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<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pak-opposition-holds-imran-khan-responsible-diplomatic-debacle-india-167264">Pak opposition holds Imran Khan responsible for 'diplomatic debacle' with India</a>

Pakistan's two major opposition parties have questioned the "haste" shown by Prime Minister Imran Khan in making efforts to mend ties with India and held him responsible for the "diplomatic debacle", saying he should have done his "homework" before approaching India for a meeting.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/govt-has-taken-right-decision-army-chief-bipin-rawat-india-cancelling-indo-pak-talks">Govt has taken right decision: Army Chief Bipin Rawat on India cancelling Indo-Pak talks</a>

Indian Army Chief Bipin Rawat has said the "government has taken the right decision" in cancelling the meeting between the foreign ministers of India and Pakistan.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/maldives-votes-incumbent-yameen-expected-cement-grip-power-167251">Maldives votes, incumbent Yameen expected to cement grip on power</a>

The Maldives voted on Sunday in an election in which hardline President Abdulla Yameen is expected to cement his grip on power but which opposition and international groups have criticised for a lack of transparency and suppression of dissent.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/ready-war-choose-walk-path-peace-pakistan-army-167221">'Ready for war' but choose to walk </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/ready-war-choose-walk-path-peace-pakistan-army-167221">path</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/ready-war-choose-walk-path-peace-pakistan-army-167221"> of peace: Pakistan Army</a>

The Pakistan Army on Saturday said it is "ready for war" but chooses to walk the path of peace in the interest of its people, comments which came in response to Indian Army Chief General Bipin Rawat's remark that "stern action" is needed to "avenge" the brutal killing of Indian soldiers.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/irans-khamenei-accuses-us-backed-gulf-arab-states-carrying-out-attack-military-parade-167253">Iran's Khamenei accuses US-backed Gulf Arab states of carrying out attack on </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/irans-khamenei-accuses-us-backed-gulf-arab-states-carrying-out-attack-military-parade-167253">military</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/irans-khamenei-accuses-us-backed-gulf-arab-states-carrying-out-attack-military-parade-167253"> parade</a>

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei accused US-backed Gulf Arab states of carrying out a shooting attack on a military parade that killed 25 people, almost half of them members of the country's elite Revolutionary Guards.

Pak opposition holds Imran Khan responsible for 'diplomatic debacle' with India Pakistan's two major opposition parties have questioned the "haste" shown by Prime Minister Imran Khan in making efforts to mend ties with India and held him responsible for the "diplomatic debacle", saying he should have done his "homework" before approaching India for a meeting.

Pak opposition holds Imran Khan responsible for 'diplomatic debacle' with India Pakistan's two major opposition parties have questioned the "haste" shown by Prime Minister Imran Khan in making efforts to mend ties with India and held him responsible for the "diplomatic debacle", saying he should have done his "homework" before approaching India for a meeting. Govt has taken right decision: Army Chief Bipin Rawat on India cancelling Indo-Pak talks Indian Army Chief Bipin Rawat has said the "government has taken the right decision" in cancelling the meeting between the foreign ministers of India and Pakistan. Maldives votes, incumbent Yameen expected to cement grip on power The Maldives voted on Sunday in an election in which hardline President Abdulla Yameen is expected to cement his grip on power but which opposition and international groups have criticised for a lack of transparency and suppression of dissent. 'Ready for war' but choose to walk path of peace: Pakistan Army The Pakistan Army on Saturday said it is "ready for war" but chooses to walk the path of peace in the interest of its people, comments which came in response to Indian Army Chief General Bipin Rawat's remark that "stern action" is needed to "avenge" the brutal killing of Indian soldiers. Iran's Khamenei accuses US-backed Gulf Arab states of carrying out attack on military parade Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei accused US-backed Gulf Arab states of carrying out a shooting attack on a military parade that killed 25 people, almost half of them members of the country's elite Revolutionary Guards.

News brief: Big stories of the day

Uttar Pradesh Power Minister Shrikant Sharma Sunday asked the Congress to explain why the UPA government had not finalised the Rafale deal even after starting the process to procure the fighter jets.

"(Congress president) Rahul Gandhi should explain, why the Congress could not finalise the deal in over seven years, even though it started the process in 2007," he told reporters here.

The BJP leader also asked if the Congress was waiting for some Ottavio Quattrocchi to come and finalise the deal.&nbsp;

Quattrocchi was the key accused in Bofors scam

The Congress chief is unnecessarily raising the Rafale issue, he said.

"It also seems Rahul himself is not sure about the cost of the Rafale fighter aircraft as there is a variation in the cost of the fighter jets mentioned by him from time to time," the UP minister said.

Quoting Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, he said Gandhi claimed a price of Rs 700 crore per aircraft in Delhi and Karnataka in April and May, and in Parliament, he reduced it to Rs 520 crore per jet.&nbsp;

In Raipur, the Congress chief said the price as Rs 520 crore and Rs 540 crore per aircraft in the same speech, Sharma claimed.

To a question, he said, on moral grounds, Gandhi should answer the questions raised by the Union finance minister.

He also asked why the Congress chief was insisting that the government disclose the price of Rafale jets.

"The price is not being quoted as by revealing it, the enemy would not only locate the nature of fighter aircraft, but would prepare accordingly," the minister said.

Uttar Pradesh Power Minister Shrikant Sharma Sunday asked the Congress to explain why the UPA government had not finalised the Rafale deal even after starting the process to procure the fighter jets.

Uttar Pradesh Power Minister Shrikant Sharma Sunday asked the Congress to explain why the UPA government had not finalised the Rafale deal even after starting the process to procure the fighter jets. "(Congress president) Rahul Gandhi should explain, why the Congress could not finalise the deal in over seven years, even though it started the process in 2007," he told reporters here. The BJP leader also asked if the Congress was waiting for some Ottavio Quattrocchi to come and finalise the deal. Quattrocchi was the key accused in Bofors scam The Congress chief is unnecessarily raising the Rafale issue, he said. "It also seems Rahul himself is not sure about the cost of the Rafale fighter aircraft as there is a variation in the cost of the fighter jets mentioned by him from time to time," the UP minister said. Quoting Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, he said Gandhi claimed a price of Rs 700 crore per aircraft in Delhi and Karnataka in April and May, and in Parliament, he reduced it to Rs 520 crore per jet. In Raipur, the Congress chief said the price as Rs 520 crore and Rs 540 crore per aircraft in the same speech, Sharma claimed. To a question, he said, on moral grounds, Gandhi should answer the questions raised by the Union finance minister. He also asked why the Congress chief was insisting that the government disclose the price of Rafale jets. "The price is not being quoted as by revealing it, the enemy would not only locate the nature of fighter aircraft, but would prepare accordingly," the minister said.

Why didn't UPA finalise Rafale deal after starting process? UP Minister

Araku MLA Kidari Sarveswara Rao and former Araku MLA Siveri Soma were on Sunday shot dead in Andhra Pradesh's Vishakapatnam district.&nbsp;

Both men belonged to the TDP.&nbsp;One of the MLA's aides also died in the attack.

Visakhapatnam DIG Srikanth told ANI that 20 Maoists took part in the attack.&nbsp;

"We're trying to ascertain facts from the PSOs. As per preliminary information, 20 Maoists were there with weapons and there may be some more in the neighbouring vicinity and they came along with the villagers," said Srikanth.&nbsp;

"Around 20 members from CPI Maoist attacked them at around 12 pm, snatched the weapons from the PSOs, and later fired at them. Both died on the spot. Reason behind attack yet to be ascertained," Srikanth added.&nbsp;

News reports said the Maoists, accompanied by local villagers, had stopped Rao and Soma, and had talked to them about mining in the region. The reports said the mining is not popular with the people.&nbsp;

Then, the Maoists shot the two politicians.&nbsp;

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Around 20 members from CPI Maoist attacked them at around 12 pm, snatched the weapons from the PSOs, &amp; later fired at them. Both died on the spot. Reason behind attack yet to be ascertained: Visakhapatnam DIG Srikanth on TDP leaders Kidari Sarveswara Rao &amp; Siveri Soma shot dead <a href="https://t.co/itJVoSHi8A">pic.twitter.com/itJVoSHi8A</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1043803100606214144?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 23, 2018</a></blockquote>
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We're trying to ascertain facts from the PSOs. As per preliminary information, 20 Maoists were there with weapons &amp; there may be some more in the neighbouring vicinity &amp; they came along with the villagers:Visakhapatnam DIG Srikanth on Kidari Sarveswara Rao &amp; Siveri Soma shot dead <a href="https://t.co/6y5ZHzqHTL">pic.twitter.com/6y5ZHzqHTL</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1043804076473909248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 23, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

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Visakhapatnam: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Visuals?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Visuals</a> from the spot where TDP leaders Kidari Sarveswara Rao &amp; Siveri Soma, present and former MLA from Araku respectively, were shot dead by Naxals today. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AndhraPradesh?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AndhraPradesh</a> <a href="https://t.co/RoFBBHQUK7">pic.twitter.com/RoFBBHQUK7</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1043799801123373056?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 23, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The Maoists have for a long time reportedly warned that they might attack the MLA.

Kidari Sarveswara Rao was elected as an MLA for the first time in 2014 on a YSR Congress ticket. He later joined the ruling Telugu Desam Party.

The YSR Congress‘ petition for his disqualification is pending with the Andhra Pradesh assembly speaker.

&nbsp;

Araku MLA Kidari Sarveswara Rao and former Araku MLA Siveri Soma were on Sunday shot dead in Andhra Pradesh's Vishakapatnam district. Both men belonged to the TDP.

Araku MLA Kidari Sarveswara Rao and former Araku MLA Siveri Soma were on Sunday shot dead in Andhra Pradesh's Vishakapatnam district. Both men belonged to the TDP. One of the MLA's aides also died in the attack. Visakhapatnam DIG Srikanth told ANI that 20 Maoists took part in the attack. "We're trying to ascertain facts from the PSOs. As per preliminary information, 20 Maoists were there with weapons and there may be some more in the neighbouring vicinity and they came along with the villagers," said Srikanth. "Around 20 members from CPI Maoist attacked them at around 12 pm, snatched the weapons from the PSOs, and later fired at them. Both died on the spot. Reason behind attack yet to be ascertained," Srikanth added. News reports said the Maoists, accompanied by local villagers, had stopped Rao and Soma, and had talked to them about mining in the region. The reports said the mining is not popular with the people. Then, the Maoists shot the two politicians. Around 20 members from CPI Maoist attacked them at around 12 pm, snatched the weapons from the PSOs, & later fired at them. Both died on the spot. Reason behind attack yet to be ascertained: Visakhapatnam DIG Srikanth on TDP leaders Kidari Sarveswara Rao & Siveri Soma shot dead pic.twitter.com/itJVoSHi8A — ANI (@ANI) September 23, 2018 × We're trying to ascertain facts from the PSOs. As per preliminary information, 20 Maoists were there with weapons & there may be some more in the neighbouring vicinity & they came along with the villagers:Visakhapatnam DIG Srikanth on Kidari Sarveswara Rao & Siveri Soma shot dead pic.twitter.com/6y5ZHzqHTL — ANI (@ANI) September 23, 2018 × Visakhapatnam: #Visuals from the spot where TDP leaders Kidari Sarveswara Rao & Siveri Soma, present and former MLA from Araku respectively, were shot dead by Naxals today. #AndhraPradesh pic.twitter.com/RoFBBHQUK7 — ANI (@ANI) September 23, 2018 × The Maoists have for a long time reportedly warned that they might attack the MLA. Kidari Sarveswara Rao was elected as an MLA for the first time in 2014 on a YSR Congress ticket. He later joined the ruling Telugu Desam Party. The YSR Congress‘ petition for his disqualification is pending with the Andhra Pradesh assembly speaker.

Andhra Pradesh: TDP MLA, leader shot dead by Naxals in Visakhapatnam

Prime Minister Narendra Modi rolled out the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana-Ayushman Bharat from here on Sunday, and termed it a "game-changer initiative to serve the poor".

He said the scheme would come into effect from Sunday.

"PMJAY-Ayushman Bharat is the biggest government-sponsored healthcare scheme in the world. The number of beneficiaries is almost equal to the population of Canada, Mexico and the US taken together," Modi said.

In an apparent reference to the Congress, he said without empowering the poor, previous governments had indulged in "vote bank politics".

"It is the BJP government that is focused on empowering them (poor people)," he said.

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Even if one person in a poor household falls ill, their entire budget is shaken. I believe that "Ayushman Bharat" Yojana will help ailing people get rid of their diseases &amp; will also develop a sense of confidence in them: Home Minister Rajnath Singh at launch of PMJAY in Lucknow <a href="https://t.co/wD65jeOxmW">pic.twitter.com/wD65jeOxmW</a>
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/1043791458401054726?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 23, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The magnitude of the scheme could be gauged from the fact that more than 1,300 ailments are covered under it, including heart diseases, kidney and liver disorders and diabetes, the PM said.

"People are calling the scheme Modicare and by other names, but for me it is an opportunity to serve the poor. Even the ones living in the lowest strata of the society will benefit from the scheme," he said.

Congratulating the team that was instrumental in the programme's implementation, he said the officials would receive the blessings of 50 crore beneficiaries.

