More than six years after the 2016 Brussels bombings, presiding judge Laurence Massart will formally confirm on Monday all parties to the case, including the defendants and attorneys for the over 1,000 victims of the assaults that the Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for. She will next address the jury, which was chosen last week after a 14-hour procedure involving 1,000 Belgians. The French trial for the Paris attacks in November 2015 and the Brussels bombings trial are clearly related. Six of the Brussels defendants were given prison sentences ranging from 10 years to life in France in June, but the Belgian trial will be unique since a jury, not judges, will decide the case.

On March 22, 2016, three bombs were detonated in the city's subway system, killing 15 men and 17 women, many of whom were citizens of countries other than Belgium, including the United States, China, France, Germany, India, Peru, and Poland. Brussels is also the location of the NATO and EU institutions.

All 10 individuals are accused of taking part in terrorist organisation operations, and nine men face life sentences for several killings and attempted murders committed in a terrorist-related context.

Two of them are Osama Krayem, a Swedish citizen suspected of plotting to be a second bomber on the Brussels metro, and Mohamed Abrini, who officials claim travelled to the airport with two suicide bombers but left before setting off his explosives-filled suitcase. Salah Abdeslam, the primary suspect in the Paris trial, is also charged, along with other people who the prosecution alleges harboured or assisted specific perpetrators. One of the 10 people who were allegedly slain in Syria will face an absentee trial.

The defendants have not formally affirmed their innocence or guilt in accordance with Belgian legal practise.

Prior to the beginning of the hearings for the approximately 370 experts and witnesses, prosecutors are anticipated to begin reading from the 486-page indictment on Tuesday.

It is anticipated that the trial in the former NATO headquarters would last seven months and cost at least 35 million euros ($36.9 million).

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

<iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe>

More than six years after the 2016 Brussels bombings, presiding judge Laurence Massart will formally confirm on Monday all parties to the case, including the defendants and attorneys for the over 1,000 victims of the assaults that the Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for.

More than six years after the 2016 Brussels bombings, presiding judge Laurence Massart will formally confirm on Monday all parties to the case, including the defendants and attorneys for the over 1,000 victims of the assaults that the Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for. She will next address the jury, which was chosen last week after a 14-hour procedure involving 1,000 Belgians. The French trial for the Paris attacks in November 2015 and the Brussels bombings trial are clearly related. Six of the Brussels defendants were given prison sentences ranging from 10 years to life in France in June, but the Belgian trial will be unique since a jury, not judges, will decide the case. On March 22, 2016, three bombs were detonated in the city's subway system, killing 15 men and 17 women, many of whom were citizens of countries other than Belgium, including the United States, China, France, Germany, India, Peru, and Poland. Brussels is also the location of the NATO and EU institutions. All 10 individuals are accused of taking part in terrorist organisation operations, and nine men face life sentences for several killings and attempted murders committed in a terrorist-related context. Two of them are Osama Krayem, a Swedish citizen suspected of plotting to be a second bomber on the Brussels metro, and Mohamed Abrini, who officials claim travelled to the airport with two suicide bombers but left before setting off his explosives-filled suitcase. Salah Abdeslam, the primary suspect in the Paris trial, is also charged, along with other people who the prosecution alleges harboured or assisted specific perpetrators. One of the 10 people who were allegedly slain in Syria will face an absentee trial. The defendants have not formally affirmed their innocence or guilt in accordance with Belgian legal practise. Prior to the beginning of the hearings for the approximately 370 experts and witnesses, prosecutors are anticipated to begin reading from the 486-page indictment on Tuesday. It is anticipated that the trial in the former NATO headquarters would last seven months and cost at least 35 million euros ($36.9 million). (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Belgium begins historic trial into 2016 Brussels suicide attacks

Facebook recently sent an email to its employees asking them to preserve internal documents and communications, dating back to 2016, for legal reasons. This comes as multiple governments are launching inquiries into the social media giant, following a series of revelations by the whistleblower's documents.&nbsp;

A Facebook spokesperson said, "On Tuesday, Facebook sent a legal hold notice to all personnel. Document preservation requests are part of the process of responding to legal inquiries."

Frances Haugen, who is a Facebook data scientist turned whistleblower, appeared before a UK Parliamentary committee and said that Facebook will fuel more violent unrest around the world. This is because of the way its algorithms are designed to promote divisive content.

