Latest News: EAM Jaishankar to Visit Finland from 19-21 Sept
Catch the latest news and updates here.
Catch the latest news and updates here.
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Trump Shortlists 5 People for NSA Post
US President Donald Trump has shortlisted five people for the position of his possible National Security Advisor, a week after he fired John Bolton for making "big mistakes" and not being in line with the administration.
The five names are of Robert O'Brien, Ric Waddell, Lisa Gordon-Hagerty, Fred Fleitz and Keith Kellogg, the White House said on Tuesday, adding that it was not a complete list.
(Source: PTI)
Attacks on Saudi Arabia's Oil Facilities Have Global Consequences: US
The attacks on Saudi Arabia's oil facilities have global consequences and the UN must play its part to address threats to international peace, a senior Trump administration official has said, as US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo left for Jeddah for talks with the top Saudi leadership.
Saudi Arabia, a key American ally, leads a military coalition that has been battling the Iran-aligned Huthi rebels in Yemen since 2015.
(Source: PTI)
Netanyahu Says He'll Seek 'Zionist' Government
After an apparent election setback, Israel's prime minister said that he will seek the formation of a new “Zionist” government that excludes Arab parties.
Benjamin Netanyahu addressed a small crowd of supporters in Tel Aviv at 3:30 a.m., more than five hours after voting ended.
(Source: AP)
People Stage Protest in Karachi Against Alleged Murder of Sindhi Hindu Girl in Pak
People staged protest on the streets of Karachi against the alleged murder of a Sindhi Hindu girl, Namrita Chandani on Tuesday, 17 September. Namrita was found with a rope tied to her neck in Larkana, Sindh.
(Source: ANI)
Trade Deal with China Either Before or After US Polls: Trump
President Donald Trump has said that there may be a trade deal with China either before the US elections or after the presidential polls, asserting that deal struck after the polls would be the "greatest" deal ever.
The US and China have been locked in an escalating trade spat since early 2018, raising import tariffs on each other's goods.
(Source: PTI)
Victims of Deadly Ethiopia Crash Seek Documents on 737 Max
A lawyer representing relatives of victims killed in an Ethiopian Airlines 737 MAX crash said Tuesday he was seeking documents from manufacturer Boeing and US regulators on the decision not to ground the aircraft after a previous deadly accident. The October 2018 crash of a Lion Air 737 MAX in Indonesia killed 189 people, while 157 died in the accident in Ethiopia five months later.
The MAX's MCAS anti-stall system was implicated in both of the crashes.
(Source: AFP)
Ex-UP Assembly Speaker Mata Prasad Pandey Gets Eviction Notice
After Azam Khan, former Uttar Pradesh Assembly speaker Mata Prasad Pandey is the next Samajwadi Party (SP) leader in trouble.
The Zila Panchayat in Siddhartha Nagar district has sent Pandey a notice asking him to vacate his bungalow within seven days.
The house, according to sources, was allotted to Pandey in 1978 during the Janata Party regime. The rent for the house was fixed at Rs 50 per month and was given to him on a lease of 99 years.
Talking to reporters, Pandey alleged that the BJP was practicing the politics of vendetta and UP minister Satish Dwiwedi, who had defeated him in the 2017 Assembly polls, was responsible for the notice sent to him.
(Source: IANS)
Police Personnel Injured After Tree Falls On Police Building Following Heavy Rainfall
Ten police personnel got injured in Patna on Tuesday, 17 September after a tree fell on a police building meant for magazine storage and on an adjacent tent that was set up for them, following heavy rainfall in the city.
(Source: ANI)
Houses, Shops in Low-Lying Areas of Prayagraj Partially Submerged Due to Rise in Water Level of Rivers
Houses and shops in low-lying areas of Prayagraj are partially submerged due to a rise in the water level of rivers Ganga and Yamuna due to rainfall.
(Source: ANI)
Request to Prosecute Kanhaiya Kumar, Others Pending Before Delhi Govt: Police
The request to prosecute ex-JNU President Kanhaiya Kumar and others is pending before the Home Department of Delhi government, Delhi Police told the Court of Chief Metropolitan Magistrate on Wednesday, 18 September. The judge has reportedly asked Delhi Police to come back at 3 pm for the order in the case.
(Source: PTI)
Pakistan Court Set to Hear Sharif's Appeal Against His Conviction
A Pakistani court will hear on Wednesday the appeal of jailed former Pakistani prime minister Nawaz Sharif against his conviction in a corruption case.
Sharif, 69, has been serving a seven-year prison term at the Kot Lakhpat Jail in Lahore since 24 December, 2018 when the accountability court convicted him in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills graft case.
A two-member division bench of Islamabad High Court (IHC) comprising of Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kiyani will conduct the hearing.
