We spent billions to bring Jamaat-ud-Dawa to mainstream: Pak minister
Pakistan spent billions of rupees on Hafiz Saeed’s Jamaat-ud-Dawa terror group to bring it to the mainstream, Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Interior, Ijaz Ahmad Shah, said in an interview. Shah’s statement came as he talked about Pakistan’s crackdown on terror groups. Shah said in the same interview that the international community believes India and not Pakistan, on the Kashmir issue.
Pakistan was unfairly blamed for US failure in Afghanistan: Pak PM
Pakistan’s PM Imran Khan said in an interview that Pakistan was “unfairly” blamed for the US’ failures in Afghanistan. “Had we not participated in American war (in Afghanistan) after 9/11, we wouldn’t have been the world’s dangerous country,” he added. Pakistan trained Islamist Mujahideen fighters to wage war against the Soviet Union in Afghanistan in the 1980s, he further said.
92% of J&K has no restrictions: MEA Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar
Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar has said that 92% of Jammu and Kashmir had no restrictions. Kumar said that there was no shortage of medicines in the state and 95% of healthcare professionals were on duty. He added that banking facilities were operating normally in J&K. “We are very close to normalcy,” said J&K DGP Dilbag Singh yesterday.
News about Dhoni’s press conference on retirement incorrect: MSK Prasad
Team India chief selector MSK Prasad on Thursday said that the news about former captain MS Dhoni holding a press conference today to announce his retirement is incorrect. He further said that there is no update on the former India captain’s retirement. Dhoni was not selected for West Indies and South Africa series after he made himself unavailable.
Traffic violations to be linked to motor insurance premiums
Insurance regulator IRDAI has formed a nine-member working committee to examine linking motor insurance premiums with traffic violations. The committee has been given two months to recommend the implementation framework and methodology, after which a pilot project will be undertaken in Delhi. The premiums are currently linked to the vehicle and not the driver.
Will keep trying ICJ verdict is followed: India on Kulbhushan Jadhav
After Pakistan denied second consular access to retired Indian Navy officer Kulbhushan Jadhav, India said, “The verdict of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) was in our favour. We’ll keep trying that the judgement is fully implemented.” “We would like to remain in touch with the Pakistani side through diplomatic channels,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar added.
J&K Police arrest 3 JeM terrorists with truck containing AK rifles
Jammu and Kashmir Police on Thursday arrested three Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists who were headed towards Kashmir in a truck in Kathua district. The police also seized the truck loaded with arms and ammunition near the J&K-Punjab border. SSP Kathua Shridhar Patil said that four AK-56, two AK-47, six magazines and 180 live rounds were recovered from the truck.
Mumbai dance group reaches finale of America’s Got Talent
Mumbai based dance group ‘V Unbeatable’ has reached the final round of the 14th season of America’s Got Talent. The group got a standing ovation from show’s three judges for their semi-final performance after they performed on song ‘Jashn-E-Ishqa’ from the film ‘Gunday’. The group has 29 dancers aged between 12-27 and many of them are from Mumbai slums.
Economy in grim state but govt indulging in vendetta politics: Sonia
Congress interim President Sonia Gandhi on Thursday said the economic situation in the country is very grim, but the government is indulging in “vendetta politics”. “Losses are mounting. All that the government is doing is indulging in unprecedented vendetta politics to divert attention from mounting losses,” she added. “Democracy is at peril,” Sonia further said.
Michael Kors showcases his collection at NYFW on 9/11 anniversary
Designer Michael Kors displayed his Spring 2020 collection at the New York Fashion Week on the 18th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks. The show featured a model wearing a sweater that had the word ‘HATE’ written on it and a red line crossing through it. It also featured a mix of casuals, sporty outfits and sparkly dresses.
India’s 15-member squad for South Africa Tests announced, Rahul dropped
The BCCI on Thursday announced India’s 15-member squad for the upcoming Test series against South Africa. KL Rahul has been dropped from the squad and has been replaced by 20-year-old Shubman Gill, who has scored 1,443 runs in 14 first-class matches at an average of 72.15. India-South Africa Test series will begin on October 2.