"The events we're seeing around the world, things like Myanmar and Ethiopia, those are the opening chapters because engagement-based ranking does two things: one, it prioritises and amplifies divisive and polarising extreme content and two it concentrates it," she said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/frances-haugen-to-testify-about-facebook-and-online-harm-423860">Also read |&nbsp;Frances Haugen to testify about Facebook and online harm</a>

Haugen said she had come forward "because now is the most critical time to act". She further explained Facebook groups increases online hate as she said that the algorithms that prioritise engagement take people with mainstream interests and push them to the extremes.

As per Haugen, the company could add moderators to prevent groups from being used to spread extremist views.

These reports have raised a range of questions about the company’s workings, including the impact it can cause on a person's mental health.&nbsp;

Facebook has called the reports a “coordinated effort to selectively use leaked documents to create a false picture about our company”.&nbsp;

Facebook recently sent an email to its employees asking them to preserve internal documents and communications, dating back to 2016, for legal reasons. This comes as multiple governments are launching inquiries into the social media giant, following a series of revelations by the whistleblower's documents.

Facebook recently sent an email to its employees asking them to preserve internal documents and communications, dating back to 2016, for legal reasons. This comes as multiple governments are launching inquiries into the social media giant, following a series of revelations by the whistleblower's documents. A Facebook spokesperson said, "On Tuesday, Facebook sent a legal hold notice to all personnel. Document preservation requests are part of the process of responding to legal inquiries." Frances Haugen, who is a Facebook data scientist turned whistleblower, appeared before a UK Parliamentary committee and said that Facebook will fuel more violent unrest around the world. This is because of the way its algorithms are designed to promote divisive content. "The events we're seeing around the world, things like Myanmar and Ethiopia, those are the opening chapters because engagement-based ranking does two things: one, it prioritises and amplifies divisive and polarising extreme content and two it concentrates it," she said. Also read | Frances Haugen to testify about Facebook and online harm Haugen said she had come forward "because now is the most critical time to act". She further explained Facebook groups increases online hate as she said that the algorithms that prioritise engagement take people with mainstream interests and push them to the extremes. As per Haugen, the company could add moderators to prevent groups from being used to spread extremist views. These reports have raised a range of questions about the company’s workings, including the impact it can cause on a person's mental health. Facebook has called the reports a “coordinated effort to selectively use leaked documents to create a false picture about our company”.

Facebook asks staff to preserve records dating back to 2016 amid inquiries

A Chinese spacecraft will blast off from the Gobi Desert on a Long March rocket in the coming days, ferrying three men to an orbiting space module for a three-month stay, the first time China has sent humans into space for nearly five years. 
 
Shenzhou-12, meaning 'Divine Vessel', will be the third of 11 missions needed to complete China's space station by 2022. Among them, four will be missions with people on board, potentially propelling up to 12 Chinese astronauts into space - more than the 11 men and women that China has sent since 2003. 
 
The craft will also carry into space the hopes of some in Earth's most populous nation. 
 
"The motherland is powerful," one person wrote on Chinese social media, which has lit up with well-wishes for the Shenzhou-12 crew. "The launch is a gift to the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party." 
 
Chinese astronauts have had a relatively low international profile. A US&nbsp;law banning NASA from any connection with China means its astronauts have not been to the more than two-decade-old International Space Station, visited by more than 240 men and women of various nationalities. 
 
China, which aims to become a major spacefaring power by 2030, in May became the second country to put a rover on Mars, two years after landing the first spacecraft on the far side of the moon. 
 
It also plans to put astronauts on the moon - the farthest celestial body that humans have travelled to. 
 
The Shenzhou-12 crew is to live on the Tianhe, 'Harmony of the Heavens', a cylinder 16.6 metres (55 feet) long and 4.2 metres (14 feet) in diameter. 
 
The planned three-month stay would break the country's record of 30 days, set by the 2016 mission - China's last crewed flight - of Chen Dong and Jing Haipeng to a prototype station. 
 
Three men from China's first and second batches of astronauts will be on this mission, Yang Liwei, director of the China Manned Space Engineering Office and China's first astronaut, told state tabloid Global Times last month. 
 
China's space bloggers speculate they will be Nie Haisheng - who at 56 would be China's oldest astronaut sent into space - Deng Qingming, 55, and Ye Guangfu, 40. 
 
The authorities typically do not announce a mission's crew until near or after the launch. China Manned Space did not respond to a fax request for comment. 
 
The oldest human in space was John Glenn, who flew on the space shuttle at age 77 in 1998 - after having been the first American to orbit the earth in 1962, a US&nbsp;senator and a presidential candidate. 
 
While no women are scheduled for the Shenzhou-12 mission, they are expected to participate in every following mission, Yang told Global Times. 
 
