CURFEW LIFTED FROM KASHMIR AFTER 51 DAYS

After 51 days, curfew was on Monday (August 29) lifted from northern Indian state Kashmir, except for few police areas, but normal life continued to be hit by the strike called by separatists.

Clashes were reported from a number of places in Srinagar city and parts of Budgam district but nobody was hurt in these incidents, police said. 

'Curfew has been lifted from Kashmir except from Pulwama town and the areas in Srinagar falling under the jurisdiction of police stations M R Gunj and Nowhatta,' police said.

The curbs were lifted following improvement in the situation, a police official said. However, the security forces will remain deployed in strength in sensitive areas of the Valley to maintain law and order,' the official said.

Curfew was clamped in entire Valley on July 9 following violence in the aftermath of Wani's killing in an encounter in south Kashmir's Anantnag district a day earlier. The violence has left 68 people, including two cops, dead and several thousand injured.

While public transport continued to be off roads, there was increased movement of private cars and auto-rickshaw.

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MUSIC COMPOSER BOOKED FOR TWEET ON JAIN MONK

Music composer Vishal Dadlani has been booked by Haryana police for allegedly hurting religious sentiments with his sarcastic tweet on Jain monk Tarun Sagar, police said on Monday (August 29).

Ambala Cantt police registered a case against Dadlani and one Tahseen Poonawala even as Jain community members staged a protest outside Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's residence in the national capital, demanding the immediate arrest of the composer.

Delhi PWD Minister and AAP leader Satyendar Jain, who met Sagar in Chandigarh on Monday, said efforts were on to politicise the whole issue and that the matter should be put to rest, claiming the monk has forgiven the guilty.

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QATAR'S INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO LEVY EXIT TAX FROM PASSENGERS

Qatar's international airport said on Monday (August 29) that it is to charge passengers an exit tax as the energy-reliant emirate adjusts to 

falling oil prices. The 35-riyal ($10) levy is to be introduced this week, Hamad International Airport (HIA) said in a statement. The fee, to be added to airline ticket prices, will apply to tickets issued on or after August 30, as well as for travel starting on or after December 1. 'The charge is in line with International Civil Aviation Organisation principles to support the development of world leading airports such as HIA,' it said.

Almost nine million passengers passed through Doha airport in the first quarter of this year. Gas-rich Qatar, which is to host football's World Cup 2022, has warned it will run a budget deficit of more than 12 billion in 2016, its first in 15 years.

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WEST INDIES BEAT INDIA IN T-20 CRICKET MATCH AT US

Indian skipper M S Dhoni stumps West Indies batsman Lendell Simmons

West Indies beat India by one run in a remarkable Twenty20 match featuring a record haul of 489 runs in Florida on Saturday (August 27).

In the first game featuring two full-strength international teams on American soil, West Indies amassed 245 for six with opener Evin Lewis smashing a century off 49 balls on his second T20 appearance. Lewis belted nine sixes while fellow opener Johnson Charles chipped in with 79 off 33 deliveries at the Central Broward Stadium in Lauderhill.

Lokesh Rahul then crashed 110 in 51 balls as India went close to reaching their target, sending the large pro-Indian crowd into a frenzy. Mahendra Singh Dhoni was on strike for the final delivery bowled by Dwayne Bravo. He needed to score two runs to clinch victory but was caught by Marlon Samuels at third man.

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PARIS LOSES 750 MLN EUROS IN TOURISM AFTER ATTACKS

Foreign tourists have kept away from Paris due to Islamist attacks, strikes and floods in the first half of the year costing the Paris region tourism industry some 750 million euros  ($849.38 million) in lost revenue, officials said on Tuesday (August 23).

‘It's time to realise that the tourism sector is going through an industrial disaster. This is no longer the time for communication campaigns but to set up a relief plan,’ Frederic Valletoux, head of the Paris region tourist board said in a statement on Tuesday (August 23).

Valletoux said massive investments were needed to protect jobs in the sector and he urged Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault to quickly meet with local tourism officials.

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SINGAPORE'S FORMER PRESIDENT S R NATHAN PASSES AWAY

Indian-origin former Singapore  President S R Nathan died at a hospital on Monday (August 22), days after suffering a stroke. A veteran public servant, 92-year-old Nathan passed away  peacefully at Singapore General Hospital, the Prime Minister's Office said in a statement.

A veteran public servant, 92-year-old Nathan passed away  peacefully at Singapore General Hospital, the Prime Minister's Office said in a statYew. ‘The Prime Minister and his Cabinet colleagues are sad to  learn of the passing of Mr S R Nathan and would like to convey their condolences to his family,’ the statement said.

‘Arrangements for the public to pay respects and for the funeral will be announced later.’ Nathan had been warded at Singapore General Hospital since suffering a stroke on July 31.

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POSTAL COVER, COIN, STATUE TO MARK MOTHER TERESA'S SAINTHOOD

Pope Francis waves as a picture of Mother Teresa is seen

To mark Mother Teresa's sainthood  ceremony in Vatican on September 4, a postal cover, coin and statue will be dedicated to the late Roman Catholic nun. Made of pure silk, India’s Postal Deparment will release a special postal and numismatic cover of Mother Teresa, the first of its kind, on September 2.

'A five-rupee commemorative coin issued by the Indian government in 2010 to mark the centenary birth celebrations of the legend will be engraved on the cover. This is a special feature as it combines the two collectible items of coins and stamps,’ eminent philatelist Alok Goyal, who designed the stamps, said.

The collectors' item will be released in a limited edition of 1,000 pieces. The Republic of Macedonia, where Teresa was born in 1910, has also announced to release a special gold-plated silver coin on the Nobel laureate. The coin will have a face value of 100 Macedonian Denars and will be released next month.

