Nice Attack: Islamic terror, wilful denial and rise of right-wing forces

When a terrorist attack takes place — and most are targeted against unarmed civilians in virtually every sphere of public life — the initial reaction of shock and horror is quickly replaced by anger. Grief needs a catharsis. In absence of the terrorists who have perpetrated the crime, the anger turns towards the political leaders whose job it is to provide security.

The blood has not yet been wiped off the streets of Nice that France has turned against President Francois Hollande. TV channels covering the Thursday night tragedy, showed how unmitigated anger poured out against a President largely seen as effete, ineffective and incapable of preventing waves and waves of terror attacks on French soil.

The attack in Nice was as gruesome a terror strike as any. Latest reports indicate that 84 people were killed when a large white truck, said to be driven by a French-Tunisian citizen, ploughed into a large crowd, who gathered at the beachfront Promenade des Anglais in southern city of Nice for a fireworks display on Bastille Day. Local French media reported that the driver shouted "Allahu Akbar" before taking out his gun and firing several times at the crowd before he was subsequently neutralised.

Bastille Day commemorates the Storming of the Bastille on 14 July, 1789, an important event in the French Revolution. It is marked with a military parade down Paris' most famous boulevard, a presidential address to the nation and a vast fireworks display. Founding values of French Republic, equality, liberty and fraternity, are glorified.

The significance of the day and the fact that a large number of citizens had gathered for celebration — made it a lucrative target. In one fell blow, two purposes were achieved. One, a huge number of people were killed ensuring widespread outrage and non-stop media coverage — aspects which serve as fuel for glorification of terror and draws more and more perpetrators. Two, a symbolic, cruel blow was dealt to the French ideal of syncretism, the bedrock on which the multicultural republic stands.

Source: http://www.firstpost.com

Glorification of terrorists makes it clear where Pakistan’s sympathies lie: India

Glorification of terrorists makes it clear where Pakistan’s sympathies lie: India



India Friday hit back at Pakistan for describing slain Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani as martyr and announcing its plans to observe July 19 as black day to express solidarity with people of Kashmir.

MEA Spokesperson Vikas Swarup, in a press release, said that India is dismayed at the continued attempts by Pakistan to interfere in our internal matters. He reiterated that Pakistan or any other external party has no locus standi on the Kashmir issue.

“Continued glorification of terrorists belonging to proscribed terrorist organisations makes it amply clear where Pakistan’s sympathies continue to lie,” Swarup said.

Accusing Pakistan of seeking to derive political mileage out of Kashmir unrest, Swarup said India unequivocally rejects the decision taken by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s cabinet today.

Sharif today chaired a cabinet meeting, where he declared Wani as martyr.

“Pakistan would continue to extend moral, political and diplomatic support for Kashmiris in their just struggle for right to self-determination,” Sharif said.

The prime minister directed all the relevant departments to highlight the Kashmir issue at international fora.

Source: http://indianexpress.com

Pakistan covets territory of others, uses terror as state policy towards that misguided end: India at UN

Syed Akbaruddin, India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, on Wednesday strongly hit back at Pakistan for raising the issues of alleged human rights violations in Kashmir and killing of Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani during a debate on human rights.

Responding strongly to the remarks made by Pakistan's envoy Maleeha Lodhi during a high-level thematic debate titled 'UN@70 Human Rights at the center of the global agenda', Akbaruddin accused Islamabad of attempting to misuse the UN platform.

“The attempt came from Pakistan; a country that covets the territory of others; a country that uses terrorism as state policy towards that misguided end; a country that extols the virtues of terrorists and that provides sanctuary to UN-designated terrorists; and a country that masquerades its efforts as support for human rights and self determination,” the Indian envoy to the UN said in a hard-hitting statement.

He was responding to Lodhi who apart from raising the Kashmir issue had also mentioned the "extra-judicial" killing of Wani, whom she described as a "Kashmiri leader", by Indian forces.

Akbaruddin said it was Pakistan which had failed to convince the international community on its human rights track record.

“Pakistan is the same country whose track record has failed to convince the international community to gain membership of the Human Rights Council in this very Session of the UNGA,” he told the 193-member United Nations General Assembly.

“The international community has long seen through such designs. Cynical attempts, like the one this morning therefore, find no resonance in this forum or elsewhere in the United Nations,” he added.

Reiterating India's commitment to upholding the rule of law and protecting human rights, the Indian envoy said, “As a diverse, pluralistic and tolerant society, India’s commitment to the rule of law, democracy and human rights is enshrined in its founding principles.”

“We remain strongly committed to the promotion and protection of all human rights for all through pursuit of dialogue and cooperation,” he added.

Source: http://zeenews.india.com

Police release new photo of suspect in Infosys techie Swathi’s murder

The Chennai police released on Thursday a photograph of the main suspect in the murder of Infosys employee Swathi Santhanagopalakrishnan, who was hacked to death at a railway station on way to work last week.

Though officials have rounded up 20 people, they have yet to make a breakthrough despite releasing CCTV images of the suspect earlier. The Madras high court has asked police to solve the case by Thursday.

A police spokesperson said the suspect -- the new photo showed a man wearing a checkered shirt and carrying a backpack -- did not speak to the 24-year-old Swathi before attacking her at Nungambakkam railway station.

“The fact that he did not speak to her does not rule out that he was known to her,” an official said, adding the murder weapon --- a sickle --- was sent for forensic tests. Officials said the image was sent to a lab in Hyderabad for enhancement.

An eyewitness told a Tamil news channel that Swathi did not make a sound when the man attacked her.

Swathi was employed with Infosys’ branch at Mahindra World City at Singaperumalkoil, around 60km from Chennai. Her murder has triggered outrage in the civil society and among political parties.

After the high court’s intervention, the state government transferred the investigation from the Government Railway Police to the city police on Monday.

Her father has said the people at the crowded station remained mute spectators even as Swathi was attacked.

SOurce: http://www.hindustantimes.com

China pulls up chief negotiator for limited global support for anti-India position at NSG

The Chinese leadership has pulled up Wang Qun, its lead negotiator and Director General of the Arms Control Division at the Foreign Ministry, for failing to drum up significant global support for China's position in Seoul which blocked India's entry into the NSG .

