Wednesday, 28 March 2018

Enforcement Directorate captures close confident of Nirav Modi

New Delhi, Mar 28 The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday captured Shyam Sunder Wadhwa, Vice President, Finance, of Firestar Group and a nearby friend of gem dealer Nirav Modi under a Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The ED earlier on Saturday enlisted a body of evidence under PMLA against Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi, and others in the Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case.

Throughout the investigation, a total of 251 searches were conducted all over India.

It prompted the seizure of diamond, gold, pearls, and precious and semi-precious stones.

Further, connections of immovable properties having a place with Nirav Modi Group and Mehul Choksi Group have been provisionally attached.

The total value of seizures and connection is roughly Rs. 7638 crores.

A joint search with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was additionally directed on March 22, at the private premises of Nirav Modi at Samudra Mahal, Mumbai.

The search continued for three days and resulted in the seizure of antique jewellery esteemed at Rs. 15 crores, top of the line watches esteemed at Rs 1.40 crores, and paintings worth approximately Rs. 10 crores.

Prime Minister Modi says goodbye to retiring Rajya Sabha members

New Delhi, Mar 28 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday congratulated the retiring Rajya Sabha for their service and extended wishes for their future.

Addressing members at the Rajya Sabha, the Prime Minister stated, "We bid farewell to some of our MP colleagues in the Rajya Sabha. The greater part of the active parliamentarians have their critical commitment, significance, and each one of them has tried to contribute to the best of their capacity for the bright future of this nation, and the nation won't forget them."

The Prime Minister also said few of the famous individuals from the House designated by the President, "We will recollect forget the recognized work of Parasaran Ji. The players who have made India glad, Dilip (Tirkey) ji and Sachin (Tendulkar) ji-in the coming, days we won't have the benefit of their essence. Everybody will recall Professor (P. J.) Kurien and his grinning face; this has been his forte and he assumed an important role in running the House."

"Unfortunately, you won't be a part of Parliament when the long due choice on Triple Talaq is taken," he included.

The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, prevalently known as the Triple Talaq Bill, was passed in the Lok Sabha yet will be yet to get approval in the Upper House.

Prime Minister Modi also asked that the active individuals keep on sharing their considerations on indispensable issues.

Fifty-nine Rajya Sabha MPs will retire in April 2018.

Kim holds discuss with Xi Jinping in secret trip to China in front of Trump summit

Beijing, Mar 28 North Korean leader Kim Jong Un told his Chinese partner Xi Jinping that he is committed to denuclearisation as the dictator made a secret trip to China in front of his landmark meeting with US President Donald Trump.

Following two days of speculation, China and North Korea both confirmed that Kim had travelled to Beijing to meet Xi, with the two sides trying to portray strong ties.

Kim paid a four-day "unofficial visit" to Beijing from Sunday to Wednesday - his first trip abroad since taking force and his initially revealed gathering with a remote head of state - at the welcome of Xi, state-run Xinhua news agency detailed.

The state media affirmed the visit simply after Kim had come back to North Korea.

The affirmation of the visit finished hypothesis about Kim's mystery trip after Japanese media recognized a green prepare, like the one utilized by Kim's dad, touching base in Beijing on Monday and leaving the next day.

In spite of the fact that Chinese authorities had declined to affirm Kim's quality, there were additionally reports about overwhelming security on the China-North Korea fringe and later at an a guesthouse where unmistakable North Koreans have remained before.

During the visit, which was kept under wraps, Kim held converses with Xi at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing amid which the two pioneers hailed their countries' noteworthy relations, with the North Korean leader pledging that he was "focused on the denuclearisation" of the Korean peninsula, Xinhua revealed.

Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan held an inviting dinner for Kim and his better half Ri Sol Ju and viewed a workmanship execution together, the report said.

during the discussions, Xi invited Kim warmly and valued his celebratory message welcoming him for his re-decision as the General Secretary of CPC and leader of the military and president for the second five-year term, the report said.

Xi said Kim's present visit to China had come "at a unique time" and was of incredible noteworthiness.

"We talk very of this visit," Xi told Kim.

Xi underscored the significance of creating ties, saying it was "a vital decision and the main right decision," as indicated by Xinhua.

The Chinese leader said he was willing to keep up visit contact with Kim "under the new conditions".

Kim was quoted as saying that his country needs to change ties with South Korea into "a relationship of reconciliation and cooperation."

Kim also said that North Korea will hold summits with Trump and South Korean President Moon Jae-in.

"The issue of denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula can be settled, if South Korea and the United States react to our endeavors with generosity, make a climate of peace and security while taking dynamic and synchronous measures for the acknowledgment of peace," Kim said.

He said a progression of major and upbeat occasions had occurred sequentially in China as of late and alluded Xi's re-election for the second term.