Two women, Liu Yang and Wang Yaping, were selected in 2011 among China's second cohort, after the first batch of 14 men in the mid-1990s. Liu was China's first woman in space in 2012, while Wang was the youngest, at 33, in 2013. 
 
China began building its space station in April with the launch of Tianhe, the first and largest of its three modules. This year, it aims to send a robotic cargo resupply spacecraft and three more astronauts, this time for a six-month stay. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

A Chinese spacecraft will blast off from the Gobi Desert on a Long March rocket in the coming days, ferrying three men to an orbiting space module for a three-month stay, the first time China has sent humans into space for nearly five years.

A Chinese spacecraft will blast off from the Gobi Desert on a Long March rocket in the coming days, ferrying three men to an orbiting space module for a three-month stay, the first time China has sent humans into space for nearly five years. Shenzhou-12, meaning 'Divine Vessel', will be the third of 11 missions needed to complete China's space station by 2022. Among them, four will be missions with people on board, potentially propelling up to 12 Chinese astronauts into space - more than the 11 men and women that China has sent since 2003. The craft will also carry into space the hopes of some in Earth's most populous nation. "The motherland is powerful," one person wrote on Chinese social media, which has lit up with well-wishes for the Shenzhou-12 crew. "The launch is a gift to the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party." Chinese astronauts have had a relatively low international profile. A US law banning NASA from any connection with China means its astronauts have not been to the more than two-decade-old International Space Station, visited by more than 240 men and women of various nationalities. China, which aims to become a major spacefaring power by 2030, in May became the second country to put a rover on Mars, two years after landing the first spacecraft on the far side of the moon. It also plans to put astronauts on the moon - the farthest celestial body that humans have travelled to. The Shenzhou-12 crew is to live on the Tianhe, 'Harmony of the Heavens', a cylinder 16.6 metres (55 feet) long and 4.2 metres (14 feet) in diameter. The planned three-month stay would break the country's record of 30 days, set by the 2016 mission - China's last crewed flight - of Chen Dong and Jing Haipeng to a prototype station. Three men from China's first and second batches of astronauts will be on this mission, Yang Liwei, director of the China Manned Space Engineering Office and China's first astronaut, told state tabloid Global Times last month. China's space bloggers speculate they will be Nie Haisheng - who at 56 would be China's oldest astronaut sent into space - Deng Qingming, 55, and Ye Guangfu, 40. The authorities typically do not announce a mission's crew until near or after the launch. China Manned Space did not respond to a fax request for comment. The oldest human in space was John Glenn, who flew on the space shuttle at age 77 in 1998 - after having been the first American to orbit the earth in 1962, a US senator and a presidential candidate. While no women are scheduled for the Shenzhou-12 mission, they are expected to participate in every following mission, Yang told Global Times. Two women, Liu Yang and Wang Yaping, were selected in 2011 among China's second cohort, after the first batch of 14 men in the mid-1990s. Liu was China's first woman in space in 2012, while Wang was the youngest, at 33, in 2013. China began building its space station in April with the launch of Tianhe, the first and largest of its three modules. This year, it aims to send a robotic cargo resupply spacecraft and three more astronauts, this time for a six-month stay. (With inputs from agencies)

'Divine Vessel' to mark China's first human spaceflight since 2016

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/oil-prices-tumble-ahead-of-opec-meeting-global-stocks-fall-265363">Oil&nbsp;prices</a>&nbsp;held&nbsp;steady&nbsp;on the final day of the year on Tuesday, heading for their&nbsp;biggest&nbsp;annual&nbsp;rise&nbsp;since&nbsp;2016, supported by a thaw in the prolonged <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/us-china-trade-talks-free-trade-must-not-be-derailed-198923">US-China trade</a> dispute and supply cuts.

Brent crude futures for March delivery, the new front-month contract, were at $66.66 a barrel, down 1 cent, by 0258 GMT. Brent for February delivery closed on Monday at $68.44 .

US&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/crude-oil-prices-fall-1-on-fears-for-global-economy-233148">West Texas Intermediate</a> (WTI) crude for February was down 3 cents at $61.65.

Brent has gained about 24 per cent&nbsp;in 2019 and WTI has&nbsp;risen roughly 36 per cent. Both benchmarks are set for their&nbsp;biggest&nbsp;yearly&nbsp;gain in three years, backed by a breakthrough in US-China trade talks and output cuts pledged by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/opec-gearing-up-for-deeper-oil-cuts-russia-yet-to-agree-266198">OPEC</a>) and its allies.

The White House's trade adviser said on Monday that the US-China Phase 1 trade deal would likely be signed in the next week.

