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Citing the recent arrest of Bank of Maharashtra MD and CEO, the Shiv Sena&nbsp;said on Wednesday "conspirators" have infiltrated the Home department headed by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and are hatching conspiracies against him.

The Sena also said Fadnavis was not paying attention to Home department.

In an editorial published in party mouthpiece 'Saamana', the Sena said the Home Department, as well as state DGP, was kept in the dark about the arrest of Bank of Maharashtra MD and CEO Ravindra Marathe.

The Economic Offences Wing of Pune Police had last week arrested Marathe and other top officials of the bank on charges of misusing their official positions for sanctioning and disbursing loan to Pune-based builder D S Kulkarni's firm DSKDL.

Marathe was granted bail on Wednesday.

According to Sena, Marathe was arrested only to put the chief minister in spot and buzz is that this is a conspiracy hatched by the anti-Fadnavis camp, which is a cause of worry.

"The first question arises after the arrest of the top banker is who is running the Home department while keeping the CM in the dark. Another question is who is involved in a conspiracy against the CM?" the edit said.

Appealing Fadnavis to take care, the Sena said the Home department has become porous and enemies of the chief minister have gained entry to it, which is a cause of worry.

"It had happened that secret information and details of security of VIPs is sold to outsiders. Hence, if enemies have taken over the Home department then it is a serious issue. Politics is not like a game of chess anymore. Politics now has become a game of deception, murders, and betrayal," the Sena said.

Sena said the CM is a naive person and a dedicated party worker who spends all his time in increasing his party's base and fighting elections and thus is not attentive to the Home portfolio.

"It seems the anti-Fadnavis camp is taking advantage of this situation. Suspicious activities can be seen around the chief minister nowadays. People who have murdered a few people and are now out have joined the internal camp of the BJP and are seen around Fadnavis," it said.

The Sena said, "there is a conspiracy against the CM in the Home department. Some dubious people have infiltrated the Home department, as a result of which Maharashtra burned in the Bhima-Koregaon incident".

"The same anti-Fadnavis camp is responsible for rapes and murders. The same people are responsible for the murder of the owner of a coaching class in Latur. This is worse than Naxalism," the Sena said.

In the edit, an appeal was made to BJP leaders (Raosaheb) Danve, (Ashish) Shelar, (Eknath) Khadse, and (Nitin) Gadkari "to shed light over the issue".

According to Sena, Marathe was arrested only to put the chief minister in spot and buzz is that this is a conspiracy hatched by the anti-Fadnavis camp, which is a cause of worry

Citing the recent arrest of Bank of Maharashtra MD and CEO, the Shiv Sena said on Wednesday "conspirators" have infiltrated the Home department headed by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and are hatching conspiracies against him. The Sena also said Fadnavis was not paying attention to Home department. In an editorial published in party mouthpiece 'Saamana', the Sena said the Home Department, as well as state DGP, was kept in the dark about the arrest of Bank of Maharashtra MD and CEO Ravindra Marathe. The Economic Offences Wing of Pune Police had last week arrested Marathe and other top officials of the bank on charges of misusing their official positions for sanctioning and disbursing loan to Pune-based builder D S Kulkarni's firm DSKDL. Marathe was granted bail on Wednesday. According to Sena, Marathe was arrested only to put the chief minister in spot and buzz is that this is a conspiracy hatched by the anti-Fadnavis camp, which is a cause of worry. "The first question arises after the arrest of the top banker is who is running the Home department while keeping the CM in the dark. Another question is who is involved in a conspiracy against the CM?" the edit said. Appealing Fadnavis to take care, the Sena said the Home department has become porous and enemies of the chief minister have gained entry to it, which is a cause of worry. "It had happened that secret information and details of security of VIPs is sold to outsiders. Hence, if enemies have taken over the Home department then it is a serious issue. Politics is not like a game of chess anymore. Politics now has become a game of deception, murders, and betrayal," the Sena said. Sena said the CM is a naive person and a dedicated party worker who spends all his time in increasing his party's base and fighting elections and thus is not attentive to the Home portfolio. "It seems the anti-Fadnavis camp is taking advantage of this situation. Suspicious activities can be seen around the chief minister nowadays. People who have murdered a few people and are now out have joined the internal camp of the BJP and are seen around Fadnavis," it said. The Sena said, "there is a conspiracy against the CM in the Home department. Some dubious people have infiltrated the Home department, as a result of which Maharashtra burned in the Bhima-Koregaon incident". "The same anti-Fadnavis camp is responsible for rapes and murders. The same people are responsible for the murder of the owner of a coaching class in Latur. This is worse than Naxalism," the Sena said. In the edit, an appeal was made to BJP leaders (Raosaheb) Danve, (Ashish) Shelar, (Eknath) Khadse, and (Nitin) Gadkari "to shed light over the issue".

Conspiracy on against Maharashtra CM in state Home department: Sena

&nbsp;<a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/watch-surgical-strikes-video-shows-indian-army-destroying-terror-launch-pads-in-pok-147550">Watch: Surgical strikes' video shows Indian Army destroy terror launch pads in POK</a>

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.&nbsp;

<a href="http://wionews.com/world/fatf-puts-pakistan-on-grey-list-for-supporting-terror-financing-report-147555">FATF puts Pakistan on 'grey list' for supporting terror financing: Report</a>

The Financial Action&nbsp;Task Force (FATF) today put Pakistan&nbsp;on the "grey list" for supporting money laundering and terror financing, reports said.

<a href="http://wionews.com/world/ive-done-so-much-for-you-we-wont-forget-trumps-tirade-against-harley-davidson-147575">I've done so much for you, we won’t forget: Trump's tirade against Harley-Davidson</a>

President Trump continued to attack US motorcycle giant Harley-Davidson for moving some of its manufacturing from the country, declaring "we won’t forget, and neither will your customers or your now very happy competitors!

<a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/us-postpones-22-dialogue-with-india-cites-unavoidable-reasons-147554">US</a><a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/us-postpones-22-dialogue-with-india-cites-unavoidable-reasons-147554"> postpones '2+2 Dialogue' with India, cites 'unavoidable reasons'</a>

The United States on Wednesday postponed the&nbsp;<a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/sushma-swaraj-nirmala-sitharaman-to-visit-united-states-for-1st-22-dialogue-146271">first "2+2 dialogue"&nbsp;</a>with India citing "unavoidable reasons".

<a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-kama-sutra-trailer-is-the-third-most-watched-trailer-of-all-time-on-youtube-avengers-infinity-war-takes-the-top-spot-147567">'Kama Sutra' trailer third most-watched trailer on YouTube beats 'Fifty Shades Of Grey'</a>

Mira Nair's erotic period drama 'Kama Sutra' may have never released in India, but its trailer is one of the most watched trailers of all time on YouTube.

Watch: Surgical strikes' video shows Indian Army destroy terror launch pads in POK 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. FATF puts Pakistan on 'grey list' for supporting terror financing: Report The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) today put Pakistan on the "grey list" for supporting money laundering and terror financing, reports said. I've done so much for you, we won’t forget: Trump's tirade against Harley-Davidson President Trump continued to attack US motorcycle giant Harley-Davidson for moving some of its manufacturing from the country, declaring "we won’t forget, and neither will your customers or your now very happy competitors! US postpones '2+2 Dialogue' with India, cites 'unavoidable reasons' The United States on Wednesday postponed the first "2+2 dialogue" with India citing "unavoidable reasons". 'Kama Sutra' trailer third most-watched trailer on YouTube beats 'Fifty Shades Of Grey' Mira Nair's erotic period drama 'Kama Sutra' may have never released in India, but its trailer is one of the most watched trailers of all time on YouTube.

News brief: big stories of the day

One would think that Amitabh Bachchan is one of the most recognised faces in the world. The superstar's fame is not just limited to India but his popularity transcends borders. But that clearly is not the case as Bachchan was recently mistaken for Salman Khan. Yes, you read that right.&nbsp; 
 
Big B, who is known to be very active on social media, shared a photo of himself on the streets of Glasgow. The actor tweeted, " &nbsp;I walk the street of Glasgow by myself .. until a car drives by and occupant yells out .. " hey Salman Khan how you doin' .. (sic)"&nbsp;

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
T 2850 - I walk the street of Glasgow by myself .. until a car drives by and occupant yells out .. " hey Salman Khan how you doin' .. " <a href="https://t.co/RJ5neJXBaj">pic.twitter.com/RJ5neJXBaj</a>
— Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) <a href="https://twitter.com/SrBachchan/status/1012123257347207168?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 27, 2018</a></blockquote>
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We are yet to find out how Salman Khan reacted to the tweet but it did come as a surprise that people would not recognise Big B on the streets in any part of the world. One would think that Big B would be easily the most known Indian face in the world, but clearly, that doesn't seem to be the case.&nbsp; 
 
While Salman Khan's popularity is unmatched, it is a bit hard to believe that people would not recognise Amitabh Bachchan who has&nbsp;had a longer stint in Bollywood than Khan.&nbsp; 
 
Whether the said person purposely called Bachchan out with a different name is something we'll never know.&nbsp; 
 
The senior actor is currently shooting for Ayan Mukerji's 'Brahmastra' which also co-stars Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt.&nbsp;

The superstar was called Salman Khan on the streets of Glasgow recently.

One would think that Amitabh Bachchan is one of the most recognised faces in the world. The superstar's fame is not just limited to India but his popularity transcends borders. But that clearly is not the case as Bachchan was recently mistaken for Salman Khan. Yes, you read that right. Big B, who is known to be very active on social media, shared a photo of himself on the streets of Glasgow. The actor tweeted, " I walk the street of Glasgow by myself .. until a car drives by and occupant yells out .. " hey Salman Khan how you doin' .. (sic)" T 2850 - I walk the street of Glasgow by myself .. until a car drives by and occupant yells out .. " hey Salman Khan how you doin' .. " pic.twitter.com/RJ5neJXBaj — Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) June 27, 2018 × We are yet to find out how Salman Khan reacted to the tweet but it did come as a surprise that people would not recognise Big B on the streets in any part of the world. One would think that Big B would be easily the most known Indian face in the world, but clearly, that doesn't seem to be the case. While Salman Khan's popularity is unmatched, it is a bit hard to believe that people would not recognise Amitabh Bachchan who has had a longer stint in Bollywood than Khan. Whether the said person purposely called Bachchan out with a different name is something we'll never know. The senior actor is currently shooting for Ayan Mukerji's 'Brahmastra' which also co-stars Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt.

When Amitabh Bachchan was mistaken for Salman Khan

Mira Nair's erotic period drama 'Kama Sutra' may have never released in India, but its trailer is one of the most watched trailers of all time on YouTube. In a list compiled by the website ScreenCrush, 'Kama Sutra' &nbsp;trailer is only behind the trailers of 'Avengers: Infinity War' and 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens'. Interestingly, Kama Sutra trailer is ahead of 'Fifty Shades Of Grey' which has taken the fourth spot on the list.&nbsp; 
 
While 'Avengers: Infinity War' trailer has got 202 million views, 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' has clocked 101 million views on YouTube. 'Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love' has gathered 91 million views on the video-sharing platform while 'Fifty Shades of Grey' trailer has been watched 89 million times, as per the report.