Kim said it was his obligation to come congratulate Xi face to face, in accordance with the North Korea-China cordial custom, the report said.

"There is no doubt that my first outside visit would be to the Chinese capital," Kim stated, as indicated by North Korea's legitimate KCNA news office.

The North Korean leader said that many critical changes have taken in the Korean Peninsula where the circumstance is growing quickly and he believed he should come so as to educate Xi in person the circumstance "out of comradeship and good duty".

Despite the fact that partners, the China-North Korean relations experienced some testing circumstances since Kim assumed control as the incomparable pioneer of the nation as he squeezed ahead with his atomic program neglecting alert from Beijing.

Relations between the two nations have been stressed in the wake of Beijing amplified UN authorizes by blocking fundamental supplies like oil and coal following weight from Trump.

In his discussions with Kim, Xi said that China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), the official name for North Korea, had "conventional fellowship" which was "the valuable riches" of the two sides.

Xi said that China was ready to work with North Korea to advance long haul, sound and stable improvement of reciprocal relations that would profit the two nations, its people groups, and territorial peace, solidness and improvement.

The Chinese president made four proposals concerning the development of the two-sided relations: continuation of abnormal state trade, including close correspondence amongst him and Kim; make full play of vital correspondence; effectively progress tranquil advancement; bond the well known will establishment for China-DPRK fellowship upgrading people to people contacts.

Kim said he was greatly encouraged and inspired by Xi's vital perspectives on North Korea-China companionship and the advancement of relations between the two nations.

In the interim, the White House said Trump received a personal note from Xi about Kim's visit.

"The Chinese government reached the White House before on Tuesday to brief us on Kim Jong Un's visit to Beijing. The instructions incorporated an individual message from President Xi to President Trump, which has been passed on to President Trump, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said.

"The US stays in close contact with our partners South Korea and Japan. We see this development as additional confirmation that our battle of most extreme weight is making the suitable air for discourse with North Korea," Sanders said.

Tuesday, 27 March 2018

Mamata Banerjee meets Opposition MPs, against BJP front ahead of 2019 polls

New Delhi In further boost to the talks of forming an against BJP front, West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday met leaders from Shiv Sena – a NDA partner - and MPs from a few restriction parties including NCP and TRS drove by K Chandrashekhar in the national capital.

She was also due to meet ailing former Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, be that as it may, she couldn't meet the last as is as recovering from her illness.

Addressing a press conference in the national capital, Mamata stated, ''Yes, Sonia Ji is unwell right now and recuperating. I will meet her once she is fine.''

She also talked about her plans to meet sidelined BJP leaders - Shatrughan Sinha, Yashwant Sinha, and Arun Shourie and communicated her status in meeting the Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) central leadership if she is invited for talks.

''Tomorrow, I will meet Shatrughan Sinha Ji, Yashwant Sinha Ji, and Arun Shourie Ji. Will positively go and meet them (Mayawati and Akhilesh Yadav) in the event that they assemble us for a meeting to Lucknow,'' Mamata said.

She also attacked the Narendra Modi government at the Center amid her press briefing and said that the NDA administration has lost its believability because of its flawed choice of actualizing the GST and notesban.

''By introducing GST and Demonetisation, this legislature has lost all its validity. There is no security, fair rights for individuals. With cash, the administration is abusing innovation for their increases,'' the West Bengal Chief Minister said.

Attacking BJP over its Hindutva legislative issues, the TMC boss said that ''there is no greater shared gathering in the nation than the BJP. They convey lack of regard to the importance of Hindutva.''

''The TMC chief earlier met Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut and Nationalist Congress Party boss Sharad Pawar at the Parliament.

"At the point when political people meet at that point, obviously, they will talk about legislative issues, there is nothing to stow away in that. The Lok Sabha election of 2019 will certainly be very interesting," Banerjee told reporters after the meeting.

The torch TMC leader also met Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) MP K Kavitha, little girl of Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao. Amid her gathering with the Opposition leaders, Mamata examined the current political circumstance.

Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) boss and Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, who is enthused about a third front, had met Banerjee not long ago.

The Trinamool Congress boss is additionally anticipated that would meet Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the days to come.

Mamata's meeting with estranged BJP allies- Shiv Sena and TDP - and TRS and NCP MPs comes when the Opposition parties have together to press for a no-certainty movement against the Narendra Modi government in the Lok Sabha.

Outstandingly, BJP's disillusioned partner in Maharashtra, the Shiv Sena has officially declared to break the organization together before the general elections 2019.

Banerjee – a vocal critic of the Narendra Modi-led disposition at the Center - is viewed as a key player in a conceivable gathering of non-BJP political gatherings in front of the following Lok Sabha elections.

Rajeev Shukla: Steve Smith's IPL future to be decided after Cricket Australia's report

New Delhi, March 27 Under fire Steve Smith's participation in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season will be chosen after Cricket Australia's report, alliance administrator Rajeev Shukla said on Tuesday.