"Oil&nbsp;prices&nbsp;have followed the general de-risking drift into year-end despite a&nbsp;rise&nbsp;in Middle East tensions and last week's bullish-for-oil-price inventory draws as the broader markets appear to be losing some of that holiday cheer," said Stephen Innes, chief Asia market strategist at AxiTrader.

Tensions remain high in the Middle East after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-airstrikes-kill-25-pro-iran-militia-fighters-in-iraq-and-syria-triggering-anger-271052">US&nbsp;airstrikes</a> on Sunday against the Katib Hezbollah militia group in Iraq and Syria. Operations resumed at Iraq's Nassiriya&nbsp;oilfield resumed on Monday after protesters briefly halted production.

Looking ahead, US&nbsp;crude inventories are expected to fall by about 3.2 million barrels in the week to December 27, heading for a third consecutive weekly fall, a preliminary Reuters poll showed on Monday. US&nbsp;stockpiles fell by 5.5 million barrels in the week to December&nbsp;20. The figures will be released on Friday.

Innes said traders would also closely watch the EIA's US&nbsp;October crude production figures, set to come out later on Tuesday.

"It's expected to show robust continuous growth in the agency's short-term outlook," he said.

The United States is on&nbsp;track&nbsp;to become a net petroleum exporter on an annual basis for the first time in 2020, with output expected to&nbsp;rise&nbsp;by 930,000 barrels per day (bpd) to a record of 13.18 million bpd next year, the EIA said earlier this month.

Brokers and analysts expect growing US&nbsp;supplies to offset cuts from OPEC in 2020 amid sluggish worldwide demand, weighing on&nbsp;oil&nbsp;prices.

"Oil&nbsp;prices, though largely expected to trade positive, will face headwinds from subdued global growth momentum and robust US&nbsp;shale output levels in the first quarter," said Benjamin Lu, analyst at Singapore-based brokerage Phillip Futures.

Oil prices held steady on the final day of the year on Tuesday, heading for their biggest annual rise since 2016, supported by a thaw in the prolonged US-China trade dispute and supply cuts.

Oil prices held steady on the final day of the year on Tuesday, heading for their biggest annual rise since 2016, supported by a thaw in the prolonged US-China trade dispute and supply cuts. Brent crude futures for March delivery, the new front-month contract, were at $66.66 a barrel, down 1 cent, by 0258 GMT. Brent for February delivery closed on Monday at $68.44 . US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude for February was down 3 cents at $61.65. Brent has gained about 24 per cent in 2019 and WTI has risen roughly 36 per cent. Both benchmarks are set for their biggest yearly gain in three years, backed by a breakthrough in US-China trade talks and output cuts pledged by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies. The White House's trade adviser said on Monday that the US-China Phase 1 trade deal would likely be signed in the next week. "Oil prices have followed the general de-risking drift into year-end despite a rise in Middle East tensions and last week's bullish-for-oil-price inventory draws as the broader markets appear to be losing some of that holiday cheer," said Stephen Innes, chief Asia market strategist at AxiTrader. Tensions remain high in the Middle East after US airstrikes on Sunday against the Katib Hezbollah militia group in Iraq and Syria. Operations resumed at Iraq's Nassiriya oilfield resumed on Monday after protesters briefly halted production. Looking ahead, US crude inventories are expected to fall by about 3.2 million barrels in the week to December 27, heading for a third consecutive weekly fall, a preliminary Reuters poll showed on Monday. US stockpiles fell by 5.5 million barrels in the week to December 20. The figures will be released on Friday. Innes said traders would also closely watch the EIA's US October crude production figures, set to come out later on Tuesday. "It's expected to show robust continuous growth in the agency's short-term outlook," he said. The United States is on track to become a net petroleum exporter on an annual basis for the first time in 2020, with output expected to rise by 930,000 barrels per day (bpd) to a record of 13.18 million bpd next year, the EIA said earlier this month. Brokers and analysts expect growing US supplies to offset cuts from OPEC in 2020 amid sluggish worldwide demand, weighing on oil prices. "Oil prices, though largely expected to trade positive, will face headwinds from subdued global growth momentum and robust US shale output levels in the first quarter," said Benjamin Lu, analyst at Singapore-based brokerage Phillip Futures.

Oil prices steady, on track for biggest yearly rise since 2016

Nepali Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli will press India to exchange millions of dollars held in Nepal in banned high-value Indian bank notes during a visit this week to improve ties with its large southern neighbour.

Nepal and India have yet to agree on how to exchange old Indian bank notes estimated to be worth $146 million held by individuals and informal sectors after India’s shock announcement in 2016 to ban 500 and 1,000 rupee bills.