Highly placed Western and Chinese sources said that Wang Qun had told Beijing that at least one third of the NSG nations would endorse China's position. However, the position was totally in the reverse, with as many as 44 nations backing India and China only having the support of four nations.

Beijing now fears that the fallout of the NSG outcome could have an impact on a crucial verdict expected soon from the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague in a case brought by the Philippines concerning China's territorial reclamation activities in the South China Sea .

As things stand, Beijing's stance flies in the face of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) of which it is a signatory. China's big fear now is India could use the same ploy that Beijing used in Seoul at the NSG plenary and back The Hague Court's decision which is likely to go against China.

Highly-placed sources said that the global support for India's position at the NSG could well be leveraged by New Delhi to back the enforcement of The Hague Judgment - a scenario which could isolate China and could even trigger its exit from UNCLOS.

Informed sources said the focus now shifts from the NSG to the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague where a judgment is expected, which when enforced, could force China to give up land in favour of the Philippines.

China has launched a worldwide propaganda campaign enlisting academics, legal experts, diplomats and foreign governments stating that such legal proceedings are invalid. But this position of China's is contrary to the rules laid out by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) of which China is a signatory. China claims that it has the support of 60 nations who believe that arbitration at The Hague is illegal.

China's worry now is that post its inability to generate global support for its anti-India position on NSG at Seoul, its position at the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague could meet the same fate, and this time, it could have to pay a very heavy price.

High-level sources said that Seoul's outcome has "shocked China". The government thought that its emerging superpower status would guarantee the support of at least 15 nations against India.

Western sources said China is "very sensitive"to possibilities of being isolated, and the developments and outcome at Seoul "came quite close to isolation".


China is paranoid about what might happen once the Permanent Court of Arbitration gives a verdict against Beijing and in favour of Philippines.


Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Woman Infosys Employee Hacked To Death At Chennai Railway Station

Infosys techie Swathi S took a train to her workplace from the Nungambakkam railway station in Chennai every morning.

On Friday, the 24-year-old bled to death on the platform as commuters who watched a man attack her with a sickle left by the next train.

One of her shocked friends said: "When I heard the news, I thought it can't be her. But when I saw her photo in an article on Facebook, I realized it was her. She used to take this train every morning."

The police say Swathi had been stalked for months by a man near her workplace, 60 km from Chennai.

At around 6.45 am, witnesses saw a young man approaching her while she was waiting for her train. The two were seen having a heated argument and then the man suddenly pulled out a sickle from his bag and lunged at her. Struck in her neck and face, Swathi collapsed.

Source: http://www.ndtv.com/

Live: As UK chooses to leave EU, calls for referendums surface

Britain has voted to leave the European Union to take greater control of its economy and its borders, shattering the stability of the continental unity forged after World War II.

The decision launches what will be years of negotiations over trade, business and political links with the E.U., which will shrink to a 27-nation bloc.

Official results released early Friday show the ‘Leave’ side prevailed 52 per cent to 48 per cent in Thursday’s vote, which had a turnout of 72 per cent.



 The U.K. is the first major country to decide to leave the bloc, which evolved from the ashes of the war as the region’s leaders sought to build links and avert future hostility.

Financial authorities around the world have warned that a British exit will reverberate through a delicate global economy.

Live updates (time in IST):

4:55 p.m.: Slovenia’s prime minister says Britain’s exit from the European Union will eventually help consolidate the bloc.

Miro Cerar said that the British vote to leave the EU will cause “a short period of relative uncertainty of international markets.”

Cerar added that after that it will lead to “further consolidation of the EU and encouragement to its renewal.”

“It is time to refocus seriously on our common future, in particular on those concrete elements to the benefit of our citizens which bond us and make us stronger,” Cerar says.

4:53 p.m.: Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders said that “what we have to do here is not business as usual, but look at the real concerns of citizens.”

Mr. Koenders warned of two short-term dangers — “those who want to take Europe apart, and the others saying we have to all at once go to even more Brussels, even more integration.”

4:50 p.m.: Austria’s chancellor says Britain’s decision to leave the EU shows the necessity for reforms, particularly in boosting European economies, stemming unemployment and improving working conditions.

Christian Kern says the EU needs “a reform process with a clear direction” that will be supported by citizens of member countries.

Rising disenchantment with the EU in Austria contributed to the strong showing last month of a euroskeptic populist candidate who came within a few percentage points of winning presidential elections.

4:45 pm: Scottish leader Nicola Sturgeon says a new Scottish referendum on independence is “highly likely” because of Britain’s vote to leave the European Union.

4:15 p.m: No need for haste on pulling Britain out of EU: Leave campaign leader Boris Johnson

4:00 p.m.: German Chancellor Merkel voices “great regret” at British decision to leave EU

Ms. Merkel says Europe shouldn’t draw “quick and simple conclusions” that would create further division.

3:50 p.m: Presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump, visiting Scotland the day after the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union, hailed the move, saying voters “took back their country.”

3:45 p.m.: Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico says the EU will have to react quickly to Britain’s decision to leave.

Fico, whose country is taking over the rotating EU presidency in July, says the bloc’s key policies have to change.

In a Friday statement Fico says- “Huge numbers of people in the EU reject the EU’s immigration policy, there’s big disappointment with the economic policy.”

3:30 p.m.: The European Central Bank says it is “closely monitoring financial markets” in the wake of the British vote to leave the European Union.

The chief monetary authority for the 19 countries that use the euro currency says that it “stands ready” to provide additional credit to financial institutions if they need it to do business.

It also said it was staying in close contact with other central banks.

1.32 p.m.: European Parliament calls special session on Tuesday.

1.31 p.m.: Bank of England chief Mark Carney says bank can provide liquidity in foreign currency if needed.

1.14 p.m.: The British government has a "democratic imperative” to call a referendum on whether Northern Ireland should leave the United Kingdom and unite with the Irish Republic, the Province's Irish nationalist Deputy First Minister says.