"I hope and pray that the poor don't have to visit hospitals, but, if they do, the Ayushman cover will be at their service. The poor of my country must get all facilities that the rich enjoy," he said.

Reiterating the slogan "Sabka saath, sabka vikas" (together for all, development for all), Modi said the Ayushman scheme is not based on any communal or caste lines.

"The programme will not differentiate between people, based on religion, caste, location. Every eligible person will be able to avail of the benefits," he asserted.&nbsp;

The health scheme will set an example for countries across the world, Modi said.

"No one needs to register for the initiative. A health card would be provided to the beneficiaries for availing of the benefits. A toll-free number will be made available to the people for finding out more about the scheme," he said.

Modi also said that 2,500 modern hospitals would come up in tier-II and tier-III cities and would generate employment opportunities.

"A total of 13,000 hospitals have become a part of the Ayushman Bharat scheme. Our government has taken a holistic approach to lay stress on affordable and preventive healthcare," he added.

Earlier in the day, the PM doled out token health cards to some of the beneficiaries after his arrival at Prabhat Tara Maidan here.

He also laid foundations stones of two medical colleges at Chaibasa and Koderma in the state.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi rolled out the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana-Ayushman Bharat from here on Sunday, and termed it a "game-changer initiative to serve the poor".

Prime Minister Narendra Modi rolled out the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana-Ayushman Bharat from here on Sunday, and termed it a "game-changer initiative to serve the poor". He said the scheme would come into effect from Sunday. "PMJAY-Ayushman Bharat is the biggest government-sponsored healthcare scheme in the world. The number of beneficiaries is almost equal to the population of Canada, Mexico and the US taken together," Modi said. In an apparent reference to the Congress, he said without empowering the poor, previous governments had indulged in "vote bank politics". "It is the BJP government that is focused on empowering them (poor people)," he said. Even if one person in a poor household falls ill, their entire budget is shaken. I believe that "Ayushman Bharat" Yojana will help ailing people get rid of their diseases & will also develop a sense of confidence in them: Home Minister Rajnath Singh at launch of PMJAY in Lucknow pic.twitter.com/wD65jeOxmW — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) September 23, 2018 × The magnitude of the scheme could be gauged from the fact that more than 1,300 ailments are covered under it, including heart diseases, kidney and liver disorders and diabetes, the PM said. "People are calling the scheme Modicare and by other names, but for me it is an opportunity to serve the poor. Even the ones living in the lowest strata of the society will benefit from the scheme," he said. Congratulating the team that was instrumental in the programme's implementation, he said the officials would receive the blessings of 50 crore beneficiaries. "I hope and pray that the poor don't have to visit hospitals, but, if they do, the Ayushman cover will be at their service. The poor of my country must get all facilities that the rich enjoy," he said. Reiterating the slogan "Sabka saath, sabka vikas" (together for all, development for all), Modi said the Ayushman scheme is not based on any communal or caste lines. "The programme will not differentiate between people, based on religion, caste, location. Every eligible person will be able to avail of the benefits," he asserted. The health scheme will set an example for countries across the world, Modi said. "No one needs to register for the initiative. A health card would be provided to the beneficiaries for availing of the benefits. A toll-free number will be made available to the people for finding out more about the scheme," he said. Modi also said that 2,500 modern hospitals would come up in tier-II and tier-III cities and would generate employment opportunities. "A total of 13,000 hospitals have become a part of the Ayushman Bharat scheme. Our government has taken a holistic approach to lay stress on affordable and preventive healthcare," he added. Earlier in the day, the PM doled out token health cards to some of the beneficiaries after his arrival at Prabhat Tara Maidan here. He also laid foundations stones of two medical colleges at Chaibasa and Koderma in the state.

Jharkhand: Modi launches world's largest health insurance scheme

A day after calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi ''thief'', Rahul Gandhi on Sunday took a swipe at Finance Minister Arun Jaitley with a cryptic tweet and accused him of defending the ''indefensible''.&nbsp;

Punning on the union minister's surname that he is a lier, Rahul tweeted, ''Mr Jetlie’s speciality is his ability to spin &nbsp;“2 truths”, or lies, with fake self-righteousness &amp; indignation to defend the indefensible.'' &nbsp;

''It’s high time he (Jaitley), the RM &amp; our PM stop lying and call a JPC to establish the full, uncorrupted truth about the #RafaleScam,'' he further said in the tweet.

Congress and BJP are locked in a war of words over the ongoing Rafale deal with both accusing each other of corruption.&nbsp;

Yesterday, Rahul Gandhi taking a swipe at BJP's much-touted surgical strikes on said PM &nbsp;Modi and Anil Ambani carried out a &nbsp;one hundred &amp; thirty thousand crore, surgical strike on the Indian Defence forces.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Jaitley on Sunday responded to Raul's thief remark.

Finance Minister talking to news agency ANI, on Sunday attacked Congress President Rahul Gandhi over lowering the public discourse. Jaitley said; "Public discourse is not a laughter challenge, you go and hug someone, wink at someone, then keep giving wrong statements. In a democracy, you have the right to criticise but the choice of words should be such that it shows some semblance of intelligence"

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Mr Jetlie’s speciality is his ability to spin “2 truths”, or lies, with fake self righteousness &amp; indignation to defend the indefensible. It’s high time he, the RM &amp; our PM stop lying and call a JPC to establish the full, uncorrupted truth about the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RafaleScam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RafaleScam</a>. <a href="https://t.co/iQxrV5ooN5">pic.twitter.com/iQxrV5ooN5</a>
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) <a href="https://twitter.com/RahulGandhi/status/1043822025234677761?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 23, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

A day after calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi ''thief'', Rahul Gandhi on Sunday took a swipe at Finance Minister Arun Jaitley with a cryptic tweet and accused him of defending the ''indefensible''.

A day after calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi ''thief'', Rahul Gandhi on Sunday took a swipe at Finance Minister Arun Jaitley with a cryptic tweet and accused him of defending the ''indefensible''. Punning on the union minister's surname that he is a lier, Rahul tweeted, ''Mr Jetlie’s speciality is his ability to spin “2 truths”, or lies, with fake self-righteousness & indignation to defend the indefensible.'' ''It’s high time he (Jaitley), the RM & our PM stop lying and call a JPC to establish the full, uncorrupted truth about the #RafaleScam,'' he further said in the tweet. Congress and BJP are locked in a war of words over the ongoing Rafale deal with both accusing each other of corruption. Yesterday, Rahul Gandhi taking a swipe at BJP's much-touted surgical strikes on said PM Modi and Anil Ambani carried out a one hundred & thirty thousand crore, surgical strike on the Indian Defence forces. Meanwhile, Jaitley on Sunday responded to Raul's thief remark. Finance Minister talking to news agency ANI, on Sunday attacked Congress President Rahul Gandhi over lowering the public discourse. Jaitley said; "Public discourse is not a laughter challenge, you go and hug someone, wink at someone, then keep giving wrong statements. In a democracy, you have the right to criticise but the choice of words should be such that it shows some semblance of intelligence" Mr Jetlie’s speciality is his ability to spin “2 truths”, or lies, with fake self righteousness & indignation to defend the indefensible. It’s high time he, the RM & our PM stop lying and call a JPC to establish the full, uncorrupted truth about the #RafaleScam. pic.twitter.com/iQxrV5ooN5 — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) September 23, 2018 ×

Rahul Gandhi calls for JPC to establish 'uncorrupted' truth in Rafale deal

Ten days after a 19-year-old woman from Rewari district was gang-raped, the Haryana Police on Sunday arrested two key accused in the case, including an Army man, both were on the run.

DGP B S Sandhu said with the arrest of Manish and the Army man, Pankaj, all the key accused allegedly involved in the incident, have now been arrested.

"Both the prime accused in the case, who had been on the run, have been arrested," DGP Sandhu said.

Earlier, another key accused, Nishu, and two others had been arrested in connection with the incident which had triggered nationwide outrage.

The gangrape had prompted opposition parties to demand Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar's resignation on moral grounds, alleging the state had failed to protect its daughters.

After the incident took place on September 12, the Haryana Police had set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT).

The woman was abducted at a bus stop in Kanina town in neighbouring Mahendragarh district on September 12 while she was on the way to a coaching class, the police had earlier said.

Ten days after a 19-year-old woman from Rewari district was gang-raped, the Haryana Police on Sunday arrested two key accused in the case, including an Army man, both were on the run.

Ten days after a 19-year-old woman from Rewari district was gang-raped, the Haryana Police on Sunday arrested two key accused in the case, including an Army man, both were on the run. DGP B S Sandhu said with the arrest of Manish and the Army man, Pankaj, all the key accused allegedly involved in the incident, have now been arrested. "Both the prime accused in the case, who had been on the run, have been arrested," DGP Sandhu said. Earlier, another key accused, Nishu, and two others had been arrested in connection with the incident which had triggered nationwide outrage. The gangrape had prompted opposition parties to demand Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar's resignation on moral grounds, alleging the state had failed to protect its daughters. After the incident took place on September 12, the Haryana Police had set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT). The woman was abducted at a bus stop in Kanina town in neighbouring Mahendragarh district on September 12 while she was on the way to a coaching class, the police had earlier said.

Haryana gang rape case: Two prime accused, including Army man, nabbed

Rejecting allegations of a scam in the Rafale fighter plane deal, Finance Minister Arun Jaitely on Sunday said that whether the planes are bought at a higher rate or not is a matter for the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) to examine. He asserted, irrespective of the allegations, the Rafale deal will not be cancelled.

"The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rafale-deal-row-accusations-baseless-says-rajnath-after-hollandes-claim-167123">Rafale deal</a> is clean and there is no question of cancelling it," Jaitley said in an exclusive interview to ANI. He asserted that the present Rafale aircrafts are cheaper than what Congress-led UPA government had negotiated and added that all these facts and figures will be placed before the CAG.

"Fortunately, there is pricing, and for security interest, that pricing can't be disclosed in detail. But I have come as close to this. If you take a weaponised aircraft as of 2007, add the same two things to it again and bring it to 2016 level, the 2016 level is 20% cheaper. Now the CAG will go into pricing. They may not eventually disclose it, but about being 9% and 20% cheaper or not, they are looking into it. Congress has submitted a memorandum. The truth will come out," Jaitley said.

Connecting the September 21 statement made by <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/former-french-president-hollande-says-indian-government-proposed-anil-ambanis-reliance">former French President Hollande on Rafale</a> in which he said the French side was asked by the Indian government to go with Reliance as an Offset partner, and a tweet by Rahul Gandhi on August 30 warning of impending news "in the next couple of weeks", Jaitley said that the two statements may have been 'orchestrated' as they are in perfect rhythm with each other.

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"I think he (Rahul Gandhi) is in some kind of a revenge mode. I won't be surprised if the whole thing is being orchestrated. On August 30, why did he (Rahul) tweet "Just wait for a while, some bombs are going to be burst in Paris"? And then what happens is in perfect rhythm with what he predicted," Jaitley said. 
 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-has-betrayed-india-gandhi-hollandes-reported-remarks-rafale-deal-167035">Rahul Gandhi</a> had on August 30 tweeted: "Globalised corruption. This #Rafaleaircraft really does fly far and fast! It's also going to drop some big bunker buster bombs in the next couple of weeks. Modi Ji please tell Anil, there is a big problem in France."

Days later, Francois Hollande told French Journal Mediapart in an interview that the French side had no role in deciding the Offset partner for Dassault and the name of Reliance was given by the Indian side. Hollande made this statement while defending himself and his partner Julie Gayet over alleged funding by Reliance of the latter's film.

Jaitley responded to this sequence of events, adding: "Yeh jo jugalbandihai, mere paas sabot nahin hai, lekin mann mein prashn khada hota hai." (I don't have evidence to back this but this apparent duet (between Rahul Gandhi and Francois Hollande), does raise a question).

However, soon after his statement to Mediapart, Hollande back tracked and went on to tell French agency AFP in Canada that he was unaware whether India had put pressure on Dassault to work with Reliance adding that"only Dassault can comment on this".

Dassault Aviation, the French and the Indian government clarified in their respective statements that the pact for Offset clause between Dassault and Reliance Defence was a private agreement between two companies and neither the French nor the Indian government were involved in it.

Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Saturday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and called him a "thief" for allegedly favouring Anil Ambani led Reliance Defence in the Rafale deal.

Defending the Prime Minister and the Indian government on the Rafale deal, Finance Minister Jaitley said that Hollande's statements were contradictory in nature. "The former French President is contradicted by the French government and Dassault, and the next day he goes and contradicts himself," he added.

Rejecting allegations of a scam in the Rafale fighter plane deal, Finance Minister Arun Jaitely on Sunday said that whether the planes are bought at a higher rate or not is a matter for the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) to examine.