The report actually is about how the trailer of 'Venom'- a spin-off of 'Spider-Man' movie - has been viewed more times than a trailer for any actual Spider-Man movie. The report then includes a list of the most watched trailers of all time on Youtube.&nbsp; 
 
Here are the top 10 most watched movie trailers of all times here: 
 
1. Avengers: Infinity War: 202 million views 
2. Star Wars: The Force Awakens: 101 million 
3. Kama Sutra A Tale of Love: 91 million 
4. Fifty Shades of Grey: 89 million 
5. Jurassic World: 86 million 
6. Suicide Squad: 85 million&nbsp; 
7. Incredibles 2: 84 million&nbsp; 
8. Avengers: Infinity War, Trailer 2: 83 million 
9. Avengers: Age of Ultron: 83 million 
10. Star Wars: The Force Awakens (Teaser): 81 million

Interestingly, Kama Sutra is the only film on the list which was not a blockbuster or made on a high budget.&nbsp; 
 
The 1996 film featured Indira Varma, Sarita Chaudhury, Naveen Andrews and Rekha. It was banned in India and Pakistan due to its erotic content.&nbsp;

The trailer is even ahead of 'Fifty Shades Of Grey' trailer which takes the fourth spot

Mira Nair's erotic period drama 'Kama Sutra' may have never released in India, but its trailer is one of the most watched trailers of all time on YouTube. In a list compiled by the website ScreenCrush, 'Kama Sutra' trailer is only behind the trailers of 'Avengers: Infinity War' and 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens'. Interestingly, Kama Sutra trailer is ahead of 'Fifty Shades Of Grey' which has taken the fourth spot on the list. While 'Avengers: Infinity War' trailer has got 202 million views, 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' has clocked 101 million views on YouTube. 'Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love' has gathered 91 million views on the video-sharing platform while 'Fifty Shades of Grey' trailer has been watched 89 million times, as per the report. The report actually is about how the trailer of 'Venom'- a spin-off of 'Spider-Man' movie - has been viewed more times than a trailer for any actual Spider-Man movie. The report then includes a list of the most watched trailers of all time on Youtube. Here are the top 10 most watched movie trailers of all times here: 1. Avengers: Infinity War: 202 million views 2. Star Wars: The Force Awakens: 101 million 3. Kama Sutra A Tale of Love: 91 million 4. Fifty Shades of Grey: 89 million 5. Jurassic World: 86 million 6. Suicide Squad: 85 million 7. Incredibles 2: 84 million 8. Avengers: Infinity War, Trailer 2: 83 million 9. Avengers: Age of Ultron: 83 million 10. Star Wars: The Force Awakens (Teaser): 81 million Interestingly, Kama Sutra is the only film on the list which was not a blockbuster or made on a high budget. The 1996 film featured Indira Varma, Sarita Chaudhury, Naveen Andrews and Rekha. It was banned in India and Pakistan due to its erotic content.

'Kama Sutra' trailer third most-watched trailer on YouTube; beats 'Fifty Shades Of Grey'

The Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday informed that the absconding diamantaire Nirav Modi did not have multiple passports to travel to different countries at any point of time.

They further said that Modi's passport was suspended in February and revoked thereafter. Further, they confirmed that a fresh passport to him was issued only after the old one was physically cancelled and he did not have more than one valid passport.&nbsp;

The MEA said that the revocation notice was sent to all Passport Issuing Authorities in India and abroad as well as to all their Missions and Posts. Intimation was also given to the agencies on the matter.&nbsp;

Moreover, they sent a message to all their Missions as well as to select countries requesting the help of the local government in denying entry and to inform them if he is residing in their country.

Media reports earlier claimed that Nirav Modi was in possession of six passports, of which two were active for “quite some time”.

The four other passports were found to be not active, sources had told PTI.

Modi, who is wanted for Rs. 13,000-crore bank fraud in India is believed to have travelled on his Indian passport <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/nirav-modi-travelled-on-revoked-indian-passport-as-recently-as-june-12-145173">as recently as June 12</a>, reports said.&nbsp;

On February 24, the MEA revoked the passports of Nirav and his maternal uncle Mehul Choksi, promoter of Gitanjali Group, after they failed to respond to a February 16 notice issued by the Ministry, asking them to show-cause why their passports should not be impounded or revoked.&nbsp;

India's Ministry of External Affairs has <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-writes-to-france-uk--belgium-asks-for-help-to-find-nirav-modi-147421">written to</a> France, the United Kingdom and Belgium, asking them to help find the fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi.&nbsp;

ANI reported earlier that the letters were written last week.&nbsp;

They said that a fresh passport to him was issued only after the old one was physically cancelled and he did not have more than one valid passport

The Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday informed that the absconding diamantaire Nirav Modi did not have multiple passports to travel to different countries at any point of time. They further said that Modi's passport was suspended in February and revoked thereafter. Further, they confirmed that a fresh passport to him was issued only after the old one was physically cancelled and he did not have more than one valid passport. The MEA said that the revocation notice was sent to all Passport Issuing Authorities in India and abroad as well as to all their Missions and Posts. Intimation was also given to the agencies on the matter. Moreover, they sent a message to all their Missions as well as to select countries requesting the help of the local government in denying entry and to inform them if he is residing in their country. Media reports earlier claimed that Nirav Modi was in possession of six passports, of which two were active for “quite some time”. The four other passports were found to be not active, sources had told PTI. Modi, who is wanted for Rs. 13,000-crore bank fraud in India is believed to have travelled on his Indian passport as recently as June 12, reports said. On February 24, the MEA revoked the passports of Nirav and his maternal uncle Mehul Choksi, promoter of Gitanjali Group, after they failed to respond to a February 16 notice issued by the Ministry, asking them to show-cause why their passports should not be impounded or revoked. India's Ministry of External Affairs has written to France, the United Kingdom and Belgium, asking them to help find the fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi. ANI reported earlier that the letters were written last week.

Nirav Modi did not have more than one valid passport at a time: MEA

As she nails every character she takes up, Taapsee Pannu has now started shooting for Sujoy Ghosh’s next titled Badla. The film will see her reuniting with Amitabh Bachchan, her co-star of Pink.&nbsp;See their <a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-amitabh-bachchan-taapsee-pannu-share-first-picture-from-the-sets-of-badla-145206">first picture</a> from the sets.&nbsp;

In an interview with a Mumbai-based daily, Taapsee opened up about her character in the film as she portrays a strong and powerful entrepreneur.&nbsp;

Speaking about it, Taapsee said, "It will be unfair to both Sujoy and me if the film didn’t have such a character. I’ve been shooting films back-to-back over the last couple of months but most of them have been desi girls. Now suddenly, I’m in Scotland playing a sharp, powerful businesswoman based here, it’s a drastic jump. This woman is also not your conventional Sujoy heroine, as you will realise." <a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-taapsee-pannu-is-elated-at-being-part-of-ghazi-says-my-third-national-film-award-winning-film-130284">Also read:&nbsp;Taapsee Pannu is elated at being part of 'Ghazi', says my third National Film Award-winning film</a> 
&nbsp; 
Badla is an official remake of 2016 Spanish film Contratiempo, also called The Invisible Guest. Talking about the film being different or similar to the original, she said that many changes have been made in the Indian version, and the film is not a carbon copy. <a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/on-national-girl-child-day-taapsee-pannu-richa-chadha-bat-for-self-defence-and-gender-equality-30654">Also read:&nbsp;On National Girl Child Day, Taapsee Pannu, Richa Chadha bat for </a><a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/on-national-girl-child-day-taapsee-pannu-richa-chadha-bat-for-self-defence-and-gender-equality-30654">self-defense</a><a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/on-national-girl-child-day-taapsee-pannu-richa-chadha-bat-for-self-defence-and-gender-equality-30654"> and gender equality</a>

She added, "Sujoy didn’t want to do a copy–paste job. My memories of the original are hazy now and I deliberately didn’t refresh them because I wanted to approach the film with a fresh perspective. It’s a character I’ve been waiting for." 
&nbsp; 
Apart from Badla, Taapsee will also be seen in <a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-manmarziyaan-taapsee-pannus-look-in-anurag-kashyaps-next-revealed-35525">Anurag Kashyap</a>'s <a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-manmarziyan-new-look-out-abhishek-bachchan-and-taapsee-pannu-look-refreshing-as-a-couple-132808">Manmarziyaan</a>, alongside Abhishek Bachchan and Vicky Kaushal. She will also be seen in Soorma opposite Diljit Dosanjh. She was last seen in&nbsp;Harshvardhan Kapoor's <a href="http://wionews.com/photos/harshvardhan-kapoor-and-taapsee-pannu-promote--'bhavesh-joshi-superhero'-on-a-bike--140639">Bhavesh Joshi.&nbsp;</a>

The actress will play a strong and powerful entrepreneur.

As she nails every character she takes up, Taapsee Pannu has now started shooting for Sujoy Ghosh’s next titled Badla. The film will see her reuniting with Amitabh Bachchan, her co-star of Pink. See their first picture from the sets. In an interview with a Mumbai-based daily, Taapsee opened up about her character in the film as she portrays a strong and powerful entrepreneur. Speaking about it, Taapsee said, "It will be unfair to both Sujoy and me if the film didn’t have such a character. I’ve been shooting films back-to-back over the last couple of months but most of them have been desi girls. Now suddenly, I’m in Scotland playing a sharp, powerful businesswoman based here, it’s a drastic jump. This woman is also not your conventional Sujoy heroine, as you will realise." Also read: Taapsee Pannu is elated at being part of 'Ghazi', says my third National Film Award-winning film Badla is an official remake of 2016 Spanish film Contratiempo, also called The Invisible Guest. Talking about the film being different or similar to the original, she said that many changes have been made in the Indian version, and the film is not a carbon copy. Also read: On National Girl Child Day, Taapsee Pannu, Richa Chadha bat for self-defense and gender equality She added, "Sujoy didn’t want to do a copy–paste job. My memories of the original are hazy now and I deliberately didn’t refresh them because I wanted to approach the film with a fresh perspective. It’s a character I’ve been waiting for." Apart from Badla, Taapsee will also be seen in Anurag Kashyap's Manmarziyaan, alongside Abhishek Bachchan and Vicky Kaushal. She will also be seen in Soorma opposite Diljit Dosanjh. She was last seen in Harshvardhan Kapoor's Bhavesh Joshi.

Taapsee Pannu on her character in 'Badla': This woman is not your conventional Sujoy heroine

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj met Uzbekistan's Deputy Prime Minister Sukhrob Kholmuradov in Delhi on Tuesday and discussed ways to strengthen cooperation in key areas such as connectivity and trade and investment.

Kholmuradov, who is visiting India to participate in the meeting of Annual meeting of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) in Mumbai, held bilateral meetings with several ministers in Delhi on Wednesday.

"Relationship deep rooted in history! EAM @SushmaSwaraj met with Deputy Prime Minister of #Uzbekistan Sukhrob Kholmuradov. Leaders explored strengthening bilateral cooperation in trade and investment, agriculture, pharma, textiles, connectivity and tourism,? Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted.

Kholmuradov also met Minister of State for External Affairs M J Akbar and the two leaders shared views on deepening ties in bilateral and regional cooperation, Kumar said.

Swaraj and Kholmuradov reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral relations, the MEA said in a statement.

"Both sides underscored untapped potential in strengthening bilateral cooperation in diverse fields including agriculture, pharmaceuticals, textiles, construction, Information and communication technologies, innovation, tourism and agreed to further strengthen this partnership through regular consultations and organisation of business to business interactions on focused areas of mutual interest,"&nbsp;it said.

During the visit, Kholmuradov also met with Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Radha Mohan Singh, Science and Technology Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry C R Chaudhary, and Minister of State Chemicals and Fertilizers Mansukh L Mandaviya among others.

India's exports to Uzbekistan include pharmaceutical products, mechanical equipments, vehicles and service, while imports include fruit and vegetable products, services and fertilizers.

Kholmuradov, who is visiting India to participate in the meeting of Annual meeting of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) in Mumbai, held bilateral meetings with several ministers in Delhi on Wednesday

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj met Uzbekistan's Deputy Prime Minister Sukhrob Kholmuradov in Delhi on Tuesday and discussed ways to strengthen cooperation in key areas such as connectivity and trade and investment. Kholmuradov, who is visiting India to participate in the meeting of Annual meeting of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) in Mumbai, held bilateral meetings with several ministers in Delhi on Wednesday. "Relationship deep rooted in history! EAM @SushmaSwaraj met with Deputy Prime Minister of #Uzbekistan Sukhrob Kholmuradov. Leaders explored strengthening bilateral cooperation in trade and investment, agriculture, pharma, textiles, connectivity and tourism,? Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted. Kholmuradov also met Minister of State for External Affairs M J Akbar and the two leaders shared views on deepening ties in bilateral and regional cooperation, Kumar said. Swaraj and Kholmuradov reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral relations, the MEA said in a statement. "Both sides underscored untapped potential in strengthening bilateral cooperation in diverse fields including agriculture, pharmaceuticals, textiles, construction, Information and communication technologies, innovation, tourism and agreed to further strengthen this partnership through regular consultations and organisation of business to business interactions on focused areas of mutual interest," it said. During the visit, Kholmuradov also met with Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Radha Mohan Singh, Science and Technology Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry C R Chaudhary, and Minister of State Chemicals and Fertilizers Mansukh L Mandaviya among others. India's exports to Uzbekistan include pharmaceutical products, mechanical equipments, vehicles and service, while imports include fruit and vegetable products, services and fertilizers.