India said the move was aimed at flushing out unaccounted wealth and hit the finances of militants suspected of using fake currency to fund operations. But it also caught countries such as Nepal and Bhutan, where the Indian currency is widely used, off-guard.

“The Indian demonetisation has hurt Nepali nationals. I will raise this in my meetings with Indian leaders and request them to resolve the issue,” Oli told Nepali parliament late on Tuesday.

India is Nepal's largest trade partner and the supplier of the bulk of consumer goods. Indian currency is widely used by businesses and individuals who keep their savings at homes in Indian bank notes.

Oli will meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind and other officials during the visit starting on Friday.

Central Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) officials say the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) verbally agreed to allow every Nepali national to exchange up to 4,500 rupees worth of scrapped Indian bank notes in a meeting in March last year.

"But nothing has been communicated to us formally so far," NRB Deputy Governor Chinta Mani Shivakoti told Reuters.

A senior Indian government official, with direct knowledge of the RBI's views, said the central bank was unable to exchange the old currency notes in Nepal or any other country because there was no such provision made in the rules that the government issued at the time of demonetisation.

"Only the federal government can take a decision in this regard now," the official said.

Indian citizens were given nearly two months to exchange their old notes for new ones.

Nepali Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli will be visiting India this week

Nepali Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli will press India to exchange millions of dollars held in Nepal in banned high-value Indian bank notes during a visit this week to improve ties with its large southern neighbour. Nepal and India have yet to agree on how to exchange old Indian bank notes estimated to be worth $146 million held by individuals and informal sectors after India’s shock announcement in 2016 to ban 500 and 1,000 rupee bills. India said the move was aimed at flushing out unaccounted wealth and hit the finances of militants suspected of using fake currency to fund operations. But it also caught countries such as Nepal and Bhutan, where the Indian currency is widely used, off-guard. “The Indian demonetisation has hurt Nepali nationals. I will raise this in my meetings with Indian leaders and request them to resolve the issue,” Oli told Nepali parliament late on Tuesday. India is Nepal's largest trade partner and the supplier of the bulk of consumer goods. Indian currency is widely used by businesses and individuals who keep their savings at homes in Indian bank notes. Oli will meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind and other officials during the visit starting on Friday. Central Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) officials say the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) verbally agreed to allow every Nepali national to exchange up to 4,500 rupees worth of scrapped Indian bank notes in a meeting in March last year. "But nothing has been communicated to us formally so far," NRB Deputy Governor Chinta Mani Shivakoti told Reuters. A senior Indian government official, with direct knowledge of the RBI's views, said the central bank was unable to exchange the old currency notes in Nepal or any other country because there was no such provision made in the rules that the government issued at the time of demonetisation. "Only the federal government can take a decision in this regard now," the official said. Indian citizens were given nearly two months to exchange their old notes for new ones.

Nepal has $146 million in demonetised notes, wants India to change them

Out of the unregulated sectors in India, real estate had, lately, garnered the maximum notoriety, given their misuse of power and resorting to patently unethical market practices. For the uninitiated, an unregulated sector is the one which does not have a dedicated legislation to govern its functioning and is, primarily, governed by the market practices.

Being unregulated, many builders misused the lack of negotiating power of the customers and resort to practices like fixed unilateral contracts which had conditions that clearly lacked fairness. Lately, the builders have also been missing the deadlines for possession of the property which is forming the major share of real estate litigation in consumer courts. The primary reason for the same was the diverting of the funds collected for one project to start another project simultaneously which adversely affected the progress of both.

The judicial and quasi-judicial forums were conscious about it and a series of judgments against the builders is a testimony to the fact. The Supreme Court, particularly, is coming down heavily on the leading builders who approached the top court citing their inability to refund the sums paid to them by the customers. Even the consumer courts have, time and again, chosen to sever the terms of builder-buyer agreements which are devoid of fairness. We are not to miss out on the order of the Competition Commission of India against DLF, whereby, a staggering penalty of Rs. 630 Crores was levied on the builder for the abuse of dominance in the form of unfair and arbitrary terms in the agreements.

From the perspective of the real estate sector also, the lack of fairness and transparency in transactions has adversely affected the investment in the sector and faith of customers. In sum and substance, this attitude had affected every stakeholder in the sector, be it the customers or the sector itself.

In order to rein in the menace, the government enacted the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 which, among others, will provide a dedicated and expert sectoral regulator to adjudicate upon the disputes arising out of the real estate transactions. At the same time, it would also reduce the workload of the other judicial and quasi-judicial authorities which were facing an ever-increasing rise in litigations pertaining to default by builders.