Rejecting allegations of a scam in the Rafale fighter plane deal, Finance Minister Arun Jaitely on Sunday said that whether the planes are bought at a higher rate or not is a matter for the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) to examine. He asserted, irrespective of the allegations, the Rafale deal will not be cancelled. "The Rafale deal is clean and there is no question of cancelling it," Jaitley said in an exclusive interview to ANI. He asserted that the present Rafale aircrafts are cheaper than what Congress-led UPA government had negotiated and added that all these facts and figures will be placed before the CAG. "Fortunately, there is pricing, and for security interest, that pricing can't be disclosed in detail. But I have come as close to this. If you take a weaponised aircraft as of 2007, add the same two things to it again and bring it to 2016 level, the 2016 level is 20% cheaper. Now the CAG will go into pricing. They may not eventually disclose it, but about being 9% and 20% cheaper or not, they are looking into it. Congress has submitted a memorandum. The truth will come out," Jaitley said. Connecting the September 21 statement made by former French President Hollande on Rafale in which he said the French side was asked by the Indian government to go with Reliance as an Offset partner, and a tweet by Rahul Gandhi on August 30 warning of impending news "in the next couple of weeks", Jaitley said that the two statements may have been 'orchestrated' as they are in perfect rhythm with each other. WATCH: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley speaks to ANI over former French President Francois Hollande's recent revelati… https://t.co/48drvb5GJe — ANI (@ANI) September 23, 2018 × "I think he (Rahul Gandhi) is in some kind of a revenge mode. I won't be surprised if the whole thing is being orchestrated. On August 30, why did he (Rahul) tweet "Just wait for a while, some bombs are going to be burst in Paris"? And then what happens is in perfect rhythm with what he predicted," Jaitley said. Rahul Gandhi had on August 30 tweeted: "Globalised corruption. This #Rafaleaircraft really does fly far and fast! It's also going to drop some big bunker buster bombs in the next couple of weeks. Modi Ji please tell Anil, there is a big problem in France." Days later, Francois Hollande told French Journal Mediapart in an interview that the French side had no role in deciding the Offset partner for Dassault and the name of Reliance was given by the Indian side. Hollande made this statement while defending himself and his partner Julie Gayet over alleged funding by Reliance of the latter's film. Jaitley responded to this sequence of events, adding: "Yeh jo jugalbandihai, mere paas sabot nahin hai, lekin mann mein prashn khada hota hai." (I don't have evidence to back this but this apparent duet (between Rahul Gandhi and Francois Hollande), does raise a question). However, soon after his statement to Mediapart, Hollande back tracked and went on to tell French agency AFP in Canada that he was unaware whether India had put pressure on Dassault to work with Reliance adding that"only Dassault can comment on this". Dassault Aviation, the French and the Indian government clarified in their respective statements that the pact for Offset clause between Dassault and Reliance Defence was a private agreement between two companies and neither the French nor the Indian government were involved in it. Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Saturday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and called him a "thief" for allegedly favouring Anil Ambani led Reliance Defence in the Rafale deal. Defending the Prime Minister and the Indian government on the Rafale deal, Finance Minister Jaitley said that Hollande's statements were contradictory in nature. "The former French President is contradicted by the French government and Dassault, and the next day he goes and contradicts himself," he added.

Rafale will not be cancelled, Rahul, Hollande 'orchestrated' controversy: Jaitley

Veteran Indian Cricketer Gautam Gambhir's Twitter account was hacked on Friday by an anonymous hacker.

In a Tweet, on September 21 Gambhir mentioned the alleged hacking of his social media account.

He tweeted, "My earlier tweets regarding my twitter handle being hacked were deleted. This confirms again that my account is hacked. @TwitterIndia @Twitter @TwitterSupport @TwitterSafety need some action from you guys.

He posted another tweet warning former cricketers Adam Gilchrist, Michael Clarke, Kumar Sangakkara and actress Chitrangada Singh as a personal message was sent from his hacked account to them.

Gambhir tweeted, "Hi @gilly381 @MClarke23 @KumarSanga2 @IChitrangda my twitter handle seems to be hacked. Please ignore the messages and I fear that hackers may have got out some personal info from you guys as well. Please beware." 
&nbsp;

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My earlier tweets regarding my twitter handle being hacked were deleted. This confirms again that my account is hacked. <a href="https://twitter.com/TwitterIndia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TwitterIndia</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Twitter?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Twitter</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/TwitterSupport?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TwitterSupport</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/TwitterSafety?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TwitterSafety</a> need some action from you guys.
— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) <a href="https://twitter.com/GautamGambhir/status/1043311695685402624?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 22, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

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Hi <a href="https://twitter.com/gilly381?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@gilly381</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MClarke23?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MClarke23</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/KumarSanga2?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KumarSanga2</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/IChitrangda?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IChitrangda</a> my twitter handle seems to be hacked. Please ignore the messages and I fear that hackers may have got out some personal info from you guys as well. Please beware.
— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) <a href="https://twitter.com/GautamGambhir/status/1043317637701357569?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 22, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Gambhir last played for India in a Test Match against England in November 2016.

He is currently playing for the Vijay Hazare Trophy in Delhi.

&nbsp;

Veteran Indian Cricketer Gautam Gambhir's Twitter account was hacked on Friday by an anonymous hacker. In a Tweet, on September 21 Gambhir mentioned the alleged hacking of his social media account.

Veteran Indian Cricketer Gautam Gambhir's Twitter account was hacked on Friday by an anonymous hacker. In a Tweet, on September 21 Gambhir mentioned the alleged hacking of his social media account. He tweeted, "My earlier tweets regarding my twitter handle being hacked were deleted. This confirms again that my account is hacked. @TwitterIndia @Twitter @TwitterSupport @TwitterSafety need some action from you guys. He posted another tweet warning former cricketers Adam Gilchrist, Michael Clarke, Kumar Sangakkara and actress Chitrangada Singh as a personal message was sent from his hacked account to them. Gambhir tweeted, "Hi @gilly381 @MClarke23 @KumarSanga2 @IChitrangda my twitter handle seems to be hacked. Please ignore the messages and I fear that hackers may have got out some personal info from you guys as well. Please beware." My earlier tweets regarding my twitter handle being hacked were deleted. This confirms again that my account is hacked. @TwitterIndia @Twitter @TwitterSupport @TwitterSafety need some action from you guys. — Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) September 22, 2018 × Hi @gilly381 @MClarke23 @KumarSanga2 @IChitrangda my twitter handle seems to be hacked. Please ignore the messages and I fear that hackers may have got out some personal info from you guys as well. Please beware. — Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) September 22, 2018 × Gambhir last played for India in a Test Match against England in November 2016. He is currently playing for the Vijay Hazare Trophy in Delhi.

Gautam Gambhir says Twitter account hacked, tells actor Chitrangada Singh to 'beware'

Claiming that the ruling TRS in&nbsp;Telangana is now worried for having chosen to advance the assembly elections, senior Congress leader S Jaipal Reddy has said his party would have the upper hand in the polls.

"KCR (TRS president and caretaker Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao) is now worried that he has taken a hurried step. There is fright in the TRS camp," he told.

The polls were originally scheduled to be held simultaneously with the Lok Sabha elections next year.

But the Assembly was dissolved earlier this month as per a recommendation of the state cabinet, which necessitated elections ahead of schedule.

In a swift move, TRS had announced candidates for 105 of the total of 119 assembly segments the day Assembly was dissolved.

Reddy said 50-60 per cent of Congress' candidates are known to the people and the remaining would be finalised as per the party's process.

He also said the dates of elections are not known yet and that the matter of alleged irregularities in voters' lists in the state was before the court (Supreme Court).

"There are many aspects to the electoral scene in Telangana. First of all, it's still not clear when the elections will be or should be held.

In my view, the notification date for enrolment of voters cannot be changed by the Election Commission. That's now under the court's purview," Reddy said.

He said Congress would have the upper hand in the polls as every section of society is 'unhappy' with the TRS government.

"I am staking my personal reputation by stating that Congress will have the upper hand in Telangana. Every section in society is unhappy with KCR. They think that he has cheated every group in Telangana.&nbsp;There is a huge reaction. The reaction has so far been silent. From now, it will not be silent," Reddy said.

He dismissed TRS' charge that the proposed alliance between Congress and TDP (as part of a grand alliance among various parties) is 'unholy' as both have been bitter rivals.

"As yet, there is no alliance. But I am not ruling out an alliance. What is so unholy about it? Mr KCR and Mr Chandrababu Naidu canvassed together in 2009 elections. 
So it is like the devil citing the scriptures," Reddy said.&nbsp;

Claiming that the ruling TRS in Telangana is now worried for having chosen to advance the assembly elections, senior Congress leader S Jaipal Reddy has said his party would have the upper hand in the polls.

Claiming that the ruling TRS in Telangana is now worried for having chosen to advance the assembly elections, senior Congress leader S Jaipal Reddy has said his party would have the upper hand in the polls. "KCR (TRS president and caretaker Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao) is now worried that he has taken a hurried step. There is fright in the TRS camp," he told. The polls were originally scheduled to be held simultaneously with the Lok Sabha elections next year. But the Assembly was dissolved earlier this month as per a recommendation of the state cabinet, which necessitated elections ahead of schedule. In a swift move, TRS had announced candidates for 105 of the total of 119 assembly segments the day Assembly was dissolved. Reddy said 50-60 per cent of Congress' candidates are known to the people and the remaining would be finalised as per the party's process. He also said the dates of elections are not known yet and that the matter of alleged irregularities in voters' lists in the state was before the court (Supreme Court). "There are many aspects to the electoral scene in Telangana. First of all, it's still not clear when the elections will be or should be held. In my view, the notification date for enrolment of voters cannot be changed by the Election Commission. That's now under the court's purview," Reddy said. He said Congress would have the upper hand in the polls as every section of society is 'unhappy' with the TRS government. "I am staking my personal reputation by stating that Congress will have the upper hand in Telangana. Every section in society is unhappy with KCR. They think that he has cheated every group in Telangana. There is a huge reaction. The reaction has so far been silent. From now, it will not be silent," Reddy said. He dismissed TRS' charge that the proposed alliance between Congress and TDP (as part of a grand alliance among various parties) is 'unholy' as both have been bitter rivals. "As yet, there is no alliance. But I am not ruling out an alliance. What is so unholy about it? Mr KCR and Mr Chandrababu Naidu canvassed together in 2009 elections. So it is like the devil citing the scriptures," Reddy said.

Ruling TRS worried about advancing Telangana assembly polls: Jaipal Reddy

Ruling AIADMK MLA S Karunaas was arrested here Sunday over some alleged provocative remarks made at a recent public meeting against the Chief Minister and police.

The issue, however, prompted the Opposition, including the DMK, to question why police were not acting against BJP leaders H Raja and S Ve Shekher who are also facing a number of cases.

Karunaas, also a well-known actor and founder of a small outfit, was picked up from his house this morning by a special team, police said.

At a recent public meeting, Karunaas had reportedly made some remarks in relation to Chief Minister K Palaniswami and the police, besides some alleged caste related ones, drawing criticism from various quarters.

The actor, who aligned with AIADMK for the 2016 Assembly polls, was elected from Tiruvadanai constituency in Ramanathapuram district on an AIADMK ticket.

He had later met sidelined AIADMK leader and RK Nagar MLA TTV Dhinakaran, who has also floated his own Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK), post his ouster from the AIADMK.

Responding to the police action against him, Karunaas said he was not aware whether the Speaker P Dhanapal's approval was taken prior to his arrest as is the requirement and charged the government with "denying freedom of expression."

"I am ready to face the matter in the court," he said.

DMK President MK Stalin as well as Dhinakaran said Karunaas could have avoided making such remarks but wondered why Raja and Shekher have not yet been arrested.

There was no doubt that elected representatives should "not exceed their limits" and they had the duty of ensuring public peace and harmony, Stalin said in a statement.

Karunaas had, however, expressed regret for his utterances, the DMK Chief said and sought to know why the MLA was still picked up.

"The rule of law is being selectively implemented in Tamil Nadu. Raja, who threatened to damage statues of (rational leader EVR) Periyar and one who demeaned and defamed police, besides making remarks against spouses of temple administration staff, has not yet been arrested," he said.

Stalin, Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly, said Raja was still attending public events with police protection and asked why another BJP member, Shekher, was also still not arrested in connection with a case of making demeaning remarks against women journalists.

"There is one rule for Karunaas and another for Raja and Shekher and this is an injustice. This attitude of the AIADMK government is condemnable," he added.

Dhinakaran also said it was "wrong" on the part of Karunaas to have made such remarks "emotionally" and regretted that his "friend" has been arrested.

He also sought to know why the K Palaniswami government was yet to act against Raja.

"The government and police should take a consistent stand. Raja is making so many remarks. He spoke against the police and juiciary. The police department just filed a case against him and has gone silent," he said.

DMDK founder Vijayakant 'condemned' the arrest of Karunaas and asked why "some other persons freely airing their views" were not facing action, apparently referring to Raja.

Ruling AIADMK MLA S Karunaas was arrested here Sunday over some alleged provocative remarks made at a recent public meeting against the Chief Minister and police.