“The British government now has no democratic mandate to represent the views of the North in any future negotiations with the European Union and I do believe that there is a democratic imperative for a 'border poll' to be held,” Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness told national Irish broadcaster RTE.

“We are now in unchartered waters, nobody really knows what is going to happen. The implications for all of us on the island of Ireland are absolutely massive. This could have very profound implications for our economy

1.06 p.m.: Matteo Salvini, Italy's most prominent far-right politician, also hails the Brexit vote as an example his country should follow. "Cheers to the bravery of free citizens," the leader of the anti-immigration, anti-E.U. Northern League wrote on Twitter. "Heart, head and pride beat lies, threats and blackmail. THANKS UK, now it is our turn #Brexit".

12.55 p.m.: “The cabinet will meet on Monday, the governor of the Bank of England is making a statement about the steps it is taking.”

12.54 p.m.: “There is no need for a precise timetable today, but we should aim to have a new prime minister in place by the start of Conservative conference in October,” Mr. Cameron says choking back tears.

12.54 p.m.: “I will do everything I can as prime minister to steady the ship in coming months, but I do not think it would be right for me to captain that ship.”

12.53 p.m.: “This is not a decision I've taken lightly but I do believe it is in the national interest to have a period of stability and then the new leadership required,” he said.

12.53 p.m.: Cameron announces resignation.

12.52 p.m.: I fought this campaign with head, heart and soul, says Cameron.

12.51 p.m.: We must prepare for full negoatiations with E.U. with the involvement the Scottish, Weslsh and Irish, says Cameron.

12.50 p.m.: David Cameron says, “We trust the people with big decisions.”

12:40 p.m: Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn says British Prime Minister David Cameron must move urgently to stabilize the pound, which was trading around $1.3706 Friday morning after plummeting to a 31—year low.

Mr. Corbyn also says Britain’s main opposition party will oppose any emergency budget or expansion of Britain’s austerity program resulting from the Thursday vote to leave the European Union.

The Bank of England says it’s ready to take “all necessary steps” to help keep Britain stable after voters chose to leave the 28—nation bloc.

Mr. Corbyn says British manufacturing depends on trade with the EU and called for careful steps to preserve British trade. He and other senior Labour figures had urged voters to remain in the EU.

12:35 p.m: "Today on behalf of the 27 leaders, I can say that we are determined to keep our unity as 27," says European Union president Donald Tusk.

12:26 p.m.: Dutch parliamentary party leader Geert Weilders calls for Netherlands to hold referendum on its EU membership

12.07 p.m.: UKIP leader Nigel Farage says the European Union is dying after Britain votes to leave.

12.01 p.m.: U.K. Opposition Leader Jeremy Corbyn says Britons feel very angry at way marginalised by successive governments

11.55 a.m.: U.K. Electoral Commission declares Britain has voted to leave European Union.

11.45 a.m.: Official results show the ‘Leave’ won by 12,69, 501 votes (52 per cent).

11.40 a.m.: RBI watching all markets, including currencies, and will provide liquidity wherever necessary: RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan on Brexit impact.

11.40 a.m.: Top European Union officials are hunkering down in Brussels trying to work out what to do next after the shock decision by British voters to leave the bloc.

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker is hosting talks on Friday with the leaders of the European Council and Parliament, along with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, whose country holds the E.U.’s rotating presidency.

The four will try to agree on a European position on the vote, which could see a member country leave the bloc for the first time ever, ahead of a summit of E.U. leaders in Brussels starting on Tuesday.

Parliamentary leaders were meeting separately, and European commissioners the E.U.’s executive body could hold separate talks later.

11.30 a.m.: French far-right leader Marine Le Pen says there should be a similar referendum about E.U. membership in France after Britons voted to leave the 28-nation bloc.

“A victory for Freedom,” Ms. Le Pen tweeted. “We now need the same referendum in France and in EU nations.”

11.20 a.m.: India well prepared to deal with short and medium-term consequences of Brexit, says Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.

“Aim will be to smoothen volatility and minimise Brexit impact on the economy in the short-term, the FM says.

11.05 a.m.: Now that voters have chosen exit, will more referendums follow suit? Social media averse on this:

10.56 a.m.: Tally by the BBC shows Britain has voted to leave the 28-nation European Union.

10.40 p.m.: Germany's Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier says he regrets Britain's decision to leave the E.U., calls it a "sad day for Europe".

"The early morning news from #GreatBritain are truly sobering. It looks like a sad day for #Europe +the #UnitedKingdom," Mr. Steinmeier tweeted.

10:36 a.m.: Voters in Wales and the English shires have backed Britan’s exit in large numbers.

10:35 a.m.: London and Scotland voted strongly to stay in the EU but the remain vote has been undermined by poor results in the north of England.

10.30 a.m.: Dutch anti-immigration leader Geert Wilders has called for a referendum on the Netherlands' membership in the European Union after Britain voted to leave the 28-member bloc.

“We want be in charge of our own country, our own money, our own borders, and our own immigration policy,” he said in a statement.

Source: http://www.thehindu.com

International Yoga Day 2016: PM Modi, ministers participate with thousands across India

Underscoring yoga’s message of promoting harmony, U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday asked citizens across nations to commit to unity regardless of ethnicity, faith, gender and sexual orientation.

“On this International Day of Yoga, I urge everyone to embrace healthier choices and lifestyles and to commit to unity with our fellow human beings, regardless of ethnicity, faith, age, gender identity or sexual orientation. Let us celebrate this Day — and every day — as members of one human family sharing one common, precious home,” Mr. Ban said in his message for 2nd International Day of Yoga which is being commemorated across the world on Tuesday.

Mr. Ban called for equality among humans irrespective of their nationalities and sexual orientation assumes significance in the wake of the tragic shooting last week in Orlando in which 49 people were killed and over 50 injured when 29-year old Omar Mateen opened fire in a popular gay nightclub.

The U.N. Chief’s message for yoga day was read out by veteran Indian diplomat and currently his Special Advisor on Myanmar Vijay Nambiar during a special panel discussion organised here by India’s Permanent Mission to the U.N. on the eve of yoga day.