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FLOOD SITUATION WORSENS IN INDIAN STATES

A man sits on the roof top of a submerged shop in Allahabad in India

At least 22 persons have been killed  while 23.71 lakh people affected in the floods with many areas, specially the riverine belt of 12 districts badly reeling under water in the east Indian state of Bihar.

The floods caused by a spate in rivers Ganga, Sone, Punpun, Burhi Gandak, Ghaghra and Kosi have affected 23.71 lakh people in 1115 villages in 12 districts of the state, a Disaster Management Department statement said.

A total of 1.55 lakh people have been evacuated so far, the release said adding, 179 relief camps were being run in the flood-hit areas, giving shelter to 1,07,000 people even as 160 medical teams were providing services. Besides, 49 camps were being run only for animals. 

Patna District Magistrate Sanjay Kumar Agarwal on Tuesday (August 23) visited various relief camps in the district and inspected food preparations and other arrangements.

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ANOTHER INDIAN AMERICAN BECOMES DEPUTY LONDON MAYOR

Indian-origin philanthropist Shirley Rodrigues has been appointed as London mayor Sadiq Khan's deputy for environment and energy and she will be responsible for setting up a not-for-profit company aimed at boosting recycling rates and producing low carbon energy.

‘Shirley Rodrigues brings with her a wealth of knowledge and experience and is the perfect person to deliver my agenda to make London a cleaner and greener city. Rodrigues will drive forward the urgent action needed to ensure Londoners no longer have to fear the air we breathe and will address the failure to tackle the problem by the previous mayor and government,’ Khan said in a statement last week.

Rodrigues will be responsible for setting up a not-for-profit company, to be called Energy for Londoners, aimed at helping the British capital boost its recycling rates and produce more of its own, low carbon energy.

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MAHANT SWAMI: BAPS WILL CONTINUE PROPAGATING PEACE

HH Mahant Swami at the media interaction at Sarangpur

The new spiritual head of BAPS, Sadhu Keshavjivandas, affectionately called His Holiness Mahant Swami, in his interaction with media at Sarangpur on Monday (August 23) said that BAPS would walk on the path charted by his predecessor HH Pramukh Swami who passed away on August 13.

‘The world is now plagued by unrest. We are restless at every moment right from personal life to public life. All his life, Pramukh Swami had made it his mission to promote peace in people's lives and families and across the globe. BAPS will continue to strive for the same values and spread the message of peace and harmony in society. BAPS is a spiritual movement nurtured by Pramukh Swami,’ said Mahant Swami.

‘When I had taken diksha the organization was very small. Under guidance of Yogiji Maharaj and Pramukh Swami Maharaj it has spread across the globe and has promoted Indian culture. It was Pramukh Swami's dream to establish Akshardham at New Jersey and completing it would be my homage to my guru,’ he said.

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A LEAST 51 KILLED IN TURKEY WEDDING 'BY IS CHILD BOMBER'

A funeral of one of the victims of the blast during a wedding at Turkey

A 12 year suicide bomber killed at least 51 people at a wedding in Turkey, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday (August 21), pointing the finger at the Islamic State group. Erdogan said Saturday's blast in Gaziantep near the Syria border 'was the result of a suicide bomber aged between 12 and 14 who either detonated (the bomb) or others detonated it.'

The explosion was the latest attack to rock the key NATO member in a horrific year that has seen strikes blamed on Kurdish and Islamist militants as well as a bloody July 15 botched coup. The president said the Islamic State group was the "likely perpetrator" of the bomb attack, the deadliest in 2016, that targeted a celebration attended by many Kurds.

The remains of a suicide vest were found at the scene, the chief prosecutor's office said according to broadcaster CNN-Turk. Gulser Ates, one of scores wounded in the attack, told Hurriyet the attack took place as the party was breaking up in the mainly Kurdish neighborhood.

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RIO MANAGES TO PULL OFF OLYMPICS DESPITE ALL HURDLES

A huge formation saying 'See you in 2020' at the closing ceremony of Olympics

Despite a lack of funds, deep recession and social turmoil, Rio de Janeiro unfurled South America's first Olympic Games hoping against hope that the power of sport would eclipse a seemingly endless list of problems.

Try telling one of the 80,000 Brazilians crammed into the Maracana stadium, who roared deliriously as Neymar won Brazil football gold with a crisp last-kick penalty, that this Olympics was anything but a success. Or the residents of a notorious Rio slum who watched one of their own win Brazil's first gold, in the judo arena.

Or try telling any one of the nine athletes who clinched their country's first Olympic golds, or Team GB who finished second in the medal table with their best performance in more than a century with golds across an unrivalled 15 sports. Some felt Rio failed to present the five-star experience tourists and visitors had enjoyed at London 2012, but the Games proved the city could deliver a spectacle against the odds.

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HILLARY CLINTON, US LAW MAKERS CONDOLE DEATH OF HH PRAMUKH SWAMI

HH Pramukh Swamiji with Ex President of US Bill Clinton

HH Pramukh Swami, spiritual head of the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan (BAPS) sect who passed away last week, built a global faith and community founded on Vedic values, Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton has said.

‘Pramukh Swami didn’t just teach virtues , he lived them every day. That’s what made him a Guru to millions of devotees around the world. From the Akshardham Mandir in New Jersey to the countless temples that he blessed in the US, Pramukh Swami built a global faith and community founded on Vedic values,’ Clinton said in a statement on Friday (August 19).

Ending her condolence message with ‘Jai Swaminarayan,’ Clinton said her husband Bill Clinton was fortunate enough to visit the spiritual leader both in US and at the Akshardham Mandir in Gujarat. ‘In meeting many of his followers, I’ve been touched by his wisdom as well,’ she said.