Swaraj holds talks with Uzbekistan's Deputy PM on ways to boost ties

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday rejected a secret report submitted in the Supreme Court, which accuses its officer Rajeshwar Singh of indulging in corruption.

Singh is currently investigating the Aircel-Maxis and 2G Spectrum cases.&nbsp

The ED clarified that he had received a call from a Dubai-based person in 2016, who had provided a vital breakthrough for a case the ED was investigating.

"To put the record straight, Dr Rajeshwar Singh received a call in 2016 from a person based out of Dubai who gave important information regarding a case being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate. Dr Rajeshwar Singh passed on this information to the Directorate and the same was used in the investigation of the case," The ED stated in a press release.

"A report related to the matter was generated by an intelligence agency about this call which was duly clarified by the Directorate that the phone call was related to an ongoing investigation. The matter was laid to rest," it added.

They also mentioned that Radhey Shyam Rai, who was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the ED in an extortion case and has links with journalist Upendra Rai, had access to the secret report as he had tweeted about it.

Rajeshwar Singh has been accused of amassing disproportionate assets.&nbsp

The Supreme Court informed the government that it was up to them to initiate a probe into the case.&nbsp

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday rejected a secret report submitted in the Supreme Court, which accuses its officer Rajeshwar Singh of indulging in corruption

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday rejected a secret report submitted in the Supreme Court, which accuses its officer Rajeshwar Singh of indulging in corruption. Singh is currently investigating the Aircel-Maxis and 2G Spectrum cases. The ED clarified that he had received a call from a Dubai-based person in 2016, who had provided a vital breakthrough for a case the ED was investigating. "To put the record straight, Dr Rajeshwar Singh received a call in 2016 from a person based out of Dubai who gave important information regarding a case being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate. Dr Rajeshwar Singh passed on this information to the Directorate and the same was used in the investigation of the case," The ED stated in a press release. "A report related to the matter was generated by an intelligence agency about this call which was duly clarified by the Directorate that the phone call was related to an ongoing investigation. The matter was laid to rest," it added. They also mentioned that Radhey Shyam Rai, who was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the ED in an extortion case and has links with journalist Upendra Rai, had access to the secret report as he had tweeted about it. Rajeshwar Singh has been accused of amassing disproportionate assets. The Supreme Court informed the government that it was up to them to initiate a probe into the case.

ED refutes corruption charges against its officer investigating Aircel-Maxis, 2G Spectrum case

Ten Border Security Force (BSF) soldiers on Wednesday went missing from a special army train between Bardhaman and Dhanbad railway stations.

A First Information Report (FIR) was lodged by their commander at the Government Railway Police (GRP) in Mughalsarai stating the jawans were "absent without leave."

"83 BSF jawans were going to Jammu and Kashmir in a special train. Out of them, 10 jawans went missing somewhere in between Dhanbad and Bardhaman without informing their commander. We have filed an absconding report and have started investigating the matter," Jitendra Kumar Yadav, Sub Inspector, GRP Mughalsarai said.

The special train left for Samba Sector in Jammu with 83 soldiers in West Bengal. During a halt at Mughalsarai railway station, the soldiers were counted and it was found out that ten were missing.The police is investigating the matter.&nbsp

A First Information Report (FIR) was lodged by their commander at the Government Railway Police (GRP) in Mughalsarai stating the jawans were 'absent without leave'

Ten Border Security Force (BSF) soldiers on Wednesday went missing from a special army train between Bardhaman and Dhanbad railway stations. A First Information Report (FIR) was lodged by their commander at the Government Railway Police (GRP) in Mughalsarai stating the jawans were "absent without leave." "83 BSF jawans were going to Jammu and Kashmir in a special train. Out of them, 10 jawans went missing somewhere in between Dhanbad and Bardhaman without informing their commander. We have filed an absconding report and have started investigating the matter," Jitendra Kumar Yadav, Sub Inspector, GRP Mughalsarai said. The special train left for Samba Sector in Jammu with 83 soldiers in West Bengal. During a halt at Mughalsarai railway station, the soldiers were counted and it was found out that ten were missing.The police is investigating the matter.

10 BSF soldiers going to J&K on army special train go missing

The water level of river Ganga went down significantly in Uttar Pradesh`s Varanasi forcing the concerned department to issue water crisis alert in many parts of the city.

According to the locals, the riverbed in the middle of the width of the river has started revealing itself as the water level has declined rapidly due to rising temperature on Wednesday.

This is not just an environmental crisis for the people, but the problem has also triggered a water crisis in some parts of Varanasi.

"Water level in Ganga River and ground water level is low right now. We are running three pumps to meet increased demand. We had issued an alert to public to store and not waste water," BK Singh from Varanasi water department said.

The water department produces 311 MLD (Millions of Liters Per Day) water out of which 100 MLD comes from Ganga while the rest comes from handpumps.&nbsp

According to the locals, the riverbed in the middle of the width of the river has started revealing itself as the water level has declined rapidly due to rising temperature on Wednesday

The water level of river Ganga went down significantly in Uttar Pradesh`s Varanasi forcing the concerned department to issue water crisis alert in many parts of the city. According to the locals, the riverbed in the middle of the width of the river has started revealing itself as the water level has declined rapidly due to rising temperature on Wednesday. This is not just an environmental crisis for the people, but the problem has also triggered a water crisis in some parts of Varanasi. "Water level in Ganga River and ground water level is low right now. We are running three pumps to meet increased demand. We had issued an alert to public to store and not waste water," BK Singh from Varanasi water department said. The water department produces 311 MLD (Millions of Liters Per Day) water out of which 100 MLD comes from Ganga while the rest comes from handpumps.

Water crisis hits Varanasi as heat takes toll on River Ganga

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/in-us-eyes-iran-is-the-next-north-korea-nikki-haley-in-delhi-147668">In US eyes, 'Iran is the next North Korea': Nikki Haley in Delhi</a>

US ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley came down hard on Iran, China and Pakistan while praising India in glowing terms. Haley, who is in India on a three-day visit, was speaking at a press meet in Delhi.&nbsp

She said that in the US's eyes, "Iran is the next North Korea", adding that "We don't believe this because of some ideas but because of proof. We have seen that in spite of the Iran deal, it (Iran) continued to violate resolution after resolution."&nbsp

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/plan-to-kill-shujaat-bukhari-hatched-in-pakistan-say-jk-police-147681">Shujaat Bukhari's killing: Police release photos of suspected killers, say </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/plan-to-kill-shujaat-bukhari-hatched-in-pakistan-say-jk-police-147681">plot</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/plan-to-kill-shujaat-bukhari-hatched-in-pakistan-say-jk-police-147681"> was hatched in Pakistan</a>

Jammu and Kashmir Police released photos Thursday of the suspected killers of veteran journalists Shujaat Bukhari.&nbsp

The police said the killing had been carried out by the Lashkar-e-Taiba, and that the plot to kill Bukhari had been hatched in Pakistan.&nbsp

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/chartered-plane-crashes-in-mumbai-147633">Video: Chartered plane crashes into Mumbai under-construction building, 5 dead</a>

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

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/kejriwal-sisodia-to-be-charged-in-delhi-chief-secretary-assault-case-reports-147655">Kejriwal, Sisodia to be charged in Delhi Chief Secretary assault case: Reports</a>

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia will be charged with criminal conspiracy for the alleged attack on Delhi's top bureaucrat in February, news reports said Thursday.&nbsp

The reports quoted police sources as saying a charge sheet had been prepared and that it would be filed in July.&nbsp

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/putin-trump-summit-set-for-july-16-in-helsinki-kremlin-147694">Putin-Trump summit set for July 16 in Helsinki: Kremlin</a>

A long-awaited summit between US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin will take place in Helsinki on July 16, the Kremlin said in a statement.

"An agreement has been reached that on July 16 in Helsinki there will be a meeting between the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin and the President of the United States Donald Trump," the statement said.

In US eyes, 'Iran is the next North Korea': Nikki Haley in Delhi US ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley came down hard on Iran, China and Pakistan while praising India in glowing terms. Haley, who is in India on a three-day visit, was speaking at a press meet in Delhi. She said that in the US's eyes, "Iran is the next North Korea", adding that "We don't believe this because of some ideas but because of proof. We have seen that in spite of the Iran deal, it (Iran) continued to violate resolution after resolution." Shujaat Bukhari's killing: Police release photos of suspected killers, say plot was hatched in Pakistan Jammu and Kashmir Police released photos Thursday of the suspected killers of veteran journalists Shujaat Bukhari. The police said the killing had been carried out by the Lashkar-e-Taiba, and that the plot to kill Bukhari had been hatched in Pakistan. Video: Chartered plane crashes into Mumbai under-construction building, 5 dead 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. Kejriwal, Sisodia to be charged in Delhi Chief Secretary assault case: Reports Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia will be charged with criminal conspiracy for the alleged attack on Delhi's top bureaucrat in February, news reports said Thursday. The reports quoted police sources as saying a charge sheet had been prepared and that it would be filed in July. Putin-Trump summit set for July 16 in Helsinki: Kremlin A long-awaited summit between US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin will take place in Helsinki on July 16, the Kremlin said in a statement. "An agreement has been reached that on July 16 in Helsinki there will be a meeting between the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin and the President of the United States Donald Trump," the statement said.

News brief: Big stories of the day

US ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley came down hard on Iran, China and Pakistan while praising India in glowing terms. Haley, who is in India on a three-day visit, was speaking at a press meet in Delhi.&nbsp;

She said that in the US's eyes, "Iran is the next North Korea", adding that "we don't believe this because of some ideas but because of proof. We have seen that in spite of the Iran deal, it (Iran) continued to violate resolution after resolution."&nbsp;

Haley went on to say that the US seeks a productive relationship with China but that they do not share the same democratic values as the US. And that "their expansion in the region without respect for rights unlike India will limit their relationship with US."&nbsp;

Finally, she said the US "values Pakistan as a partner but we cannot tolerate the state becoming a haven for terrorists and hope to see a change."&nbsp;

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We share a commitment to defeating terrorism and the hateful ideology that motivates it. The US values Pakistan as a partner but we cannot tolerate the state becoming a haven for terrorists and hope to see a change: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NikkiHaley?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NikkiHaley</a>, US Ambassador to the UN <a href="https://t.co/8uyMyMHTUW">pic.twitter.com/8uyMyMHTUW</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1012273148400717824?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 28, 2018</a></blockquote>
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"North Korea dedicated their effort towards building nuclear forces and strong sanctions have curtailed them over time. Iran is a theocratic dictatorship and their pursuit of a nuclear weapons threatens all of us," said Haley.&nbsp;

"On the other hand," she added, "India holds nuclear capabilities as well but is widely respected."