Ruling AIADMK MLA S Karunaas was arrested here Sunday over some alleged provocative remarks made at a recent public meeting against the Chief Minister and police. The issue, however, prompted the Opposition, including the DMK, to question why police were not acting against BJP leaders H Raja and S Ve Shekher who are also facing a number of cases. Karunaas, also a well-known actor and founder of a small outfit, was picked up from his house this morning by a special team, police said. At a recent public meeting, Karunaas had reportedly made some remarks in relation to Chief Minister K Palaniswami and the police, besides some alleged caste related ones, drawing criticism from various quarters. The actor, who aligned with AIADMK for the 2016 Assembly polls, was elected from Tiruvadanai constituency in Ramanathapuram district on an AIADMK ticket. He had later met sidelined AIADMK leader and RK Nagar MLA TTV Dhinakaran, who has also floated his own Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK), post his ouster from the AIADMK. Responding to the police action against him, Karunaas said he was not aware whether the Speaker P Dhanapal's approval was taken prior to his arrest as is the requirement and charged the government with "denying freedom of expression." "I am ready to face the matter in the court," he said. DMK President MK Stalin as well as Dhinakaran said Karunaas could have avoided making such remarks but wondered why Raja and Shekher have not yet been arrested. There was no doubt that elected representatives should "not exceed their limits" and they had the duty of ensuring public peace and harmony, Stalin said in a statement. Karunaas had, however, expressed regret for his utterances, the DMK Chief said and sought to know why the MLA was still picked up. "The rule of law is being selectively implemented in Tamil Nadu. Raja, who threatened to damage statues of (rational leader EVR) Periyar and one who demeaned and defamed police, besides making remarks against spouses of temple administration staff, has not yet been arrested," he said. Stalin, Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly, said Raja was still attending public events with police protection and asked why another BJP member, Shekher, was also still not arrested in connection with a case of making demeaning remarks against women journalists. "There is one rule for Karunaas and another for Raja and Shekher and this is an injustice. This attitude of the AIADMK government is condemnable," he added. Dhinakaran also said it was "wrong" on the part of Karunaas to have made such remarks "emotionally" and regretted that his "friend" has been arrested. He also sought to know why the K Palaniswami government was yet to act against Raja. "The government and police should take a consistent stand. Raja is making so many remarks. He spoke against the police and juiciary. The police department just filed a case against him and has gone silent," he said. DMDK founder Vijayakant 'condemned' the arrest of Karunaas and asked why "some other persons freely airing their views" were not facing action, apparently referring to Raja.

Tamil Nadu: Ruling AIADMK MLA Karunaas arrested for remarks against CM, police

Mobile messaging app Whatsapp has appointed a grievance officer for India and detailed out a process on its website for users to flag concerns and complaints, including those around fake news.

Meeting one of the key demands made by India to curb fake messages that triggered mob killings, the Facebook-owned company has updated its website to reflect the appointment of a 'Grievance Officer for India'.

The update mentions that users can seek help through the mobile app, send an email or write in to grievance officer Komal Lahiri, who is based out of the US.

According to Lahiri's LinkedIn profile, she is the senior director, global customer operations and localisation, at WhatsApp.

A WhatsApp spokesperson declined to comment on the matter but pointed to the public FAQ on the company's website that contains these details.

According to sources, the appointment of the grievance officer was made at the end of August.

According to WhatsApp's website, users can reach out to the company's support team directly from the app under 'Settings' tab and if they wish to escalate the complaint, they can contact the grievance officer.

A section within the FAQs reads: "You (users) can contact the Grievance Officer with complaints or concerns, including the following: WhatsApp's Terms of Service; and Questions about your account."

The updated FAQs also listed out a mechanism for law enforcement officials on how to reach out to WhatsApp.

The government has been pressing WhatsApp to develop tools to combat fake or false messages.&nbsp;

India is WhatsApp's biggest market with more than 200 million users. In July, it limited message forwards to five chats at a time and removed the quick forward button to discourage mass forwarding. It has also introduced a 'forward' label to help users identify such messages.

The latest appointment is also significant as the Supreme Court last month agreed to examine a petition alleging that WhatsApp does not comply with Indian laws, including the provision for appointing a grievance officer. The apex court had sought a reply on the matter within four weeks.

With general elections slated for next year in India, the government is taking a tough stance on the spread of misinformation through social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp.

The government had warned WhatsApp that it will treat the messaging platform as abettor of rumour propagation while legal consequences will follow if adequate checks are not put in place.

In a meeting with WhatsApp Head Chris Daniels last month, information technology minister Ravi Shankar Prasad asserted that the company will have to find a solution to track the origin of messages on its platform, set up a local corporate entity that is subject to Indian laws within a defined time frame as well as appoint a grievance officer.

WhatsApp, which has been slapped with two notices with a third one under consideration, has said it is in the process of establishing a local corporate entity.

It has, however, not accepted the government's demand for traceability of messages saying creating such a software will go against the idea of user privacy and end-to-end encryption. 
&nbsp;

Mobile messaging app Whatsapp has appointed a grievance officer for India and detailed out a process on its website for users to flag concerns and complaints, including those around fake news.

Mobile messaging app Whatsapp has appointed a grievance officer for India and detailed out a process on its website for users to flag concerns and complaints, including those around fake news. Meeting one of the key demands made by India to curb fake messages that triggered mob killings, the Facebook-owned company has updated its website to reflect the appointment of a 'Grievance Officer for India'. The update mentions that users can seek help through the mobile app, send an email or write in to grievance officer Komal Lahiri, who is based out of the US. According to Lahiri's LinkedIn profile, she is the senior director, global customer operations and localisation, at WhatsApp. A WhatsApp spokesperson declined to comment on the matter but pointed to the public FAQ on the company's website that contains these details. According to sources, the appointment of the grievance officer was made at the end of August. According to WhatsApp's website, users can reach out to the company's support team directly from the app under 'Settings' tab and if they wish to escalate the complaint, they can contact the grievance officer. A section within the FAQs reads: "You (users) can contact the Grievance Officer with complaints or concerns, including the following: WhatsApp's Terms of Service; and Questions about your account." The updated FAQs also listed out a mechanism for law enforcement officials on how to reach out to WhatsApp. The government has been pressing WhatsApp to develop tools to combat fake or false messages. India is WhatsApp's biggest market with more than 200 million users. In July, it limited message forwards to five chats at a time and removed the quick forward button to discourage mass forwarding. It has also introduced a 'forward' label to help users identify such messages. The latest appointment is also significant as the Supreme Court last month agreed to examine a petition alleging that WhatsApp does not comply with Indian laws, including the provision for appointing a grievance officer. The apex court had sought a reply on the matter within four weeks. With general elections slated for next year in India, the government is taking a tough stance on the spread of misinformation through social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp. The government had warned WhatsApp that it will treat the messaging platform as abettor of rumour propagation while legal consequences will follow if adequate checks are not put in place. In a meeting with WhatsApp Head Chris Daniels last month, information technology minister Ravi Shankar Prasad asserted that the company will have to find a solution to track the origin of messages on its platform, set up a local corporate entity that is subject to Indian laws within a defined time frame as well as appoint a grievance officer. WhatsApp, which has been slapped with two notices with a third one under consideration, has said it is in the process of establishing a local corporate entity. It has, however, not accepted the government's demand for traceability of messages saying creating such a software will go against the idea of user privacy and end-to-end encryption.

Meeting govt's demand, WhatsApp appoints 'Grievance Officer for India'

Colourful bands and tattoos may be fancy wearables and art forms for many, but for students in several government schools in Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu, these symbolise their caste identities and deep-rooted prejudices.

Cuddalore in north Tamil Nadu is dominated by Most Backward Class Vanniyars, while Scheduled Castes, the second largest in number, account for nearly 30 per cent of the population, with the two communities being at odds with each other for long.

The tug of war between the two has been spilling over to schools in deep pockets of the district, where compound walls are painted with graffiti of outfits espousing their respective causes, with students seeking to assert their caste identities.

A red and blue wristband denotes the suppressed caste or leanings towards a regional Dalit-based political outfit, while a yellow-green one points to Vanniyars or support to a political party known to be backing the community, said a police officer.

Tattooing of a single star or a mango, symbols of the rival parties, are among other means used by students to exhibit their caste affiliations.

Frequent conflicts erupt between students for reasons as innocuous as tucking in shirts, boys talking to girl students, wearing pressed clothes and having a neat haircut, the officer working in the district told PTI on condition of anonymity. Inevitably, there is a backlash from the suppressed community.

“Caste conflicts are a regular affair in schools. Even some teachers have a bias and mete out unfair treatment to students of lower castes,” the officer said. Three FIRs – involving caste-based tiffs between students – had been registered in a local police station so far this year, he added.

In view of caste-based tussles among the students, a 17 point code of conduct, prohibiting among other things, use of such colour bands and tattoos in schools had been issued by the district administration.

The rules, later adopted by the Education Department for all schools in the state, were issued during the tenure of Johny Tom Varghese as the sub-collector of Cuddalore. Varghese, who has since been transferred, said schools should be kept out of politics and electoral campaigns. “Students must explore the complexities of caste and culture, but in an academic sense, which does not promote hatred,” he told PTI.

But the Dalits feel that flaunting of such affiliations help them.

“The exhibits guard us against troubles. It sends a message that we have a network to fight back. No longer do we feel insecure of belonging to the Scheduled Caste,” a parent said.

The number of FIRs, the police officer said, could have been much higher had it not been for efforts by police in settling several issues amicably.

“Local politicians try to gain mileage out of such issues even if rival students declare a truce. We have appealed to students and parents not to take up trivial issues or give issues a communal twist,” the officer said.

A district official said a teacher was recently suspended for allegedly restricting Dalit students from using the toilet in a school.

The official, however, said the 17-point code of conduct was being strictly followed in the schools. Kaani Nilamum Mupporumai Aniyum, an activist collective working with government schools in Naduveerapattu, C N Palayam, Vellakkarai and surrounding villages in the district, came out with a report early this year in which it noted that there has been a sharp increase in cases against juveniles in the belt in recent years.

Radhika Ganesh of the activist collective said the Dalit community felt injustice had been historically perpetrated towards them and hence believed aggression on their part was justified.

“Even parents advise their children not to be passive,” she said, adding the collective was extending its activities to southern parts of the state, where caste conflicts have been rampant in schools.

In 2015, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) took note of the reported use of different colours by school students to identify or indicate caste in southern Tirunelveli district, known for violent clashes between OBCs and Dalits.

Colourful bands and tattoos may be fancy wearables and art forms for many, but for students in several government schools in Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu, these symbolise their caste identities and deep-rooted prejudices.

Colourful bands and tattoos may be fancy wearables and art forms for many, but for students in several government schools in Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu, these symbolise their caste identities and deep-rooted prejudices. Cuddalore in north Tamil Nadu is dominated by Most Backward Class Vanniyars, while Scheduled Castes, the second largest in number, account for nearly 30 per cent of the population, with the two communities being at odds with each other for long. The tug of war between the two has been spilling over to schools in deep pockets of the district, where compound walls are painted with graffiti of outfits espousing their respective causes, with students seeking to assert their caste identities. A red and blue wristband denotes the suppressed caste or leanings towards a regional Dalit-based political outfit, while a yellow-green one points to Vanniyars or support to a political party known to be backing the community, said a police officer. Tattooing of a single star or a mango, symbols of the rival parties, are among other means used by students to exhibit their caste affiliations. Frequent conflicts erupt between students for reasons as innocuous as tucking in shirts, boys talking to girl students, wearing pressed clothes and having a neat haircut, the officer working in the district told PTI on condition of anonymity. Inevitably, there is a backlash from the suppressed community. “Caste conflicts are a regular affair in schools. Even some teachers have a bias and mete out unfair treatment to students of lower castes,” the officer said. Three FIRs – involving caste-based tiffs between students – had been registered in a local police station so far this year, he added. In view of caste-based tussles among the students, a 17 point code of conduct, prohibiting among other things, use of such colour bands and tattoos in schools had been issued by the district administration. The rules, later adopted by the Education Department for all schools in the state, were issued during the tenure of Johny Tom Varghese as the sub-collector of Cuddalore. Varghese, who has since been transferred, said schools should be kept out of politics and electoral campaigns. “Students must explore the complexities of caste and culture, but in an academic sense, which does not promote hatred,” he told PTI. But the Dalits feel that flaunting of such affiliations help them. “The exhibits guard us against troubles. It sends a message that we have a network to fight back. No longer do we feel insecure of belonging to the Scheduled Caste,” a parent said. The number of FIRs, the police officer said, could have been much higher had it not been for efforts by police in settling several issues amicably. “Local politicians try to gain mileage out of such issues even if rival students declare a truce. We have appealed to students and parents not to take up trivial issues or give issues a communal twist,” the officer said. A district official said a teacher was recently suspended for allegedly restricting Dalit students from using the toilet in a school. The official, however, said the 17-point code of conduct was being strictly followed in the schools. Kaani Nilamum Mupporumai Aniyum, an activist collective working with government schools in Naduveerapattu, C N Palayam, Vellakkarai and surrounding villages in the district, came out with a report early this year in which it noted that there has been a sharp increase in cases against juveniles in the belt in recent years. Radhika Ganesh of the activist collective said the Dalit community felt injustice had been historically perpetrated towards them and hence believed aggression on their part was justified. “Even parents advise their children not to be passive,” she said, adding the collective was extending its activities to southern parts of the state, where caste conflicts have been rampant in schools. In 2015, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) took note of the reported use of different colours by school students to identify or indicate caste in southern Tirunelveli district, known for violent clashes between OBCs and Dalits.

Colourful bands, tattoos in Tamil Nadu schools keep caste cauldron simmering

Australia Sunday joined an international mission to rescue an injured Indian sailor stranded in the Indian Ocean while competing in the round-the-world Golden Globe Race.