Mr. Ban said that the ancient physical, mental and spiritual practice of Yoga originated in India and is now practised in various forms around the world.

“Yoga balances body and soul, physical health and mental well-being. It promotes harmony among people, and between ourselves and the natural world,” he said, adding that the United Nations General Assembly had proclaimed June 21 as the International Day of Yoga in recognition of its “universal appeal”.

He noted the second observance of the International Day of Yoga highlights the important role healthy living plays in the realisation of the Sustainable Development Goals, adopted last year by all 193 United Nations member states.

Mr. Ban highlighted that as an exercise, yoga has multiple benefits and can help cultivate healthier lifestyles in current times when physical inactivity is linked with a number of non-communicable diseases, such as cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

“Practising yoga can also help raise awareness of our role as consumers of the planet’s resources and as individuals with a duty to respect and live in peace with our neighbours. All these elements are essential to building a sustainable future of dignity and opportunity for all,” he said.

Meanwhile, renowned spiritual leader and Isha Foundation founder Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev said that yoga is India’s gift to the world.

“We must understand that yoga is not an Indian (thing).

If you want to call yoga Indian, then you must call gravity European,” the Sadhguru said at a panel discussion organised here on Monday by India’s Permanent Mission to the U.N..

The Sadhguru said even though the idea of commemorating an international yoga day was mooted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it was “almost like the world was waiting for it” when 177 nations supported the U.N. resolution proclaiming June 21 as International Day of Yoga.

“Yes, yoga originated from India and as Indians we are proud of it but it does not belong to India,” he said, during the panel discussion ‘Conversation with Yoga Masters’ that also featured Tao Porchon-Lynch, 97-year-old Yoga Master and activist.

“The very fact that the U.N. has declared it as international yoga day means India has gifted it (Yoga) to the world. It does not belong to India anymore,” the Sadhguru said to an audience that included senior U.N. officials, ambassadors and other dignitaries from various countries.

Underlining that yoga is becoming a world-wide phenomenon, he said the science of yoga is not just about health and fitness but it is the “ultimate solution for every aspect of human existence.”

He predicted that over the next 30-50 years, there will be a big movement towards scientific process for inner well- being.

In a conversation with well-known author and activist Max Kennedy, son of American politician Robert F Kennedy, the Sadhguru said his focus over the years has been to remove all the “frills of culture” that yoga has acquired through the millennia.

Diplomats from Nepal, Bangladesh, Liechtenstein and World Health Organisation also spoke about the importance of yoga and shared personal experiences of how the ancient practice has enriched their lives.

President of General Assembly Morgens Lykketoft is the Chief Guest at the event, which will also be attended by Under Secretary General for Communications and Public Information Cristina Gallach.

The celebration will be led by the Sadhguru and include simple Yoga practice and a musical incantation on Yoga. Special Yogic meals will be served.

India, US To Ink Cyber Framework Accord

Ushering in a new era of collaboration in the cybersphere, India and the US will sign a framework for the bilateral cyber relationship between the two countries within the next two months.

The announcement in this regard was made in a joint statement after the White House meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Barack Obama.

During the meeting the two leaders emphasized that cyberspace enables economic growth and development, and reaffirmed their commitment to an open, interoperable, secure, and reliable Internet, underpinned by the multi stakeholder model of Internet governance.

"They committed to deepen cooperation on cybersecurity and welcomed the understanding reached to finalize the Framework for the US-India Cyber Relationship in the near term," the joint statement said.

A fact sheet issued by the White House said the framework would be signed within 60 days.

During the meeting PM Modi and President Obama committed to enhance cyber collaboration on critical infrastructure, cybercrime, and malicious cyber activity by state and non-state actors, capacity building, and cybersecurity research and development, and to continue discussions on all aspects of trade in technology and related services, including market access.

They have committed to continue dialogue and engagement in Internet governance fora, including in ICANN, IGF and other venues, and to support active participation by all stakeholders of the two countries in these fora.

President Obama and PM Modi committed to promote stability in cyberspace based on the applicability of international law including the United Nations Charter, the promotion of voluntary norms of responsible state behaviour during peacetime, and the development and implementation of practical confidence building measures between states.

According to the White House fact sheet, cooperation on cyber issues is a key component of the bilateral relationship between India and the United States.

The two countries have a strategic cyber relationship that reflects their shared values, common vision, and shared principles for cyberspace.

Both sides recognize the value of enhancing and further institutionalizing their broad-based cooperation on cyber issues, and in that respect, intend to complete a framework based on the following shared principles and intended forms of cooperation, it said.

The fact sheet said the two countries committed to voluntary norms under which a state should not conduct or knowingly support online activity that intentionally damages critical infrastructure or otherwise impairs the use of critical infrastructure to provide services to the public.

"A state should not conduct or knowingly support activity intended to prevent national Computer Security Incident Response Teams (CSIRTs) from responding to cyber incidents.

States should also not use CSIRTs to enable online activity that is intended to do harm," the fact sheet said.

Source: http://www.ndtv.com

'Proud To Be Modi Chamcha,' Says Censor Chief Pahlaj Nihalani

No apology, no resignation, said Censor Board chief Pahlaj Nihalani today, as he fielded multiple attacks for having alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party funded Anurag Kashyap's film Udta Punjab.

Mr Nihalani said he cannot substantiate his allegation but, "I won't apolgise, I said what I heard."

Top filmmakers today said they stand with Mr Kashyap, who says that the Censor Board has ordered the removal of all references to Punjab and elections, imposing 89 cuts in his film, which deals with drug abuse in Punjab. They described Mr Nihalani's allegation as an "insult to the entire industry" and have demanded not just an apology from him, but also his resignation, alleging a "conspiracy" to stall the film.

AAP too has strongly supported the team of Udta Punjab, and party chief Arvind Kejriwal tweeted, "Pahlaj Nihlani's statement makes it amply clear that he has stopped the film on the BJP's instructions." Theparty has linked the board's action with elections due in Punjab by early next year. In their campaign, AAP and the Congress have attacked the Akali Dal-BJP government in Punjab over the drug menace.

