January 27: Top news at noon

Developing news

*Bodies of four missing soldiers recovered from avalanche site in Gurez sector of Kashmir; death toll reaches 14, say police. Kashmir remains cut-off from rest of the country for fourth consecutive day due to snowfall

*Centre files plea in Supreme Court seeking to withdraw January 6, 2016, notification allowing Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu. SC says all Jallikattu matters to be heard on January 31

Trump seeks 20% tax on imports from countries with a trade deficit with the US, to fund border wall

President Donald Trump is seeking to impose a 20% tax on imports from countries with a trade deficit with the US, like Mexico, to fund the construction of a wall along the US-Mexico border, the White House has said. This is one of the ways to pay for the wall that the US is planning to construct along the US-Mexico border. But on a broader scale, such a statement from White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer indicates imports from other countries - like India and China - could also be hit by the tax proposal, given the trade deficit the US has with them. The proposal, however, is currently only for Mexico, Spicer told reporters, adding that "We currently tax exports, not imports. This gets us in line frankly with the policies that the other countries around the world treat our products," he said.

Indian charged with ‘attempted homicide of an unborn child’ arrested in US

An Indian fugitive Manish Patel, 43, has been arrested by the US Border Patrol as he entered the country illegally from Canada last week, hiding in a car at the Trout River Port of Entry in New York. Patel was apprehended after he entered the US without presenting himself for inspection and also was found to be wanted for multiple felony charges including attempted homicide of an unborn child, the US Customs and Border Protection said.

Patel, who was arrested on January 19, is being held without bond pending his prosecution.

Pak govt urged to ensure 8th wonder tag to Kanishka Stupa

A prominent US-based historian and scholar has urged the Pakistan government to engage UNESCO to declare the ancient Buddhist monument Kanishka Stupa on the outskirts of Peshawar as the eighth wonder of the world, because of its remarkable construction structure. The stupa is a testament to the creativity of hard work of human beings, said Amjad Hussain, a cardio-thoracic professor in the US who hails from Peshawar. "Located a few furlongs outside the Peshawar city at Ganj Gate known as Shah Jee Ki Dheri, there is a site where an imposing stupa had once stood which was built during the reign of Kushan Kanishka in the 1st century AD," Hussain said throwing light on the history of the ancient site. It was described in detail by Chinese pilgrims in their memoirs and Hiuen Tsang after visiting it during his travels from 620-645 AD called the site the "tallest architectural building" in this part of Asia.