Smith has already stepped down as captain of Rajasthan Royals, his IPL franchise following the ball-tampering contention during Australia's third Test against South Africa.

"We were waiting for Cricket Australia's report. We have already written to them and we are expecting their written reply. The moment it comes, we will deciding about it. In the event that they will rebuff him then we will likewise think on those lines," Shukla told reporters.

He included, "We need everything to be researched. There are sure arrangements in our player controls, in like manner, we will choose. Our association will begin from April 7 so there is no rush."

Smith has been prohibited for one Test and fined 100 percent coordinate charge by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in the wake of conceding that he organized an arrangement to ball alter.

Following the scandal, Smith and David Warner both stepped down as Australia captain and vice-captain respectively.

The 11th edition of the IPL will begin from April 7. Rajasthan Royals are planned to play their first match against Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 9, who are captained by Smith's comrade Warner.

Farhan Akhtar 'for all time' erases Facebook account

New Delhi, Mar 27 Actor-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar has 'permanently' quit social networking site Facebook.

The move, it seems, follows the shocking reports of Facebook's data breach.

Without saying the reason, the 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag' star took to Twitter to inform his fans and followers about his choice.

"Hello. This is to inform you all that I have permanently erased my own Facebook account. Notwithstanding, the checked FarhanAkhtarLive page is as yet dynamic," he tweeted on Tuesday.

For the unversed, Cambridge Analytica, the political information firm with ties to United States President Donald Trump's 2016 election campaign, is under fire for allegedly gaining accessing private data of in excess of 50 million Facebook clients, and impacting races by using this stolen information.

Amit Shah blames Congress for separating Hindus in Karnataka

Davanagere (Karnataka), Mar 27 Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah on Tuesday accused the ruling Congress party in Karnataka of making a break between the Hindus.

Addressing a public rally in Davanagere in front of the state assembly election, Shah stated, "On one hand their party President (Rahul Gandhi)talks about joining Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians, then again their Chief Minister (Siddaramaiah) is making a separation between Hindus. Such a noteworthy inside clash isn't there in some other party."

This comes after Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah concurred religious minority status to Lingayats, a move censured by the Opposition leaders as an election gimmick.

Following the move, Shah launched a two-day campaign of the state starting March 26, keeping in mind the end goal to connect with the Lingayats and other minority groups.

At the rally, the BJP chief also assured to work for the interests of the farmers, "I need to guarantee agriculturists of Karnataka that we will work for the interests of the farmers in the state."

"There has been a BJP government in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh throughout the previous 15 years and farmer suicide numbers in these states have been low. The suicide cases that have been enlisted were because of discouragement and farmers' personal issues," he added.

Karnataka will go to polls on May 12, and the outcomes will be pronounced on May 15.

While the Congress party is trying to hold control in Karnataka, the BJP is pulling all stops to wrestle the southern state into its fold.

Sushma Swaraj to visit Japan

New Delhi, Mar 27 External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will leave on a three-day official visit to Japan from Wednesday.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in an official release stated, "At the invitation of the Foreign Minister of Japan H.E. Taro Kono, External Affairs Minister Smt. Sushma Swaraj will pay an official visit to Japan from 28-30 March, 2018."

During the visit, Swaraj will co-chair the 9th India-Japan Strategic Dialog with Kono on March 29.

"The two sides will survey all parts of two-sided relations and trade sees on territorial and global issues of basic intrigue," the discharge included.

In 2014, India and Japan closed a Special Strategic and Global Partnership amid the milestone visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Japan.

"Two-sided relations have been strengthened in diverse sectors as of late. The visit of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to India in September 2017 has given crisp driving force to the ties," the MEA said.

"Japan is today one of the largest investors in India, with a growing presence in framework ventures, producing, financial markets and capacity-building, among others," it added.

Putin blames Russia mall fire on 'criminal negligence'

Moscow, Mar 27 (AFP) Russian President Vladimir Putin today faulted the mall fire that killed at least 64 people in the Siberian city of Kemerovo on "criminal negligence" as he travelled there.

"What is going on here? These are not armed hostilities. This isn't a sudden arrival of methane. People, children came to unwind," Putin told authorities in Kemerovo in comments released by the Kremlin.

"We are talking about demographics but are losing such a large number of people. As a result of what? In light of some criminal negligence, slovenliness.

Saturday, 24 March 2018

NEWS HEADLINES FROM NEWS4EXCHANGE.COM DTD 24.3.2018

Koreas to hold meeting next week

Seoul, Mar 24 North Korea has agreed to hold high-level talks with South next week from now to talk about the insights around an inter-Korean summit.

The South Korean news organization, Yonhap cited the Ministry of Unification as saying on Saturday that North Korea has given its gesture toward the South's proposition for the discussions.