Mr Nihalani has denied any political influence in the censor board's decision on Udta saying, "The Centre never interferes with the censor board, there was no political influence."

But he did say, "Yes, I am a chamcha of Narendra Modi as Anurag Kashyap said. I am proud to be, a Modi Chamcha (acolyte). Should I be a chamcha of the Italian Prime Minister instead?"

The Censor Board chief has also denied that he has asked the makers of the film to edit out "Punjab" from the film's name, though he would not say what cuts he has ordered. He stands by them though saying, "only if one sees the entire film can one understand why 'Punjab' was deleted."

Hillary Clinton Claims the Democratic Nomination

Delivering an evocative speech woven with references to trailblazing women, Mrs. Clinton pledged to build on the achievements of pioneers like the 19th-century leaders at Seneca Falls, N.Y., who began the fight for women’s rights in America.

She took the stage with her hands clasped over her heart in gratitude, threw her arms open in joy and savored a long moment as a jubilant crowd waved American flags and chanted “Hillary.” “Tonight caps an amazing journey — a long, long journey,” Mrs. Clinton said. “We all owe so much to those who came before, and tonight belongs to all of you.”

What is stopping Aishwarya Rai Bachchan from wearing 'a white shirt and jeans' at Cannes?

It has been 15 years at Cannes for Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. And almost every outing, and outfit, has made news — good, bad and ugly.

This year, it was her purple pout that created a stir.

Starting with a gold cape dress, she followed it with a red number designed by Naeem Khan. During the premiere of Sarabjit, Aishwarya took her Rami Kadi ensemble to an edgier level by sporting a lavender lip. 16 May was indeed a busy day for Twitter, what with assembly polls and Aishwarya's choice of lipstick.

The former beauty queen describes fashion as "art". Which it is. In its purest self, it's an expression of individualism and creativity. But fashion on the red carpet isn't art; it's business. The Guardian writes that Cannes' screenings are by invitation and the official dress code is explained to guests: men should show up in black tie-black shoes, and women in elegant dresses with smart footwear.

Perhaps, that's what stopping Aishwarya. And other celebrities. That the fact that they might represent a brand (Aishwarya is the brand ambassador for L'oreal Paris). Or they might represent various jewellery businesses and fashion designers, who will have the satisfaction of seeing their creations on the red carpet. Aishwarya, this Cannes season, sported looks by four different designers.

How much is the red carpet business worth? A report by The Cut estimates that a red carpet day rate for a celebrity stylist is anywhere between $1,500 and $10,000. It details in neat mathematics, a breakdown of Charlize Theron's 2012 Golden Globes outfit. Another report, by New York Magazine, details the appearance fee for different celebrities. While Business Insider confirmed that jewellery designers, shoe designers and even tampon companies pay the celebrities who endorse their products. It is all about the money.

Source: www.firstpost.com

Saudi Arabia denounces Iran over decision to not send Hajj pilgrims this year

Saudi Arabia has denounced Iran over its decision not to send its pilgrims to the annual Hajj and has also criticised Tehran's demand regarding right to organise demonstrations during the Hajj and to have privileges.

Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said this in a joint press briefing with his British counterpart Philip Hammond in Jeddah yesterday.

He termed the Tehran's demand as unacceptable as it would cause chaos during the annual event.

Jubeir said, Saudi Arabia annually signs a hajj memorandum of understanding with more than 70 countries to guarantee the security and safety of pilgrims.

However, Iran this year refused to sign the memorandum.

Earlier, Iran's Haj and Pilgrimage Organisation announced that the country's pilgrims would not attend pilgrimage.

Iran has blamed regional rival Saudi Arabia for sabotage and failing to guarantee the safety of its pilgrims. Relations between the two countries plummeted after hundreds of Iranians died in a crush during last year's Hajj.

Earlier, Iran had boycotted the Hajj for three years after 402 pilgrims, mostly Iranians, died in clashes with Saudi security forces in an anti-US and anti-Israel rally in Mecca in 1987.

Source: http://zeenews.india.com

Boat ran out of fuel, water came from everywhere: migrants recount horror

Survivor accounts have pushed to more than 700 the number of migrants feared dead in Mediterranean Sea shipwrecks over three days in the past week, even as rescue ships saved thousands of others.

The shipwrecks appear to account for the largest loss of life reported in the Mediterranean since April 2015, when a single ship sank with an estimated 800 people trapped inside. Humanitarian organisations say that many migrant boats sink without a trace, with the dead never found, and their fates only recounted by family members who report their failure to arrive in Europe.

“It really looks like that in the last period the situation is really worsening in the last week, if the news is confirmed,” said Giovanna Di Benedetto, a Save the Children spokeswoman in Italy.

Warmer waters and calmer weather of late have only increased the migrants’ attempts to reach Europe.

The largest number of missing and presumed dead was aboard a wooden fishing boat being towed by another smugglers’ boat from the Libyan port of Sabratha that sank Thursday. Estimates by police and humanitarian organisations, based on survivor accounts, range from around 400 to about 550 missing in that sinking alone.

Source: http://www.thehindu.com

Tanmay Bhat, Lata Mangeshkar and Sachin Tendulkar: Here's everything you don't need to know

Tanmay Bhat's parodies of Lata Mangeshkar and Sachin Tendulkar has, to use a technical millennial term, broke the internet.

If like the rest of the world, you're wondering what the fuss is about, here's what really went down:

Bhat, a comedian, who had earlier posted a monologue on feminism, presented a short skit on Snapchat last week. Using the app's face-swap feature (you can unfortunately swap your face with anyone's or anything's), he mimicked Lata Mangeshkar and Sachin Tendulkar in a video titled Sachin v/s Lata Civil War. Starting with imitating Sachin, Bhat spouted lines such as "Virat is good with the bat, and the ladies”, and moves on to 'roasting' or as some people from the internet like to say, insulting Lata Mangeshkar (he says she is 5,000 years old). He also imitates Lata making fun of Sachin saying that her fans will mourn her by singing her songs at the singer's funeral. The video ends with a lot of jibes and insults in Marathi.

Bhat then took to Twitter to further voice his opinions.
But even before he posted the video, Bhat reportedly put out a disclaimer as saying that he loved both the icons.