The same bench will also take up an appeal by the National Accountability Court Bureau, the prosecuting agency in the case, to increase his sentence.
Petition Challenging Odd-Even Scheme Withdrawn
The petition challenging the recently announced odd-even scheme of Delhi government has been withdrawn by the petitioner as the National Green Tribunal (NGT) stated that the petition is not maintainable.
(Source: ANI)
India Requests Pak to Allow Usage of Their Airspace for PM Modi's Flight to New York: Reports
India has reportedly requested Pakistan to allow use of its air space for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's flight to New York, US. Pakistan will respond after consultations, Pakistan media reports said.
(Source: ANI)
Indian Coast Guard Ship Rescues 23 Crew Members Onboard Stuck Fishing Vessel
Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Rajdoot rescued 23 crew members onboard a fishing vessel (IFB NSG vessel) that was stuck due to engine failure 30 nautical miles from Mavinakurve on Tuesday, 17 September. All the 23 crew members on the affected vessel are reported to be safe.
(Source: ANI)
Pak Targets Border Outposts in Samba-Kathua Sector
Pakistan Rangers on Wednesday opened fire on border out posts (BoPs) along the International Border in Samba-Kathua sector of Jammu and Kashmir, a senior BSF officer said.
The Rangers fired from small arms on BoPs in Hirangar and Samba sectors from 0900 hours to 1100 hours, the officer told PTI.
BSF troops guarding the borderline with Pakistan retaliated, resulting in exchanges, he said. There was no injury to anyone or any damage to property, he said.
(Source: PTI)
State Media Says Iran Sends US Official Warning
Iran's state-run news agency reported on Wednesday that Iran sent an official warning through Swiss diplomats to the U.S. that any action taken against Tehran "will face an immediate answer."
It said that Iran sent the diplomatic note to the Swiss on Monday. The Swiss Embassy has looked after America's interests in Iran for decades.
There was no immediate reaction from U.S. diplomats.
The note also reiterated that Iran says it has nothing to do with Saturday's attack on oil installations in Saudi Arabia. While Yemen's Iranian-backed Houthi rebels have claimed the assault, the U.S. has alleged Iran was behind it.
(Source: AP)
One Dead, 7 Missing After Boat Capsizes off Northern Japan
A man has been found dead inside a capsized fishing boat off northern Japan, with seven other crew members missing.
The 29-tonne Keieimaru No.65 with eight Japanese fishermen on board lost communication on waters some 640 kilometres (400 miles) east of Cape Nosappu in Hokkaido on Tuesday, a coastguard spokesman told AFP on Wednesday.
The boat was later found capsized, and inside the boat a man was found "in a state of cardio-respiratory arrest", he said, using the Japanese expression suggesting death but without a doctor's confirmation.
(Source: AFP)
European Parliamentarians Back India on Kashmir, Slam Pakistan for Harbouring Terrorists
European parliamentarians Ryszard Czarnecki and Fulvio Martusciello have backed India on the Kashmir issue during a special debate of the plenary of the European Parliament by describing it a great democracy and slammed Pakistan for harbouring terrorists.
In the debate on the situation in Kashmir on Tuesday, Czarnecki, the member of EU Parliament and European Conservatives and Reformists Group in Poland called India the "greatest democracy of the world".
Martusciello, a member of EU Parliament and Group of European People's Party (Christian Democrats) in Italy, said Pakistan had threatened to use nuclear weapons which was a concern to the European Union.
(Source: PTI)
Singapore Probes Couple Over Anti-Death Penalty Shirts
A Singaporean couple who wore anti-death penalty t-shirts at a running event are under investigation for violating tough laws against public protests, police said Wednesday.
The city-state's laws against dissent and street demonstrations make it illegal for even one person to hold a protest without a police permit.
(Source: AFP)
No-Deal Brexit Imminent If UK Doesn't Get Serious: Top EU Officials
The European Union's two top officials handling troublesome Brexit negotiations warned Wednesday that the risk of a no-deal exit looms large unless Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government offers concrete proposals.
"The risk of a no deal remains very real. That will maybe be the choice of the United Kingdom but never the choice of the European Union," European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker told the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
(Source: AFP)
2 Injured as Bus Crashes into 7 Cars Near Akshardham Temple
Two people injured after a bus crashes into seven cars near Akshardham Temple in New Delhi. The injured have been admitted to hospital.
(Source: ANI)
Two Men Jump off the Mumbai Mantralaya Building
Two men, Hemant Patil and Arun Netore, jumped off the second floor of Mantralaya Building onto the safety net in Mumbai, today. They were demanding grants for Divyang schools. They were taken away by the police.