The primary objective of the enactment is to streamline the functioning of the sector while providing sets of guidelines for the parties to adhere to in order to minimise the arbitrariness and restore the faith of customers and builders. Some of the aspects which were, hitherto, the subject of the whims and fancies of the builders have been incorporated in the Act as necessary compliances on their part. For example, informing the allottee about any minor addition or alteration and seeking the consent of 2/3rd of allottees about the major ones. Further, the builders are also liable to share the necessary information like the project plan, layout, government approvals and title status etc.

As stated above, till now, there was no dedicated regulatory authority to deal with the disputes pertaining to real estate but, after this Act, the Government has decided to set up a Real Estate Regulatory Authority in every state and Union Territory along with a Real Estate Appellate Tribunal. To prevent the disputes from lingering on, the Government has also set a time limit for them to be adjudicated upon at the earliest.

Further, all new projects are necessarily required to be registered with Real Estate Regulatory Authority if the project size exceeds 500 sq.m. or more than 8 apartments. Even the existing projects are required to be registered if they have not been granted the Occupancy Certificate or Completion Certificate. At the time of registration, the promoters are required to submit all the necessary information pertaining to the project, for example, land status, completion schedule etc. Only after the registration is granted, will the project be allowed to be marketed.&nbsp;

In order to secure the problem of delay in projects, the builders are now required to deposit 70 per cent of the total project cost in a dedicated bank account. Should the project be delayed despite the precautions, the builder would be liable to pay the same interest as the EMI being paid by the customer to the bank.

The systematic workflow would lead to the timely execution of projects along with an increased flow of foreign investment and private participation. In addition, thereto, the builders also stand to benefit from the same as this would lead the unscrupulous elements to exit the market leaving behind only the strong market players having the requisite competence. From the point of view of customers, this would prevent them to be subjected to whims and fancies of the builders and would bring homogeneity in the real estate ecosystem.&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

The lack of fairness and transparency in transactions has adversely affected the investment in the sector and faith of customers. The latest Real Estate Act is set to change the scenario.

Out of the unregulated sectors in India, real estate had, lately, garnered the maximum notoriety, given their misuse of power and resorting to patently unethical market practices. For the uninitiated, an unregulated sector is the one which does not have a dedicated legislation to govern its functioning and is, primarily, governed by the market practices. Being unregulated, many builders misused the lack of negotiating power of the customers and resort to practices like fixed unilateral contracts which had conditions that clearly lacked fairness. Lately, the builders have also been missing the deadlines for possession of the property which is forming the major share of real estate litigation in consumer courts. The primary reason for the same was the diverting of the funds collected for one project to start another project simultaneously which adversely affected the progress of both. The judicial and quasi-judicial forums were conscious about it and a series of judgments against the builders is a testimony to the fact. The Supreme Court, particularly, is coming down heavily on the leading builders who approached the top court citing their inability to refund the sums paid to them by the customers. Even the consumer courts have, time and again, chosen to sever the terms of builder-buyer agreements which are devoid of fairness. We are not to miss out on the order of the Competition Commission of India against DLF, whereby, a staggering penalty of Rs. 630 Crores was levied on the builder for the abuse of dominance in the form of unfair and arbitrary terms in the agreements. From the perspective of the real estate sector also, the lack of fairness and transparency in transactions has adversely affected the investment in the sector and faith of customers. In sum and substance, this attitude had affected every stakeholder in the sector, be it the customers or the sector itself. In order to rein in the menace, the government enacted the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 which, among others, will provide a dedicated and expert sectoral regulator to adjudicate upon the disputes arising out of the real estate transactions. At the same time, it would also reduce the workload of the other judicial and quasi-judicial authorities which were facing an ever-increasing rise in litigations pertaining to default by builders. The primary objective of the enactment is to streamline the functioning of the sector while providing sets of guidelines for the parties to adhere to in order to minimise the arbitrariness and restore the faith of customers and builders. Some of the aspects which were, hitherto, the subject of the whims and fancies of the builders have been incorporated in the Act as necessary compliances on their part. For example, informing the allottee about any minor addition or alteration and seeking the consent of 2/3rd of allottees about the major ones. Further, the builders are also liable to share the necessary information like the project plan, layout, government approvals and title status etc. As stated above, till now, there was no dedicated regulatory authority to deal with the disputes pertaining to real estate but, after this Act, the Government has decided to set up a Real Estate Regulatory Authority in every state and Union Territory along with a Real Estate Appellate Tribunal. To prevent the disputes from lingering on, the Government has also set a time limit for them to be adjudicated upon at the earliest. Further, all new projects are necessarily required to be registered with Real Estate Regulatory Authority if the project size exceeds 500 sq.m. or more than 8 apartments. Even the existing projects are required to be registered if they have not been granted the Occupancy Certificate or Completion Certificate. At the time of registration, the promoters are required to submit all the necessary information pertaining to the project, for example, land status, completion schedule etc. Only after the registration is granted, will the project be allowed to be marketed. In order to secure the problem of delay in projects, the builders are now required to deposit 70 per cent of the total project cost in a dedicated bank account. Should the project be delayed despite the precautions, the builder would be liable to pay the same interest as the EMI being paid by the customer to the bank. The systematic workflow would lead to the timely execution of projects along with an increased flow of foreign investment and private participation. In addition, thereto, the builders also stand to benefit from the same as this would lead the unscrupulous elements to exit the market leaving behind only the strong market players having the requisite competence. From the point of view of customers, this would prevent them to be subjected to whims and fancies of the builders and would bring homogeneity in the real estate ecosystem. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Will India's notorious real estate sector change with new regulations?

Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India has amended its corporate insolvency resolution process regulations to ensure that as part of due diligence prior to approval of a resolution plan, the antecedents, credit worthiness and credibility of a resolution applicant, including promoters, are taken into account by the &nbsp;Committee of Creditors.

With a view to ensure that the corporate insolvency resolution process results in a credible and viable resolution plan, the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) has carried out amendments to the IBBI (Insolvency Resolution Process for Corporate Persons) resolution process, 2016 (CIRP Regulations).

The revised regulations make it incumbent upon the resolution professional to ensure that the resolution plan presented to the Committee of Creditors contains relevant details to assess the credibility of the resolution applicants. &nbsp;The details to be provided would include details with respect to the resolution applicant in terms of convictions, disqualifications, criminal proceedings, categorization as willful defaulter as per RBI guidelines, debarment imposed by SEBI, if any, and transaction, if any, with the corporate debtor in the last two years.

Apart from the above, the resolution professional has to also submit details in respect of transactions observed or determined, if any, covered under Section 43 (Preferential Transactions); Section 45 (Undervalued Transactions); Section 50 (Extortionate Credit Transactions); Section 66 (Fraudulent Transactions) under Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016. &nbsp;

By virtue of the above-mentioned changes in the regulations the resolution applicants, including promoters, are put to a stringent test with respect to their creditworthiness and credibility. &nbsp;Further, it also imposes greater responsibility on the resolution professional and Committee of Creditors in discharging their duties.

The revised regulations make it incumbent upon the resolution professional to ensure that the resolution plan presented to the Committee of Creditors contains relevant details to assess the credibility of the resolution applicants.

Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India has amended its corporate insolvency resolution process regulations to ensure that as part of due diligence prior to approval of a resolution plan, the antecedents, credit worthiness and credibility of a resolution applicant, including promoters, are taken into account by the Committee of Creditors. With a view to ensure that the corporate insolvency resolution process results in a credible and viable resolution plan, the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) has carried out amendments to the IBBI (Insolvency Resolution Process for Corporate Persons) resolution process, 2016 (CIRP Regulations). The revised regulations make it incumbent upon the resolution professional to ensure that the resolution plan presented to the Committee of Creditors contains relevant details to assess the credibility of the resolution applicants. The details to be provided would include details with respect to the resolution applicant in terms of convictions, disqualifications, criminal proceedings, categorization as willful defaulter as per RBI guidelines, debarment imposed by SEBI, if any, and transaction, if any, with the corporate debtor in the last two years. Apart from the above, the resolution professional has to also submit details in respect of transactions observed or determined, if any, covered under Section 43 (Preferential Transactions); Section 45 (Undervalued Transactions); Section 50 (Extortionate Credit Transactions); Section 66 (Fraudulent Transactions) under Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016. By virtue of the above-mentioned changes in the regulations the resolution applicants, including promoters, are put to a stringent test with respect to their creditworthiness and credibility. Further, it also imposes greater responsibility on the resolution professional and Committee of Creditors in discharging their duties.

IBBI strengthens Due Diligence framework under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016

A little over a year after it was passed by India&#39;s Parliament, the Anti-Hijacking Act, 2016 &mdash; a new and tougher law &mdash; quietly came into effect on July 5 after a formal gazette notification by the ministry of civil aviation.