"This is because India is democratic and is a member of three non-proliferation groups. India and America share a natural friendship," said Haley.&nbsp;

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India, a nuclear state, is respected widely because it is a responsible democracy. US also supports India's membership in Nuclear Suppliers Group: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NikkiHaley?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NikkiHaley</a>, US Ambassador to the UN <a href="https://t.co/Y164xHguCX">pic.twitter.com/Y164xHguCX</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1012271092789112832?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 28, 2018</a></blockquote>
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She added that ""at the Shangri-la Dialogue, Prime Minister Modi spoke about free and open Indo-Pacific region. President Trump believes in this vision. India’s vision is aspirational but it is realistic."&nbsp;

That US-India relations have grown from indifference and mutual suspicion to friendship and partnership. And that "today, Indian Americans are the most educated and highly philanthropic minority in US."&nbsp;

The US ambassador to the UN also came down hard on China and Pakistan while praising India in glowing terms

US ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley came down hard on Iran, China and Pakistan while praising India in glowing terms. Haley, who is in India on a three-day visit, was speaking at a press meet in Delhi. She said that in the US's eyes, "Iran is the next North Korea", adding that "we don't believe this because of some ideas but because of proof. We have seen that in spite of the Iran deal, it (Iran) continued to violate resolution after resolution." Haley went on to say that the US seeks a productive relationship with China but that they do not share the same democratic values as the US. And that "their expansion in the region without respect for rights unlike India will limit their relationship with US." Finally, she said the US "values Pakistan as a partner but we cannot tolerate the state becoming a haven for terrorists and hope to see a change." We share a commitment to defeating terrorism and the hateful ideology that motivates it. The US values Pakistan as a partner but we cannot tolerate the state becoming a haven for terrorists and hope to see a change: #NikkiHaley, US Ambassador to the UN pic.twitter.com/8uyMyMHTUW — ANI (@ANI) June 28, 2018 × "North Korea dedicated their effort towards building nuclear forces and strong sanctions have curtailed them over time. Iran is a theocratic dictatorship and their pursuit of a nuclear weapons threatens all of us," said Haley. "On the other hand," she added, "India holds nuclear capabilities as well but is widely respected." "This is because India is democratic and is a member of three non-proliferation groups. India and America share a natural friendship," said Haley. India, a nuclear state, is respected widely because it is a responsible democracy. US also supports India's membership in Nuclear Suppliers Group: #NikkiHaley, US Ambassador to the UN pic.twitter.com/Y164xHguCX — ANI (@ANI) June 28, 2018 × She added that ""at the Shangri-la Dialogue, Prime Minister Modi spoke about free and open Indo-Pacific region. President Trump believes in this vision. India’s vision is aspirational but it is realistic." That US-India relations have grown from indifference and mutual suspicion to friendship and partnership. And that "today, Indian Americans are the most educated and highly philanthropic minority in US."

In US eyes, 'Iran is the next North Korea': Nikki Haley in Delhi

Jammu and Kashmir Police released photos Thursday of the suspected killers of veteran journalists Shujaat Bukhari.&nbsp;

The police said the killing had been carried out by the Lashkar-e-Taiba, and that the plot to kill Bukhari had been hatched in Pakistan.&nbsp;

"This terror crime was done by Lashkar-e-Taiba and the conspiracy was hatched in Pakistan," IGP, Kashmir SP Pani said.&nbsp;

Pani identified the suspected killers as Sajad Gul, now based in Pakistan; Azad Ahmed Malik, allegedly an LeT oeprative from Anantnag district; Muzafar Ahmad Bhat, again allegedly with the LeT; and Naveed Jatt, who had escaped form Srinagar's Sri Maharaja Hari Singh hospital in February this year.&nbsp;

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/collapse-of-the-middle-ground-mehbooba-muftis-grand-failure-144564">Mehbooba Mufti looked helpless, she should have resigned</a>

Jatt had escaped in the middle of a terror attack mounted to help him make his getaway.&nbsp;

Pani said they had got their evidence from "service providers", meaning they had tracked the suspected killers' mobile phones.&nbsp;

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This terror crime was done by Lashkar-e-Taiba and the conspiracy was hatched in Pakistan: IGP Kashmir SP Pani on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ShujaatBukhari?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ShujaatBukhari</a> murder case <a href="https://t.co/tux3mWfda6">pic.twitter.com/tux3mWfda6</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1012292380614168578?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 28, 2018</a></blockquote>
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We have tangible evidence to establish these were done from Pakistan. The evidence we have in cooperation of service providers is that they belong to Pakistan: IGP Kashmir SP Pani on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ShujaatBukhari?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ShujaatBukhari</a> murder case <a href="https://t.co/fGOHV96UDQ">pic.twitter.com/fGOHV96UDQ</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1012291458227949568?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 28, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

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Sajad Gul now based in Pakistan, Azad Ahmed Malik, LeT oeprative from anantnag district, Muzafar Ahmad bhat, LeT ,Naveed Jatt have been identified in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ShujaatBukhari?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ShujaatBukhari</a> murder case: IGP Kashmir SP Pani <a href="https://t.co/x8zDibBmzl">pic.twitter.com/x8zDibBmzl</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1012290634965798913?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 28, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Bukhari, editor of the Kashmir Rising newspaper, was <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/thousands-attend-funeral-of-shujaat-bukhari-voice-of-peace-sanity-in-kashmir-144567">shot dead</a> as he left his office in Srinagar Press Enclave on June 15.&nbsp;

Police had released images of three men on a motorcycle shortly after the killing, saying they were suspected to have carried out the assassination. Two policemen guarding Bukhari — terrorists had tried to kidnap him earlier too — were also killed in the attack.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The general consensus was that Bukhari, a voice of moderation in Kashmir, had been killed because he continued to advocate for peace in the Valley.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

'This terror crime was done by Lashkar-e-Taiba and the conspiracy was hatched in Pakistan,' IGP, Kashmir SP Pani said.

Jammu and Kashmir Police released photos Thursday of the suspected killers of veteran journalists Shujaat Bukhari. The police said the killing had been carried out by the Lashkar-e-Taiba, and that the plot to kill Bukhari had been hatched in Pakistan. "This terror crime was done by Lashkar-e-Taiba and the conspiracy was hatched in Pakistan," IGP, Kashmir SP Pani said. Pani identified the suspected killers as Sajad Gul, now based in Pakistan; Azad Ahmed Malik, allegedly an LeT oeprative from Anantnag district; Muzafar Ahmad Bhat, again allegedly with the LeT; and Naveed Jatt, who had escaped form Srinagar's Sri Maharaja Hari Singh hospital in February this year. Also read: Mehbooba Mufti looked helpless, she should have resigned Jatt had escaped in the middle of a terror attack mounted to help him make his getaway. Pani said they had got their evidence from "service providers", meaning they had tracked the suspected killers' mobile phones. This terror crime was done by Lashkar-e-Taiba and the conspiracy was hatched in Pakistan: IGP Kashmir SP Pani on #ShujaatBukhari murder case pic.twitter.com/tux3mWfda6 — ANI (@ANI) June 28, 2018 × We have tangible evidence to establish these were done from Pakistan. The evidence we have in cooperation of service providers is that they belong to Pakistan: IGP Kashmir SP Pani on #ShujaatBukhari murder case pic.twitter.com/fGOHV96UDQ — ANI (@ANI) June 28, 2018 × Sajad Gul now based in Pakistan, Azad Ahmed Malik, LeT oeprative from anantnag district, Muzafar Ahmad bhat, LeT ,Naveed Jatt have been identified in #ShujaatBukhari murder case: IGP Kashmir SP Pani pic.twitter.com/x8zDibBmzl — ANI (@ANI) June 28, 2018 × Bukhari, editor of the Kashmir Rising newspaper, was shot dead as he left his office in Srinagar Press Enclave on June 15. Police had released images of three men on a motorcycle shortly after the killing, saying they were suspected to have carried out the assassination. Two policemen guarding Bukhari — terrorists had tried to kidnap him earlier too — were also killed in the attack. The general consensus was that Bukhari, a voice of moderation in Kashmir, had been killed because he continued to advocate for peace in the Valley.

Shujaat Bukhari's killing: Police release photos of suspected killers, say plot was hatched in Pakistan

In response to the attack on Uri military base attack carried out by Pakistan-based terrorists, Indian Army conducted surgical strikes on terrorist launch pads across the Line of Control (LoC) on the intervening night of September 28 and 29, 2016.

Surgical strikes video shows Indian Army take out terror camps in PoK

Sanjay Dutt’s biopic Sanju is undoubtedly the most hyped film at this point of time as Ranbir Kapoor portrays the titular role -- one that will prove to be a defining move in his career. Starring Ranbir Kapoor, Dia Mirza, Vicky Kaushal, Anushka Sharma and Manisha Koirala in pivotal roles -- the film is ready to hit the theatres on June 29.&nbsp;

While there’s a lot of buzz around the film as many theatres across the country are all sold out for the coming weekend, there’s something else that has caught the fancy of social media. Well, there has been an apparent leak of a visual from special screening of the film that suggests that Sanjay Dutt has indeed made a cameo appearance in the film.&nbsp;

Reportedly in the visual, the two are seen holding a newspaper in their hand, as they look at one another. It is from the song that they have shot together.&nbsp;

The director, according to sources wasn’t very sure whether the cameo should be included in the film but they eventually went ahead with it.&nbsp;

A source close to the film was quoted by a daily saying, “It felt like an intrusion in the creative process. The minute you introduce the real character in a biopic, you provide visual proof of how far your creativity is from reality. But the makers realised that the audience would be expecting the real Sanjay Dutt to show up at least once. Besides, Ranbir was okay with it.”

The film on the life of Sanjay Dutt will hit theatres on June 29.

Sanjay Dutt’s biopic Sanju is undoubtedly the most hyped film at this point of time as Ranbir Kapoor portrays the titular role -- one that will prove to be a defining move in his career. Starring Ranbir Kapoor, Dia Mirza, Vicky Kaushal, Anushka Sharma and Manisha Koirala in pivotal roles -- the film is ready to hit the theatres on June 29. While there’s a lot of buzz around the film as many theatres across the country are all sold out for the coming weekend, there’s something else that has caught the fancy of social media. Well, there has been an apparent leak of a visual from special screening of the film that suggests that Sanjay Dutt has indeed made a cameo appearance in the film. Reportedly in the visual, the two are seen holding a newspaper in their hand, as they look at one another. It is from the song that they have shot together. The director, according to sources wasn’t very sure whether the cameo should be included in the film but they eventually went ahead with it. A source close to the film was quoted by a daily saying, “It felt like an intrusion in the creative process. The minute you introduce the real character in a biopic, you provide visual proof of how far your creativity is from reality. But the makers realised that the audience would be expecting the real Sanjay Dutt to show up at least once. Besides, Ranbir was okay with it.”

Ahead of film's release, Sanjay Dutt's cameo appearance in Ranbir Kapoor's 'Sanju' leaked!

India has lost the tag of country with the largest number of people in extreme poverty to Nigeria, as per a study published by US based think tank Brookings. The study, titled 'The start of a&nbsp;new poverty narrative', stated that Nigeria now has about 87 million people in extreme poverty, as compared with India's 73 million.

The study also highlighted that extreme poverty in Nigeria is growing by 6 people every minute, while it continues to fall in India. And, if the current trends continue, India could drop to number 3 spot by end of this year.

The report, which has cited data from World Poverty Clock and new projections on country economic growth from the International Monetary Funds' World Economic Outlook, has defined extreme poverty as living on less than $1.9 a day.

Slow pace of poverty reduction is worrying

Between January 2016 and June 2018, about 83 million people have escaped poverty worldwide. However, as per the target set by UN-sponsored Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), we should have been reduced by 130 million.&nbsp;

The report further said that the actual rate of poverty reduction has slowed down. The target set in 2016 was to reduce poverty by 1.5 people every second, however, we are moving at a pace of 1.1 people per second. Consequently, the target has now been revised to 1.6 people per second.

There is more to it. The pace could fall more steeply between 2020 and 2022.

The backlog of about 35 million people and reducing target pace, could make it difficult to achieve the goal of eradicating poverty by 2030. A strong need, therefore, exists to rapidly step up the pace.

And rightly so, the study suggests, "We should celebrate our achievements, but increasingly sound the alarm that not enough is being done, especially in Africa."

The way forward

India still rank among top three countries with maximum number of poor in the world. So, with a pat on the back, we have to keep up&nbsp;with the pace of pulling 44 people out of extreme poverty every minute.

The UN has lauded India for playing an important role in shaping the Sustainable Development Goals, which came into effect in 2016 with an aim to end poverty by 2030 and spread prosperity worldwide.

Moreover, as per the recent report published by the World Bank, India will grow at the rate of 7.5 per cent for the two years. However, the World Bank has listed lack of women in the workforce as a considerable constraint to economic growth.