The mast of Abhilash Tomy's yacht Thuriya broke off when it was rolled in a storm on Friday and the yachtsman suffered what he described as a "severe back injury".

The 39-year-old Indian navy commander was "incapacitated on his bunk inside his boat" some 2,000 miles (3,704 kilometres) off Western Australia state, organisers said.

Two P8 Poseidons -- one from the Royal Australian Air Force and another from the Indian armed forces -- flew over the yacht to inspect it Sunday, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) said.

AMSA, which is coordinating the search, said the crews saw that the yacht was dismasted but did not get further information about Tomy's condition.

"He is injured inside the yacht, so he can't communicate further," an AMSA spokesman told AFP.

Tomy was communicating with organisers via a YB3 texting unit but his main satellite phone was damaged, and his injury meant he was unable to reach a second satellite phone and handheld VHF radio.

The yacht's location is so remote that a French fisheries patrol vessel in the area which has been tasked by AMSA to join the rescue was only likely to reach Tomy on Monday or Tuesday.

The Australian Defence Force said Sunday it would also assist in the rescue, with the frigate HMAS Ballarat sailing from Perth late Saturday towards the yacht.

The Golden Globe Race involves a gruelling 30,000-mile solo circumnavigation of the globe in yachts similar to those used in the first race 50 years ago, with no modern technology allowed except the communications equipment.

Tomy's own yacht is a replica of Robin Knox-Johnston's Suhail, winner of the first Golden Globe Race.

 
&nbsp;

Australia Sunday joined an international mission to rescue an injured Indian sailor stranded in the Indian Ocean while competing in the round-the-world Golden Globe Race.

Australia Sunday joined an international mission to rescue an injured Indian sailor stranded in the Indian Ocean while competing in the round-the-world Golden Globe Race. The mast of Abhilash Tomy's yacht Thuriya broke off when it was rolled in a storm on Friday and the yachtsman suffered what he described as a "severe back injury". The 39-year-old Indian navy commander was "incapacitated on his bunk inside his boat" some 2,000 miles (3,704 kilometres) off Western Australia state, organisers said. Two P8 Poseidons -- one from the Royal Australian Air Force and another from the Indian armed forces -- flew over the yacht to inspect it Sunday, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) said. AMSA, which is coordinating the search, said the crews saw that the yacht was dismasted but did not get further information about Tomy's condition. "He is injured inside the yacht, so he can't communicate further," an AMSA spokesman told AFP. Tomy was communicating with organisers via a YB3 texting unit but his main satellite phone was damaged, and his injury meant he was unable to reach a second satellite phone and handheld VHF radio. The yacht's location is so remote that a French fisheries patrol vessel in the area which has been tasked by AMSA to join the rescue was only likely to reach Tomy on Monday or Tuesday. The Australian Defence Force said Sunday it would also assist in the rescue, with the frigate HMAS Ballarat sailing from Perth late Saturday towards the yacht. The Golden Globe Race involves a gruelling 30,000-mile solo circumnavigation of the globe in yachts similar to those used in the first race 50 years ago, with no modern technology allowed except the communications equipment. Tomy's own yacht is a replica of Robin Knox-Johnston's Suhail, winner of the first Golden Globe Race.

Australia joins bid to rescue injured Indian sailor in remote ocean

The Central Public Works Department (CPWD) has announced a country-wide ‘Swachh Building Competition’ under which various government buildings will be rated for their cleanliness. The competition will be held from September 23-29.

According to the CPWD, the competition is being organised under ‘Swachhta Hi Seva Campaign’ which aims at generating greater public participation towards cleanliness and is being organised in the run-up to the fourth anniversary of the Swachh Bharat Mission on October 2, 2018.

The CPWD, the central government’s largest construction agency, said various government buildings will be rated for their cleanliness. “During the competition, various buildings under each zone shall be rated for their cleanliness against standard benchmarks…”CPWD said in an office memorandum.

A simple assessment of cleanliness in common areas of the buildings will be conducted over a week’s period and scores marked by a team of assessors. &nbsp;Winners will be suitably rewarded through commendation certificates or medals or trophies, it also stated.

“Each common area such as corridor/lobby at different floors/levels will be separately assessed and averaged out, to get the cleanliness score of the building concerned,” it added.

The Central Public Works Department (CPWD) has announced a country-wide ‘Swachh Building Competition’ under which various government buildings will be rated for their cleanliness.

The Central Public Works Department (CPWD) has announced a country-wide ‘Swachh Building Competition’ under which various government buildings will be rated for their cleanliness. The competition will be held from September 23-29. According to the CPWD, the competition is being organised under ‘Swachhta Hi Seva Campaign’ which aims at generating greater public participation towards cleanliness and is being organised in the run-up to the fourth anniversary of the Swachh Bharat Mission on October 2, 2018. The CPWD, the central government’s largest construction agency, said various government buildings will be rated for their cleanliness. “During the competition, various buildings under each zone shall be rated for their cleanliness against standard benchmarks…”CPWD said in an office memorandum. A simple assessment of cleanliness in common areas of the buildings will be conducted over a week’s period and scores marked by a team of assessors. Winners will be suitably rewarded through commendation certificates or medals or trophies, it also stated. “Each common area such as corridor/lobby at different floors/levels will be separately assessed and averaged out, to get the cleanliness score of the building concerned,” it added.

CPWD announces country-wide Swachh Building Competition

In any irregular warfare situation, when terrorists are on the run due to security forces' pressure, they will resort to unconventional ways of diluting the forces' effectiveness. In 1999, at the height of Kargil operations, terror groups chose to execute 'Fidayeen' attacks or suicide missions. These forced out of proportion defensive security measures to be taken by the armed forces, thus reducing the ongoing pressure from offensive counter-terror operations. The advent of stone throwing and street turbulence in 2008 was a ploy employed when terrorist numbers plummeted after the LoC fence came into being in 2004 and enabled far more effective counter infiltration.&nbsp;

This created another domain sometimes referred to as "agitational terrorism". The army had raised the Rashtriya Rifles (RR) to fight terrorism and it proved to be one of the most successful military experiments. Remaining one of the most effective arms of the security forces has been the Jammu and Kashmir Police. Its continuity in operations, wealth of experience of its personnel, affinity with the local populace and steadfastness under threat, from time to time, has all through ensured a force multiplication effect. Alongside them are the personnel of the JAK Light Infantry's Territorial Army Home &amp; Hearth units, as also regular soldiers from the JAK LI Regiment whose presence while on leave (2,000-3,000 personnel at any given time) in villages and cities has had a stabilising effect on the environment. Through the height of the militancy, these personnel were never targeted by terrorists, presumably on the premise that it would attract the ire of the army and the JKP. The foreign terrorists (FTs), then in majority, always suspected that much more intense operations would follow if local SF personnel and their families became targets.

The steadfastness of the local soldiers and policemen under trying circumstances within Kashmir's social milieu was one of the hallmarks of our efforts towards countering Pakistani and separatist efforts. It was particularly borne out during the 2008-10 agitation. In 2016, in the wake of Burhan Wani's killing, it was the local militancy which took the upper hand. The first noticeable change was the initiation of the targeting of policemen's homes and forced admission by their families of allegiance to the terrorist cause. From then on, as the local hold over the violent element of the separatist movement was enhanced, the threat to local soldiers on leave and policemen has multiplied manifold. The paralysis and embarrassment of the administration through targeting of local functionaries was earlier witnessed with the killing of 16 sarpanchs and injuring of 30 other elected grassroots leaders over the last few years.

In the interim, in August 2018, the establishment reportedly attempted an intimidation and targeting of the families of a few terrorists leading to a quid pro quo action by terrorists against policemen's families. The standoff eased once both sides stood down but it probably emboldened the local terrorists to renew their threats and execute these with a higher level of intimidation. That translated on September 18, 2018, when Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) issued a warning through an uploaded video recording. It threatened to kill every Kashmiri working for JKP and Indian Army if they didn't resign within four days; failure to resign would lead to the killing of families, as per the threat. The video went viral on social media bringing yet another facet into the ongoing information war which the terrorists are clearly dominating thus far.

Not taking the threat too lightly, the authorities have displayed sensitivity to the sentiments that will be created within ranks of soldiers serving away from the Valley, the TA-H&amp;H and personnel of the JKP who remain the most visible and vulnerable. The Hizbul Mujahideen has given an indication of its intent to do on ground what it has threatened, when it killed three SPOs in Shopian on 21 September 2018. It is obvious that securing all Kashmiri armed forces personnel and families will pose a bigger challenge for the establishment and take away much of the offensive content from the anti-terrorism operations.

A major domain which will be affected will be intelligence, for which the army's dependence is largely on the JKP. In the see-saw battle for domination of the security space in the Valley, the SF have been clearly dominant once the negative situation arising from the trigger effect of the killing of Burhan Wani on 8 July 2016 was stabilised. That domination is now under challenge and answers are not easy. This will have an adverse effect also on the intended strategy of the government to take the proxy war campaign beyond just security related operations. Outreach operations, restoration of political activity at the grassroots and most importantly the successful conduct of the local bodies' polls due over the next two months, will all be adversely affected.

The government needs to act quickly to restore confidence. It is not panic station yet, but clearly there is a dearth of troops in Shopian, in particular, that is affording space and freedom of movement to the terrorists. The only answer is through a strong focused response against the terrorists and their leadership by greater density of troops presence. Once earlier, in 2010, the separatists attempted to cross the limit of tolerance of the establishment by threatening to surround all army camps in the Valley. It was an ill-advised move, against which the army made its intent extremely clear; that it would brook no attempts at intimidation and would unhesitatingly resort to counter violence to defeat such attempts. The separatists then stood down.

However, times have changed. The separatists and terrorists, backed by the deep State across the LoC, have been emboldened many a time in recent years to cross the limits of tolerance and bear consequences in the vain hope that it would create far greater alienation and force the hand of the establishment. If they are targeting the local bodies' polls for cancellation, then the government needs to be even more committed towards their conduct once the announcement has been made.

This is not a juncture when the establishment can display any squeamishness or be forced on the back foot. It is only hoped that better sense will prevail in the thinking of HM who may find that in the battle of wits, the government can accept being on the back foot only temporarily. In the long run, it can remain defensive only at a very negative cost.

(This article was originally published on DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-new-threats-to-forces-in-jk-2666174">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

In any irregular warfare situation, when terrorists are on the run due to security forces' pressure, they will resort to unconventional ways of diluting the forces' effectiveness.

In any irregular warfare situation, when terrorists are on the run due to security forces' pressure, they will resort to unconventional ways of diluting the forces' effectiveness. In 1999, at the height of Kargil operations, terror groups chose to execute 'Fidayeen' attacks or suicide missions. These forced out of proportion defensive security measures to be taken by the armed forces, thus reducing the ongoing pressure from offensive counter-terror operations. The advent of stone throwing and street turbulence in 2008 was a ploy employed when terrorist numbers plummeted after the LoC fence came into being in 2004 and enabled far more effective counter infiltration. This created another domain sometimes referred to as "agitational terrorism". The army had raised the Rashtriya Rifles (RR) to fight terrorism and it proved to be one of the most successful military experiments. Remaining one of the most effective arms of the security forces has been the Jammu and Kashmir Police. Its continuity in operations, wealth of experience of its personnel, affinity with the local populace and steadfastness under threat, from time to time, has all through ensured a force multiplication effect. Alongside them are the personnel of the JAK Light Infantry's Territorial Army Home & Hearth units, as also regular soldiers from the JAK LI Regiment whose presence while on leave (2,000-3,000 personnel at any given time) in villages and cities has had a stabilising effect on the environment. Through the height of the militancy, these personnel were never targeted by terrorists, presumably on the premise that it would attract the ire of the army and the JKP. The foreign terrorists (FTs), then in majority, always suspected that much more intense operations would follow if local SF personnel and their families became targets. The steadfastness of the local soldiers and policemen under trying circumstances within Kashmir's social milieu was one of the hallmarks of our efforts towards countering Pakistani and separatist efforts. It was particularly borne out during the 2008-10 agitation. In 2016, in the wake of Burhan Wani's killing, it was the local militancy which took the upper hand. The first noticeable change was the initiation of the targeting of policemen's homes and forced admission by their families of allegiance to the terrorist cause. From then on, as the local hold over the violent element of the separatist movement was enhanced, the threat to local soldiers on leave and policemen has multiplied manifold. The paralysis and embarrassment of the administration through targeting of local functionaries was earlier witnessed with the killing of 16 sarpanchs and injuring of 30 other elected grassroots leaders over the last few years. In the interim, in August 2018, the establishment reportedly attempted an intimidation and targeting of the families of a few terrorists leading to a quid pro quo action by terrorists against policemen's families. The standoff eased once both sides stood down but it probably emboldened the local terrorists to renew their threats and execute these with a higher level of intimidation. That translated on September 18, 2018, when Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) issued a warning through an uploaded video recording. It threatened to kill every Kashmiri working for JKP and Indian Army if they didn't resign within four days; failure to resign would lead to the killing of families, as per the threat. The video went viral on social media bringing yet another facet into the ongoing information war which the terrorists are clearly dominating thus far. Not taking the threat too lightly, the authorities have displayed sensitivity to the sentiments that will be created within ranks of soldiers serving away from the Valley, the TA-H&H and personnel of the JKP who remain the most visible and vulnerable. The Hizbul Mujahideen has given an indication of its intent to do on ground what it has threatened, when it killed three SPOs in Shopian on 21 September 2018. It is obvious that securing all Kashmiri armed forces personnel and families will pose a bigger challenge for the establishment and take away much of the offensive content from the anti-terrorism operations. A major domain which will be affected will be intelligence, for which the army's dependence is largely on the JKP. In the see-saw battle for domination of the security space in the Valley, the SF have been clearly dominant once the negative situation arising from the trigger effect of the killing of Burhan Wani on 8 July 2016 was stabilised. That domination is now under challenge and answers are not easy. This will have an adverse effect also on the intended strategy of the government to take the proxy war campaign beyond just security related operations. Outreach operations, restoration of political activity at the grassroots and most importantly the successful conduct of the local bodies' polls due over the next two months, will all be adversely affected. The government needs to act quickly to restore confidence. It is not panic station yet, but clearly there is a dearth of troops in Shopian, in particular, that is affording space and freedom of movement to the terrorists. The only answer is through a strong focused response against the terrorists and their leadership by greater density of troops presence. Once earlier, in 2010, the separatists attempted to cross the limit of tolerance of the establishment by threatening to surround all army camps in the Valley. It was an ill-advised move, against which the army made its intent extremely clear; that it would brook no attempts at intimidation and would unhesitatingly resort to counter violence to defeat such attempts. The separatists then stood down. However, times have changed. The separatists and terrorists, backed by the deep State across the LoC, have been emboldened many a time in recent years to cross the limits of tolerance and bear consequences in the vain hope that it would create far greater alienation and force the hand of the establishment. If they are targeting the local bodies' polls for cancellation, then the government needs to be even more committed towards their conduct once the announcement has been made. This is not a juncture when the establishment can display any squeamishness or be forced on the back foot. It is only hoped that better sense will prevail in the thinking of HM who may find that in the battle of wits, the government can accept being on the back foot only temporarily. In the long run, it can remain defensive only at a very negative cost. (This article was originally published on DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: New threats to forces in J&K