Noting that Pramukh Swami’s deep sense of devotion led him to spend his life revitalising communities in need, Clinton said his worship of karma inspired him to promote peace and justice in India, America, and all around the world.

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UNION AND GUJARAT STATE MINISTERS FLAG OFF FIRST HAJ PILGRIMS FROM GUJARAT

Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Sunday (August 21) flagged off the first batch of 300 Haj pilgrims from Gujarat from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad. Around 7,500 people from the state will go on the pilgrimage in separate batches which is the largest number of Haj pilgrims from Gujarat ever in history. The Haj Committee has facilitated the travel of 1,00,020 pilgrims to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from 21 points, an official release said.

Around 36,000 pilgrims have proceeded through private tour operators, it said. The Minister of State for Minority Affairs said the holy pilgrimage will spread the message of peace, prosperity and harmony in the country and across the world.

‘India is a very large country. The largest number of Haj pilgrims is from India. The pilgrimage is a cherished desire of every Muslim in his life time. We will continue to increase the number of pilgrims in coming years,’ Naqvi said.

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7 OF FAMILY KILLED IN CLOUDBURST IN NORTH INDIAN STATE OF UTTARAKHAND

representational image rains in mumbai

Seven members of a family were killed when their house was razed to the ground by huge boulders that rolled down the hill following a cloudburst in Pauri district of Uttarakhand on Saturday (August 20).

The cloudburst occurred at around seven in the evening at Marchula village of the district following which pebbles and boulders rolling down the hillside fell over a house razing it to the ground, Pauri District Magistrate Chandrashekhar Bhatt said. Seven persons of the family were killed on the spot and two were injured, he said.

The injured were taken to Pauri for treatment, he said. The house was inhabited by 75-year-old Dipak Singh and the families of his two sons, the DM said, adding that further... 

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WRESTLER SAKSHI TO BE INDIAN FLAGBEARER AT RIO GAMES CLOSING

Indian Wrestler Sakshi Malik, who bagged the first medal for India in the Rio Olympics, was on Sunday (August 21)  announced as the country's flabbergast the Summer Games Closing Ceremony.

The announcement came after India's last medal hope Yogeshwar Dutt lost 0-3 to Ganzorig Mandakhnaran in the qualifying of the 65kg freestyle wrestling. 

Sakshi, who had become the first woman wrestler in India to win an Olympic medal with her bronze in the 58kg freestyle, became the obvious choice as  India's only other medallist PV Sindhu, who bagged a silver in women's singles badminton, left for Hyderabad on Saturday (August 20).

‘Sakshi and Sindhu have been the medallists for us and both displayed immense courage and determination during their competitions,’ said chef de mission Rakesh Gupta. ‘Sakshi started the account for us and later Sindhu became the first Indian woman to win a silver medal. Sindhu, in fact came close to making it a gold. Both Sakshi and Sindhu are young and have many more Olympic Games ahead of them, we can look forward to even greater performances from them.

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INDIAN SHUTTLER SIDHU FIGHTS IT OUT AT FINALS, SETTLES FOR A SILVER

Indian shuttler P V Sindhu with her silver medal

P V Sindhu's gallant and maiden attempt to win a coveted gold medal for India ended in heart-break when she went down fighting against Spain's Carolina Marin and settled for a silver in the women's singles badminton competition of the Rio Olympics on Friday (August 19).

The 21-year-old Indian crumbled under the relentless pressure created by Marin to lose 21-19, 12-21, 15-21 in a pulsating final that lasted for an hour and 23 minutes at the Riocentre.

‘Congrats for the Silver @Pvsindhu1. Very well fought. Your accomplishment at #Rio2016 is historic & will be remembered for years,’ India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted to congratulate the silver medalist.

Sindhu said  she is happy to win a silver in the women's singles badminton event. ‘I'm really proud about it. I'm really happy. I could not win the gold. But I really worked hard. It was anybody's game,’ said Sidhu after the game. 

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METALLICA WILL RELEASE ALBUM AFTER GAP OF EIGHT YEARS

Group members of Metallica

To Self-Destruct’ on November 18 after a gap of eight years. The 2 CD/ 2 Vinyl set is the group's first studio album since 2008's multi-platinum Death Magnetic. The album is produced by Greg Fidelman, who engineered and mixed Death Magnetc. ‘Has it really been eight years? Doesn't feel like it! Nudge, nudge, wink, wink. We're obviously beyond psyched to share new tunes with all our friends out there.’

‘We've been rockin' along in the studio with Greg on and off for the last 18 months firing up the creative engines again. Putting new music out there, getting in your faces once again and all that comes with it is what we love to do more than anything else, so strap  yourselves in... incoming!,’ said Metallica's Lars Ulrich.

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COCA-COLA HALTS INDIA PLANT OVER ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS

The beverage giant Coca-Cola has temporarily halted operations at a bottling plant in northern India over alleged environmental violations, an ongoing controversy which has dogged its factories in the country.

The company said it had voluntarily suspended manufacturing at its Dasna plant near New Delhi while the local environmental authority investigates.

Activists say the factory in Uttar Pradesh state contaminates groundwater meant for farmers and pollutes the soil, and that sewage is not properly treated.

‘We received a communication from Uttar Pradesh State Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) and submitted a detailed response,’ Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages, which bottles drinks in India for the US giant, said in a statement on Thursday (August 18).

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DALIAN ATKINSON: UK POLICE FACING CRIMINAL PROBE

File pic of footballer Dalian Atkinson 

An investigation was carried out on two police officers in Britain on Thursday (August 18) as part of a criminal probe into the death of a former football player after he was tasered by police.

Forty eight year old Dalian Atkinson, who played for Aston Villa in the early 1990s, died on Monday (August 15) in Telford, western England.The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) watchdog said a probe into the circumstances of his death led to two local police officers being put under investigation and served with gross misconduct notices,.