A report by McKinsey World Institute said that an increase in women's participation in Indian labour force, which currently stands at 25 per cent, will give a potential boost to the GDP.&nbsp;

Improved female-to-male labour-force participation rate is achievable with better economic, social and educational policies.&nbsp;

Notably, India has already undertaken various reforms for bolstering the economic growth and maintaining macroeconomic stability. According to the IMF, India has made progress on structural reforms, which will help reduce internal barriers to trade, increase efficiency, and improve tax compliance.

We need to be more consistent with the implementation of structural reforms that raise productivity and incentivise private investment.&nbsp;

Also, India's high public debt, lack of job creation remain a massive hindrance. For creating more and better quality jobs, Assocham has suggested developing a credible system for mapping job creation, so that the government's policies are anchored accordingly.

According to the Quarterly Report on Debt Management, Public debt accounted for 88.7 per cent of the total outstanding liabilities at the end of March 2018. The government, therefore, must address the ongoing crisis in banking sector to support investment and inclusive growth agenda, to mitigate the rising debt vulnerabilities.&nbsp; 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

With a pat on the back, we have to keep on with the pace of pulling 44 people out of extreme poverty every minute, to get rid of extreme poverty by 2030.

India has lost the tag of country with the largest number of people in extreme poverty to Nigeria, as per a study published by US based think tank Brookings. The study, titled 'The start of a new poverty narrative', stated that Nigeria now has about 87 million people in extreme poverty, as compared with India's 73 million. The study also highlighted that extreme poverty in Nigeria is growing by 6 people every minute, while it continues to fall in India. And, if the current trends continue, India could drop to number 3 spot by end of this year. The report, which has cited data from World Poverty Clock and new projections on country economic growth from the International Monetary Funds' World Economic Outlook, has defined extreme poverty as living on less than $1.9 a day. Slow pace of poverty reduction is worrying Between January 2016 and June 2018, about 83 million people have escaped poverty worldwide. However, as per the target set by UN-sponsored Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), we should have been reduced by 130 million. The report further said that the actual rate of poverty reduction has slowed down. The target set in 2016 was to reduce poverty by 1.5 people every second, however, we are moving at a pace of 1.1 people per second. Consequently, the target has now been revised to 1.6 people per second. There is more to it. The pace could fall more steeply between 2020 and 2022. The backlog of about 35 million people and reducing target pace, could make it difficult to achieve the goal of eradicating poverty by 2030. A strong need, therefore, exists to rapidly step up the pace. And rightly so, the study suggests, "We should celebrate our achievements, but increasingly sound the alarm that not enough is being done, especially in Africa." The way forward India still rank among top three countries with maximum number of poor in the world. So, with a pat on the back, we have to keep up with the pace of pulling 44 people out of extreme poverty every minute. The UN has lauded India for playing an important role in shaping the Sustainable Development Goals, which came into effect in 2016 with an aim to end poverty by 2030 and spread prosperity worldwide. Moreover, as per the recent report published by the World Bank, India will grow at the rate of 7.5 per cent for the two years. However, the World Bank has listed lack of women in the workforce as a considerable constraint to economic growth. A report by McKinsey World Institute said that an increase in women's participation in Indian labour force, which currently stands at 25 per cent, will give a potential boost to the GDP. Improved female-to-male labour-force participation rate is achievable with better economic, social and educational policies. Notably, India has already undertaken various reforms for bolstering the economic growth and maintaining macroeconomic stability. According to the IMF, India has made progress on structural reforms, which will help reduce internal barriers to trade, increase efficiency, and improve tax compliance. We need to be more consistent with the implementation of structural reforms that raise productivity and incentivise private investment. Also, India's high public debt, lack of job creation remain a massive hindrance. For creating more and better quality jobs, Assocham has suggested developing a credible system for mapping job creation, so that the government's policies are anchored accordingly. According to the Quarterly Report on Debt Management, Public debt accounted for 88.7 per cent of the total outstanding liabilities at the end of March 2018. The government, therefore, must address the ongoing crisis in banking sector to support investment and inclusive growth agenda, to mitigate the rising debt vulnerabilities. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: India no longer a nation with largest poor population, but much more needs to be done

Comedian of India feel that there is a growing pressure in the country with respect to jokes and their perception. Some of India’s popular comedians say the negative response doesn’t scare them to adulterate their voice but there is definitely a lot of backlash, trolls and complaints against them.&nbsp;

Speaking to a news agency, Kanan Gill said, “We are definitely a soft target. So yes, backlash makes us conscious. We are ready to take criticism on our jokes, but not FIRs and life threats. But that does not stop us to say what we want to say.”

Agreeing with him, stand-up comedian Kaneez Surka said: “We comedians are the truth tellers, showing life the way it is, is a part of our job. Whether it is sarcasm, finding a lighter note on a serious issue, everything is coming from reality.

“Unfortunately, the (political) climate is so tense and polarised that any truth teller is in trouble — whether it is a comedian, celebrity, journalist… Whichever side you take, the opposite party will put your life in danger.” She says she tried it on social media.

“People called me all kinds of things. It is not only with me, but most of my fellow comedians. We get trolled, humiliated and at times complaints are lodged against us. But you know what? No one can stop us to say what we want to say,” she added.

On whether there are any riskier topics that comedians find the audience might respond to differently, comedian Sumukhi Suresh said: “I think predicting the response of an audience is riskier than writing a joke! So instead of finding the risk factor in a joke, just put it out there. It will find its like-minded audience.”

Comedian Naveen Richard stressed on the need to have confidence to do a political satire. He said, “Take that genre if only you find your voice there. Otherwise, it would be pretentious. There are various topics to make fun of.”

These comedians are now coming together along with Tanmay Bhat, Kenny Sebastian, Sapan Verma and Biswa Kalyan Rath to mentor and judge Amazon Prime Original comedy reality show “Comicstaan” that begins on July 13.

As the country gets polarised over the prevalent joke culture in India, comedians opened up on what it means to be a comedian in the country

Comedian of India feel that there is a growing pressure in the country with respect to jokes and their perception. Some of India’s popular comedians say the negative response doesn’t scare them to adulterate their voice but there is definitely a lot of backlash, trolls and complaints against them. Speaking to a news agency, Kanan Gill said, “We are definitely a soft target. So yes, backlash makes us conscious. We are ready to take criticism on our jokes, but not FIRs and life threats. But that does not stop us to say what we want to say.” Agreeing with him, stand-up comedian Kaneez Surka said: “We comedians are the truth tellers, showing life the way it is, is a part of our job. Whether it is sarcasm, finding a lighter note on a serious issue, everything is coming from reality. “Unfortunately, the (political) climate is so tense and polarised that any truth teller is in trouble — whether it is a comedian, celebrity, journalist… Whichever side you take, the opposite party will put your life in danger.” She says she tried it on social media. “People called me all kinds of things. It is not only with me, but most of my fellow comedians. We get trolled, humiliated and at times complaints are lodged against us. But you know what? No one can stop us to say what we want to say,” she added. On whether there are any riskier topics that comedians find the audience might respond to differently, comedian Sumukhi Suresh said: “I think predicting the response of an audience is riskier than writing a joke! So instead of finding the risk factor in a joke, just put it out there. It will find its like-minded audience.” Comedian Naveen Richard stressed on the need to have confidence to do a political satire. He said, “Take that genre if only you find your voice there. Otherwise, it would be pretentious. There are various topics to make fun of.” These comedians are now coming together along with Tanmay Bhat, Kenny Sebastian, Sapan Verma and Biswa Kalyan Rath to mentor and judge Amazon Prime Original comedy reality show “Comicstaan” that begins on July 13.

Comedian Kanan Gill: We are ready to take criticism on our jokes, but not FIRs and life threats

Ever since the shooting of 'The Accidental Prime Minister' started, its lead actor Anupam Kher has been keeping fans updated <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/anupam-khers-look-as-former-pm-dr-manmohan-singh-from-the-accidental-prime-minister-is-on-point-128542">about the film's progress.&nbsp;</a> 
 
On Thursday, the actor, who plays former PM Dr Manmohan Singh in the film, revealed the actors who are playing Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi in the film.&nbsp; 
 
"Introducing @mathurarjun as #ShriRahulGandhi and @aahanakumra as #MsPriyankaGandhi in our movie #TheAccidentalPrimeMinister.(sic)" the actor wrote and shared a picture of the two actors dressed in their parts.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Introducing <a href="https://twitter.com/mathurarjun?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@mathurarjun</a> as <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ShriRahulGandhi?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ShriRahulGandhi</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/AahanaKumra?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@aahanakumra</a> as <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MsPriyankaGandhi?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MsPriyankaGandhi</a> in our movie <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TheAccidentalPrimeMinister?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TheAccidentalPrimeMinister</a>.? <a href="https://twitter.com/TAPMofficial?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TAPMofficial</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OathCeremony?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OathCeremony</a> #2004 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VijayGutte?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#VijayGutte</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SunilBohra?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SunilBohra</a> <a href="https://t.co/UIgp7acoJN">pic.twitter.com/UIgp7acoJN</a>
— Anupam Kher (@AnupamPKher) <a href="https://twitter.com/AnupamPKher/status/1012021506665320450?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 27, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Ahana Kumra was last seen in 'Lipstick Under My Burkha' and Arjun Mathur is best known for his role in 'Luck By Chance'. The two actors are known faces in the theatre circuit of Mumbai. German actress Suzanne Bernert <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-german-actress-suzanne-bernert-to-play-sonia-gandhi-in-the-accidental-prime-minister-128701">will play Sonia Gandhi in the film.&nbsp;</a> 
 
Directed by Vijay Gutte, ' The Accidental Prime Minister' is a screen adaptation of policy analyst Sanjay Baru’s 2014 memoir of the same name. Akshaye Khanna is reportedly playing Sanjay Baru in the film. The film also has <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-the-accidental-prime-minister-this-actress-will-play-former-pm-manmohan-singhs-wife-role-146098">Divya Seth </a>playing Kher's wife.&nbsp;

Actor Anupam Kher who plays Dr Manmohan Singh in the film revealed the actors who will play Gandhi siblings in the film.

Ever since the shooting of 'The Accidental Prime Minister' started, its lead actor Anupam Kher has been keeping fans updated about the film's progress. On Thursday, the actor, who plays former PM Dr Manmohan Singh in the film, revealed the actors who are playing Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi in the film. "Introducing @mathurarjun as #ShriRahulGandhi and @aahanakumra as #MsPriyankaGandhi in our movie #TheAccidentalPrimeMinister.(sic)" the actor wrote and shared a picture of the two actors dressed in their parts. Introducing @mathurarjun as #ShriRahulGandhi and @aahanakumra as #MsPriyankaGandhi in our movie #TheAccidentalPrimeMinister.? @TAPMofficial #OathCeremony #2004 #VijayGutte #SunilBohra pic.twitter.com/UIgp7acoJN — Anupam Kher (@AnupamPKher) June 27, 2018 × Ahana Kumra was last seen in 'Lipstick Under My Burkha' and Arjun Mathur is best known for his role in 'Luck By Chance'. The two actors are known faces in the theatre circuit of Mumbai. German actress Suzanne Bernert will play Sonia Gandhi in the film. Directed by Vijay Gutte, ' The Accidental Prime Minister' is a screen adaptation of policy analyst Sanjay Baru’s 2014 memoir of the same name. Akshaye Khanna is reportedly playing Sanjay Baru in the film. The film also has Divya Seth playing Kher's wife.

'The Accidental Prime Minister': Look who's playing Priyanka and Rahul Gandhi on screen

Minister of State (MoS) for Home Affairs, Kiren Rijiju on Thursday said the Congress party should apologise to the nation for accusing the government of using <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/watch-surgical-strikes-video-shows-indian-army-destroying-terror-launch-pads-in-pok-147550">surgical strikes' video</a> for political gains.

Earlier today, Congress leader Randeep Surjewala, while interacting with media said the BJP "shamelessly" used the surgical strikes for their benefit during the assembly election in Uttar Pradesh. "The nation needs to be cautioned, whenever Modi

Government starts failing, whenever Amit Shah's BJP starts losing, they misuse the valour of the Army for their political benefit," Surjewala had stated.

