The last rites of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee will take place at Rashtriya Smriti Sthal here, sources in the government said.

Statesman and pragmatist, orator and poet, a man of peace and conviction. Atal Bihari Vajpayee was a towering nationalist who softened the often sharp edge of his party's politics with a gentle sophistry of words, earning him the sobriquet "ajaat shatru" or the man with no enemies.

Kerala is facing an unprecedented flood situation with the heavy rains so far claiming nearly 80 lives, 35 alone on Thursday. Inundated areas and overflowing rivers have thrown public transport system out of gear with a red alert sounded in 12 of the 14 districts. The Centre has promised all help and relief to Kerala to face the natural calamity with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaking to Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan this morning. Armed forces are helping civic agencies in carrying out relief operations. This blog will keep you posted on the latest updates and developments from Kerala’s flood situation:

The US has urged the international community to maintain tough sanctions on the isolated regime, and the US Treasury this week announced measures against Russian and Chinese companies for violations.