‘Having carefully considered the evidence gathered so far, we are undertaking a criminal investigation into the circumstances surrounding Mr Atkinson's death and the level and type of force used,’ IPCC Commissioner Derrick Campbell said in a statement.

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ART OF LIVING DEMANDS FRESH PROBE IN NGT REPORT

File pic of world culture festival of Art of Living

Sri Sri Ravishankar's Art of Living  while terming as ‘unscientific and illogical’ a National Green Tribunal panel's report has demanded a fresh probe by an ‘unbiased’ panel.  The NGT had sumitted a report saying that AOL's three-day  ‘World Cultural Festival’ caused damage to the Yamuna riverbed.

Demanding a fresh probe, AOL lawyer  Kedar Desai and environment expert Prabhakar Rao told a press  conference that ‘no damage’ was caused to the environment  due to the event held in March.  ‘The area was not notified as wetlands but as floodplains  only. In the Delhi Wetland Atlas, there is no mention of any  wetland at the site where the event was held,’ said Rao.

‘The Committee, in its report, has not quantified the  damage.Earlier, it had estimated the damage at Rs. 1.2 billion. Now they are saying...they cannot provide a figure,’ said Rao.

Read more: https://goo.gl/IsVZ3k

ART OF LIVING DEMANDS FRESH PROBE IN NGT REPORT

File pic of world culture festival of Art of Living

Sri Sri Ravishankar's Art of Living  while terming as ‘unscientific and illogical’ a National Green Tribunal panel's report has demanded a fresh probe by an ‘unbiased’ panel.  The NGT had sumitted a report saying that AOL's three-day  ‘World Cultural Festival’ caused damage to the Yamuna riverbed.

Demanding a fresh probe, AOL lawyer  Kedar Desai and environment expert Prabhakar Rao told a press  conference that ‘no damage’ was caused to the environment  due to the event held in March.  ‘The area was not notified as wetlands but as floodplains  only. In the Delhi Wetland Atlas, there is no mention of any  wetland at the site where the event was held,’ said Rao.

‘The Committee, in its report, has not quantified the  damage.Earlier, it had estimated the damage at Rs. 1.2 billion. Now they are saying...they cannot provide a figure,’ said Rao.

Read more: https://goo.gl/IsVZ3k

ONE MORE KILLED IN INCIDENT OF 'COW VIGILANTISM'

In another incident of cow vigilantism, a person belonging to India's ruling BJP party was killed and another person  injured, allegedly by activists of a right-wing Hindu group near Hebri in Udipi district of Karnataka, South India. Hindu Jagarana Vedike activists intercepted and attacked the duo with sharp weapons, suspecting they were transporting calves to an abattoir, a senior police official said.

Twenty nine year old Praveen Poojary succumbed to injuries at a hospital in Bramhavar, where his friend Akshay Devadiga (22) has also been admitted but he is out of danger, Udupi Superintendent of Police K T Balakrishna told reporters. Earlier, the police suspected right-wing groups VHP and Bajrang Dal activists to be responsible for the incident.

Seventeen people were arrested and they were on a hunt to nab people involved, he said. 'Hindu Jagarana Vedike members stopped a vehicle  transporting three calves and assaulted two persons, accusing them of taking the calves to a slaughter house. In this incident Praveen, Poojary has succumbed to the injuries at a hospital in Brahmavara,' Balakrishna said.

He said Devadiga was injured but is out of danger. A case of murder has been booked at Brahmavara police station, he said, adding Hindu Jagarana Vedike's Srikanth is the prime accused in the case. In capital of Karnataka, Bengaluru the Home Minister G Parameshwara said prima facie cattle trade - related business dispute may be the reason behind the killing of the BJP worker. 'They (police) are suspecting some sort of a cattle trade- related business dispute,' he said, adding, he did not see any communal angle' at this point of time. 

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INDIA'S WOMAN WRESTLER OPENS OLYMPIC MEDAL CHEST WITH A BRONZE

India's wrestler Sakshi Mallik celebrates after clinching a bronze

India's frustrating Olympic medal drought ended finally on Thursday (August 18) with woman wrestler Sakshi Malik’s dramatic bronze-winning effort on day 12 of the Rio Olympic Games.

Sakshi fought five bruising battles in the 58kg category against equally determined opponents in a single day before securing the podium place. She had lost her quarterfinal bout but got a fresh lease of life when her Russian conqueror reached the final, allowing the Indian to compete in the repechage round.

The 23-year-old grappler from Haryana climbed the medal rostrum with a spectacular come-from-behind 8-5 win over Aisuluu Tynybekova of Kyrgyzstan after trailing 0-5 in the first period. She jumped on the mat with ear-to-ear smile before being hoisted by her coach Kuldeep Singh with the Indian tri-colour draped around her.

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DEVOTEES, SAINTS BID A TEARFUL ADIEU TO HH PRAMUKH SWAMI MAHARAJ

Mortal remains of HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj being carried in a palanquin before the last rites

Almost 2.1 million devotees paid tributes to HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj in four days after his death on Saturday (August 13). His mortal remains were cremated in the presence of lakhs of devotees on Wednesday( August 17) at Sarangpur. Hundreds of dignitaries from various walks of life also arrived at Sarangpur for Swamishri’s last darshan to offer their respects.

On the day of his final rites, Wednesday (August 17), HH Mahant Swami and Shri Morari Bapu performed arti at 7:45 am. After offering flowers and a saffron shawl to HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj, Morari Bapu offered tributes, saying, ‘Pramukh Swami Maharaj was a confluence of simplicity and spirituality. It is quite rare to sustain simplicity after attaining such heights.