Rijiju, while speaking exclusively to ANI, said, "I am very surprised that the Congress party which ruled India for more than 5 decades is speaking in the tune of separatists. The army has done something extraordinary in the national interest by performing the surgical strike, but the Congress party demanded proof. Now that video evidence has emerged, they are saying this is for publicity."

"I fail to understand what level of politics Congress is playing. Due to years of corruption, the people of India have rejected Congress. That doesn't mean that out of desperation they should speak and act in tune with Pakistani establishments and separatists. Congress should apologise to the nation for this," he added.

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

Earlier today, Congress leader Randeep Surjewala, while interacting with media said the BJP 'shamelessly' used the surgical strikes for their benefit during the assembly election in Uttar Pradesh

Minister of State (MoS) for Home Affairs, Kiren Rijiju on Thursday said the Congress party should apologise to the nation for accusing the government of using surgical strikes' video for political gains. Earlier today, Congress leader Randeep Surjewala, while interacting with media said the BJP "shamelessly" used the surgical strikes for their benefit during the assembly election in Uttar Pradesh. "The nation needs to be cautioned, whenever Modi Government starts failing, whenever Amit Shah's BJP starts losing, they misuse the valour of the Army for their political benefit," Surjewala had stated. Rijiju, while speaking exclusively to ANI, said, "I am very surprised that the Congress party which ruled India for more than 5 decades is speaking in the tune of separatists. The army has done something extraordinary in the national interest by performing the surgical strike, but the Congress party demanded proof. Now that video evidence has emerged, they are saying this is for publicity." "I fail to understand what level of politics Congress is playing. Due to years of corruption, the people of India have rejected Congress. That doesn't mean that out of desperation they should speak and act in tune with Pakistani establishments and separatists. Congress should apologise to the nation for this," he added. 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.

Surgical-strikes video: Government seeks Congress' apology

If war was a sure shot road to electoral success then Winston Churchill would have again become the Prime Minister of United Kingdom after World War II. Indira Gandhi, after a massive victory in 1971, wouldn't have presided over internal chaos in the country and lost elections to Janata Party in 1977. Atal Bihari Vajpaye, despite the Kargil War and detonation of nuclear devices, wouldn't have failed in 2004 either. BJP is failing to distinguish between TV appetite and real national concerns. The real concern should be a weak rupee and massive farmer distress in many states in the country rather than commitment of political parties to the Indian Army.

The concerns of social unrest, public lynching over cow vigilantism and branding of dissent as anti-national continue to remain despite multiple assurance made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Despite of it, all ministers can only share their concern of people's commitment over patriotism as if it needs political affirmation every day. But it doesn't mean that the narrative is a runaway success. Kairana in Uttar Pradesh proved that the humble ganna (sugercane) can defeat a mighty Jinnah. Despite hard polarisation, the BJP was not able to pull off a victory. The contribution of a grand alliance too cannot be ruled out. Same thing happened in Bihar in distant past.

BJP's increased rhetoric on nationalism, submission of personal opinion over larger senstivity and appropriation of military action in public for electoral reason should be a great cause of concern. Not only it legitmises a discourse for limited personal autonomy for larger good but also makes military contribution pivotal to national honour. It pits one section of the political spectrum as anti-military to claim the mantle of patriotism and commitment towards the nation.

The release of visuals of the cross-border operation conducted in 2016 is also a testimony to the thought which prevails in the government. The aim is to consolidate BJP's own political constituency and project opposition as opposed to national interest on the ground that it questioned political consumption of a surgical strike.

India in this context will behave differently. It has always admired strength in the leadership but not authoritarian tendencies. The best example in this case is Indira Gandhi who made enemies out of political opponents. History seems to be repeating itself. The relationship between the government and opposition has boiled down to enmity. The attempt is to discredit each other. Though the pioneer of this politics has been the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the BJP took it to another level during and after 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

Centre's assault on the Congress is also an ideological challenge to the party. The BJP has very smartly identified its core constituency post-2004 Lok Sabha election defeat. The consensus is that BJP is a Hindu party and Hindu anxiety will remain the core of its politics. Congress will need to identify its own core. It may have to relook into its old image of poor man's party if it wants position itself differently from the BJP.

By comparing Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Mughal emperor Aurangzeb will not work. Firstly, kings across the world used political violence to enforce rule and secondly the binary of medieval and ancient ruler is RSS lingo where all ruling ethnicities of medieval India are amalgamated into a single religious identity. They will never talk about the fact that Afghans, Mughals, Deccani kingdoms, slave dynasties fought with each other with non-Muslim alliance partners. Mughals had Rajputs has their partners.

It comes across as a copy-cat tactic. It will not work. Congress should work to project its own idea of national security, economic policy and cultural continuity rather than remain a constant critic. Or else who knows what has so far not happened in the world in context of war and nationalism may become a first in India.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

The release of visuals of the cross-border operation conducted in 2016 is also a testimony to the thought which prevails in the government.

If war was a sure shot road to electoral success then Winston Churchill would have again become the Prime Minister of United Kingdom after World War II. Indira Gandhi, after a massive victory in 1971, wouldn't have presided over internal chaos in the country and lost elections to Janata Party in 1977. Atal Bihari Vajpaye, despite the Kargil War and detonation of nuclear devices, wouldn't have failed in 2004 either. BJP is failing to distinguish between TV appetite and real national concerns. The real concern should be a weak rupee and massive farmer distress in many states in the country rather than commitment of political parties to the Indian Army. The concerns of social unrest, public lynching over cow vigilantism and branding of dissent as anti-national continue to remain despite multiple assurance made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Despite of it, all ministers can only share their concern of people's commitment over patriotism as if it needs political affirmation every day. But it doesn't mean that the narrative is a runaway success. Kairana in Uttar Pradesh proved that the humble ganna (sugercane) can defeat a mighty Jinnah. Despite hard polarisation, the BJP was not able to pull off a victory. The contribution of a grand alliance too cannot be ruled out. Same thing happened in Bihar in distant past. BJP's increased rhetoric on nationalism, submission of personal opinion over larger senstivity and appropriation of military action in public for electoral reason should be a great cause of concern. Not only it legitmises a discourse for limited personal autonomy for larger good but also makes military contribution pivotal to national honour. It pits one section of the political spectrum as anti-military to claim the mantle of patriotism and commitment towards the nation. The release of visuals of the cross-border operation conducted in 2016 is also a testimony to the thought which prevails in the government. The aim is to consolidate BJP's own political constituency and project opposition as opposed to national interest on the ground that it questioned political consumption of a surgical strike. India in this context will behave differently. It has always admired strength in the leadership but not authoritarian tendencies. The best example in this case is Indira Gandhi who made enemies out of political opponents. History seems to be repeating itself. The relationship between the government and opposition has boiled down to enmity. The attempt is to discredit each other. Though the pioneer of this politics has been the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the BJP took it to another level during and after 2014 Lok Sabha elections. Centre's assault on the Congress is also an ideological challenge to the party. The BJP has very smartly identified its core constituency post-2004 Lok Sabha election defeat. The consensus is that BJP is a Hindu party and Hindu anxiety will remain the core of its politics. Congress will need to identify its own core. It may have to relook into its old image of poor man's party if it wants position itself differently from the BJP. By comparing Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Mughal emperor Aurangzeb will not work. Firstly, kings across the world used political violence to enforce rule and secondly the binary of medieval and ancient ruler is RSS lingo where all ruling ethnicities of medieval India are amalgamated into a single religious identity. They will never talk about the fact that Afghans, Mughals, Deccani kingdoms, slave dynasties fought with each other with non-Muslim alliance partners. Mughals had Rajputs has their partners. It comes across as a copy-cat tactic. It will not work. Congress should work to project its own idea of national security, economic policy and cultural continuity rather than remain a constant critic. Or else who knows what has so far not happened in the world in context of war and nationalism may become a first in India. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Modi's electoral 'war-drum' and Rahul Gandhi's big challenge

US&nbsp;Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said on Thursday that a top-level strategic dialogue with India will take place as soon as possible, after Washington put off the meeting for a second time in months.

The talks were expected to cover issues including US&nbsp;sanctions against Russia and Iran, arms sales and trade.

India and the United States have built close political and defence ties and US&nbsp;Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis were due to hold joint talks with their Indian counterparts in Washington on July 6.

But Pompeo called Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday night to say that the United States had to postpone the meeting because of unavoidable reasons, the Indian foreign ministry said.&nbsp;

The so-called two-plus-two talks are the highest level of dialogue between the United States and India and were agreed by US&nbsp;President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year.&nbsp;

The two sides are expected to share perspectives on strengthening their strategic and security ties and exchange views on a range of bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement.

This new dialogue format was agreed upon between the two sides during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Washington in June 2017.

Haley, who is on a visit to New Delhi, told Reuters that the talks were a priority and would happen soon.&nbsp;

"It’s not just that it’s going to happen, they are now willing to come here if they need to or travel to make sure the two plus two happens. It is a priority. It’s something that needed to happen. It’s important," she said.

No new dates have been announced.&nbsp;

Among the issues on the agenda for talks were arms sales including the transfer of Sea Guardian surveillance drones to the Indian navy, the first such sale of unmanned aircraft.

Indian officials also planned to discuss the issue of sweeping US&nbsp;sanctions on Russia under which any country engaged with its defence and intelligence sectors could face secondary US&nbsp;sanctions.

The US&nbsp;move has threatened a proposed $6 billion air defence missile deal that India is negotiating with Russia to help it counter the ballistic missiles and stealth aircraft that China is developing.

Haley, a member of Trump`s cabinet, said the postponement of the meeting in Washington had nothing to do with any policy issues.&nbsp;

“The meeting is being discussed right now and being rescheduled as soon as possible. It was a situation that couldn’t be avoided and it will come out publicly in the next few days,” she said.&nbsp;

Pompeo called Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday night to say that the United States had to postpone the meeting because of unavoidable reasons, the Indian foreign ministry said

US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said on Thursday that a top-level strategic dialogue with India will take place as soon as possible, after Washington put off the meeting for a second time in months. The talks were expected to cover issues including US sanctions against Russia and Iran, arms sales and trade. India and the United States have built close political and defence ties and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis were due to hold joint talks with their Indian counterparts in Washington on July 6. But Pompeo called Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday night to say that the United States had to postpone the meeting because of unavoidable reasons, the Indian foreign ministry said. The so-called two-plus-two talks are the highest level of dialogue between the United States and India and were agreed by US President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year. The two sides are expected to share perspectives on strengthening their strategic and security ties and exchange views on a range of bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement. This new dialogue format was agreed upon between the two sides during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Washington in June 2017. Haley, who is on a visit to New Delhi, told Reuters that the talks were a priority and would happen soon. "It’s not just that it’s going to happen, they are now willing to come here if they need to or travel to make sure the two plus two happens. It is a priority. It’s something that needed to happen. It’s important," she said. No new dates have been announced. Among the issues on the agenda for talks were arms sales including the transfer of Sea Guardian surveillance drones to the Indian navy, the first such sale of unmanned aircraft. Indian officials also planned to discuss the issue of sweeping US sanctions on Russia under which any country engaged with its defence and intelligence sectors could face secondary US sanctions. The US move has threatened a proposed $6 billion air defence missile deal that India is negotiating with Russia to help it counter the ballistic missiles and stealth aircraft that China is developing. Haley, a member of Trump`s cabinet, said the postponement of the meeting in Washington had nothing to do with any policy issues. “The meeting is being discussed right now and being rescheduled as soon as possible. It was a situation that couldn’t be avoided and it will come out publicly in the next few days,” she said.

US says India talks 'a priority' after postponing them twice

Anmol Rodriguez, 25, is the happiest woman on earth. She has survived an acid attack but don't pity her - because she does not want you to. Her employers once told her 'we don't come to office to see that burnt face' and this smiling face has never shed a tear. Not even once. She'd rather put a smile on your face. This Instagram star has not only earned popularity but photo-shoots with her can cost you diamonds.

Left to fend for herself at an early age, Anmol has not only survived atrocities but all kinds of trauma there could be. Anmol was a couple of months old when her father threw acid on her mother after a fight between them. Baby Anmol was perched on her mother's lap and 2-3 drops fell on her. "My father was sent to jail and I was sent to an orphanage," she said.