The Trump administration has told a federal court that its decision to revoke work permits to H-4 visa users, a significant majority of whom are Indian-Americans, is expected within the next three months, a move which will have a major impact on Indian women as they are the major beneficiary of the Obama-era rule.

H-4 visas are issued by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to immediate family members (spouse and children under 21 years of age) of the holders of H-1B visa, the most sought-after among Indian IT professionals.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in its latest court filing Friday told the US District Court in District of Columbia that it was "making a solid and swift progress in proposing to remove from its regulations on certain H-4 spouses of H-1B nonimmigrants as a class of aliens eligible for employment authorisation".

The DHS said the new rule would be submitted to the Office of Management of Budget (OMB), White House, within three months.

Till then, the department urged the court to keep in abeyance its decision on a lawsuit filed by 'Save Jobs USA', representing a group of US workers who claim that their jobs have been hit by such a policy of the government that was promulgated during the previous Obama administration.

The Trump administration is currently reviewing the H-1B visa policy that it thinks is being misused by companies to replace American workers.

The administration has said publicly and also in its court filing that it wants to revoke work permits to H4 visa holders, a significant majority of whom are Indian-Americans and women.

The move will have a major impact on Indian women as they are the major beneficiary of the Obama-era rule.

This is for the third time that the Department of Homeland has informed the court about the delay in issue of Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM). The DHS has filed three status reports - on February 28, May 22 and August 20. The next status report is due on November 19.

Explaining the reasons for the delay, the US attorney said since the filing of the most recent status report, the DHS's senior leadership reviewed the proposed rule and returned it to the USCIS this month for revisions.

"Senior leadership review and the request for revisions is standard practice within the DHS. When the necessary revisions are incorporated, the USCIS will return the proposed rule to the DHS for final clearance and submission to OMB," he said.

However, 'Save Jobs USA' has sought an early decision from the court, arguing that the longer the case remains in abeyance, the greater the possible harm to the US workers.

As of December 25, 2017, the USCIS had approved 1,26,853 applications for employment authorisation for H-4 visa holders. These counts all approvals since May 2015 when the rule was implemented. This number includes 90,946 initial approvals, 35,219 renewals, and 688 replacements for lost cards.

"Ninety-three per cent of approved applications for H-4 employment authorisation was issued to individuals born in India, and five per cent were issued to individuals born in China. Individuals born in all other countries combined make up the remaining two per cent of approved applications," the Congressional Research Service said in its recent report, based on information obtained from the USCIS.&nbsp;

The Trump administration has told a federal court that its decision to revoke work permits to H-4 visa users, a significant majority of whom are Indian-Americans, is expected within the next three months, a move which will have a major impact on Indian women as they are the major beneficiary of the Obama-era rule.

The Trump administration has told a federal court that its decision to revoke work permits to H-4 visa users, a significant majority of whom are Indian-Americans, is expected within the next three months, a move which will have a major impact on Indian women as they are the major beneficiary of the Obama-era rule. H-4 visas are issued by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to immediate family members (spouse and children under 21 years of age) of the holders of H-1B visa, the most sought-after among Indian IT professionals. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in its latest court filing Friday told the US District Court in District of Columbia that it was "making a solid and swift progress in proposing to remove from its regulations on certain H-4 spouses of H-1B nonimmigrants as a class of aliens eligible for employment authorisation". The DHS said the new rule would be submitted to the Office of Management of Budget (OMB), White House, within three months. Till then, the department urged the court to keep in abeyance its decision on a lawsuit filed by 'Save Jobs USA', representing a group of US workers who claim that their jobs have been hit by such a policy of the government that was promulgated during the previous Obama administration. The Trump administration is currently reviewing the H-1B visa policy that it thinks is being misused by companies to replace American workers. The administration has said publicly and also in its court filing that it wants to revoke work permits to H4 visa holders, a significant majority of whom are Indian-Americans and women. The move will have a major impact on Indian women as they are the major beneficiary of the Obama-era rule. This is for the third time that the Department of Homeland has informed the court about the delay in issue of Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM). The DHS has filed three status reports - on February 28, May 22 and August 20. The next status report is due on November 19. Explaining the reasons for the delay, the US attorney said since the filing of the most recent status report, the DHS's senior leadership reviewed the proposed rule and returned it to the USCIS this month for revisions. "Senior leadership review and the request for revisions is standard practice within the DHS. When the necessary revisions are incorporated, the USCIS will return the proposed rule to the DHS for final clearance and submission to OMB," he said. However, 'Save Jobs USA' has sought an early decision from the court, arguing that the longer the case remains in abeyance, the greater the possible harm to the US workers. As of December 25, 2017, the USCIS had approved 1,26,853 applications for employment authorisation for H-4 visa holders. These counts all approvals since May 2015 when the rule was implemented. This number includes 90,946 initial approvals, 35,219 renewals, and 688 replacements for lost cards. "Ninety-three per cent of approved applications for H-4 employment authorisation was issued to individuals born in India, and five per cent were issued to individuals born in China. Individuals born in all other countries combined make up the remaining two per cent of approved applications," the Congressional Research Service said in its recent report, based on information obtained from the USCIS.

US to revoke work permits for families of H-1B visa holders in 3 months: Report

This is for the second time in the row that India has been listed at the third position in the world terror victim list after Iraq and Afghanistan.

The US study claimed that CPI-Maoists are the fourth deadliest terror group after Islamic State (IS), Taliban and Al Shabaab.&nbsp;

Maoists were responsible for carrying out 53% of terror attacks in India.

According to the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism, the total number of terrorist attacks worldwide in 2017 decreased by 23 per cent and total deaths due to terrorist attacks decreased by 27 per cent, compared to 2016. While numerous countries saw a decline in terrorist violence between 2016 and 2017, this overall trend was largely due to dramatically fewer attacks and deaths in Iraq.&nbsp;

Twenty-four per cent of all deaths in terrorist attacks in 2017 were perpetrator deaths, down from 26 per cent in 2016. This statistic was historically much lower but began to increase in the 2000s, largely due to shifting tactics in Afghanistan and, to a lesser extent, in Iraq in the 2010s.

In several countries, including Kenya, Somalia, and the United Kingdom, the number of terrorist attacks and total deaths increased in 2017.

Although terrorist attacks took place in 100 countries in 2017, they were concentrated geographically. Fifty-nine per cent of all attacks took place in five countries (Afghanistan, India, Iraq, Pakistan, and the Philippines), and 70 per cent of all deaths due to terrorist attacks took place in five countries (Afghanistan, Iraq, Nigeria, Somalia, and Syria).

The US department study further said there were around 43 terror groups which were active in India. It added that the number of deaths in terror attacks also increased from 344 in 2016 to 380 in 2017.

This is for the second time in the row that India has been listed at the third position in the world terror victim list after Iraq and Afghanistan. The US study claimed that CPI-Maoists are the fourth deadliest terror group after Islamic State (IS), Taliban and Al Shabaab.

This is for the second time in the row that India has been listed at the third position in the world terror victim list after Iraq and Afghanistan. The US study claimed that CPI-Maoists are the fourth deadliest terror group after Islamic State (IS), Taliban and Al Shabaab. Maoists were responsible for carrying out 53% of terror attacks in India. According to the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism, the total number of terrorist attacks worldwide in 2017 decreased by 23 per cent and total deaths due to terrorist attacks decreased by 27 per cent, compared to 2016. While numerous countries saw a decline in terrorist violence between 2016 and 2017, this overall trend was largely due to dramatically fewer attacks and deaths in Iraq. Twenty-four per cent of all deaths in terrorist attacks in 2017 were perpetrator deaths, down from 26 per cent in 2016. This statistic was historically much lower but began to increase in the 2000s, largely due to shifting tactics in Afghanistan and, to a lesser extent, in Iraq in the 2010s. In several countries, including Kenya, Somalia, and the United Kingdom, the number of terrorist attacks and total deaths increased in 2017. Although terrorist attacks took place in 100 countries in 2017, they were concentrated geographically. Fifty-nine per cent of all attacks took place in five countries (Afghanistan, India, Iraq, Pakistan, and the Philippines), and 70 per cent of all deaths due to terrorist attacks took place in five countries (Afghanistan, Iraq, Nigeria, Somalia, and Syria). The US department study further said there were around 43 terror groups which were active in India. It added that the number of deaths in terror attacks also increased from 344 in 2016 to 380 in 2017.

India third worst hit in world by terror, after Iraq and Afghanistan: US study

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Odisha on Saturday morning and met and interacted with Anganwadi workers in Talcher.

Upon his arrival, Prime Minister Modi was welcomed by Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

The Prime Minister will attend an event to mark the commencement of work in the Talcher Fertilizer Plant followed by a public meeting. He is also scheduled to inaugurate a new airport in Jharsugada.

"The fertilizer plant will produce natural gas and contribute to the country's energy requirements, while the airport will bring western Odisha on the country's aviation map, and facilitate regional air connectivity through the government's UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) scheme," an official statement read.

During his visit, the Prime Minister will dedicate the Garjanbahal coal mines and the Jharsaguda-Barapali-Sardega rail link to the nation. He will also unveil a plaque to mark the commencement of coal production and transportation from Dulanga coal mines.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Odisha on Saturday morning and met and interacted with Anganwadi workers in Talcher. Upon his arrival, Prime Minister Modi was welcomed by Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Odisha on Saturday morning and met and interacted with Anganwadi workers in Talcher. Upon his arrival, Prime Minister Modi was welcomed by Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. The Prime Minister will attend an event to mark the commencement of work in the Talcher Fertilizer Plant followed by a public meeting. He is also scheduled to inaugurate a new airport in Jharsugada. "The fertilizer plant will produce natural gas and contribute to the country's energy requirements, while the airport will bring western Odisha on the country's aviation map, and facilitate regional air connectivity through the government's UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) scheme," an official statement read. During his visit, the Prime Minister will dedicate the Garjanbahal coal mines and the Jharsaguda-Barapali-Sardega rail link to the nation. He will also unveil a plaque to mark the commencement of coal production and transportation from Dulanga coal mines.

PM Modi arrives in Odisha, meets Anganwadi workers

Confirming India's stand on the offsets agreement between Dassault Aviation and Reliance Group, the former, in a statement, reiterated that Reliance Group was chosen in compliance with the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) 2016 regulations.

It further clarified that although the Rafale deal was a contract between the Indian and the French governments, it provided for a separate contract in which Dassault Aviation committed to making compensation investments (offsets) in India equivalent to 50 per cent of the value of the purchase.

"This offsets contract is delivered in compliance with the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) 2016 regulations. In this framework, and in accordance with the policy of Make in India, Dassault Aviation has decided to make a partnership with India's Reliance Group. This is Dassault Aviation's choice, as CEO Eric Trappier had explained in an interview published in MINT newspaper on April 17, 2018. This partnership has led to the creation of the Dassault Reliance Aerospace Ltd (DRAL) joint-venture in February 2017," the company stated.

"Dassault Aviation and Reliance have built a plant in Nagpur for manufacturing parts for Falcon and Rafale aircraft. The Nagpur site was chosen because of the availability of land with direct access to an airport runway, an essential condition of aeronautic activities," it added.