South Korea's Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon will lead a three-member delegation.

The Unification Ministry said in a release, "North Korea conveyed its agreement by means of the border communication channel today, saying it will send a three-part appointment headed by Ri Son-gwon, executive of the Committee for Peaceful Reunification."

"The government will make full preparations for the inter-Korean summit through the March 29 talks," it included.

Earlier on Thursday, Seoul had educated the Pyongyang by means of a border communication channel of its proposition for the talks.

Leaders of the two nations are expected to hold a meeting on the sidelines on the summit, which will occur in late April.

In the year 2000 and 2007 was the last time when South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean pioneer Kim Jong-un held a meeting.

Chandrababu Naidu: Amit Shah's letter full of false information

Hyderabad, Mar 24 Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday denied all cases made by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah in his letter to the Andhra Chief Minister. Hitting out at the BJP boss, Naidu stated, "Amit Shah's letter is loaded with false data which demonstrates their attitude."

"Even now Center is giving special advantages to North Eastern states. Had Andhra Pradesh been given a similar hand holding, numerous enterprises would have gone to the state," Naidu included.

The Andhra CM alleged that Shah is endeavoring to spread lies about the capacities of the Andhra Pradesh government, "Amit Shah in his letter says focus gave numerous assets to the state, we couldn't use them. They're endeavoring to state Andhra Pradesh government is unfit. Our legislature has great GDP, agribusiness and numerous national honors. That is our ability. Why are you spreading lies?"

Naidu's statement comes soon after the BJP president kept in touch with him naming his party's decision of leaving the NDA as 'unfortunate and unilateral'.

In a letter to Naidu, Shah wrote, "It is a decision; I am afraid, will be construed as being guided completely and solely by political considerations rather than developmental concerns."

"It is broadly realized that the Union Government drove by Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has investigated every possibility in guaranteeing the development and thriving of Andhra Pradesh," the letter included.

Seven days back, Naidu-drove Telugu Desam Party (TDP) separated its routes from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) over the interest for 'special category status' for Andhra Pradesh.

The BJP wound up in a tight corner in Andhra Pradesh after the TDP and YSR Congress moved notification for a no-certainty movement in the Lok Sabha against the Narendra Modi government over not conceding 'extraordinary class status' to the state.

The current political circumstance in Andhra Pradesh is of utmost concerns to the BJP since the state sends 25 individuals to the Lok Sabha and assembly elections are expected to be held in 2019.

The BJP has already asserted that the TDP's decision to sever ties with it is a timely opportunity for it to develop in Andhra Pradesh.

The TDP and the YSR Congress headed by Jagan Mohan Reddy are the two principle parties in the state.

While the previous has been a piece of the NDA since 2014, the YSR Congress too has frequently bolstered the administration in Parliament on numerous enactments.

BJP will win 21 seats in North East, says Amit Shah

Guwahati, Mar 24 Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Amit Shah on Saturday communicated certainty of winning 21 situates out of 25 parliamentary bodies electorate from northeast in Lok Sabha polls in 2019.

"In the upcoming elections of 2019, the BJP will win more than 21 seats out of the 25 seats (of upper east)," Shah said while addressing a rally in Guwahati.

Shah even attacked the Congress party and brought up an issue on the activities taken by them for the improvement of the Assam.

"The BJP needs to guarantee Assam's progress through development. Congress leaders including their party president had gone to North East for revives and had put unmerited claims on us. I need to ask Rahul Gandhi, what did he improve the situation Assam's advancement in last 10 years?" Shah asked .

He even blamed the resistance for stopping the working of the Parliament and said that they are prepared to discuss on all issues.

Amid the address, he also challenged the opposition to bring the no-certainty movement, including that the BJP government is altogether arranged to confront it.

PWD to resurface roads in congested Chandni Chowk regions

New Delhi, Mar 24 the public works department of the Delhi government has decided to complete resurfacing of streets and improve footpaths in the area from Lal Jain Mandir to Fatepuri Mosque in congested Chandni Chowk zone.

The office has approved an expected cost of around 2.46 crore to execute the project whose delicate will be glided soon, a move proposed to embellish the region of old Delhi.

An authority said the area engineer has been directed to submit the observing report each month once the execution of undertaking is begun.

"The division has offered endorsement to the resurfacing of road and change of foothpath of Chandni Chowk street from Lal Jain Mandir to Fathepuri Mosque for an expected cost of Rs 2,46,69,700," the authority said.

The road extend from Lal Jain Mandir to Fatepuri Mosque houses shops which witness expansive footfall of customers.

fodder scam case: Lalu sentenced to 7 year in jail

Ranchi, Mar 24 Former Bihar chief minster and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supremo Lalu Prasad on Saturday was sentenced to seven-year in jail in the fourth fodder scam case.

Lalu was held guilty in the Dumka treasury case by an special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court, here, earlier on March 19.