Anmol waited for five years inside hospital buildings for someone to take her home but no one came, not even her relatives. Helpless hospital staff asked an orphanage to help with her upbringing. She faced discrimination at a time she didn't even understand what that term meant. Her face was a problem for many around her because everywhere normal is a beautiful fair&nbsp;face. "In school, stage performances were not allowed for me. I always wanted to perform on stage but they would not allow me and tell me that I was too young for that. But later I realised it was because of my face. And now the same people are very proud of me," said Anmol.

Anmol was the brightest student of her class and always secured good grades and that's the reason she even completed higher studies with merit. But she again faced discrimination at workplace by colleagues who were less qualified than Anmol. In Anmol's case, physiognomy was more important than her graduate degree in computer science. "I had a cabin to myself at work but three months into the job my employers asked me to resign. I didn't even finish the six-month probation period. They told me that my co-workers had a problem with my face and they didn't come to work to see a burnt face. They said 'do we handle work pressure or this burnt face'. My face was a distraction for them," said Anmol.

Imagine waking up with the thought everyday and feeling that normal life is on a standby mode for a really long time. There were times when Anmol had to avoid public places. "In Mumbai local trains they would stare at me and in the ladies compartment they would give me look as if I am some alien. They would make faces and treated me like I'm untouchable." But Anmol kept her fight going and moved past all the stereotyping.

"While some would give me sympathy and others got inspired by me, if I held myself from going out and meeting people I would be a nobody but then I chose to live it up and now I have hundred thousand followers on Instagram. Initially, I was very scared with my head buried in my lap. I did not know how to face this. But now I say: 'Look I am a star now. Come and click selfies with me if you want'," said Anmol.

After features in ads with Bollywood biggies like Ranveer Singh and with more than 100,000 followers on Instagram, Anmol is not just another celebrity but a woman with a powerful message: "Change your mentality and accept people the way they are. If anyone becomes a victim of acid attack it doesn't mean that they are a separate part of the society. Do not discriminate and accept them. Apart from being physically disturbed they are mentally disturbed. If people come and embrace them and give them courage to live well, they will feel good. Please make them a part of our society and don't shun them."

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&nbsp;

Imagine waking up with the thought everyday and feeling that normal life is on a standby mode for a really long time.

Anmol Rodriguez, 25, is the happiest woman on earth. She has survived an acid attack but don't pity her - because she does not want you to. Her employers once told her 'we don't come to office to see that burnt face' and this smiling face has never shed a tear. Not even once. She'd rather put a smile on your face. This Instagram star has not only earned popularity but photo-shoots with her can cost you diamonds. Left to fend for herself at an early age, Anmol has not only survived atrocities but all kinds of trauma there could be. Anmol was a couple of months old when her father threw acid on her mother after a fight between them. Baby Anmol was perched on her mother's lap and 2-3 drops fell on her. "My father was sent to jail and I was sent to an orphanage," she said. Anmol waited for five years inside hospital buildings for someone to take her home but no one came, not even her relatives. Helpless hospital staff asked an orphanage to help with her upbringing. She faced discrimination at a time she didn't even understand what that term meant. Her face was a problem for many around her because everywhere normal is a beautiful fair face. "In school, stage performances were not allowed for me. I always wanted to perform on stage but they would not allow me and tell me that I was too young for that. But later I realised it was because of my face. And now the same people are very proud of me," said Anmol. Anmol was the brightest student of her class and always secured good grades and that's the reason she even completed higher studies with merit. But she again faced discrimination at workplace by colleagues who were less qualified than Anmol. In Anmol's case, physiognomy was more important than her graduate degree in computer science. "I had a cabin to myself at work but three months into the job my employers asked me to resign. I didn't even finish the six-month probation period. They told me that my co-workers had a problem with my face and they didn't come to work to see a burnt face. They said 'do we handle work pressure or this burnt face'. My face was a distraction for them," said Anmol. Imagine waking up with the thought everyday and feeling that normal life is on a standby mode for a really long time. There were times when Anmol had to avoid public places. "In Mumbai local trains they would stare at me and in the ladies compartment they would give me look as if I am some alien. They would make faces and treated me like I'm untouchable." But Anmol kept her fight going and moved past all the stereotyping. "While some would give me sympathy and others got inspired by me, if I held myself from going out and meeting people I would be a nobody but then I chose to live it up and now I have hundred thousand followers on Instagram. Initially, I was very scared with my head buried in my lap. I did not know how to face this. But now I say: 'Look I am a star now. Come and click selfies with me if you want'," said Anmol. After features in ads with Bollywood biggies like Ranveer Singh and with more than 100,000 followers on Instagram, Anmol is not just another celebrity but a woman with a powerful message: "Change your mentality and accept people the way they are. If anyone becomes a victim of acid attack it doesn't mean that they are a separate part of the society. Do not discriminate and accept them. Apart from being physically disturbed they are mentally disturbed. If people come and embrace them and give them courage to live well, they will feel good. Please make them a part of our society and don't shun them." ×

Don't call me an acid attack survivor: Anmol Rodriguez to WION

A Thomson Reuters survey has said India is the unsafest country in the world for women. The Indian government’s response has been that that is not true, and that the survey used “flawed methodology”.

The Reuters survey was a perception poll. It asked the 548 experts it spoke to which countries they “thought” were the unsafest for women, so the government may have a point.

It is close to impossible to tell which country exactly is the unsafest for women. You could for example count the number of rapes reported in every country, with the country with the highest number of rapes adjudged the unsafest, but that still leaves the question of whether a number of rapes in the other countries are being reported at all.

But having said, there is little doubt that we have a problem.

Leave aside women for a minute, I, an Indian man, feel unsafe in this country. I only have to drive from Delhi, where I live, to Noida, where I work, and I find the need to lock my car doors.

To my mind, gender segregation plays a large part. The more we separate girls from boys, the more we give rise to a “masculine culture”. The idea that men are strong and women are weak and should stay at home.

A masculine culture in turn leads to what is called a “rape culture”. The idea that a woman who steps outside the home, say at night, did something wrong, something to “deserve” being raped.&nbsp;

National Crime Records Bureau data says the highest number of rapes in India in 2015 and 2016 were reported from Madhya Pradesh.

My memory of Morena in Madhya Pradesh, where I had gone to report on the killing of a police officer in 2012, was that women seemed to vanish from the streets of the town after sunset.

You could still see thousands of men milling about, most of them seemingly intoxicated, but you couldn’t see a single woman.

I would leave my hotel room a little after dark, run to the dhaba across the road, wolf down my dinner, and then run back to the safety of my room. Invariably during dinner, I would have to push – tables were shared – a drunk man off my shoulder.

As I flitted back and forth, from hotel room to dhaba to hotel room, I would not see a single woman.

It would seem almost “wrong”, I imagine, for a woman to show up in the middle of that sort of situation. And, to take my argument forward, almost “okay” for a man to attack a woman who might actually be brave enough to show up.

My own early schooling years were segregated. I went to one of those “elite” boarding schools for boys, and up to class X no girls studied with us.

Our principal, who said he was aware of the dystopia an all-male culture created, began to admit girls in classes XI and XII in 1986.

My sister, who is five years older than me, was admitted to my school in 1989.

But from the stories she told me, it seemed to me like the boys and girls in her time were at war. They just didn’t seem to know what to do with each other. The school prefects seemed to think it was wrong for the girls to wear nail polish, I remember her telling me.

But in five short years, by the time I myself graduated to class XI, things had changed. We seemed to have learnt how to deal with each other, how to have healthier relationships.

How to look at each other as equals. How to be friends.

Those lessons have continued in later life to serve me in good stead. They, I would like to believe, have made me a more “manly” man – someone who does not feel the need to attack a woman, verbally or physically.

But I worry that our leaders, both elected and of our communities, will not learn from that lesson. We have already had a number of them say, after a rape is committed, that the answer is to keep “our” girls away from boys. Segregate them even further.

And of course, they also spout other similar nonsense – that girls should not wear jeans, or nail polish.&nbsp; 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

A masculine culture in turn leads to what is called a “rape culture”. The idea that a woman who steps outside the home, say at night, did something wrong, something to “deserve” being raped.

A Thomson Reuters survey has said India is the unsafest country in the world for women. The Indian government’s response has been that that is not true, and that the survey used “flawed methodology”. The Reuters survey was a perception poll. It asked the 548 experts it spoke to which countries they “thought” were the unsafest for women, so the government may have a point. It is close to impossible to tell which country exactly is the unsafest for women. You could for example count the number of rapes reported in every country, with the country with the highest number of rapes adjudged the unsafest, but that still leaves the question of whether a number of rapes in the other countries are being reported at all. But having said, there is little doubt that we have a problem. Leave aside women for a minute, I, an Indian man, feel unsafe in this country. I only have to drive from Delhi, where I live, to Noida, where I work, and I find the need to lock my car doors. To my mind, gender segregation plays a large part. The more we separate girls from boys, the more we give rise to a “masculine culture”. The idea that men are strong and women are weak and should stay at home. A masculine culture in turn leads to what is called a “rape culture”. The idea that a woman who steps outside the home, say at night, did something wrong, something to “deserve” being raped. National Crime Records Bureau data says the highest number of rapes in India in 2015 and 2016 were reported from Madhya Pradesh. My memory of Morena in Madhya Pradesh, where I had gone to report on the killing of a police officer in 2012, was that women seemed to vanish from the streets of the town after sunset. You could still see thousands of men milling about, most of them seemingly intoxicated, but you couldn’t see a single woman. I would leave my hotel room a little after dark, run to the dhaba across the road, wolf down my dinner, and then run back to the safety of my room. Invariably during dinner, I would have to push – tables were shared – a drunk man off my shoulder. As I flitted back and forth, from hotel room to dhaba to hotel room, I would not see a single woman. It would seem almost “wrong”, I imagine, for a woman to show up in the middle of that sort of situation. And, to take my argument forward, almost “okay” for a man to attack a woman who might actually be brave enough to show up. My own early schooling years were segregated. I went to one of those “elite” boarding schools for boys, and up to class X no girls studied with us. Our principal, who said he was aware of the dystopia an all-male culture created, began to admit girls in classes XI and XII in 1986. My sister, who is five years older than me, was admitted to my school in 1989. But from the stories she told me, it seemed to me like the boys and girls in her time were at war. They just didn’t seem to know what to do with each other. The school prefects seemed to think it was wrong for the girls to wear nail polish, I remember her telling me. But in five short years, by the time I myself graduated to class XI, things had changed. We seemed to have learnt how to deal with each other, how to have healthier relationships. How to look at each other as equals. How to be friends. Those lessons have continued in later life to serve me in good stead. They, I would like to believe, have made me a more “manly” man – someone who does not feel the need to attack a woman, verbally or physically. But I worry that our leaders, both elected and of our communities, will not learn from that lesson. We have already had a number of them say, after a rape is committed, that the answer is to keep “our” girls away from boys. Segregate them even further. And of course, they also spout other similar nonsense – that girls should not wear jeans, or nail polish. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: India the unsafest country in the world for women - blame gender segregation

Pakistan-based banned terror outfits Jaish-e-Mohammed and Hizbul Mujahideen recruited and used children in Jammu and Kashmir during clashes with security forces last year, according to a UN report on Thursday.

The annual report of the UN Secretary General on Children and Armed Conflict, covering the January-December 2017 period, said globally, over 10,000 children were killed or maimed in conflict last year while more than 8,000 were recruited or used as combatants.

The report covers 20 countries, including war-torn Syria, Afghanistan, and Yemen and also the situation in India, the Philippines and Nigeria.

On the situation in India, the report of UNSG Antonio Guterres said children continued to be affected by incidents of violence between armed groups and the government forces, particularly in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and during tensions in Jammu and Kashmir.

Noting "grave violations", it said three incidents of recruitment and use of children by the two terror outfits were reported in Jammu and Kashmir during clashes with the security forces.

"One case was attributed to Jaish-e-Mohammed and two to Hizbul Mujahideen," the report said, adding that "unverified" reports also indicate use of children as informants and spies by the security forces.