(Source: ANI)
Trump Names Robert O’Brien as Next US National Security Advisor
US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he is naming hostage negotiator Robert O'Brien as his new national security advisor, reported AP.
EAM Jaishankar to Visit Finland from 19-21 Sep
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will be on a three-day visit to Finland from Thursday during which he will hold talks with the top leadership of that country to strengthen bilateral ties.
Jaishankar will have detailed discussions with Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto on a broad spectrum of bilateral relations pursuant to the meeting of the prime ministers of India and Finland on the margins of the India-Nordic Summit in April 2018 in Stockholm, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.
(Source: PTI)
Saudi Says Oil Attacks from North, Sponsored by Iran
Saudi Arabia said Wednesday that strikes on its oil infrastructure came from the "north" and were sponsored by Iran, but added the kingdom was still investigating the exact launch site.
"The attack was launched from the north and unquestionably sponsored by Iran," defence ministry spokesperson Turki al-Maliki said. "We are working to know the exact launch point."
(Source: AFP)
FIR Against PUC Centre for Fake Tag to Car "Owned" by Gadkari
An FIR has been registered against PUC centre in Pune for issuing pollution check tag for car shown as being owned by Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, reports PTI.
SC Gets Four New Judges; Strength Reaches 34
Four new judges were on Wednesday appointed to the Supreme Court, taking its strength to 34, the highest-ever.
According to separate Law Ministry notifications, justices Krishna Murari, SR Bhat, V Ramasubramanian and Hrishikesh Roy have been appointed as judges of the top court.
(Source: PTI)
Sri Lanka to Hold Presidential Poll on 16 November
Sri Lanka's election commission on Wednesday announced to hold presidential polls in the country on 16 November.
Filing of the nomination papers will start from 7 October, the National Election Commission said.
Nearly 15.9 million people are eligible to vote, it said.
According to constitutional provisions, the polls must be held one month before the end of the current president's term.
President Maithripala Sirisena's five-year term is scheduled to end on 8 January 2020.
(Source: PTI)
Trump, UK PM Discuss 'United Diplomatic Response' to Saudi Attack
US President Donald Trump, United Kingdom PM on Wednesday discussed 'united diplomatic response' to Saudi attack, reports AFP.
Indian Commercial Pilots' Association Writes to Amit Shah Over Pending Dues
Indian Commercial Pilots' Association (ICPA) has written a letter to Home Minister Amit Shah, stating, “We would like to inform you on behalf of all serving and retired employees of Air India that our hard earned money amounting to 25 percent for 4 years is being withheld illegally.”
The letter by IPCA to Home Minister Amit Shah further reads, “Undertakings by government of India and Management of Air India to return our pending dues has been submitted in SC. We expect the government to take decision to return all the money withheld under all heads to its rightful employees.”
(Source: ANI)
Saudi Oil Attacks an 'Act of War', Says Pompeo
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo denounced strikes on Saudi Arabia's oil infrastructure as an “act of war,” as Riyadh unveiled new evidence that it said showed the assault was “unquestionably” sponsored by arch-foe Iran.
The comments raise the risk of a wider conflict in the tinderbox Gulf region after the weekend strikes on the heart of the kingdom's oil industry knocked out half its production.
(Source: AFP)
14 Killed in Militia Attack in Northeastern DR Congo
Fourteen civilians were killed and four were wounded in a militia attack on a village in the northeastern Ituri region of the DR Congo, which has been hit by months of violence.
In June, 160 people were killed in the region and more than 300,000 people fled the violence caused by local militia, according to official figures.
(Source: PTI)
Schools, Junior Colleges in Mumbai, Thane, Konkan Region to Be Closed Due to Rains
In view of heavy rainfall forecast in Maharashtra, all schools and junior colleges in Mumbai, Thane and Konkan region will remain closed today.
(Source: ANI)
26 Pupils, Two Teachers Killed in Liberia School Fire: President Office
At least 26 young pupils and two teachers were killed in a fire at a Koranic school near the Liberian capital Monrovia, the president's office said.
The young boys were sleeping in the school dormitory when the fire began overnight, said police spokesman Moses Carter, adding that an electrical fault could have caused the blaze.
(Source: AFP)
US Continues to Arm Kurds in Syria: Pentagon
The United States continues to provide Kurdish forces in northeastern Syria with arms and vehicles, despite the creation of a buffer zone with Turkey along the border, a US defense official has said.
The US supplies the materials to Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) units to fight the Islamic State (IS) group, according to the Pentagon.
(Source: AFP)
Woman Sues Epstein Estate, Saying She Was Abused at Age 14
A woman whose claims of sexual abuse against Jeffrey Epstein were outlined in a federal indictment has sued his estate, saying the wealthy financier took advantage of her family's poor financial position to abuse her from age 14 to 17.
(Source: AP)