The RJD chief was guilty of falsely withdrawing Rs. 3.13 crore from Dumka Treasury between December 1995 and January 1996, when he was the chief minister of undivided Bihar.

Former chief minister Jagannath Mishra from the Bhartiya Jan Congress (Rashtriya) was vindicated by the court for the situation. No less than 14 others were also convicted.

Lalu Prasad is already serving a correctional facility term of 13.5 years in three grub cases and has been lodged in the Birsa Munda jail here.

Rahul to student: Demonetisation was crazy, says Chidambaram

Mysuru, Mar 24 Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday proceeded with his tirade against demonetisation and the Goods and Services Tax (GST) while saying that both did massive damage to Indian economy and job creation.

"I think demonetisation was a mistake and should not have been finished. Demonetisation and GST were huge harm to the Indian economy and occupation creation. I have an issue with the way demonetisation was completed, RBI representative, Chief Economic Advisor, Finance Minister, none of them knew about it. When I called Chidambaram, he called demonetisation crazy," Rahul said while connecting with the student at Maharani's Arts College for Women in Mysuru.

Reacting on the multi-thousand-crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case, the Congress leader stated, "Nirav Modi took Rs 22,000 crore of bank cash. Would you be able to envision what number of organizations could have been worked by young ladies like you in the event that we had given Rs 22,000 crore to you?"

Rahul further stated, "We are becoming pretty modestly as an economy but we are not making occupations, it is on the grounds that the those who have skills don't approach back and bolster. The issue is, huge amount of cash goes to 15-20 people."

Earlier in the day, the Congress chief, alongside Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, went to Chamundeshwari Temple in Mysuru.

Ahead of the election in the 224-member assembly in Karnataka, the state has seen visit visits by national leader, from both the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

While the ruling Congress is trying to retain power in Karnataka, the BJP is looking at to grab the southern state from it.

Friday, 23 March 2018

NEWS HEADLINES FROM NEWS4EXCHANGE.COM DTD 23.3.2018

Roger Federer has stressed about No.1 ranking quest

Melbourne, Mar 23 20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer has stressed that holding his world number one spot in rankings is close to a `mini goal` for him as he is anticipating protect his title at the Miami Open.

With a specific end goal to hold his numero-uno spot, Federer is required to make it to the quarter-finals of the Miami Open or else he would be outperformed by his long-lasting adversary Rafael Nadal of Spain.

"The number one ranking is in my mind somewhat, however close to that. It's a smaller than expected objective. It is decent to remain there yet it's not any more important than that," news.com.au quoted Federer, as saying.

Though Federer admitted that the quest of retaining the number one spot helps in keeping a player inspired, the disappointment of the same would not end his playing career.

"You have to win matches to go far here. Going sufficiently far to remain number one, it encourages my inspiration to have an objective. In any case, regardless of whether I don't oversee it, it's not the apocalypse," Federer said.

Federer will start his Miami Open crusade against an Australian qualifier Thanasi Kokkinakis on Saturday.

Donald Trump suspends metal tariffs for EU, different partners

Washington, Mar 23 United States President Donald Trump has exempted the European Union (EU) and its other key exchange partners from tariffs imposed on steel and aluminum imports.

The EU, alongside Argentina, Australia, Brazil and South Korea, would not be liable to the duties, US exchange agent Robert Lighthizer said before Senate Finance Committee on Thursday, the Independent reported.

"The idea that the President has is that, in view of a specific arrangement of criteria, a few nations ought to be out," Lighthizer said.

"What he has chosen to do, is delay the execution of the duties in regard to those nations," the trade representative added.

Earlier in the day, Trump forced massive trade tariffs amounting to USD 60 billion on China, with an end goal to prevent the last from taking "licensed innovation" from American companies.

President Trump signed a memorandum directing the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) and the US Treasury Department to launch an 'broad range of actions' against China in such manner.

Earlier in March, the US President imposes new tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, claiming the changed levy designs have been acquainted with stop "ambush on our nation".

The new order saw a 25 percent tariff on imports of steel and a 10 percent tax on aluminum. This might potentially have huge implications on the international trade front, with many experts predicting it will adversely affect oil prices.

Rahul Gandhi: BJP 'lying factory' at work once more

New Delhi, Mar 23 Congress president Rahul Gandhi today said the BJP's "lying factory" was at work again, stymieing a media story on Cambridge Analytica allegedly being paid to disrupt the Congress by turning "counterfeit news" of the gathering working with the information firm.

Picking up from where he cleared out off yesterday, Gandhi today again blamed the BJP for influencing the genuine news "to vanish" by blaming the Congress for working with the dubious firm accused of taking information from Facebook.