As the controversy grew, the Shiv Sena and the BJP called for police action against Tanmay Bhat. Shiv Sena even asked the Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to take strict action against the comedy collective All India Bakc*** (AIB) and Bhat for allegedly seeking to vitiate social harmony through videos on Lata Mangeshkar and Sachin Tendulkar. The BJP's Mumbai chief Ashish Shelar also requested that a police complaint be filed against Tanmay Bhat and AIB.

The MNS meanwhile said that it will lodge an FIR against Tanmay Bhat and demanded that the video uploaded by him be removed immediately.

The Mumbai police has initiated a probe following the complaints. DCP (Operations) Sangramsingh Nishandar said the inquiry is being conducted by special branch of the city police. The inquiry was initiated after Shelar complained about the issue to city police chief Datta Padsalgikar.

Sachin's wife, Anjali Tendulkar also voiced her opinion on Twitter.

Source: http://www.firstpost.com

26/11: Pak court issues notices to accused, government over plea to examine boat

 A top Pakistani court on Monday issued notices to the seven Mumbai attack case accused, including 26/11 mastermind Zaki-ur Rehman Lakhvi, and the government over the prosecution’s plea to form a commission to examine the boat used by the 10 Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists to reach India.

“The Islamabad High Court has issued notices to the accused of Mumbai attack case and the government on the prosecution’s plea to form a commission to examine the boat at port city of Karachi,” a court official said. He said the court has also sought record of the case from the trial court — Anti-Terrorism Court Islamabad. The official said the date for hearing of the case will be fixed later.

Boat’s name: Al-Fauz

The prosecution had challenged the trial court’s decision to reject its plea to form a commission to examine the boat ‘Al-Fauz’ used by Mumbai attack terrorists so that the vessel could be made “case property.”

Al-Fauz is in the custody of the Pakistani authorities in Karachi, from where the 10 militants, armed with AK-47 assault rifles and hand grenades, had left for India to carry out the Mumbai attack in 2008.

Attackers used 3 boats

According to the Federal Investigation Agency, the attackers used three boats including Al-Fauz to reach Mumbai from Karachi.

It said the security agencies had also traced the shop and its owner from where the culprits bought the engine and the boat while a bank and a money exchange company were also traced which were used for the transaction of money.

Killer diary

The 10 LeT militants had left Karachi on the boat on November 23, 2008.

En route to their destination, they hijacked another boat, killing four of its crew. They allegedly forced the vessel’s captain to take them close to the Indian shores.

The captain was killed when the vessel reached Mumbai’s coast.

Inordinate delay, understandably

The Mumbai attack case is facing inordinate delay as no proceedings practically have been held for more than two months. The Mumbai case hearing is scheduled to be held once a week.

The lawyers associated with the case say as all Pakistani witnesses in the case have recorded their statements, it may further be delayed if India does not send 24 witnesses to Pakistan. They say Pakistan is awaiting India’s response on sending the witnesses here for recording the statements in the case.

Charges against accused

Mumbai attack mastermind Lakhvi, Abdul Wajid, Mazhar Iqbal, Hamad Amin Sadiq, Shahid Jameel Riaz,Jamil Ahmed and Younis Anjum are accused of abetment to murder, attempted murder, planning and executing the Mumbai attack.

Source: http://www.thehindu.com/

Iran says to miss hajj, Saudi 'blocking path to Allah'

Tehran: Iran said today its pilgrims will miss the pilgrimage this year because Saudi Arabia, custodian of Islam's holiest sites, was raising obstacles and "blocking the path to Allah" for its faithful.

The Iranian Hajj Organisation said: "Saudi Arabia is opposing the absolute right of Iranians to go on the hajj and is blocking the path leading to Allah."

The Saudi side had failed to respond to Iranian demands over "the security and respect" of its pilgrims to Mecca, of whom 60,000 took part in last year's hajj, the organisation said.

In the latest dispute between regional rivals Tehran and Riyadh, "after two series of negotiations without any results because of obstacles raised by the Saudis, Iranian pilgrims will unfortunately not be able to take part in the hajj" in September, Iran's Culture Minister Ali Jannati said.

Saudi officials have said an Iranian delegation wrapped up a visit to the kingdom on Friday without reaching a final agreement on arrangements for pilgrims from the Islamic republic.

The Saudi hajj ministry said it had offered "many solutions" to meet a string of demands made by the Iranians in two days of talks.

Agreement had been reached in some areas, including to use electronic visas which could be printed out by Iranian pilgrims, as Saudi diplomatic missions remain shut in Iran, it said.

It would be the first hajj in almost 30 years to take place without the participation of pilgrims from Iran.

Source:http://zeenews.india.com

Have sought report on Rafale negotiations: Manohar Parrikar

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has sought a report from the committee negotiating the price for the Rafale fighter jets as India looks at concluding the deal in a couple of months.

In an interview to IANS, the minister also said that concluding the deal by June-July will mean the first of two Rafale squadrons will be in place in two to three year’s time. Asked about the concessions sought by France on bank guarantees, the minister said any decision taken will be “within the legal framework”.

“Whatever happens will be within legal framework, governmental framework, and according to what has been done in past,” he said.

As per reports, Fence has rejected Indian request for a sovereign guarantee or bank guarantee for the deal, and instead offered to provide a “comfort letter” from the prime minister.

“At this stage, I do not want to interfere into or influence the committee that is discussing (the deal). I have told them they should discuss it and put up a report on this… what is the conclusion of the discussions,” he said.

“If the Rafale deal concludes by June-July we will have a squadron of Rafale in two-three year’s time,” the minister said.

He said that deal is in its final stage.

The deal for purchasing 36 Rafale combat jets in fly-away condition was inked during the prime minister’s visit to France last April.

A negotiating team was constituted to decide on the deal and is holding talks with the French side.

The deal comes with a clause for delivering 50 percent offsets, expected to generate business worth at least three billion euros for Indian companies.
Source: Financial express

300 people evacuated from Korean Air plane at Tokyo airport

About 300 passengers and crew members were evacuated from a Korean Air Boeing 777 at Tokyo’s Haneda airport after one of the engines caught fire, officials said today.