I had many opportunities to experience his childlike simplicity. He was a ‘Mahatma’.He has not left us; his legacy shall remain present forever. I have not found such an instance yet where millions of people have paid such heartfelt tributes on the departure of any spiritual leader. Many respects to Pramukh Swami Maharaj and prayers for his sadhus and all devotees.’

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SINDHU BECOMES FIRST INDIAN SHUTTLER TO REACH OLYMPIC FINAL

Indian badminton player P V Sindhu in action on the Olympic court in Rio

Sidhu becomes first Indian shuttler to reach Olympic final P V Sindhu scripted history by becoming the first Indian shuttler to reach the finals of the women's singles competition at the Rio Olympics as she stunned Japan's Nozomi Okuhara in straight games to assure India of atleast a silver medal on Thursday (August 18) .

The two-time bronze medallist at World Championship notched up a sensational 21-19 21-10 victory over the All England champion from Japan in a pulsating semi-final that lasted 49 minutes.

The World No. 10 from Hyderabad will next take on two-time World Champion and top seed Carolina Marin of Spain in the summit clash tomorrow. The immensely talented Hyderabadi girl has done a notch better than her illustrious senior Saina Nehwal, who got country's its first medal from badminton - a bronze in London 2012.

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US LAWMAKERS, LEADERS PAY RICH TRIBUTES TO BAPS LEADER HH PRAMUKH SWAMI MAHARAJ

File pic of HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj with ex President of USA Bill Clinton

Top US lawmakers and political leaders have paid glowing tributes to Pramukh Swami, the spiritual head of the Swaminarayan sect, who passed away on Saturday(August 13), saying his service touched the lives of millions around  the world.

Several lawmakers said Swami, the creator of Akshardham and spiritual leader of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, was a man of character and commitment whose spiritual personality and humanitarian services profoundly touched society.

‘My condolences to the BAPS (Bochasanvasi Akshar Purushottam Sansthan) community on the passing of His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj who inspired us with his life of selfless service, said Senator Mark Kirk.

‘Saddened to hear of the passing of HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj whose service touched the lives of millions around the world,’ said Delaware Senator Christophe Coons.

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PRAMUKH SWAMI CREMATED IN SARANGPUR

Mortal remains of Pramukh Swami being carried in a chariot (palkhi) before the final rites rituals

Pramukh Swami, the spiritual head of Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan (BAPS) sect was cremated at Swaminarayan temple in Sarangpur on Wednesday (August 17). Thousands of devotees and dignitaries including President of the ruling BJP party Amit Shah, BJP party patriarch L K Advani and Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley attended the last rites.

The cremation ceremony was held as per Vedic rituals in an open ground on the premises of the temple in the presence of saints and thousands of devotees. Saints and devotees bid their final adieu to him with tears amid chants and prayers.

The 95-year-old spiritual head left for heavenly abode on Saturday (August 13) at the Sarangpur temple where he had been residing since the last few years. He had not been keeping well since long due to age-related problems and was being treated at the temple.

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REGISTERED DARSHAN SOON AT LORD SAI BABA’S SHIRDI SHRINE

Lord Sai Baba of Shirdi

All the devotees of Lord Sai Baba will now heave a sigh of relief with the administrative authority at the Lord Sai Baba’s Shirdi temple’s decision to start the registration of devotees for darshan at the Shridi shrine in Maharashtra, India.

This move taken to avoid long queues at the shrine by the Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust (SSST) is on the lines of the famous Tirupati temple in South India. The registration will start in three months

‘The move is aimed at saving time of lakhs of pilgrims. The SSST will start 'Plan Darshan' within three months’, Trusts' newly appointed chairperson Suresh Haware told reporters.

‘We will use the digital media and open various booking centres where devotees will have to register their names. The SSST will fix the time of their visit. This way the devotees can avoid standing in queues at the shrine,’ he said.

Read more: https://goo.gl/ILv5WD

FLYOVER DEDICATED TO PRAMUKH SWAMI

Vadodara Fly over dedicated to Pramukh Swami A new flyover constructed by Vadodara city’s civic athority the Vadodara Municipal Corporation(VMC) was named after Pramukh Swami Maharaj just ahead of funeral of Pramukh Swami.

Central Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu, Deputy Chief Minister of Gujarat Nitin Patel, Mayor Bharat Dangar, local member of Parliament Ranjan Bhatt, Minister of State in Gujarat government Jaydrathsinh Parmar among others were present on this occasion.The flyover has been named as ‘Param Pujya Pramukh Swami Flyover Bridge’.

Prabhu is in Vadodara to sign Memorandum of Understanding(MoU)...

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BOND OF SHARED INTERESTS: CHANGES IN INDIA AND BRITAIN HAVE ENRICHED BILATERAL TIES

FOCUS: Kumar Iyer with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at the Oval Maidan, Mumbai, during the royal visit in April The relationship between India and the UK is not something that I have just observed for the past three years as British deputy high commissioner, it is also something I have lived and breathed for the last 40 years of my life.

As we mark the 69th anniversary of Indian independence, it is a thriving relationship. It has never been stronger but it is has not yet peaked. Here is why. My parents were both born in pre-1947 India. My father was born in Pune but his family was from Tamil Nadu, my mother was born in Mumbai but her family was from Kerala – my father sometimes quips that he married a foreigner.

They moved to the UK in the early 1960s, to a country that is very different to the one we have today, leaving behind an India that would be just as hard to recognise. To say foreigners sometimes got a harsh reception in the UK is an understatement – B&Bs would display signs saying ‘no Irish, gays, blacks or dogs’.

