25 nations pledge $100 million aid to crisis-hit Venezuela
A total of 25 countries have pledged $100 million in humanitarian assistance to crisis-hit Venezuela, US National Security Adviser John Bolton announced on Thursday. Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has refused to allow aid into the country claiming it was a means for the US to intervene militarily. Venezuela is facing the biggest economic crisis in its modern history.
Give befitting reply to Pak Army, ISI: Punjab CM to Centre
Condemning the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama district, Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh on Friday asked the Centre to give a befitting reply to the Pakistan Army and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). “The attack exposes the double standards of Pakistan government,” he added. Around 44 CRPF jawans were martyred in the attack by Jaish-e-Mohammed.
Appoint CIC same way as Chief Election Commissioner: SC
The Supreme Court on Friday said that the appointment process of Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) should be on “same terms” as a Chief Election Commissioner. The court further said that candidates from a range of professions should be considered for the post of information commissioners, besides bureaucrats. It added that the existing vacancies should be filled in six months.
J&K Guv failed in his primary responsibility: Omar Abdullah
Following the Pulwama terror attack where 44 CRPF jawans were martyred, National Conference leader Omar Abdullah tweeted, “The Governor of J&K (Satya Pal Malik) has failed in his primary responsibility.” “He compounds things by preferring to appear on every…news channel…rather than rush…to meet the injured,” he added. “Stop giving interviews, let your advisers do it,” he further said.
Steyn overtakes Kapil, becomes joint 7th highest Test wicket-taker
South African pacer Dale Steyn went past former Indian captain Kapil Dev in the list of highest wicket-takers in Test cricket after registering figures of 4/48 against Sri Lanka on Thursday. Steyn with 437 wickets to his name in the longest format is now at the joint seventh position in the all-time list of highest wicket-takers in Test cricket.
Gabriel’s suspension sends strong message: Ex-Eng captain
Former England captain Mike Atherton has said that the suspension handed to Windies bowler Shannon Gabriel over his comments towards Joe Root has sent a strong message. “It is just a message to cricketers to let your cricket do the talking and there is no place for abuse on a cricket field,” Atherton said about the incident.
KCR condemns Pulwama attack, cancels birthday celebrations
Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao on Friday condemned the suicide attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama in which 44 CRPF jawans were martyred. He also appealed to his party leaders and workers not to celebrate his birthday, which falls on February 17. The suicide attack was the first major terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir in decades.
Appeal govt to find lasting solution to terrorism: Mayawati
Condemning the terror attack on CRPF jawans in Jammu and Kashmir, BSP chief Mayawati said, “We appeal to the central government to find a lasting solution to this problem.” She added, “Our party… offers deepest condolences to the families of the soldiers who lost their lives.” At least 44 CRPF jawans were martyred in the suicide attack.
Nobody has captivated me like the way Deepika does: Ranveer
Speaking about his wife Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh said, “I have never met anybody in my life who has captivated me like the way she does.” “I’ve been seeing her for six years before we got married and that’s a testament to the fact that no other person has been, or will be good enough to tempt me,” added Ranveer.
Rapping is going to come into focus now: Naezy on Gully Boy
Talking about ‘Gully Boy’ which released on Thursday, Mumbai street rapper Naved Shaikh aka Naezy, said, “‘The Gully Rap’, ‘The Bombay Hip Hop’, all of this is going to come into focus and become a cult now.” “The masses will accept it because it’s getting validated by Zoya Akhtar and big names like Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt,” added Naezy.
Katrina, Salman to recreate ‘O O Jaane Jaana’ song: Reports
Katrina Kaif and Salman Khan will recreate ‘O O Jaane Jaana’ song from Salman’s 1998 film ‘Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya’, as per reports. The song will be recreated for Sooraj Pancholi’s upcoming film with Katrina’s sister Isabelle Kaif, who will make her Bollywood debut, reports suggested. Kamaal Khan, who sang the original song, will reportedly sing the recreated version.
UK PM Theresa May loses vote on her Brexit strategy
British Prime Minister Theresa May on Thursday lost the Parliament vote by 303 to 258 on her negotiating strategy to exit the European Union (EU). The pro-Brexit European Research Group of Conservative MPs announced it had taken a “collective decision” to abstain because backing the motion would have amounted to supporting efforts to rule out a no-deal Brexit.
Chandigarh woman becomes IAF’s 1st female Flight Engineer
The Indian Air Force (IAF) inducted flight lieutenant Hina Jaiswal as its first woman Flight Engineer on Friday. Jaiswal, who hails from Chandigarh, studied engineering at Panjab University. As a Flight Engineer, Hina will be posted to operational helicopter units of the IAF and routinely called to operate in demanding and stressful conditions.