BJP lying plant at work: Journalist set to break issue on everyone's mind on how Cambridge Analytica (CA) was paid to penetrate and disrupt the Congress in 2012. BJP surges Cabinet Minister to lie and turn counterfeit news: Congress worked with CA! Genuine story vanishes, Gandhi said on Twitter.

He also tagged a media report featured, " 'Informant' Reveals Cambridge Analytica's India Link".

The Congress and the BJP are engaged in a slinging match with each blaming the other for using the services of the controversial data analytics firm previous elections.

Recently, Gandhi alleged that the legislature was managing headlines to deflect attention from issues, for example, the death of 39 Indians in captivity in Iraq and said the administration was baiting the media.

"Issue: 39 Indians dead; Government on the mat, caught lying. Solution: Invent story on Congress and Data Theft. Result: Media systems nibble goad; 39 Indians vanish from radar. Problem solved," Gandhi had tweeted.

Voting for Rajya Sabha polls starts

New Delhi, Mar 23 Voting for Rajya Sabha seats has started crosswise over six states.

For the 58 Rajya Sabha seats to be filled, 33 candidates from 10 states have been consistently chosen. Voting in favor of the rest of the 25 seats is being held in six states: Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Karnataka, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Telangana.

The Rajya Sabha opening one month from now incorporate 17 from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and 12 from the Congress.

Three selected members - actress Rekha, cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, and social worker Anu Aga - will retire in April.

The BJP has filed 18 candidates for the biennial polls. They incorporate Anil Baluni, the national head of the BJP's media wing, from Uttarakhand and Saroj Pandey, BJP general secretary, from Chhattisgarh.

Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare J.P. Nadda has filed nomination papers as the BJP applicant from Himachal Pradesh, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will challenge from Uttar Pradesh and Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad from Bihar.

The BJP has likewise handled Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Union Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot from Madhya Pradesh for another Rajya Sabha term.

Union Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Mansukh L. Mandaviya and Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Parshottam Rupala will challenge from Gujarat.

In Congress, Naranbhai Rathwa and Amee Yajnik will challenge from Gujarat and Dhiraj Prasad will contest from Jharkhand.

Akhilesh Prasad Singh and Lekhram Sahu will challenge from Bihar and Chhattisgarh separately, while Rajmani Patel, Kumar Ketkar, Porika Bairam Naik and Abhishek Manu Singhvi are challenging from Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana and West Bengal, respectively.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee prior said the Trinamool Congress would back Singhvi.

Mahendra Prasad Singh and Bashistha Narain Singh are the Janata Dal (United) contender for the polls.

Counting of votes will begin from 5 pm onwards on Friday. Results are relied upon to will be announced the same evening.

Karti Chidambaram gets bail from Delhi High Court in INX Media case

New Delhi, Mar 23 The Delhi High Court today conceded bail to Karti Chidambaram, son of senior Congress leader P Chidamabaram, in the INX Media corruption case.

Karti was captured on February 28 by the CBI on his arrival from the United Kingdom, and his 12-day judicial custody was to expire tomorrow in the case.

Justice S P Garg directed him to furnish a surety of Rs 10 lakh and imposed additional conditions including that he will look for earlier permission of the CBI if he wants to leave the country.

His passport is as of now kept with the experts, his legal advisors had earlier told the court.

The court also said that while out on bail, Karti won't tamper with any evidence in the case.

The CBI had opposed his bail supplication in light of the fact that he has "already destroyed" for the situation and was a "compelling" person.

Karti's insight had contended that no case under the Prevention of Corruption Act was made out against him since the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had neither scrutinized any open hireling, nor made them an accused in the matter.

Karti's legal counselors had denied allegations from securing messing with confirm and included that when the CBI had not looked for his further custodial cross examination, for what reason should he be kept in judicial custody.

He was arrested from Chennai regarding a FIR stopped on May 15 a year ago, asserting anomalies in a Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) leeway given to INX Media for getting assets of about Rs 305 crore from abroad in 2007 when his dad was the Union finance minister.

The CBI had at first charged that Karti got Rs 10 lakh as a pay off for encouraging the FIPB clearance to INX Media. It had later revised the figure to USD 1 million (about Rs 6.50 crore at the present swapping scale and Rs 4.5 crore in 2007).

The fresh evidence in the case, which set off Karti's arrest, depended on an announcement of Indrani Mukerjea, former executive of INX Media (P) Ltd, who recorded it under Section 164 of the CrPC before a judge on February 17. Indrani is right now stopped in a Mumbai jail regarding the instance of murder of her daughter Sheena Bora..

In the separate money laundering case arising out of the corruption matter, the high court had on March 9 coordinated the Enforcement Directorate not to capture or make any coercive action against Karti.

The protection was later reached out by the high court till March 22.

Therefore, the Supreme Court had transferred the ED case to itself.

AAP MLAs disqualification: Delhi High Court puts Election Commission proposal aside

New Delhi, Mar 23 The 20 MLAs had been disqualified on the recommendation of the Election Commission.