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GUJARAT DELEGATION IN BIRMINGHAM TO PROMOTE INDIAN INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Gujarat delegation in Birmingham 

A delegation from Gujarat toured Birmingham this week to promote India’s westernmost state as an investment destination and to learn more about the West Midlands region, in a bid to develop a bilateral relationship with the UK.  The group, comprising 15 Gujarati business leaders from backgrounds 

including financial services, life sciences and advanced manufacturing, explored key attractions and areas in Birmingham such as the Jewellery Quarter, Digbeth and Snowhill and found out about the city’s key business sectors. 

The delegation was also in the city to promote Vibrant Gujarat, an international investment summit that takes place in India every two years. The summit was established in 2003 to increase investment in Gujarat and has now become a forum for companies around the world to exchange ideas, network and explore potential business opportunities. 

B C Pradhan, Consulate General of India, who worked with inward investment agency Business Birmingham to organise the visit, said: 'The day provided a valuable opportunity to continue our concentrated and co-ordinated efforts to promote economic relationships and establish further ties between Birmingham, the UK and India. It allowed the delegation not only to find out more about Birmingham’s history and culture, but also its key sectors including textiles, renewable energy and manufacturing.'

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WELSH SERVICEMEN WELCOMED TO HINDU FESTIVAL OF RAKSHABANDHAN

Rakshabandhan for Welsh soldiers 

Members of the armed forces and Hindu communities came together to celebrate the Hindu festival of Raksha Bandhan at events in London, Birmingham, Bolton and Cardiff. Raksha Bandhan, which translates as 'bond of protection', is one of the most important in the Hindu calendar. It falls on Thursday (August 18) this year. 

In Cardiff, at the Sanatan Dharma Mandal temple, the focus of the festival was the tying of rakhi – a sacred decorative string bracelet – by young Hindus on the wrists of soldiers, sailors and airmen. Also present was the Lord Mayor of Cardiff, councillor Monica Walsh and other local dignitaries. 

Air commodore Adrian Williams spoke about the contribution by Hindus to the British armed forces, saying, 'During world war one, some 750,000 Hindus [were] deployed overseas in the British Indian Army, earning eight Victoria Crosses, the most prestigious UK military award. Hindus also served throughout the second world war.. [and] have also seen service in recent conflicts and continue to be a vital part of today's armed forces.' 

Armed forces Hindu chaplain Acharaya Krishan Kant Attri said, 'This is a great opportunity for the Hindu community to come together to celebrate Raksha Bandhan with our armed forces and show that we share a culture and have a common set of values.'

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BRITISH MINISTER FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PRITI PATEL'S INDIA VISIT

Priti Patel offers prayers at the Akshardham Temple in New Delhi 

Bilateral cooperation in the spheres of skill development, infrastructure financing, innovation, energy and ease of doing business was discussed on Saturday(August 13) when British Minister for International Development Priti Patel met India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. 

Patel, who arrived here on Friday in her role as a cabinet minister in the new British government of Prime Minister Theresa May, also held meetings with Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu. 

In her meeting with India’s Minister of Finance Arun Jaitley on Friday (August 12) they discusssed ways in which the two Governments can strengthen links between key economic institutions and centers of excellence in the UK and India.

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BRITISH PRIME MINISTER THERESA MAY PAYS RESPECTS TO H.H. PRAMUKH SWAMI MAHARAJ

British Prime Minister Theresa May has paid respect to H.H. Pramukh Swami Maharaj in her condolence message after the sad demise of HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj, head of socio­spiritual organisation Bochasanvasi Akshar Purushottam Sansthan belonging to the world renowed Swaminarayan sect. 

Thousands of politicalis leaders and prominent dignitaries have sent their condolence messages or visited the temple in Sarangpur where the holy saint's mortal remains have been kept. The cremation will take place on Wednesday (August 17).

In her condolence message May said, 'I would like to pay my condolences to British Hindus, especially the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, on the passing away of H.H. Pramukh Swami Maharaj.' 

'H.H. Pramukh Swami Maharaj inspired millions with his powerful motto: 'in the good of others lies our own". This legacy of selfless service will continue to benefit humanity for a long time to come.

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TWO KILLED AND SEVERAL INJURED IN SERIES OF BLASTS IN SOUTHERN THAILAND

A police personnel inspects one of the blast sites in Thailand 

A series of bomb blasts hit three of the most popular tourist resorts in southern Thailand on Thursday (August 11) and Friday(August 12), killing two people and wounding dozens, just days after the country voted to accept a military-backed constitution in a referendum.  

Twin blasts hit the upscale resort of Hua Hin, around 200 kilometres (125 miles) south of Bangkok, on Friday morning just hours after two bombs killed one person and wounded 21 late on Thursday.  Hua Hin is home to the Klai Kangwon royal palace, which translates as ‘Far from Worries Palace’, where King Bhumibol Adulayadej, the world's longest reigning monarch, and his wife Sirikit have often stayed in recent years. 

Friday (August 12) was a public holiday in Thailand to mark Queen Sirikit's birthday. One person died and three people were wounded in one of the Friday (August 12) morning blasts near an iconic clock tower in Hua Hin, deputy police spokesman Police Colonel Krisana Pattanacharoen told reporters in Bangkok.

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FOUNDER OF HUFFINGTON POST STEPS DOWN, WILL JOIN WELLNESS STARTUP

Arianna Huffington

Arianna Huffington, founder of the Huffington Post news site announced on Thursday (August 11) that she was stepping down to launch a nonprofit group focused on health and wellness. 

Greek-born Huffington, who launched her original American website in 2005 and sold it to internet giant AOL in 2011, said the new venture called Thrive Global aims ‘to change the way we work and live by ending the collective delusion that burnout is a necessary price for success.’She said she would be stepping down as editor-in-chief of the Huffington Post, which now operates in 10 languages and has a user base of over 200 million.    

She said she decided to leave the online news organization because ‘I simply couldn't do justice to both companies.’