IndiGo forced to cancel 130 flights for Friday: Reports
Acute shortage of pilots along with partial closures at some airports have forced IndiGo to cancel around 130 flights for Friday, as per reports. These flights account for 10% of operations of IndiGo, which has a fleet of 209 planes. IndiGo earlier said it would cancel 30 flights a day until February end and operations would normalise by March 31.
Turn up stump mics to curb sledging: England all-rounder Moeen Ali
England all-rounder Moeen Ali has said that stump mics should be turned up as it will help in curbing sledging during matches. “It’s time for people to behave themselves…Turn the stump mics up. Why turn them down? So people can swear? There’s no reason to get personal. It’s the way society is: things come out of people’s mouths,” he added.
Security forces given full freedom to take action: PM on J&K attack
In light of the terror attack on CRPF jawans in J&K’s Pulwama on Thursday, PM Narendra Modi said, “Our security forces have been given full freedom. We have full faith in their bravery.” Thanking all the nations who condemned the attack and showed support to India, PM Modi said, “A strong reply will be given to this attack.”
How has China blocked action against JeM chief Masood Azhar at UN?
China, a veto-wielding permanent member of the UN Security Council and an ally of Pakistan, has repeatedly blocked India’s move to designate Masood Azhar as a global terrorist. China had blocked a proposal put forward by India after the 2016 Pathankot attack which was claimed by Azhar-led Jaish-e-Mohammed. It also blocked a proposal by the US, the UK and France.
Can you blame entire nation due to few people: Sidhu on J&K attack
Cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu on Friday condemned the “cowardly” attack by Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed on CRPF jawans in J&K’s Pulwama. However, the Congress leader asked, “For a handful of people, can you blame the entire nation and can you blame an individual?” Around 40 jawans were martyred in the attack carried out by a 20-year-old suicide bomber.
Never thought this was his last visit home: Martyred jawan’s father
Thirty-year-old CRPF jawan Shyam Babu, who had visited his home in UP’s Raigawan village last week, was among the 44 personnel martyred in the suicide attack in J&K. Babu’s father said, “We never even thought this would be his last visit to the family.” Babu’s wife suffered a severe stroke of trauma upon hearing of his death, his father added.
2 days before J&K attack, terror group released warning video: Report
Two days before the Pulwama attack that killed 44 CRPF personnel, terrorist organisation Jaish-e-Mohammed had reportedly released a video online warning of a suicide attack using improvised explosive devices (IEDs). The video showed an attack wherein a vehicle laden with explosives was used, the report said. The Jammu and Kashmir police had reportedly shared the video with security agencies.
It needs a permanent solution through dialogue: Sidhu on J&K attack
Condemning the terror attack in J&K’s Pulwama in which 44 CRPF jawans were martyred, Punjab Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu said, “It’s condemnable, it’s a cowardly act.” “It needs a permanent solution through dialogue, how long will the jawans sacrifice their lives? How long will the bloodshed continue? People who do this must be punished. Hurling abuses won’t help,” he added.
Rajnath Singh carries coffin of jawan martyred in Pulwama attack
Home Minister Rajnath Singh carried coffin of a CRPF jawan who was martyred in the terror attack in J&K’s Pulwama on Thursday. The minister was accompanied by state Governor Satya Pal Malik to pay tribute to all the jawans at the wreath-laying ceremony in Budgam. ‘Veer Jawan Amar Rahe’ slogan was also raised at the CRPF camp during the ceremony.
Curfew in Jammu after 12 injured in violence over terror attack
A day after Pulwama terror attack, curfew was implemented in Jammu city on Friday following incidents of violence wherein at least 12 were injured. Police said an angry mob torched several vehicles after stones were pelted on protestors, who were raising anti-Pakistan slogans amid a city-wide bandh. The Army has been called in to help maintain law and order.
U’khand IAS officers to donate 1 day’s salary to martyrs’ families
The IAS Association of Uttarakhand will contribute one day’s salary to the family members of the CRPF personnel who were martyred in the suicide attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama. The amount will be sent to the CRPF Headquarters in Delhi. On Thursday, a Jaish-e-Mohammed suicide bomber had driven an explosive-ridden vehicle into a CRPF convoy.
India summons Pakistan envoy over Pulwama terror attack
Pakistan High Commissioner to India Sohail Mahmood was summoned by Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale on Friday after the Pulwama terror attack where 44 CRPF jawans were martyred. As per reports, Pakistan was conveyed to take immediate action against Jaish-e-Mohammed, which claimed responsibility for the attack. Pakistan was also conveyed to stop groups from using its soil for terror activities.