The French aviation company also said that contracts were signed with companies other than Reliance as well, as part of the offsets contract under the Rafale deal.

"Other partnerships have been signed with other companies such as BTSL, DEFSYS, Kinetic, Mahindra, Maini, SAMTEL,. Other negotiations are ongoing with hundred-odd other potential partners," the firm divulged.

The statement by Dassault Aviation comes shortly after former French president, François Hollande, claimed that Dassault Aviation was given no choice but to partner with Anil Ambani-led Reliance Defence for the offset clause in the Rafale fighter jet deal.

The Centre, led by Prime Minister Modi, scrapped the UPA's plan in 2015 and announced that it would buy 36 "ready-to-fly" Rafale jets instead of seeking a technology transfer from France's Dassault Aviation and making the aircraft in India.

Confirming India's stand on the offsets agreement between Dassault Aviation and Reliance Group, the former, in a statement, reiterated that Reliance Group was chosen in compliance with the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) 2016 regulations.

Confirming India's stand on the offsets agreement between Dassault Aviation and Reliance Group, the former, in a statement, reiterated that Reliance Group was chosen in compliance with the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) 2016 regulations. It further clarified that although the Rafale deal was a contract between the Indian and the French governments, it provided for a separate contract in which Dassault Aviation committed to making compensation investments (offsets) in India equivalent to 50 per cent of the value of the purchase. "This offsets contract is delivered in compliance with the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) 2016 regulations. In this framework, and in accordance with the policy of Make in India, Dassault Aviation has decided to make a partnership with India's Reliance Group. This is Dassault Aviation's choice, as CEO Eric Trappier had explained in an interview published in MINT newspaper on April 17, 2018. This partnership has led to the creation of the Dassault Reliance Aerospace Ltd (DRAL) joint-venture in February 2017," the company stated. "Dassault Aviation and Reliance have built a plant in Nagpur for manufacturing parts for Falcon and Rafale aircraft. The Nagpur site was chosen because of the availability of land with direct access to an airport runway, an essential condition of aeronautic activities," it added. The French aviation company also said that contracts were signed with companies other than Reliance as well, as part of the offsets contract under the Rafale deal. "Other partnerships have been signed with other companies such as BTSL, DEFSYS, Kinetic, Mahindra, Maini, SAMTEL,. Other negotiations are ongoing with hundred-odd other potential partners," the firm divulged. The statement by Dassault Aviation comes shortly after former French president, François Hollande, claimed that Dassault Aviation was given no choice but to partner with Anil Ambani-led Reliance Defence for the offset clause in the Rafale fighter jet deal. The Centre, led by Prime Minister Modi, scrapped the UPA's plan in 2015 and announced that it would buy 36 "ready-to-fly" Rafale jets instead of seeking a technology transfer from France's Dassault Aviation and making the aircraft in India.

Deal with Reliance was Dassault Aviation's choice: Report

Security forces in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday initiated a cordon and search operation in villages of Pulwama region, news agency ANI reported.

According to reports, the operation is being carried out by a joint team of Kashmir Police and Army and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).

The operation comes a day after the bodies of three security personnel were recovered in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district. Two SPOs and a constable were allegedly abducted from their residence and killed by militants.&nbsp;

In the wake of Friday's incident, the Indian government decided to call off the upcoming meeting between External Minister Sushma Swaraj and Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi.&nbsp;

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Visuals?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Visuals</a>: Security forces have started cordon and search operation in the villages of Pulwama in south Kashmir. (visuals deferred by unspecified time) <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JammuAndKashmir?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JammuAndKashmir</a> <a href="https://t.co/APg8ZtbQgL">pic.twitter.com/APg8ZtbQgL</a>
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''Since yesterday's announcement of the meeting of foreign ministers of India and Pakistan, two deeply disturbing developments took place. Latest brutal killings of our security personnel by Pakistan entities and the recent release of series of 20 postal stamps by Pakistan glorifying terrorists,'' Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said on Friday.

Pakistan government stated that India's reason to cancel the meeting was 'unconvincing'.

Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi Friday expressed disappointment at India calling off a meeting between him and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in New York and alleged that "internal pressure" forced New Delhi to make the "unfortunate" move.

"It is unfortunate that India has not given a positive response. Indian has once again wasted an opportunity for peace," Qureshi told the media here.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Security forces in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday initiated a cordon and search operation in villages of Pulwama region, news agency ANI reported. According to reports, the operation is being carried out by a joint team of Kashmir Police and Army and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).

Security forces in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday initiated a cordon and search operation in villages of Pulwama region, news agency ANI reported. According to reports, the operation is being carried out by a joint team of Kashmir Police and Army and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). The operation comes a day after the bodies of three security personnel were recovered in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district. Two SPOs and a constable were allegedly abducted from their residence and killed by militants. In the wake of Friday's incident, the Indian government decided to call off the upcoming meeting between External Minister Sushma Swaraj and Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi. #Visuals: Security forces have started cordon and search operation in the villages of Pulwama in south Kashmir. (visuals deferred by unspecified time) #JammuAndKashmir pic.twitter.com/APg8ZtbQgL — ANI (@ANI) September 22, 2018 × ''Since yesterday's announcement of the meeting of foreign ministers of India and Pakistan, two deeply disturbing developments took place. Latest brutal killings of our security personnel by Pakistan entities and the recent release of series of 20 postal stamps by Pakistan glorifying terrorists,'' Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said on Friday. Pakistan government stated that India's reason to cancel the meeting was 'unconvincing'. Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi Friday expressed disappointment at India calling off a meeting between him and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in New York and alleged that "internal pressure" forced New Delhi to make the "unfortunate" move. "It is unfortunate that India has not given a positive response. Indian has once again wasted an opportunity for peace," Qureshi told the media here. (With inputs from agencies)

J&K: Security forces conduct search, cordon operations in Pulwama

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that connectivity is at the core of all-round development as he inaugurated Odisha's second airport at Jharsuguda district named after freedom fighter Veer Surendra Sai.

Addressing a gathering during the inaugural event, the Prime Minister stressed the need for modern infrastructure for building a modern India.&nbsp;

"This airport in Jharsuguda is well located to serve the needs of the people of Odisha. This is going to be the second airport in the state. This airport is at the 'Triveni Sangam' (confluence), it will become a centre point for Bhubaneswar, Ranchi and Raipur," he said. Those presented at the event included Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Union Minister of Tribal Affairs Jual Orzm, and Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu.

Emphasising on the importance of connectivity for economic development, Prime Minister Modi said, "Connectivity is at the core of all-round development. Our government has devoted significant efforts to enhance connectivity all over the nation. It will attract industrialists to invest in Jharsuguda, Sambhalpur and surrounding areas."

He also hailed the growth and development taking place in the aviation sector, "I hail from Gujarat. We have a district called Kutch; there are five airports in that one district. We need to wonder why it took so many years for a second airport to come up in Odisha whereas Civil Aviation Minister&nbsp; 
Suresh Prabhu was explaining me about the growth in the aviation sector.&nbsp;

While only around 450 planes have been flying in the country since independence, we have already booked around 950 new aircraft in the past one year itself."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that connectivity is at the core of all-round development as he inaugurated Odisha's second airport at Jharsuguda district named after freedom fighter Veer Surendra Sai.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that connectivity is at the core of all-round development as he inaugurated Odisha's second airport at Jharsuguda district named after freedom fighter Veer Surendra Sai. Addressing a gathering during the inaugural event, the Prime Minister stressed the need for modern infrastructure for building a modern India. "This airport in Jharsuguda is well located to serve the needs of the people of Odisha. This is going to be the second airport in the state. This airport is at the 'Triveni Sangam' (confluence), it will become a centre point for Bhubaneswar, Ranchi and Raipur," he said. Those presented at the event included Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Union Minister of Tribal Affairs Jual Orzm, and Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu. Emphasising on the importance of connectivity for economic development, Prime Minister Modi said, "Connectivity is at the core of all-round development. Our government has devoted significant efforts to enhance connectivity all over the nation. It will attract industrialists to invest in Jharsuguda, Sambhalpur and surrounding areas." He also hailed the growth and development taking place in the aviation sector, "I hail from Gujarat. We have a district called Kutch; there are five airports in that one district. We need to wonder why it took so many years for a second airport to come up in Odisha whereas Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu was explaining me about the growth in the aviation sector. While only around 450 planes have been flying in the country since independence, we have already booked around 950 new aircraft in the past one year itself."

Odisha: PM Modi inaugurates Jharsuguda airport

BJP president Amit Shah said Saturday Bangladeshi migrants are like termites and each one of them will be sent out of the country.

Referring to the draft National Register of Citizens recently published in Assam, he said, &nbsp;the BJP government brought NRC and prima facie identified nearly 40 lakh illegal immigrants.

The BJP government will pick out each and every infiltrator, he said at public meetings in Rajasthan.

BJP sarkaar ek-ek ghuspaithiye ko chun-chun kar matdata suchi se hatane ka kaam karegi, he said in Swai Madhopur district's Gangapur, calling illegal migrants termites and warning that their names will be deleted from the voters' list.

At another meeting in Kota, he said the Congress treated infiltrators as a vote bank while the BJP is committed to identifying each one of them and sending them out of the country.

Shah referred to Congress president Rahul Gandhi as `Sheikh Chilli', the character who built castles in the air, saying the BJP was set to win in the Assembly polls.

The Bharatiya Janata Party chief was in Rajasthan earlier this month as well, as his party and the Congress gear up for the state polls by the year-end.

The BJP government in Rajasthan is like the unshakeable 'Angad ka Paon', he said referring to a character in Ramayana whose foot even Ravana could not move.

The Congress cannot do any good for the country as that party has neither a leader nor a policy, he said.

Calling Rahul Gandhi Rahul Baba, Shah said while he is demanding an account of the work done by the BJP, the people want him to tell them what generations of his own family have done for the country.

''What Congress and its four and a half generations could not do in the last 70 years, the Modi government has done more than that in just four and a half years, and so has Vasundhra Raje in Rajasthan', Shah claimed.

He said Rajasthan was a `Bimaru' state during the Congress rule but Chief Minister Vasundhra Raje had worked to bring in progress.

He said both the central and the state governments had initiated development projects.

BJP president Amit Shah said Saturday Bangladeshi migrants are like termites and each one of them will be sent out of the country. Referring to the draft National Register of Citizens recently published in Assam, he said, the BJP government brought NRC and prima facie identified nearly 40 lakh illegal immigrants.

BJP president Amit Shah said Saturday Bangladeshi migrants are like termites and each one of them will be sent out of the country. Referring to the draft National Register of Citizens recently published in Assam, he said, the BJP government brought NRC and prima facie identified nearly 40 lakh illegal immigrants. The BJP government will pick out each and every infiltrator, he said at public meetings in Rajasthan. BJP sarkaar ek-ek ghuspaithiye ko chun-chun kar matdata suchi se hatane ka kaam karegi, he said in Swai Madhopur district's Gangapur, calling illegal migrants termites and warning that their names will be deleted from the voters' list. At another meeting in Kota, he said the Congress treated infiltrators as a vote bank while the BJP is committed to identifying each one of them and sending them out of the country. Shah referred to Congress president Rahul Gandhi as `Sheikh Chilli', the character who built castles in the air, saying the BJP was set to win in the Assembly polls. The Bharatiya Janata Party chief was in Rajasthan earlier this month as well, as his party and the Congress gear up for the state polls by the year-end. The BJP government in Rajasthan is like the unshakeable 'Angad ka Paon', he said referring to a character in Ramayana whose foot even Ravana could not move. The Congress cannot do any good for the country as that party has neither a leader nor a policy, he said. Calling Rahul Gandhi Rahul Baba, Shah said while he is demanding an account of the work done by the BJP, the people want him to tell them what generations of his own family have done for the country. ''What Congress and its four and a half generations could not do in the last 70 years, the Modi government has done more than that in just four and a half years, and so has Vasundhra Raje in Rajasthan', Shah claimed. He said Rajasthan was a `Bimaru' state during the Congress rule but Chief Minister Vasundhra Raje had worked to bring in progress. He said both the central and the state governments had initiated development projects.

Bangladeshi migrants like `termites', will be sent out of country: Amit Shah

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Friday said that the Centre’s decision to call off the foreign ministers meeting between India and Pakistan is “bad news” for the state.

“Calling off meeting between India and Pakistan’s Foreign Ministers is bad news for Jammu and Kashmir. Both countries owe it to people of state and country to carry on dialogue rather than talking through media. Inspite of a historic mandate, it is media and not NDA leadership that is setting the agenda,” Mufti tweeted.

The meeting between External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi was scheduled to be held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York at the request of the Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan.

However, back to back incidents of increased violence in the state and killing of security personnel has put off India from engaging with Pakistan government, with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) saying that behind Pakistan’s proposal for talks to make a fresh beginning, its evil agenda stands exposed and the true face of the new Pakistan Prime Minister has been revealed.

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Friday said that the Centre’s decision to call off the foreign ministers meeting between India and Pakistan is “bad news” for the state.

