 1 pm. Video and photographs on social media showed the plane, by then engulfed in flames, had crashed into the side of the building. Smoke rose from the crash site. One particularly gruesome video also seemed to show the charred body of the man on the ground who had been killed in the crash. The plane, a 12-seater Beechcraft King Air C90 turboprop, belonged to Mumbai's UY Aviation, and had been been sold to the company by the Uttar Pradesh government in 2014. × "The deal was done after the plane had met with an accident in Allahabad," Principal Secretary, UP, Avnish Awasthi was quoted as saying by the news agency ANI. The chartered plane which has crashed (in Mumbai's Ghatkopar) does not belong to UP govt. The state govt had sold it to Mumbai's UY Aviation. The deal was done after the plane had met with an accident in Allahabad: Principal Secretary Information Avnish Awasthi #UttarPradesh — ANI (@ANI) June 28, 2018 × #WATCH: A chartered plane crashes near Jagruti building in Ghatkopar where a construction work was going on. #Mumbai pic.twitter.com/ACyGYymydX — ANI (@ANI) June 28, 2018 × A chartered plane has crashed near Jagruti building in Ghatkopar where construction work was going on. Further investigation underway: #Mumbai Police pic.twitter.com/KdYIWp0nJZ — ANI (@ANI) June 28, 2018 × #Mumbai: A chartered plane has crashed near Jagruti building in Ghatkopar where construction work was going on. More details awaited pic.twitter.com/QvDGtJqYF3 — ANI (@ANI) June 28, 2018 × Fire brigade teams were rushed to the spot after the crash.

Video: Chartered plane crashes into Mumbai under-construction building, 5 dead

The US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley on Thursday urged India to reconsider its ties to Iran, one of its key energy suppliers, as fresh US sanctions on buyers of Iranian oil loom.

Washington has stepped up pressure on major Iranian customers to stop importing its oil, warning no trading partner will be exempt from new economic sanctions when they bite from November 4.

India imports the overwhelming majority of its oil and Iran is the third-largest supplier to the nation of 1.25 billion.

Haley said she understood India "can't change its relationship with Iran in a day" but said she used a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi to encourage a reassessment.

"I also think for the future of India, and the future of being able to get resources and who they're dependent on, I would encourage them to rethink their relationship with Iran," she told broadcaster NDTV after an address in New Delhi.

"I think as a friend, India should also decide is this a country that they want to continue doing business with."

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<h5>Washington has stepped up pressure on major Iranian customers to stop importing its oil, warning no trading partner will be exempt from new economic sanctions when they bite from November 4</h5>
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US President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the Iran nuclear deal last month, re-imposing sanctions that had been suspended in return for curbs on Tehran's nuclear programme.

US officials said Washington would be asking major Iranian customers to reduce their oil imports to zero, and warned no exemptions would be made when the sanctions were enforced.

Before the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and six major powers, various buyers of Iranian oil including India had waivers or exemptions to US sanctions.

India's foreign ministry said Thursday however that the Islamic republic was a "very traditional partner" that enjoyed "historical, civilisational linkages" to India.

"She has her views, and ours views on Iran are very clear," said ministry spokesman Raveesh Kumar of Haley, whose two-day visit to India also included visits to holy sites in the Indian capital.

"We will take all necessary steps, including engagement with relevant stakeholders to ensure our energy security."&nbsp

No rift 
Haley's visit coincided with revelations that a long-anticipated meeting between US and Indian defence and foreign ministers, known as a 2+2, had been delayed for a second time.

The UN ambassador played down rumours of a rift, saying the meeting would be rescheduled "very soon" and was "an important sign of how much our security and defence cooperation has grown in recent years".

Washington has put new emphasis on its military ties to New Delhi and its regional role as a counter to China's rise.

But it could still fall foul of US sanctions imposed last August threatening sanctions on any country doing business with Russia's defence and intelligence sectors.

India, the world's top defence importer, had been in talks with Russia to buy missile systems when the sanctions were announced and New Delhi has said the embargo would not affect ties to Moscow.

Haley said Thursday that "anybody, any country, that does business with Russia... there are sanctions".

'I also think for the future of India, and the future of being able to get resources and who they're dependent on, I would encourage them to rethink their relationship with Iran,' Hailey said

The US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley on Thursday urged India to reconsider its ties to Iran, one of its key energy suppliers, as fresh US sanctions on buyers of Iranian oil loom. Washington has stepped up pressure on major Iranian customers to stop importing its oil, warning no trading partner will be exempt from new economic sanctions when they bite from November 4. India imports the overwhelming majority of its oil and Iran is the third-largest supplier to the nation of 1.25 billion. Haley said she understood India "can't change its relationship with Iran in a day" but said she used a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi to encourage a reassessment. "I also think for the future of India, and the future of being able to get resources and who they're dependent on, I would encourage them to rethink their relationship with Iran," she told broadcaster NDTV after an address in New Delhi. "I think as a friend, India should also decide is this a country that they want to continue doing business with." Washington has stepped up pressure on major Iranian customers to stop importing its oil, warning no trading partner will be exempt from new economic sanctions when they bite from November 4 × US President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the Iran nuclear deal last month, re-imposing sanctions that had been suspended in return for curbs on Tehran's nuclear programme. US officials said Washington would be asking major Iranian customers to reduce their oil imports to zero, and warned no exemptions would be made when the sanctions were enforced. Before the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and six major powers, various buyers of Iranian oil including India had waivers or exemptions to US sanctions. India's foreign ministry said Thursday however that the Islamic republic was a "very traditional partner" that enjoyed "historical, civilisational linkages" to India. "She has her views, and ours views on Iran are very clear," said ministry spokesman Raveesh Kumar of Haley, whose two-day visit to India also included visits to holy sites in the Indian capital. "We will take all necessary steps, including engagement with relevant stakeholders to ensure our energy security." No rift Haley's visit coincided with revelations that a long-anticipated meeting between US and Indian defence and foreign ministers, known as a 2+2, had been delayed for a second time. The UN ambassador played down rumours of a rift, saying the meeting would be rescheduled "very soon" and was "an important sign of how much our security and defence cooperation has grown in recent years". Washington has put new emphasis on its military ties to New Delhi and its regional role as a counter to China's rise. But it could still fall foul of US sanctions imposed last August threatening sanctions on any country doing business with Russia's defence and intelligence sectors. India, the world's top defence importer, had been in talks with Russia to buy missile systems when the sanctions were announced and New Delhi has said the embargo would not affect ties to Moscow. Haley said Thursday that "anybody, any country, that does business with Russia... there are sanctions".

US's Haley tells India to 'rethink' ties with Iran

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