In a major relief for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the Delhi High Court has put aside the request by the Election Commission to exclude 20 AAP MLAs for holding workplaces of profit.

The 20 MLAs had been disqualified from office by the President, on the proposal by the Election Commission. The Delhi High Court has put that proposal aside.

This means, the 20 AAP members will keep on holding their seats.

In any case, the help for the Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his AAP won't be perpetual. The EC will now need to look again at the workplace of benefit charges against the 20 MLAs.

Thursday, 22 March 2018

NEWS HEADLINES FROM NEWS4EXCHANGE.COM DTD 22.3.2018

IAF chief says, Air force on a 'strong wicket' opposite China

Halwara, Mar 22 Indian Air Force (IAF) chief Birender Singh Dhanoa stated on Thursday that the IAF was on a "solid wicket" vis-a-vis China.

The air chief marshal's announcement comes days after Indian Army chief voiced worries about China's military development in the Doklam district, where the troops of the two countries were occupied with a remain off for more than two months a year ago.

"The air force is on a strong wicket against China. Whatever requirements are there from the monetary allowance, have been sent to the administration," Dhanoa said while tending to a question and answer session here.

As of late, Chinese President Xi Jinping, while at the same time tending to the thirteenth National People's Congress, had said that China would not surrender a "solitary inch of land".

He also heaped praises on the Chinese military forces, saying that they were the 'stepping stones' in building a strong China.

CPI-M: Congress won't succeed with another UPA try

New Delhi: The Congress won`t succeed with another UPA experiment as it has lost all credibility and the best ideal approach to vanquish the BJP in the following Lok Sabha election will be to pool in all hostile to BJP votes statewise, the CPI-M has said.

"The Congress would like to build an extended out UPA style alliance to counter the BJP," said an editorial in the CPI-M diary "People`s Democracy" following the Bharatiya Janata Party`s crush in two Lok Sabha by-elections in Uttar Pradesh.

"In any case, this won't succeed. The Congress has no validity to lead such a partnership as far as an alternative program.

"There are many regional parties like the BJD in Odisha, the TRS in Telangana and the TDP in Andhra Pradesh who won't acknowledge to be a partner in an alliance with the Congress," it said.

"There are different parties who are careful of tolerating the Congress as the pioneer of the partnership," the CPI-M included, naming itself as one of them.

Also, any effort to build a non-BJP, non-Congress "Federal Front" mooted by Telangana Chief Minister K.C. Rao wasalso bound to fail, the editorial warned.

"Some regional parties like DMK and RJD are with Congress in their respective states. Further, there are numerous logical inconsistencies among the provincial gatherings regarding approaches and local interests which will keep all the local gatherings (from) meeting up.

"In this way, most effective electoral tactics to defeat the BJP in the Lok Sabha race will be to guarantee pooling of against BJP votes state-wise. This is the thing that occurred in the UP by-elections."

The CPI-M said the BJP`s overcome in the Gorakhpur and Phulpur Lok Sabha by-decisions would have significant implications for the future.

"The UP by-election provides important lessons to the future regarding race strategies to overcome the BJP. In the event that the BJP loses the greater part of the seats in UP, it can't come anyplace close to a lion's share in the Lok Sabha."

Congress to move Privilege Motion against Swaraj for deluding family of 39 Indians

New Delhi, Mar 22 Congress on Thursday reported that they would move a Privilege Motion against External Affairs Minister (EAM) Sushma Swaraj for deceiving the groups of the Indians killed in Iraq by the Islamic State.

Swaraj on Tuesday told Parliament in New Delhi that the 39 Indians grabbed in 2014 by the IS terrorists had been killed. Four years prior, the Ministry of External Affair said the kidnapped Indians were alive.

"We are going to bring a Privilege Motion against the External Affairs Minister for misleading the families of the 39 Indians and in addition the House," senior Congress leader Ambika Soni told journalists here.

Congress leader and former MoS for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor, as well, had criticised the government for giving false would like to the groups of the hostages every one of these years.

"Offering lie to individuals is really pitiless and recommends a specific level of need straightforwardness on part of the administration, Tharoor said.

Echoing on similar views, another Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad on Wednesday asked the focal and state governments to expand money related help, including government occupations, for the relatives of the casualties.

The 39 people, most of whom hailed from Punjab, were working on projects near Mosul when they were kidnapped during their clearing in 2014

German President visit to India for four days

New Delhi, Mar 22 German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier touched base here on Thursday on a four-day visit to India.

The Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson, Raveesh Kumar, informed on Twitter that Minister of State (MoS) Drinking Water and Sanitation S.S. Ahluwalia got the German President, who was joined by his wife Elke Büdenbender.

"Herzlich willkommen! Warm welcome to President of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Mrs Elke Büdenbender to India. Minister of State, Drinking Water and Sanitation, S.S. Ahluwalia got the regarded visitors," Kumar tweeted.