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SIKH MAN SHOT DEAD AT STORE IN ARIZONA

An Indian belonging to Sikh community was shot dead by a masked gunman in an armed robbery at a convenience store in Arizona, United States. Thirty six year old Amanjeet Singh Toor was shot dead early on Monday (August 8) during the robbery at the store where he worked. 

After shooting Toor the assailant chased the other store employees out before returning to grab a bag, police added. The police, along with Toor’s family are seeking help from eyewitnesses to nab the culprits. 

The attacker was wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt, face mask and red gloves, according to eyewitnesses. Toor had immigrated from India six years ago and his wife Kamaldeep Kaur had recently joined him in Phoenix from India.

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BOLLYWOOD STAR SHAHRUKH KHAN DETAINED AT US AIRPORT

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan took to Twitter on Friday (August 12) to express his annoyance at being detained by US airport immigration authorities for the third time, saying the experience 'really, really sucks'. 

The last time Khan, 50, was detained by immigration officials in New York in 2012, it sparked uproar among his Indian fans who accused the US of racial profiling, and led Washington to apologise. 'I fully understand and respect security with the way the world is, but to be detained at US immigration every damn time really really sucks,' Khan tweeted after he was pulled aside at Los Angeles airport. 

'The brighter side is while waiting caught some really nice Pokemons'. As news of Khan's detention broke on Indian television channels, US Assistant Secretary of State Nisha Biswal quickly expressed regret.    

‘Sorry for the hassle at the airport, @iamsrk - even American diplomats get pulled for extra screening!’ Biswal tweeted. US Ambassador to India Richard Verma on Friday (August 12) apologised and said the US  was working to ensure that it does not happen again.  Verma's comment on Twitter was appreciated by Khan who  thanked him for his concern.

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ASSANGE TO BE QUESTIONED AT LONDON HIDEOUT

In a possible breakthrough to the four-year impasse, Swedish prosecutors investigating a  rape allegation against Wikileaks founder Julian Assange will question him at the Ecuadorian embassy in London where he has been holed up since 2012. The Ecuadorian attorney general delivered a document agreeing to a request by the Swedish authorities to question Assange at the Ecuadoran embassy in London, where he has been hiding out since the 44-year-old sought political asylum from Ecuador four years ago.

‘In the coming weeks a date will be established for the proceedings to be held at the embassy of Ecuador in the United Kingdom,’ a statement issued in Ecuador to the 'Guardian' said.

It adds, ‘For more than four years, the government of  Ecuador has offered to cooperate in facilitating the questioning of Julian Assange in the Ecuadorian embassy in London, as well as proposing other political and legal measures, in order to reach a satisfactory solution for all parties involved in the legal case against Julian Assange, to end the unnecessary delays in the process and to ensure full and effective legal protection.

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PAKISTAN’S LEGENDARY CRICKETER HANIF MUHAMMAD PASSES AWAY

Pakistan's legendary former captain and batsman Hanif Muhammad, who held the record for the longest innings in Test cricket, passed away on Thursday (August 11) after a prolonged battle with lung cancer.

A spokesman for the Aga Khan Hospital, where he was being treated, confirmed that Hanif had passed away at the age of 81. ‘He was in Intensive Care Unit and on a ventilator for respiratory problems and passed away today,’ he said.

Hanif, had earlier in the day, been declared clinically dead for around six minutes before he was revived back to life. Hanif's son Shoaib Muhammad had first announced from the hospital on various television channels that his father had passed away after losing a protracted battle with various ailments. But few minutes later it was clarified that Hanif was still alive.

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AIR INDIA LAUNCHES NEW NON-STOP FLIGHT FROM LONDON TO AHMEDABAD

Air India has launched new non-stop flights from London’s Heathrow Airport to Ahmedabad beginning from August 15. The flight from London Heathrow to New Yorkk will be thrice a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Earlier, Air India passengers flying between London and Ahmedabad had to stop at Mumbai or travel via Delhi. This non-stop service will reduce journey time by up to 3 and a half hours, each way.

Non-stop flights from London Heathrow to Newark, New Jersey in the USA are being introduced, effective from August 15, 2016. Customers will be able to experience direct flights on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft operating on these routes.

The 18 Business Class seats offer the luxury of comfortable, flat beds to ensure passengers arrive fresh and relaxed at their destinations. The economy class cabins have a seat pitch of 33 inches, and a good width of 17 inches.

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MAN TRYING TO CLIMB TRUMP TOWER CAPTURED AFTER THREE HOUR ASCENT

Police trying to detain the man who is trying to climb Trump tower

A twenty year old man who spent three hours on Wednesday (August 10) climbing Trump Tower, the New York home and headquarters of the Republican nominee for US president was finally captured by police.

Television footage of this incident showed New York police officers reaching out and grabbing the man some three hours after he started his ascent using five suction cups.

The Virginia man with curly auburn hair and dressed in grey shorts, an olive T-shirt and white cap wanted to meet Trump, police said, without providing his name.

He had been making his way up the side of the building gingerly, sometimes with his feet dangling dangerously as he gripped the suction cups on a hot and steamy afternoon.

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JUDGE IN US TOSSES SUIT AGAINST TWITTER FOR IS ACCOUNTS

A US judge on Wednesday (August 10) handed out a lawsuit accusing Twitter of abetting terrorism by allowing Islamic State propaganda to be broadcast using the messaging platform. District Court Judge William Orrick granted a motion by Twitter to dismiss the case, reasoning that providing a platform for speech is within the law and that the company did not create the content.

The Communications Decency Act protects online platforms from being held responsible for what users post. The suit was filed in San Francisco federal court by the families of two government contractors killed late last year while working at a police training center run by the United States in Amman, according to court documents.

A Jordanian police captain studying at the center shot the two men to death, and IS later claimed the captain was a ‘lone wolf’ working for the group's cause, the judge recounted in his ruling.

