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Former US NSA John Bolton calls Doha agreement “big mistake”

US NSA John Bolton
Former US National Security Advisor, John Bolton photo: Reuters

Referring to the signing of the Doha agreement between the US and the Taliban the biggest mistake by former US President, Donald Trump, ex-National Security Advisor (NSA) John Bolton said that the Taliban has failed its commitments towards Afghan people and a large number of foreign fighters have returned to Afghanistan. 

“I think history has proven in the fact that it was a terrible agreement. The objective the Taliban wanted was America, NATO, out of Afghanistan, everything else was secondary,” Bolton stated in an interview with TOLOnews, adding that the Islamic Emirate has failed to uphold its commitments and a large number of foreign fighters have returned to Afghanistan. 

Calling the Doha deal a terrible agreement, John Bolton said that the Taliban wanted America, and NATO, out of Afghanistan which they succeeded after the terror outfit seized power in Afghanistan on August 15, last year.

Bolton said that Zalmay Khalilzad, the former US envoy for peace in Afghanistan, did not contribute positively to the situation, but he said that Khalilzad was “taking orders.” 

Lambasting at the former US envoy for peace in Afghanistan, Bolton said, “Let’s be clear, he was taking orders from President Trump and Secretary Pompeo, so whatever criticisms one makes about Zal’s performance should be understood as criticizing both what Trump and Pompeo were instructing.” 

“I very much fear our knowledge of efforts which have been made to launch terrorist attacks from Afghanistan is deeply incomplete and that the risk is high and if we were still there we would have a much better chance to detect these plans for terrorist attacks before they took place. Now we are not entirely blind, but we are certainly not in the position we were,” the Ex-NSA said. 

The US and the Taliban signed the peace agreement in February 2020 under the Presidency of former US President Donald Trump. The deal stated the withdrawal of the US troops from Afghan soil and the Taliban would abate violence and guarantee that its soil will not be a safe haven for the terrorists.

CBI raids residence of Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia

sisodia house
Visual from Manish Sisodia’s residence | ANI

To conduct a raid Central Bureau of Investigation has arrived at the residence of the Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi Manish Sisodia, he confirmed via a tweet on Friday morning.

“CBI has arrived,” he said in a tweet adding “We are honest, building a future for lakhs of children. Unfortunate that in this country, whoever does good work is hassled just like this, that is why our country is still not number-1.” 

According to a CBI official, they have raided 21 locations in Delhi-NCR in connection with the excise policy case including Delhi’s Deputy CM Manish Sisodia’s residence and premises of the then Delhi Excise Commissioner Arava Gopi Krishna. 

To the matter of CBI raids at the Deputy CM’s residence, Aam Aadmi party national convenor Arvind Kejriwal replied in a tweet saying that they will give full cooperation to the investigations.

“CBI is welcome. We will give full cooperation. Searches/raids took place earlier too, but nothing was found. Nothing will be found now too,” Kejriwal tweeted mentioning that the CBI has raided his residence on the day when the picture of the Delhi Model and Manish Sisodia appeared on the front page of America’s biggest newspaper- New York Times

Devotees flock to temples to celebrate Janmashtami

MATHURA
VIASUALS FROM MATHURA | ANI

Preparations are in full swing in temples across the country to celebrate Krishna Janmashtami today. 

Devotees flocked to temples in Mathura as Janmashtami celebrations began on Thursday evening.

he temples in the city have been decorated with colourful lights. The chants of “Jai Shree Krishna” is reverberating across the city.

The enthusiasm is quite similar in Krishna temples across the country. In Mumbai, people started gathering at ISKCON Temple. At ISKCON temple in Noida, people are gathering to have a glimpse of morning arti.

In Kerala’s Kozhikode, devotees, along with children, took part in a procession which was taken out on the occasion of Krishna Janmashtami. 