Shah Faesal withdraws habeas corpus plea challenging detention
Bureaucrat-turned-politician Shah Faesal on Thursday withdrew his habeas corpus plea challenging his detention before the Delhi High Court. The bench allowed Faesal to withdraw his plea after his wife filed an affidavit in this regard and told them that she had received instructions to withdraw the plea when she met him in custody in Srinagar.
Ola, Uber may not be big factor in auto sector slowdown: Maruti
Maruti Suzuki Executive Director (Marketing and Sales) Shashank Srivastava has said Ola and Uber may not be a big factor in the current slowdown. He said that people in India still purchase cars with an “aspirational aspect”. “People may use…Ola and Uber to go to offices…but still they buy a vehicle for the weekend outings with the family,” he said.
CBI arrests Home Ministry officer with ₹16 lakh bribe money
The CBI on Thursday arrested an employee of the Ministry of Home Affairs with alleged ₹16 lakh bribe money. The MHA official was reportedly trying to influence a case involving an IPS officer and had approached the agency’s investigating officer with an offer of ₹2 crore to settle the matter. He was arrested with the first instalment of ₹16 lakh.
US SC allows enforcing new asylum rules affecting Central Americans
The US’ Supreme Court has allowed US President Donald Trump’s administration to enforce new restrictions that would curtail asylum applications by Central American migrants at the US-Mexico border. The rule requires immigrants who want asylum in the US, to first seek asylum in a third country through which they travelled on their way to reach the US.
Ford says it’s not selling $1 billion Gujarat factory opened in 2015
Ford Motor Company has denied reports that it plans to sell its newest factory in India located in Gujarat’s Sanand. The American carmaker spent over $1 billion to build the Sanand plant, which opened in March 2015 and can produce up to 240,000 vehicles and 270,000 engines a year. Its other Indian factory in Chennai opened in 1995.
National Philatelic Museum in Delhi has stamps dating back to 1765
National Philatelic Museum at Dak Bhawan, Delhi is dedicated to postage stamps where visitors can find stamps issued during the pre-independence days (1765-1947) by the Princely States of India. In addition to showcasing stamps from India, the museum also displays stamps from around the world. The museum also showcases thematic stamps like flora, science and technology and armed forces.
Starting 462 Eklavya schools for tribal youth’s development: PM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that for the development and education of tribal children and youth, his government is starting a “big project”. “We’re setting up 462 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) across the country,” he added while addressing a gathering in Ranchi. The EMRS are aimed at providing quality education to the Scheduled Tribes’ children.
Gas tank explodes at HPCL plant in Unnao, 3 injured
A gas tank exploded in a plant of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) in Uttar Pradesh’s Unnao on Thursday, officials said. At least three people are reported to be injured and people in the adjoining areas have been asked to vacate their houses and shift to safer places. Factories and villages in the vicinity have been put on high alert.
Russia ‘concerned’ by Israel’s plan to annex Jordan Valley
Russia condemned Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan to annex the Jordan Valley ahead of a meeting between the Israeli leader and President Vladimir Putin on Thursday. Russia said it was concerned with Netanyahu’s recent announcement and noted the Arab world’s “strongly negative reaction” to it. This could undermine hope for establishing peace between Israel and its Arab neighbours, Russia added.
Tongan PM & pro-democracy campaigner Pohiva passes away at 78
Tongan PM Akilisi Pohiva, a pro-democracy and climate change campaigner, passed away aged 78 in a New Zealand hospital on Thursday, reports said. He was admitted to a hospital in Tonga two weeks ago for pneumonia and later medically evacuated to New Zealand. Pohiva was credited with helping bring democratic reforms to Tonga and reduce the influence of the monarchy.
Gilgit-Baltistan technically India’s part: Ex-European Union official
Former official of European Union Brian Toll supported India’s move to revoke Article 370 and said Gilgit-Baltistan, which is currently under Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, is “technically a part of India”. “The [revoking] of Article 370 is actually about giving more economic opportunities to the people in Kashmir, according to the government. Let’s hope it works,” he stated.