TV footage from the airport showed the plane, which was bound for South Korea’s Gimpo International, surrounded by red fire trucks and with the area around its left wing doused in foam. The plane’s inflatable emergency evacuation slides had all been deployed.

“The flight (Boeing 777) had a fire on Engine No.1,” a Korean Air spokesman told AFP.

“The plane bound to Kimpo (Gimpo) Airport from Haneda had 302 passengers and 17 crew members on board. (The) fire was apparently put out.”

Smoke was seen coming from the plane as it was about to take off at around 00:40 pm (0910 IST), officials of the Japanese transportation ministry and the airport told AFP.

Passengers and crew were evacuated and there were no reported injuries, NHK and Jiji Press said, citing police and fire department sources.

Source: http://www.financialexpress.com

Barack Obama pays tribute at Hiroshima nuclear memorial

Barack Obama on Friday paid tribute to the 140,000 people killed by the world's first atomic bomb attack and sought to bring global attention to his unfulfilled vision of a world without nuclear weapons, as he became the first sitting US president to visit Hiroshima.

"Death fell from the sky and the world was changed," Obama said, after laying a wreath, closing his eyes and briefly bowing his head before an arched monument in Hiroshima's Peace Memorial Park that honors those killed on August 6, 1945, when US forces dropped the bomb that ushered in the nuclear age. The bombing, Obama said, "demonstrated that mankind possessed the means to destroy itself."

Obama did not apologize, instead offering, in a carefully choreographed display, a simple reflection on the horrors of war and his hope the horror of Hiroshima could spark a "moral awakening." As he and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe stood near an iconic bombed-out domed building, Obama acknowledged the devastating toll of war and urged the world to do better.

"We stand here in the middle of this city and force ourselves to imagine the moment the bomb fell ... we listen to a silent cry." Obama said.

A second atomic bomb, dropped on Nagasaki three days later Hiroshima, killed 70,000 more.

Obama also sought to look forward to the day when there was less danger of nuclear war. He received a Nobel Peace Prize early on his presidency for his anti-nuclear agenda but has since seen uneven progress.

Source:  http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/

Rs. 1,000 Crore Spent On Modi Government's 2-Year Ads': Arvind Kejriwal

full-page newspaper ads marked the two-year anniversary of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government today, a sharp tweet came from Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who has been accused of spending crores on publicity.

Mr Kejriwal cited sources to allege that the central government has spent "Rs. 1,000 crore" on the ads.

The Modi government has planned a mega show at Delhi's India Gate on Saturday to mark the two-year celebration that will begin with the prime minister's rally in Uttar Pradesh this evening.

Mr Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi was criticized recently for setting side Rs. 526 crore in its budget for publicity.

The Congress has alleged that the AAP government spent Rs. 100 crore for self-promotion just between February and May. The party said an RTI query had revealed that Rs. 14.5 crore had been spent just on newspaper ads and the rest on TV, radio ads and hoardings. The money, alleged the party, could have been spent by Delhi government on the salary of poor sanitation workers and pension.

In his tweet today, Mr Kejriwal said his government had spent Rs. 150 crore in a full year.

Source: http://www.ndtv.com

In 1998, He Helped Save Her After A Devastating Fire. In 2016, He Watched Her Graduate College.

Peter Getz held Josibelk Aponte in 1998, after a fire ripped through a Connecticut apartment. Getz, a patrolman at the time, performed CPR on the 5-year-old victim as she was being rushed to the hospital, working in the back of a police cruiser, the Hartford Courant reported.

The fire was fatal, killing one of Aponte's relatives. But Aponte survived. The Courant reported that when she awoke after the incident, she was "surrounded by her family and the first responders who saved her."

"I did what I was trained to do, what I had to do," Getz told the newspaper this week.

"I almost died, but I was given a second chance at life," Aponte said, according to the Courant. "And it was because of Peter and all the authorities, everyone who came to help that day."

Aponte is grown now, 23 years old. This week, she graduated from Eastern Connecticut State University. And Getz, who is now retired, was there for the commencement, watching along with her family.

"Pretty proud of her, for all the adversity that she has overcome," Getz told The Washington Post. "Both physically and mentally, having to go through that, and losing one of your loved ones, that you were very close to. That she had stayed the course and that she had come out as a shining star."

Getz said he was dispatched to the scene of the blaze along with other officers, who worked on crowd and traffic control. Fire crews who responded to the apartment found two victims inside the building, including the 5-year-old Aponte.

"Josi was unconscious and basically in cardiac arrest, and I took Josi from the fireman, because he was in full bunker gear - there was no ambulance available," Getz said. "And since we were kind of close to the hospital, I was not going to wait for an ambulance, so I had another officer drive my cruiser, and I did CPR on her on the way to the hospital."

It really was a group effort, Getz said. Dispatchers took down the correct information, and let responders know that people were in the apartment. Firefighters made their way through a smoke-filled apartment, he said. Someone drove the cruiser to the hospital, where medical personnel took over.

"This is how the process is supposed to work," Getz said.

He was photographed cradling Aponte during the incident, a moment that was captured by a Courant photographer. And in the years that followed, he said, he kept tabs on her, "to make sure that she was on track." Then, about two years ago, Aponte got in touch with the retired Hartford police detective.

"She started to reach out to me and sent me an email," he said. "I think she Facebook-stalked me, is what she calls it."

And they've been communicating ever since.

"Honestly, a lump came in my throat," Getz said, describing how he felt when he received the first message from Aponte. "It was kind of cool, you know, that somebody would even remember you from that long ago. I mean, I always remembered her. There's a picture on my desk that her mom gave me a year or two after one of her birthdays."

When asked if he considered Aponte to be family, Getz said: "Oh yeah."

"I mean, physically, not in my house," he said, "but she'll always be a part of me and a part of my family."

Source: http://www.ndtv.com/

Stockholders Okay Twitter CEO's Plan to Donate Shares to Employees

Celebrating Twitter's 10th birthday at its annual meeting on Wednesday, stockholders of the micro-blogging site have approved CEO Jack Dorsey's pledge to give away one-third of his shares to employees.