Meanwhile, President Droupadi Murmu greeted the countrymen on the eve of Janmashtami on Thursday and said that it inspires us to follow the “path of virtue in our thoughts, words and actions”. In a message, the President said, “On the auspicious occasion of Janmashtami, I extend my warm greetings and best wishes to all the fellow citizens living in India and abroad.” 

“Lord Krishna’s life and teachings included the message of well-being and virtue. He propagated the concept of “Nishkam Karma” and enlightened the people about the attainment of the ultimate truth through the Path of ‘Dharma’. I pray that this festival of Janmashtami inspires us to follow the path of virtue in our thought, words and actions,” the message added. 

Janmashtami is celebrated every year throughout the country to mark the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna. Believers observe the day by keeping a fast and praying at the temples.

As per the Hindu calendar, Lord Krishna, an avatar of Lord Vishnu, was born on the eighth day of the month of Bhadra. The day mostly falls in the months of August or September as per the Western calendar.

YouTuber Bobby Kataria to be arrested for his alleged misconduct in Dehradun street

bobby kataria
Pic Credit : ANI

YouTuber Bobby Kataria is soon to be arrested by Uttarakhand Police for drinking alcohol and threatening the police while sitting on a chair and stopping traffic in the middle of the road in the state capital Dehradun.

A case was registered under sections 342, 336, 290 and 510 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and 67 IT Act.

Cantt Police Station in the capital city has obtained a non-bailable warrant against Kataria from the District Court.

SHO Rajendra Singh Rawat on Thursday said the police obtained a non-bailable warrant against the accused. 

He told ANI that teams of Cantt Police are being sent to Haryana and its other locations for his arrest. Kataria was in the news after he was allegedly found to be smoking inside a SpiceJet flight that surfaced on the internet. 

The airline later said that the action was taken as the passenger was put on a noflying list by the airline for 15 days in February 2022.

Cong. postponed ‘Hallabol Rally’ due to rise in Covid 19 cases

congress 1
Representative Image by PTI

The Congress has postponed its ‘Halla Bol’ rally in the national capital against the Centre over price rise, GST on essential commodities and unemployment to September 4 due to a rise in Covid-19 cases.

“Due to the prevailing Covid-19 situation, the Congress party’s Mehangai Par Halla Bol Rally at Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi, is being rescheduled from Aug 28th to Sept 4th. The rally will send a powerful message to the insensitive Modi sarkar,” Congress General Secretary (Communications) Jairam Ramesh tweeted.

Congress will hold ‘Halla Bol’ rally over inflation at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi on September 4. Rahul Gandhi will address this rally.

“3500 km long ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ will commence from Kanniyakumari on Sept 7,” he added.

Earlier, Congress had called a meeting of all its general secretaries and state in-charges on August 16 for the preparation of a mega rally to be held in Delhi and ‘mehngai chaupals’ across the country as part of its protests against price rise, GST on essential commodities and unemployment, said sources.

Congress has stepped up its attack on the central government and had decided to organise ‘chaupals’ (meetings) across the country to protest issues like inflation and unemployment.

India’s wholesale inflation declined substantially during the month of July to 13.93 per cent, but continues to remain in double digits, official data released on Tuesday showed.

The Wholesale Price Index (WPI) based inflation has been in the double-digit for 16 months in a row now. The inflation in July was primarily contributed by rising in prices of mineral oils, food articles, crude petroleum and natural gas, basic metals, electricity, and chemicals, among others, an official statement said.

Prices of minerals (0.96 per cent) increased in July 2022 as compared to June 2022. Prices of food articles (-2.56 per cent), non-food articles (-2.61 per cent) and crude petroleum and natural gas (-5.05 per cent) declined in July 2022 as compared to June 2022.

India won 1st ODI against Zimbabwe and lead the series by 1-0

IND VS ZIM 1
Image: ICC Twitter

KL Rahul-led India outplayed Zimbabwe in all three departments of the game to register a thumping 10-wicket victory at the Harare Sports Club here and take a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series.