We will not forget, we will not forgive: CRPF on Pulwama attack
After 44 CRPF jawans were martyred in a terror attack in J&K’s Pulwama, the CRPF said that the heinous attack will be avenged. “We will not forget, we will not forgive. We salute our martyrs of Pulwama attack and stand with the families of our martyr brothers,” CRPF tweeted. The jawans were returning from leave when the attack took place.
India’s fastest train ‘Train 18’ flagged off by PM Narendra Modi
PM Narendra Modi on Friday flagged off India’s fastest train, Vande Bharat Express or Train 18, from New Delhi. The train will run between Delhi and Varanasi at a maximum speed of 160 km per hour. The fully air-conditioned 16-coach train, built at a cost of ₹97 crore, will cut travel time by 15% as compared to Shatabdi Express.
Logo ka khoon khaul raha hai, main samajh raha hu: PM on J&K attack
Addressing people after the terror attack on CRPF jawans in J&K’s Pulwama, PM Narendra Modi on Friday said, “Logon ka khoon khaul raha hai, yeh main samajh raha hun (I understand the nation is angry)…We have given our security forces complete freedom.” He also said that those responsible for the attack will “pay a heavy price for it”.
Pak making huge mistake if it thinks it can destabilise India: PM
After 44 CRPF personnel were martyred in a suicide attack in J&K’s Pulwama, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “If our neighbour… thinks it can destabilise India through its tactics and conspiracies, then it is making a huge mistake.” Stating that Pakistan “is totally isolated in the world”, PM Modi added, “A strong reply will be given to this attack.”
20-yr-old J&K suicide bomber lived 10km from where attack took place
Adil Ahmad Dar, the 20-year-old Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist who carried out a suicide attack on CRPF personnel in J&K, lived around 10 kilometres from the spot where the attack took place. The Gundibagh resident was recorded as a category C militant after joining the militancy last year, officials said. Dar was also seen with Hizbul Mujahideen and Lashkar-e-Taiba militants, reports claimed.
PM Modi cancels MP rallies in wake of attack in J&K
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has cancelled two rallies, set to be held in Madhya Pradesh on Friday, in the wake of the attack in J&K in which 44 CRPF personnel were martyred. Meanwhile, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman returned from Sweden to attend a Cabinet Committee on Security meeting. Further, Home Minister Rajnath Singh cancelled his Patna rally to visit Srinagar.
We stand with the govt; India won’t be divided: Rahul on J&K attack
Condemning the terror attack on CRPF jawans in J&K’s Pulwama, Congress President Rahul Gandhi said, “This country will not be divided. The entire opposition stands with the security forces and the government.” “This is a terrible tragedy. This type of violence done against our soldiers is absolutely disgusting,” he added. Around 44 jawans were martyred in the attack by Jaish-e-Mohammed.
India seeks UN ban on JeM chief Masood Azhar after Pulwama attack
India on Thursday strongly condemned the terror attack on CRPF convoy in J&K’s Pulwama and has urged other countries to list Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar as a UNSC-designated terrorist. Seeking ban on the terror organisation, the External Affairs Ministry said, “Masood Azhar…has been given full freedom by Government of Pakistan to operate and expand his terror infrastructure.”
Immediately end support to terrorists: US to Pak over Pulwama attack
Following the attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama district that left over 40 CRPF jawans dead, the US called on Pakistan to “end immediately the support and safe haven provided to all terrorist groups operating on its soil”. “This attack only strengthens our resolve to bolster counterterrorism cooperation and coordination between the US and India,” the White House said.
Heartfelt condolences to the martyred soldiers: Kohli on Pulwama
Team India captain Virat Kohli on Friday took to Twitter to condemn Thursday’s terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama, in which at least 44 CRPF personnel were martyred. “I’m shocked after hearing about the attack in Pulwama, heartfelt condolences to the martyred soldiers & prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured jawans,” Kohli wrote.
Pakistan frustrated, talking nonsense: J&K Guv on JeM attack
After 44 CRPF personnel were martyred in a suicide attack claimed by Jaish-e-Mohammed, Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik accused Pakistan of being “frustrated” and “talking nonsense.” Malik added, “After the successful elections (in J&K), it could not recruit new terrorists, stone pelting had stopped, so it wanted to do something.”
Arun Jaitley resumes charge as Finance Minister after nearly a month
Arun Jaitley on Friday resumed charge as the Finance Minister and Minister of Corporate Affairs, six days after his return from the United States. The 66-year-old had stopped attending office last month after going to New York for medical treatment. Jaitley had missed presenting the final Budget of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government before general elections.