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Snapchat 'Yellow Face' lens slapped as offensive

Snapchat was forced to remove a photo lens after drawing severe online flak that dubbed the vanishing message app an offensive stereotype of Asians worthy of the label ‘Yellow Face.’The lens overlaid faces in photos with cartoon visages featuring slanted eyes, wide cheeks and toothy grins.

Snapchat pulled the lens after its release on Tuesday (August 9) ignited concerns it was insulting and racist. Snapchat said the lens was meant as a playful take on anime characters and promised it would not return to circuln.

‘Snapchat virtualized old-timey yellow face without thinking about how it effects E-Asians,’ read a Twitter message fired off by the account of @brtnyle. ‘It's disappointing whether it was deliberate or not.’

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8 ARRESTED FOR THRASHING LOW CASTE INDIANS TRYING TO SKIN DEAD COW

In yet another incident of thrashing of people belonging to low caste community (dalits), eight persons were arrested by Allavaram police in East Godavari district of India’s Andhra Pradesh state on Wednesday (August 10). They were arrested for allegedly beating up two Dalits who were trying to skin a dead cow.

Police, however, clarified that the incident, which occurred late on Monday(August 8), had nothing to do with ‘cow vigilantism’ as suspected. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed anger over the incident and warned that anyone trying to disturb law and order would be sternly dealt with. 

He reviewed the incident with top police officials of the state.  He directed the them to take strong legal action against the culprits.

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ATM ROBBERY: ROMANIAN SUSPECT ARRESTED IN NAVI MUMBAI

A 35-year-old Romanian national, allegedly involved in the hi-tech ATM robbery in South Indian state of Kerala where people lost about Rs 2.5 lakh (0.25 million), has been arrested from Navi Mumbai, a police official said on Wednesday (August 10).

Gabrial Mariam was nabbed from a hotel in Mumbai’s Vashi area by a team of Kerala Police late last night, with the help of Mumbai Crime Branch, senior Inspector of Vashi Police Station Ajay Kumar Landged.

Mariam was on Wednesday (August 10) produced before a Navi Mumbai court which sent him in transit remand, he added. After the robbery to light, a case was registered under IPC Section 380 (theft in dwelling house, etc) and under relevant sections of IT Act at Museum Police Station of Thiruvananthapuram.

The arrest came after Kerala Police yesterday zeroed in on three foreign nationals suspected to be the key players behind the ATM robbery, and decided to seek Interpol's help to track them. The trio, found installing an electronic device inside an ATM kiosk of a public sector bank at Vellayambalam here, had been caught in the CCTV installed there.

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ATTACK ON MEDIA BUS BY 'STONE -THROWING VANDALS' AT OLYMPIC GAMES

The smashed glass of the bus carrying media persons in Rio Olympics after it was attacked by vandals

A media bus at the Olympic Games was attacked by stone-throwing vandals, the Rio 2016 security chief said on Wednesday (August 10), but an eyewitness insisted it was ‘clearly bullets’.

Security director Luiz Fernando Correa said ‘Stones were thrown and hit the metal part of the windows of the bus’ and promised to beef up security patrols, calling it an act of vandalism by teenagers.

Three people suffered minor injuries as windows were hit by projectiles when the bus passed Rio's Curicica district, neighboring the notorious City of God favela, late on Tuesday (August 9).

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PAKISTANI LAWYERS PROTEST AFTER DOZENS KILLED IN ATTACK

People pay tribute to people killed in blast at Quetta, Pakistan 

Lawyers staged a nationwide strike in Pakistan on Tuesday (August 9) after dozens of colleagues were slain in a suicide bombing that killed at least 70 people at a hospital in the southwestern city of Quetta.  Medical staff said up to 60 of those slain in the bombing at a government hospital were lawyers who had gathered to mourn the assassination earlier on Monday of the president of the Baluchistan Bar Association, Bilal Anwar Kasi.

Islamic State was one of two Islamist militant groups to claim responsibility for the atrocity, although officials and analysts said they had doubts over whether the Middle East-based movement was behind the blast.  It was the latest, and deadliest, in a string of attacks against lawyers in Pakistan, seen by some militants as an extension of the government and so legitimate targets.

‘How weak and pathetic are these people who target hospitals, where women and children, where patients, go to get treatment?’ Ashtar Ausaf Ali, Pakistan's attorney general, said on Tuesday(August 9) at a protest outside the Supreme Court in the capital Islamabad. Supreme Court Bar President Ali Zafar called for the government to do more to protect lawyers.

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COURT RULES THAT JAVEED WAS KILLED BY ROBBERS

A British court has heard that a company director has died after being shot in the mouth at point blank range with a silenced pistol by armed robbers. Akhtar Javeed was killed in February and was shot in the throat, leg and foot after refusing to open the safe, Birmingham Crown Court was told. He died with his hands bound ‘in a pool of his own blood’ on a pavement outside his delivery firm's Birmingham warehouse. 

The accused Suraj Mistry, 26, and Lemar Wali, 18, deny murder. The pair also deny conspiring to rob and possessing firearms with intent to cause fear of violence. Prosecutor James Curtis QC said Javeed a grandfather known affectionately by staff as Big Brother was shot four times during the raid on the warehouse. The man who fired the gun was 25-year-old Tahir Zarif, of Osmaston Park Road, Derby, who fled to Pakistan after the murder and is still at large, he said.

Mistry of Leicester, is said to be the other gunman and is alleged to have driven Zarif to Heathrow airport after the shooting. Wali, of Derby, is accused of driving the getaway vehicle from the scene. Jurors were told they would see CCTV footage of two masked gunmen ‘through the door, guns already in their hand’, before taking staff prisoner and binding their hands... 

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