Chasing a paltry 190, the Indian team got off to a flying start as Shikhar Dhawan started the innings with consecutive boundaries of the first two balls.

His partner at the other end Shubman Gill also looked in control as Zimbabweans looked clueless with the ball.

The Dhawan-Gill duo notched up a 50-run partnership for the opening wicket in 11.2 overs. Southpaw Shikhar Dhawan notched up his half-century in 76 balls, his third in the last four ODIs.

The opening pair took the team’s total beyond the triple-figure mark in 19.1 overs as India looked on course to chase down the target with considerable ease.

Shikhar Dhawan went on to go past 6,500 runs in ODIs. Shubman Gill made the most of the opportunity, as he did in West Indies, by notching up his third ODI half-century.

All of these have come in his last four matches. Riding on the strong performance of the openers, India reached the 150-run mark in just 25.2 overs.

Gill accelerated after scoring his fifty and there was no looking back for him as he outscored his opening partner Dhawan. The target of 190 was chased in just 30.5 overs with Gill remaining unbeaten on 82 off 72 balls while Dhawan scored an unbeaten 81 off 113 balls.

Earlier in the day, KL Rahul won the toss and opted to bowl first and the bowlers did not disappoint. Comeback bowler Deepak Chahar dismissed Innocent Kaia for 4 caught behind by wicket-keeper Sanju Samson. The hosts lost their first wicket for 25 in the seventh over.

In his next over, Chahar struck again dismissing Tadiwanashe Marumani for 8, caught behind by keeper Samson for 8. Pacer Mohammed Siraj too joined the party as he sent Sean Williams packing for 1 caught by Shikhar Dhawan.

Chahar struck for the third time to dismiss Wessly Madhevere for 5 to leave the hosts tottering at 31 for 4. Captain Regis Chakabva and Sikandar Raza then struck a partnership to take Zimbabwe’s total beyond the 50-run mark.

The 35-run partnership was finally broken by Prasidh Krishna as he dismissed Raza, caught by Dhawan for 12. Half of the Zimbabwe team was back in the pavilion for 66. Krishna struck for the second time dismissing Ryan Burl for 11, who was caught by Shubman Gill.

Captain Chakabva and Luke Jongwe struck a partnership to take the team’s total beyond the triple-figure mark. The 22-run partnership between the two was broken by left-arm spinner Axar Patel as he dismissed Chakabva for 35.

In the next over he dismissed Luke Jongwe’s leg before wicket for 13 to leave Zimbabwe struggling at 110/8. Brad Evans and Richard Ngarava then struck a much-needed partnership for Zimbabweans to take the team’s total beyond the 150-run mark.

The duo also struck a 50-run partnership and kept fighting. The 60-run partnership was finally broken as Krishna got his third success and the hosts lost their ninth wicket in the form of Ngarava.

Axar Patel too struck for the third time to dismiss Victor Nyauchi for 8 as India bowled out their opponents for 189. Brad Evans remained unbeaten on 33 off 29 balls as Zimbabwe set India a 190-run target. India also put up a strong fielding performance with the fielders quick on their toes and lapping up all the catches.

Brief scores: Zimbabwe: 189/10 in 40.3 overs (Regis Chakabva 35; Axar Patel 3/24, Deepak Chahar 3/27, Prasidh Krishna 3/50) vs India: 192/0 in 30.5 overs (Shubman Gill 82*, Shikhar Dhawan 81*; Luke Jongwe 0/11).

‘Kejariwal playing politics in name of Rohingyas’, says BJP MP Gautam Gambhir

gautam gambhir
image: PTI

Bharatiya Janata Party MP Gautam Gambhir on Thursday lashed out at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and said that he is “playing politics” in the name of Rohingyas.

Speaking to the agencies, Gambhir, who is an MP from East Delhi, said, “It is very shameful that they (AAP) play this kind of politics.”