Steinmeier will also visit Varanasi and Chennai. He is being joined by an assignment of media and Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) and indologists.

The visit is viewed as noteworthy after German Chancellor Angela Merkel was re-chosen to the German Parliament for a record fourth term on Wednesday.

A year ago, Prime Minister Narendra Modi went to Germany in May.

Ananth Kumar: Rahul Gandhi, Siddaramaiah are engaged in vote-bank politics and communal-disharmony politics.

New Delhi, Mar 22 Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar on Thursday took a correspond at Congress president Rahul Gandhi and Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and said they are engaged in vote-bank politics and communal-disharmony politics.

Kumar's statement comes a day after Rahul, who is on a two-day visit to poll-bound Karnataka, said that the Muslim ruler (Tipu Sultan) remains as a symbol of communal harmony.

"Unfortunate, that Rahul Gandhi and Siddaramaiah are engaged with vote-bank politics and common disharmony politics. Tipu Sultan, known for tyranny and oppression of Hindus is a black chapter in Karnataka's history," Kumar told reporters here.

"They (Rahul and Siddaramaiah) may celebrate Tughlaq celebration also," Kumar included.

This isn't the first run through when the theme of Tipu Sultan has caused a political slugfest between the Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Earlier also, the Tipu Sultan row had defaced the Karnataka legislative issues.

STEPHEN HAWKING: A SYMBOL OF POWER OF MIND By KAMAL JAIN

A big salutation on behalf of whole humanity to great astrophysicist Stephen Hawking for
his wonderful spirit, and willpower with which he was able to defy death for almost 50
years to continue exploring cosmos and unravel the mysteries of universe from his
wheelchair till his recent death at the age of 76 years.
Really he is one who would remain the symbol of power of colossal mind and shine as
star for ever for his pioneer work and achievements in cosmology despite his debilitating
disease known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and against all odds. Throughout his life,
he was only able to communicate using a single cheek muscle attached to a speech-
generating device. His courage and persistence with his brilliance and humour inspired
people across the world.
His major contribution was to make complex theories and concepts of universe and
cosmos more accessible and understandable to masses in lay man language. He had the
spirit and unbounded pursuit to gain a complete understanding of universe. More than
that he was always keen to connect with common men by sharing the understanding
about such complex issues in simple and lucid style. He brought the topics of universe,
black holes, space-time and future of planet etc., into the consciousness of public.
Despite being a theoretical astrophysicist and great cosmologist, he was natural and
gifted communicator who on one hand tackled the most difficult and perplexing topics in
technical sense and on other hand explained them to lay audience in simple words. It is
of course a quite unusual for a scientist of his stature.
Hawking attempted to combine relativity and gravity with quantum physics to provide a
better understanding of various phenomena in the universe. This led to many dramatic
predictions – for example, that black holes could emit some radiation, and given enough
time, even “evaporate” or disappear – with mind-boggling consequences.
He developed no boundary theory along with James Hartle and described how the
universe does not have a boundary and came into existence through the Big Bang. He
had believed that there was more than one universe. The theory suggested that other
Big Bangs took place and produced an infinite number of universes to be referred as
multiverse.
Stephen Hawking was popular for his studies on space but he cared even more about on
earth. In his later years, he expressed his concerns and wrote not just about cosmology
and astrophysics, but also about the future of humanity on a politically, socially and
environmentally fragile planet at risk from global warming, nuclear war or other
disasters like epidemic diseases, acidification of oceans, climate change etc.
He once said,” we now have the technology to destroy the planet on which we live but
have not yet developed the ability to escape it. Perhaps in a few hundred years, we will
have established human colonies amid the stars, but right now we only have one planet,
and we need to work together to protect it.”
Two weeks before his death, Stephen Hawking predicted ‘the end of the universe’ in his
final work- titled ‘A Smooth Exit From Eternal Inflation’ co-authored with Thomas
Hertog- a physicist from Belgium. This research work talks of how our universe would
eventually fade into darkness as the stars run out of energy. Understandably, the paper
got a lot of attention in view of the fact that Hawking had been working on it just before

his death. Some scientists are of the view that it could be a breakthrough in field of
cosmology.
Stephen Hawking won accolades from his peers for having one of the most brilliant minds in
science and some scientists are of the view that he deserved Noble prize which he could not get
because any of his theories has not experimentally been tested and proved so far. Never the less,
his life journey and work in the field of astrophysics and cosmology is larger than Noble Prize.

Wednesday, 21 March 2018

NEWS HEADLINES FROM NEWS4EXCHANGE.COM DTD 21.3.2018

PM Modi: Congress insulted voters by questioning BJP's huge win

New Delhi, June 26 Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday blamed the Congress for offending voters of the nation by questioning the massive ...