Last October, Dorsey had pledged to donate shares to a pool to be "granted over time to Twitter's employees and other service providers," Forbes reported on Thursday.

The 6.8 million shares that the Twitter CEO plans to donate were worth about $200 million (roughly Rs. 1,343 crores) when he promised to give them to employees in October.

Since then, Twitter stocks have slid more than 50 percent owing to stalled users growth and falling revenues, lowering the value of the promised shares to $98 million (roughly Rs. 658 crores), the report added.

Twitter shares fell sharply about 12 percent after the micro-blogging website - which managed to add 5 million people to take its monthly active user base to 310 million - missed the first quarter revenue estimates last month.

The company posted $595 million revenue in the first quarter ending March 31. It was up 36 percent from $435.9 million (roughly Rs. 2,924 crores) in the same quarter last year but missed the $607.9 million (roughly Rs. 4,079 crores) expected on average among analysts, Forbes reported.

Twitter posted a net loss of $79.7 million (roughly Rs. 534 crores) compared with a year-earlier loss of $162.4 million (roughly Rs. 1,089 crores).

Twitter has predicted revenue for the second quarter between $590 million (roughly Rs. 3,962 crores) and $610 million (roughly Rs. 4,096 crores) much lower than the $678 million (roughly Rs. 4,551 crores) analysts expected.

"Revenue came in at the low end of our guidance range, as brand marketers did not increase spend as quickly as expected in Q1," the company tweeted.

According to Dorsey, the engagement on Twitter is growing. Direct messages are up about 50 percent year-over-year and tweets shared via direct message are up more than 75 percent quarter-over-quarter.

Twitter said more than 800 million people visit the site and there are more than 1 billion monthly unique visitors to pages that syndicate Twitter content.

The company also said that new follows on the service are up about 48 percent.

Dorsey hinted that Twitter's deal with the National Football League (NFL) to stream 10 games this fall will help the company earn better traffic.

Source: http://gadgets.ndtv.com

Spread of Locky Virus in Mantralaya PCs Contained, Data Safe: Official

The state's Information Technology department has managed to contain the spread of Locky virus, a file-encrypting ransomware, in computer systems at Mantralaya and all the data are safe, a senior official claimed.

The virus had affected about 150 computers, mostly in Revenue, Public Works Department and some isolated computers in other departments of Mantralaya and these computers have now been isolated and being sent for forensic tests, Principal Secretary, IT department, V K Gautam, said.

All the data on the Maharashtra Local Area Network (Maha LAN) are safe, he said.

"The virus first showed its presence around Friday last week, which probably sneaked into the Maha LAN through a spam mail," Gautam said.

After gaining entry into the system, the virus begins encrypting the DOC, PPT or other files into Locky files, the official said.

"When one tries to access these encrypted files, the system asks the user for lock key and then asks to pay for it in Bitcoins for granting access to the files," he said.

He added that the virus is actually very dangerous for the world of finance and corporates, wherein data related to financial accounts and other sensitive information gets locked and the user is asked to pay for the access to own data.

"The virus begins to send spam mails using the official e-mail ID deceiving the user in opening it or its mail attachments allowing the virus to enter the system," he said.

Users need to guard against accessing spam mails of such nature by clicking on to the senders' e-mail address to know the real sender and better still use only the official government e-mail Intra-net rather than private e-mails like Gmail, Yahoo and others, Gautam added.

"There are around 53,000 computers in various government departments in Mantralaya that are on the Maha LAN," he said, adding that following the incident, the IT department has fortified its server and data center and that no damage has been caused to the government files.

Both the Centre and the state government have a policy that mandates all its employees to use the official government intra-net rather than private e-mail, he said.

Download the Gadgets 360 app for Android and iOS to stay up to date with the latest tech news, product reviews, and exclusive deals on the popular mobiles.

Source: http://gadgets.ndtv.com

EgyptAir plane 'did not swerve' before crash

The head of Egypt's state-run provider of air navigation services says that EgyptAir flight 804 did not swerve or lose altitude before it disappeared off radar, challenging an earlier account by Greece's defence minister.

Ehab Azmy, head of the National Air Navigation Services Company, told The Associated Press news agency on Monday that in the minutes before the plane disappeared it was flying at its normal altitude of 37,000 feet, according to the radar reading.

He said: "That fact degrades what the Greeks are saying about aircraft suddenly losing altitude before it vanished from radar."

According to Greece's defence minister Panos Kammenos, the plane swerved and dropped to 10,000 feet before it fell off radar.

Greek civil aviation authorities say all appeared fine with the flight until air traffic controllers were to hand it over to their Egyptian counterparts.

Meanwhile the search for the plane, which crashed with 66 aboard on Thursday, continues, with French navy ships arriving in the Mediterranean Sea on Monday.

The 10 crew and 56 passengers included 30 Egyptian and 15 French nationals.
The vessel is equipped with sonar that can pick up the underwater "pings" emitted by the recorders. It is specialised in maritime surveillance, and rescue and marine police missions.

Moreover, teams searching for the black box flight recorders have been facing technical constraints.

Air crash investigation experts say the search teams have around 30 days until the batteries die to listen for pings sent out once every second from beacons attached to the two black boxes, as they scour 17,000 square kilometres of sea north of the Egyptian port city of Alexandria.

At this stage of the search, they would typically use acoustic hydrophones, bringing in more advanced robots later to scan the seabed and retrieve any objects once they have been found.

French investigators say the Egyptian jet sent warnings indicating that smoke was detected on board. The signals did not indicate what caused the smoke, and aviation experts have not ruled out deliberate sabotage or a technical fault.

Ships and planes scouring the sea have found body parts, personal belongings and debris from the Airbus 320, but are still trying to locate the black box recorders that could shed light on the cause of the crash.

The search for EgyptAir's Airbus A320 is especially challenging because its wreckage lies in one of the deepest parts of the Mediterranean, at a depth of 2,000-3,000 metres, which is on the edge of the range for hearing pinger signals.

Source: http://www.aljazeera.com