Gambhir asserted that BJP’s stand to deport Rohingyas from the country has been “very clear” and rather questioned Kejriwal to clarify his stand why he mentioned of providing every facility to Rohingyas.

“Our stand, which is made by Home Minister Amit Shah on the floor of the house, has been very clear that all the Rohingyas will be deported,” he said adding that it is Kejriwal’s responsibility to “come out openly and clarify his stand that what made him write that letter where he stated that Rohingyas should be given all kinds of facilities.”

Gambhir further alleged that the AAP supremo has no concern for the nation’s security or emotions for the Delhiites.

“All he (Arvind Kejriwal) wants is the chair and I am sure he will get exposed in the upcoming years,” he added.

Reacting to the allegations of the BJP, Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia alleged that the Centre is engaged in a “conspiracy” to hide the decision to resettle the Rohingyas from the Delhi government.

Sisodia claimed that neither Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, nor he himself had any knowledge of the move by the Centre.

“Neither the CM nor HM of Delhi had knowledge of it, we got to know through newspapers that a scheme to provide flats to Rohingyas is going on. I asked the officers and got to know some meetings did take place where Central government officers were present,” he said.

“When I asked for details of the meeting, I saw that it was mentioned in the files that for the approval by the Central government, it was being directly sent through Chief Secretary to the LG. It was completely hidden from the elected government of Delhi, why this conspiracy? Sisodia added.

 The row over Rohingyas broke out yesterday after Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri tweeted that the Rohingyas will be shifted to EWS flats equipped with basic facilities and round-the-clock security.

“India has always welcomed those who have sought refuge in the country. In a landmark decision all #Rohingya #Refugees will be shifted to EWS flats in Bakkarwala area of Delhi. They will be provided basic amenities, UNHCR IDs and round-the-clock @DelhiPolice protection,” Puri had tweeted on Wednesday.

Earlier, reports were circulating which stated that around 1,100 Rohingyas staying in tents will be soon shifted into flats equipped with basic facilities and round-the-clock security.

This report followed the decision taken after a high-level meeting chaired by the Chief Secretary of Delhi, which was held during the last week of July, over the accommodation of Rohingya in the national capital.

In the meeting, it was emphasised that the Delhi government was bearing around Rs 7 lakh per month rent for the tents where Rohingyas were shifted in the Madanpur Khadar area after a fire incident happened in the camp where they were living.

Following the reports, the Ministry of Home Affairs on Wednesday clarified that it had not given any directions to provide EWS flats to Rohingya (illegal migrants) at Bakkarwala in New Delhi.

In the series of tweets, the HMO said the “government of Delhi proposed to shift the Rohingyas to a new location”.

“MHA has directed the GNCTD to ensure that the Rohingya who are illegal foreigners will continue at the present location as MHA has already taken up the matter of their deportation with the concerned country through MEA,” said the HMO.

It further said that “illegal foreigners are to be kept in Detention Centre till their deportation as per law”.

BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia said, “Centre’s policy is clear that there will be no compromise with national security and the country’s resources are for its citizens and not for illegal migrants.”

Maha Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis states ” The boat has no connection with terrorism”

Devendra Fadnavis
Image: PTI

Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis made it clear that the case of the boat has no connection with terrorism, Fadnavis gave a statement that the boat came to Harihareshwar astray and also informed that the ATS will investigate the case.

59 Union bank customer’s Gold of approximately 5 kg was duplicated

Gold
Image:Representative

5 kg 800 gm gold of 59 customers of Rajpeth branch of Union Bank of Amravati was duplicated. Gold which were kept in the locker of the banks got duplicated.This was the most shocking details given to its customers.

Railway Ticket counters will be closed in the phase manner

Railways,ticket counter
Image: Representative/ANI

Railway ticket counters to be closed in a phased manner, the decision to close 300 ticket counters in a year, 80% booking of tickets through IRCTC, Parliamentary committee suggestion to close counters.