The UN said it continued to receive reports of recruitment and use of children, including by the Naxalites, particularly in Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand. "Naxalites reportedly resorted to the use of a lottery system to conscript children in Jharkhand," it said, adding children continued to be killed and injured during operations of security forces against armed groups.

Citing government data, the report said 188 civilians were killed in Naxal-affected regions, but no disaggregated data on children were available.

In March this year, a 15-year-old boy was killed during clash between the security forces and Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists in Padgampora village of Pulwama district.

Guterres asked the Indian government to put in place measures to hold perpetrators of child recruitment and use to account and engage with the UN to end and prevent violations against children.

In Jharkhand, the report said, suspected Naxalites attacked a school in Khunti district, partially destroying it. With regard to military use, the occupation of over 20 schools was documented by the Central Reserve Police Force in Srinagar, Kashmir, in April.

"Increased tensions in Jammu and Kashmir reportedly also led to closure of school for varying periods, including in Rajouri (65) and Poonch (76) districts," it said.

In Pakistan, the report said, the UN continued to receive reports of the recruitment and use of children, including from madrassas, also, the alleged use of children by armed groups for suicide attacks.

In January, Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan released a video showing children, including girls, being instructed how to perpetrate suicide attacks.

The report said while age-disaggregated data on civilian casualties were limited, incidents of children killed and injured in attacks in Pakistan by armed groups were reported.

It cited a suicide attack in Sehwan, Sindh Province in February in which at least 75 people, including 20 children, were killed. Also eight attacks on educational facilities and students, including four targeting girls' schools.

In March, unidentified people vandalised the Oxford Public School, located in Ghizer Valley in Gilgit-Baltistan, and threatened to bomb the school if female teachers did not cover themselves. Also, a girls' school located in Qila Abdullah in Balochistan Province was damaged in an IED attack.

Guterres said he is "concerned" by the continued attacks on schools by armed groups, particularly the targeting of girls' education. He called on the Pakistan government to prioritise measures to deter future attacks on schools.

In Afghanistan, there were 3,179 verified cases of children being killed and maimed in 2017 in the conflict-related violence. An increase in child casualties resulting from aerial operations remained a concerning trend, with 27 child casualties resulting from cross-border shelling out of Pakistan.

With reports of over 21,000 violations committed against children in 2017, Guterres expressed outrage over the rise in the number of children affected by fighting globally.

"Boys and girls have once again been overly impacted by protracted and new violent crisis. Despite some progress, the level of violations remains unacceptable," he said in a statement.

The UN Chief reiterated that the best way to address this horrific situation is to promote peaceful solutions to conflicts and called on all parties to exert maximum efforts in this regard.

The UN's expert on Children and Armed Conflict, Virginia Gamba, said 66 parties to conflict are listed this year - three more than in the 2016 report - with nine government forces and 57 armed groups being named.

"Among the most significant violations registered in 2017 were killing and maiming, recruitment and use and attacks on schools and hospitals, all of which registered a rise in comparison to the previous year," she told reporters.

Also worrying is the number of children detained for their alleged association with armed groups, she said, adding such as, over 1,000 children in Iraq are held for their suspected affiliation with the Islamic State terror group.

She also said there were some positive developments, like release of over 10,000 child soldiers from armed groups and forces. 
&nbsp;

The annual report of the UN Secretary General on Children and Armed Conflict, covering the January-December 2017 period, said globally, over 10,000 children were killed or maimed in conflict last year while more than 8,000 were recruited or used as combatants

Pakistan-based banned terror outfits Jaish-e-Mohammed and Hizbul Mujahideen recruited and used children in Jammu and Kashmir during clashes with security forces last year, according to a UN report on Thursday. The annual report of the UN Secretary General on Children and Armed Conflict, covering the January-December 2017 period, said globally, over 10,000 children were killed or maimed in conflict last year while more than 8,000 were recruited or used as combatants. The report covers 20 countries, including war-torn Syria, Afghanistan, and Yemen and also the situation in India, the Philippines and Nigeria. On the situation in India, the report of UNSG Antonio Guterres said children continued to be affected by incidents of violence between armed groups and the government forces, particularly in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and during tensions in Jammu and Kashmir. Noting "grave violations", it said three incidents of recruitment and use of children by the two terror outfits were reported in Jammu and Kashmir during clashes with the security forces. "One case was attributed to Jaish-e-Mohammed and two to Hizbul Mujahideen," the report said, adding that "unverified" reports also indicate use of children as informants and spies by the security forces. The UN said it continued to receive reports of recruitment and use of children, including by the Naxalites, particularly in Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand. "Naxalites reportedly resorted to the use of a lottery system to conscript children in Jharkhand," it said, adding children continued to be killed and injured during operations of security forces against armed groups. Citing government data, the report said 188 civilians were killed in Naxal-affected regions, but no disaggregated data on children were available. In March this year, a 15-year-old boy was killed during clash between the security forces and Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists in Padgampora village of Pulwama district. Guterres asked the Indian government to put in place measures to hold perpetrators of child recruitment and use to account and engage with the UN to end and prevent violations against children. In Jharkhand, the report said, suspected Naxalites attacked a school in Khunti district, partially destroying it. With regard to military use, the occupation of over 20 schools was documented by the Central Reserve Police Force in Srinagar, Kashmir, in April. "Increased tensions in Jammu and Kashmir reportedly also led to closure of school for varying periods, including in Rajouri (65) and Poonch (76) districts," it said. In Pakistan, the report said, the UN continued to receive reports of the recruitment and use of children, including from madrassas, also, the alleged use of children by armed groups for suicide attacks. In January, Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan released a video showing children, including girls, being instructed how to perpetrate suicide attacks. The report said while age-disaggregated data on civilian casualties were limited, incidents of children killed and injured in attacks in Pakistan by armed groups were reported. It cited a suicide attack in Sehwan, Sindh Province in February in which at least 75 people, including 20 children, were killed. Also eight attacks on educational facilities and students, including four targeting girls' schools. In March, unidentified people vandalised the Oxford Public School, located in Ghizer Valley in Gilgit-Baltistan, and threatened to bomb the school if female teachers did not cover themselves. Also, a girls' school located in Qila Abdullah in Balochistan Province was damaged in an IED attack. Guterres said he is "concerned" by the continued attacks on schools by armed groups, particularly the targeting of girls' education. He called on the Pakistan government to prioritise measures to deter future attacks on schools. In Afghanistan, there were 3,179 verified cases of children being killed and maimed in 2017 in the conflict-related violence. An increase in child casualties resulting from aerial operations remained a concerning trend, with 27 child casualties resulting from cross-border shelling out of Pakistan. With reports of over 21,000 violations committed against children in 2017, Guterres expressed outrage over the rise in the number of children affected by fighting globally. "Boys and girls have once again been overly impacted by protracted and new violent crisis. Despite some progress, the level of violations remains unacceptable," he said in a statement. The UN Chief reiterated that the best way to address this horrific situation is to promote peaceful solutions to conflicts and called on all parties to exert maximum efforts in this regard. The UN's expert on Children and Armed Conflict, Virginia Gamba, said 66 parties to conflict are listed this year - three more than in the 2016 report - with nine government forces and 57 armed groups being named. "Among the most significant violations registered in 2017 were killing and maiming, recruitment and use and attacks on schools and hospitals, all of which registered a rise in comparison to the previous year," she told reporters. Also worrying is the number of children detained for their alleged association with armed groups, she said, adding such as, over 1,000 children in Iraq are held for their suspected affiliation with the Islamic State terror group. She also said there were some positive developments, like release of over 10,000 child soldiers from armed groups and forces.

Hizbul, JeM recruited children in Kashmir during clashes with forces: UN report

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia will be charged with criminal conspiracy for the alleged attack on Delhi's top bureaucrat in February, news reports said Thursday.&nbsp

The reports quoted police sources as saying a charge sheet had been prepared and that it would be filed in July.&nbsp

Delhi Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash has alleged that he was <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-chief-secretary-assault-case-medical-report-confirms-injuries-33606">assaulted by two AAP MLAs</a> at a late-night meeting at Kejriwal's residence on February 19.&nbsp

Prakash said the alleged attack on him took place in Kejriwal's presence, and that he was assaulted as part of a conspiracy between everyone present in the room.&nbsp

The Aam Aadmi Party has called the allegations "ludicrous".&nbsp

Delhi's Aam Aadmi Party and the city's bureaucrats have been at loggerheads ever since the alleged attack.&nbsp

Kejriwal and three of his colleagues recently staged a sit-in — <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/aap-vs-lg-after-satyendra-jain-manish-sisodia-admitted-to-hospital-145214">for nine days</a> — at Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal's waiting room. They had gone there to ask him to intervene in a "strike" called by Delhi's bureaucrats. .

The bureaucrats said they were not on strike. The Aam Aadmi Party said they would not attend meetings called by AAP MLAs, nor would they pick up phone calls.&nbsp

The reports said Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his deputy Manish Sisodia will be charged with criminial conspiracy

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia will be charged with criminal conspiracy for the alleged attack on Delhi's top bureaucrat in February, news reports said Thursday. The reports quoted police sources as saying a charge sheet had been prepared and that it would be filed in July. Delhi Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash has alleged that he was assaulted by two AAP MLAs at a late-night meeting at Kejriwal's residence on February 19. Prakash said the alleged attack on him took place in Kejriwal's presence, and that he was assaulted as part of a conspiracy between everyone present in the room. The Aam Aadmi Party has called the allegations "ludicrous". Delhi's Aam Aadmi Party and the city's bureaucrats have been at loggerheads ever since the alleged attack. Kejriwal and three of his colleagues recently staged a sit-in — for nine days — at Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal's waiting room. They had gone there to ask him to intervene in a "strike" called by Delhi's bureaucrats. . The bureaucrats said they were not on strike. The Aam Aadmi Party said they would not attend meetings called by AAP MLAs, nor would they pick up phone calls.

Kejriwal, Sisodia to be charged in Delhi Chief Secretary assault case: Reports

Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga will now do what no other film has been able to do till now -- get the father-daughter duo of Anil Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor to share the screen for a film.&nbsp;

The teaser of the film released today as Anil Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor represent two different eras and how the definition of romance changed over time. The teaser starts from Anil Kapoor’s film with Manisha Koirala 1942: A Love Story iconic song "Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga"&nbsp;(that seems to be the inspiration behind the name of the film) playing in the background.&nbsp;

Cut to now, the teaser sharply moves to Sonam Kapoor and Rajkummar Rao. Juhi Chawla and Rajkummar Rao also make fleeting appearances in the teaser.&nbsp;

Vidhu Vinod Chopra Films and Rajkumar Hirani Films promise to offer a chaotic journey of lovers Sonam and Rajkummar, that is far away from being a “simple love story” as it is full of “syaapa” meaning mess.&nbsp;

The romantic drama is directed by Shelly Chopra Dhar and is slated to hit the theatres on October 12, 2018.&nbsp;

Watch the teaser here:&nbsp;

 
<iframe allow="autoplay encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tqiNFSYtFhk" width="970"></iframe>&nbsp;

'Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga' is set to release in October 2018.

Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga will now do what no other film has been able to do till now -- get the father-daughter duo of Anil Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor to share the screen for a film. The teaser of the film released today as Anil Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor represent two different eras and how the definition of romance changed over time. The teaser starts from Anil Kapoor’s film with Manisha Koirala 1942: A Love Story iconic song "Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga" (that seems to be the inspiration behind the name of the film) playing in the background. Cut to now, the teaser sharply moves to Sonam Kapoor and Rajkummar Rao. Juhi Chawla and Rajkummar Rao also make fleeting appearances in the teaser. Vidhu Vinod Chopra Films and Rajkumar Hirani Films promise to offer a chaotic journey of lovers Sonam and Rajkummar, that is far away from being a “simple love story” as it is full of “syaapa” meaning mess. The romantic drama is directed by Shelly Chopra Dhar and is slated to hit the theatres on October 12, 2018. Watch the teaser here:

'Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga' teaser: Sonam Kapoor, Rajkummar Rao offer a new take on love

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