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Friday said that the Centre’s decision to call off the foreign ministers meeting between India and Pakistan is “bad news” for the state. “Calling off meeting between India and Pakistan’s Foreign Ministers is bad news for Jammu and Kashmir. Both countries owe it to people of state and country to carry on dialogue rather than talking through media. Inspite of a historic mandate, it is media and not NDA leadership that is setting the agenda,” Mufti tweeted. The meeting between External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi was scheduled to be held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York at the request of the Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan. However, back to back incidents of increased violence in the state and killing of security personnel has put off India from engaging with Pakistan government, with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) saying that behind Pakistan’s proposal for talks to make a fresh beginning, its evil agenda stands exposed and the true face of the new Pakistan Prime Minister has been revealed.

Fall out of India-Pak FM meet bad news for J&K, says Mehbooba Mufti

A US district court has sentenced a Pakistani-origin businessman to three years of probation on charges of procuring material and equipment for the Pakistani military unlawfully.

First six months of the three-year probation is in home confinement, John Durham, US Attorney for the District of Connecticut, said Saturday.

Imran Khan, 44, had pleaded guilty to one count of violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. In his guilty plea in June 2017, Khan specifically admitted that, between August 2012 and January 2013, he procured, received and exported to Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, the Pakistan Space &amp; Upper Atmosphere Research Commission, or the National Institute of Lasers &amp; Optronics.&nbsp;

All of these companies are listed in the US Department of Commerce Entity List.

According to court documents and statements made in court, from 2012 to 2016, Khan and two of his family members engaged in a scheme to purchase goods that were controlled under the Export Administration Regulations and to export those goods without a license to Pakistan.

Through companies conducting business as Brush Locker Tools, Kauser Enterprises-USA and Kauser Enterprises-Pakistan, Khan, his father and brother received orders from a Pakistani company that procured materials and equipment for the Pakistani military, requesting them to procure specific products that were subject to the export regulations.

When US manufacturers asked about the end-user for a product, the defendants either informed the manufacturer that the product would remain in the US or completed an end-user certification indicating that the product would not be exported, Durham said.

Earlier this year, Khan's father, Muhammad Ismail, and his brother, Kamran Khan, each pleaded guilty to one count of international money laundering, for causing funds to be transferred from Pakistan to the US in connection with the export control violations.

Both have been sentenced to 18 months of imprisonment.? Ismail and Kamran Khan are both citizens of Pakistan and lawful permanent residents of the US.

A US district court has sentenced a Pakistani-origin businessman to three years of probation on charges of procuring material and equipment for the Pakistani military unlawfully.

A US district court has sentenced a Pakistani-origin businessman to three years of probation on charges of procuring material and equipment for the Pakistani military unlawfully. First six months of the three-year probation is in home confinement, John Durham, US Attorney for the District of Connecticut, said Saturday. Imran Khan, 44, had pleaded guilty to one count of violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. In his guilty plea in June 2017, Khan specifically admitted that, between August 2012 and January 2013, he procured, received and exported to Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, the Pakistan Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission, or the National Institute of Lasers & Optronics. All of these companies are listed in the US Department of Commerce Entity List. According to court documents and statements made in court, from 2012 to 2016, Khan and two of his family members engaged in a scheme to purchase goods that were controlled under the Export Administration Regulations and to export those goods without a license to Pakistan. Through companies conducting business as Brush Locker Tools, Kauser Enterprises-USA and Kauser Enterprises-Pakistan, Khan, his father and brother received orders from a Pakistani company that procured materials and equipment for the Pakistani military, requesting them to procure specific products that were subject to the export regulations. When US manufacturers asked about the end-user for a product, the defendants either informed the manufacturer that the product would remain in the US or completed an end-user certification indicating that the product would not be exported, Durham said. Earlier this year, Khan's father, Muhammad Ismail, and his brother, Kamran Khan, each pleaded guilty to one count of international money laundering, for causing funds to be transferred from Pakistan to the US in connection with the export control violations. Both have been sentenced to 18 months of imprisonment.? Ismail and Kamran Khan are both citizens of Pakistan and lawful permanent residents of the US.

US court sentences Pak-origin businessman for unlawful export to Pak military

Army chief General Bipin Rawat on Saturday said it was time to avenge the barbarism the terrorists and the Pakistan Army have been carrying out and added that the other side must also feel the same pain.

''We need to take stern action to avenge the barbarism that terrorists and the Pakistan Army have been carrying out. Yes, it's time to give it back to them in the same coin, not resorting to similar kind of barbarism. But I think the other side must also feel the same pain,'' news agency ANI said Army Chief as saying.&nbsp;

Army chief's statement comes after India on Friday citing the "brutal" killing of three policemen in Jammu and Kashmir as well as the release of the postal stamps "glorifying" Kashmiri militant Burhan Wani called off the meeting between External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York this month.

Indian government's policy has been quite clear and concise, the Army chief said and added that the country has made no bones about the fact that talks and terrorism can't go hand in hand.&nbsp;

''I think our government's policy has been quite clear and concise. We've made no bones about the fact that talks&amp;terrorism can't go hand in hand. Pakistan needs to curb the menace of terrorism,'' Bipin Rawat said.&nbsp;

Distancing himself from the ongoing Rafale deal controversy, he said he did not want to comment on the political issue.&nbsp;

However, he said the Army continuously need modern weapons.&nbsp;

There is a limit till which we can use a particular weapon, and as new technologies come, we also want them to be included in our forces. So buying of weapons continue, Army chief said.&nbsp;

''I don't want to comment on political issues. But I'll like to say that we're getting full cooperation from the government. We're given freedom on how to carry out our operations and you can see the results in Kashmir and Northeast,'' he said.&nbsp;

Army chief General Bipin Rawat on Saturday said it was time to avenge the barbarism the terrorists and the Pakistan Army have been carrying out and added that the other side must also feel the same pain.

Army chief General Bipin Rawat on Saturday said it was time to avenge the barbarism the terrorists and the Pakistan Army have been carrying out and added that the other side must also feel the same pain. ''We need to take stern action to avenge the barbarism that terrorists and the Pakistan Army have been carrying out. Yes, it's time to give it back to them in the same coin, not resorting to similar kind of barbarism. But I think the other side must also feel the same pain,'' news agency ANI said Army Chief as saying. Army chief's statement comes after India on Friday citing the "brutal" killing of three policemen in Jammu and Kashmir as well as the release of the postal stamps "glorifying" Kashmiri militant Burhan Wani called off the meeting between External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York this month. Indian government's policy has been quite clear and concise, the Army chief said and added that the country has made no bones about the fact that talks and terrorism can't go hand in hand. ''I think our government's policy has been quite clear and concise. We've made no bones about the fact that talks&terrorism can't go hand in hand. Pakistan needs to curb the menace of terrorism,'' Bipin Rawat said. Distancing himself from the ongoing Rafale deal controversy, he said he did not want to comment on the political issue. However, he said the Army continuously need modern weapons. There is a limit till which we can use a particular weapon, and as new technologies come, we also want them to be included in our forces. So buying of weapons continue, Army chief said. ''I don't want to comment on political issues. But I'll like to say that we're getting full cooperation from the government. We're given freedom on how to carry out our operations and you can see the results in Kashmir and Northeast,'' he said.

Time to give it back to Pakistan in same coin, other side must feel the same pain: Indian Army chief 

The French government Friday said it was in no manner involved in the choice of Indian industrial partners for the Rafale fighter jet deal, asserting that French companies have the full freedom to select Indian firms for the contract.

The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/former-french-president-hollande-says-indian-government-proposed-anil-ambanis-reliance">statement by the French government</a> came following a French media report which quoted former French President Francois Hollande as saying that the Indian government proposed Reliance Defence as the partner for Dassault Aviation in the Rs 58,000 crore Rafale deal and France did not have a choice.

“The French government is in no manner involved in the choice of Indian industrial partners who have been, are being, or will be selected by French companies,” it said.

The report in ‘Mediapart’, a French-language publication, quoted Hollande as saying, “It was the Indian government that proposed this service group, and Dassault which negotiated with Ambani. We had no choice, we took the interlocutor who was given to us.”

Asked who selected Reliance as a partner and why, Hollande replied, “We had no say in this regard.”

Dassault Aviation, the makers of Rafale, had chosen Reliance Defence as its partner to fulfil offset obligations of the deal. The government has been maintaining it did not have any role in the selection of the offset partner by Dassault.

In a statement, Dassault Aviation said it has decided to make a partnership with the Reliance Defence in accordance with the policy of ‘Make in India’.

“This partnership has led to the creation of the Dassault Reliance Aerospace Ltd (DRAL) joint-venture in February 2017. Dassault Aviation and Reliance have built a plant in Nagpur for manufacturing parts for Falcon and Rafale aircraft,” the company said.

The French government said, “In accordance with India’s acquisition procedure, French companies have the full freedom to choose the Indian partner companies that they consider to be the most relevant, then present for the Indian government’s approval the offsets projects that they wish to execute in India with these local partners so as to fulfil their obligations in this regard.”

The Congress has been accusing massive irregularities in the deal, alleging that the government was procuring each aircraft at a cost of over Rs 1,670 crore as against Rs 526 crore finalised by the UPA government when it was negotiating procurement of 126 Rafale jets.

The Congress has also alleged that the government was benefitting Reliance Defence through the deal as the company has set up a joint venture with Dassault Aviation to execute the offset obligation for the deal.

The opposition parties have also alleged that the Reliance Defence was formed just 12 days before the announcement of the Rafale deal by the prime minister on 10 April 2015. The Reliance group has rejected the charges.

The French government said the inter-governmental agreement it signed with India for supplying 36 Rafale aircraft concerns its obligations solely with regard to ensuring the delivery and quality of the aircraft.

“As it happens, agreements have already been signed by French companies with many Indian firms, both public and private, under the framework of Indian laws,” the statement said.

The Congress has also been demanding answers from the government on why <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rafale-deal-differences-between-hal-dassault-led-collapse-talks-say-report-166907">state-run aerospace major HAL</a> was not involved in the deal as finalised during the UPA.

Under India’s offset policy, foreign defence entities are mandated to spend at least 30 per cent of the total contract value in India through procurement of components or setting up of research and development facilities.

Ten days after India sealed the government-to-government agreement on the Rafale deal, Reliance Defence and Dassault had announced a joint venture (JV) in the aerospace sector and a year later, the foundation stone of a manufacturing facility was laid in Mihan, Nagpur.

The French government Friday said it was in no manner involved in the choice of Indian industrial partners for the Rafale fighter jet deal, asserting that French companies have the full freedom to select Indian firms for the contract.

The French government Friday said it was in no manner involved in the choice of Indian industrial partners for the Rafale fighter jet deal, asserting that French companies have the full freedom to select Indian firms for the contract. The statement by the French government came following a French media report which quoted former French President Francois Hollande as saying that the Indian government proposed Reliance Defence as the partner for Dassault Aviation in the Rs 58,000 crore Rafale deal and France did not have a choice. “The French government is in no manner involved in the choice of Indian industrial partners who have been, are being, or will be selected by French companies,” it said. The report in ‘Mediapart’, a French-language publication, quoted Hollande as saying, “It was the Indian government that proposed this service group, and Dassault which negotiated with Ambani. We had no choice, we took the interlocutor who was given to us.” Asked who selected Reliance as a partner and why, Hollande replied, “We had no say in this regard.” Dassault Aviation, the makers of Rafale, had chosen Reliance Defence as its partner to fulfil offset obligations of the deal. The government has been maintaining it did not have any role in the selection of the offset partner by Dassault. In a statement, Dassault Aviation said it has decided to make a partnership with the Reliance Defence in accordance with the policy of ‘Make in India’. “This partnership has led to the creation of the Dassault Reliance Aerospace Ltd (DRAL) joint-venture in February 2017. Dassault Aviation and Reliance have built a plant in Nagpur for manufacturing parts for Falcon and Rafale aircraft,” the company said. The French government said, “In accordance with India’s acquisition procedure, French companies have the full freedom to choose the Indian partner companies that they consider to be the most relevant, then present for the Indian government’s approval the offsets projects that they wish to execute in India with these local partners so as to fulfil their obligations in this regard.” The Congress has been accusing massive irregularities in the deal, alleging that the government was procuring each aircraft at a cost of over Rs 1,670 crore as against Rs 526 crore finalised by the UPA government when it was negotiating procurement of 126 Rafale jets. The Congress has also alleged that the government was benefitting Reliance Defence through the deal as the company has set up a joint venture with Dassault Aviation to execute the offset obligation for the deal. The opposition parties have also alleged that the Reliance Defence was formed just 12 days before the announcement of the Rafale deal by the prime minister on 10 April 2015. The Reliance group has rejected the charges. The French government said the inter-governmental agreement it signed with India for supplying 36 Rafale aircraft concerns its obligations solely with regard to ensuring the delivery and quality of the aircraft. “As it happens, agreements have already been signed by French companies with many Indian firms, both public and private, under the framework of Indian laws,” the statement said. The Congress has also been demanding answers from the government on why state-run aerospace major HAL was not involved in the deal as finalised during the UPA. Under India’s offset policy, foreign defence entities are mandated to spend at least 30 per cent of the total contract value in India through procurement of components or setting up of research and development facilities. Ten days after India sealed the government-to-government agreement on the Rafale deal, Reliance Defence and Dassault had announced a joint venture (JV) in the aerospace sector and a year later, the foundation stone of a manufacturing facility was laid in Mihan, Nagpur.

After Hollande’s remarks, French govt says not involved in choosing Indian partners in Rafale deal

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