Under the new law, the perpetrators of a hijacking are now punishable with death should the hijacking result in the death of any person &mdash; including ground handling staff and airport personnel &mdash; or with life imprisonment or with a fine.&nbsp;

Earlier, the death penalty was applicable only in the case of the death of hostages or security personnel.

The new law also allows for the confiscation of the offenders&#39; moveable and immoveable property.

Another key feature of the new law is that it widens the definition of hijacking from &ldquo;in-flight&rdquo; to &ldquo;in-service&rdquo;.&nbsp;

That means an aircraft will be considered to be in-service from the time it is being prepared for a specific flight by the crew or ground personnel to until 24 hours after it lands.

The new law also expands the definition of a hijacker.&nbsp;

A hijacker is now any person who organises a hijacking or directs others to commit one, a person who participates in a hijacking, and one who assists any person to evade investigation, prosecution, or punishment for a hijacking.

The new law also enhances the jurisdiction Indian courts can exercise in a hijacking case.

Under its provisions, Indian courts will be able to exercise jurisdiction over a hijacking anywhere &mdash; should the offence be committed against or by an Indian citizen on board a flight, irrespective of the country where the offence is committed.

That includes hijackings by stateless persons. 
&nbsp;

The new law expands the definition of a hijacker

A little over a year after it was passed by India's Parliament, the Anti-Hijacking Act, 2016 — a new and tougher law — quietly came into effect on July 5 after a formal gazette notification by the ministry of civil aviation. Under the new law, the perpetrators of a hijacking are now punishable with death should the hijacking result in the death of any person — including ground handling staff and airport personnel — or with life imprisonment or with a fine. Earlier, the death penalty was applicable only in the case of the death of hostages or security personnel. The new law also allows for the confiscation of the offenders' moveable and immoveable property. Another key feature of the new law is that it widens the definition of hijacking from “in-flight” to “in-service”. That means an aircraft will be considered to be in-service from the time it is being prepared for a specific flight by the crew or ground personnel to until 24 hours after it lands. The new law also expands the definition of a hijacker. A hijacker is now any person who organises a hijacking or directs others to commit one, a person who participates in a hijacking, and one who assists any person to evade investigation, prosecution, or punishment for a hijacking. The new law also enhances the jurisdiction Indian courts can exercise in a hijacking case. Under its provisions, Indian courts will be able to exercise jurisdiction over a hijacking anywhere — should the offence be committed against or by an Indian citizen on board a flight, irrespective of the country where the offence is committed. That includes hijackings by stateless persons.

India gets new anti-hijacking law

The building that used to house the Holey Artisan Bakery and O&#39; Kitchen Restaurant in Dhaka, where 23 people were killed in a terror attack on the night of July 1, 2016, will open for four hours on Saturday for relatives of the victims and the general public to pay their respects.&nbsp;

22 people were killed in the terror attack.&nbsp;

17 of the victims had been foreigners, one of whom had been a young Indian girl.&nbsp;

bdnews24 reported that on the first anniversary of the attack, house no. 5 on road no. 79 at Gulshan-2 will be open from 10 am&nbsp;to 2 pm.

The owners of the two-storey building, Samira Ahmmed and her husband Sadat Mehedi, are renovating it and plan on moving into it. &nbsp;

The couple took charge of the building in November last year following a court order.

&quot;We will manage to keep the compound open for four hours for the people to pay tribute to the victims. We`ve also sought law enforcers` help,&quot; Mehedi said.

The original eatery reopened this January at Rangs Arcade on Gulshan Avenue.

23 people had died in the attack on the Holey Artisan bakery on July 1, 2016

The building that used to house the Holey Artisan Bakery and O' Kitchen Restaurant in Dhaka, where 23 people were killed in a terror attack on the night of July 1, 2016, will open for four hours on Saturday for relatives of the victims and the general public to pay their respects. 22 people were killed in the terror attack. 17 of the victims had been foreigners, one of whom had been a young Indian girl. bdnews24 reported that on the first anniversary of the attack, house no. 5 on road no. 79 at Gulshan-2 will be open from 10 am to 2 pm. The owners of the two-storey building, Samira Ahmmed and her husband Sadat Mehedi, are renovating it and plan on moving into it. The couple took charge of the building in November last year following a court order. "We will manage to keep the compound open for four hours for the people to pay tribute to the victims. We`ve also sought law enforcers` help," Mehedi said. The original eatery reopened this January at Rangs Arcade on Gulshan Avenue.

On first anniversary, site of Dhaka cafe attack to open to public for 4 hours

&nbsp;

The term &lsquo;disclosure&rsquo; is an unusual word, especially for a person who is suffering from mental illness, as the act of making a &lsquo;disclosure&rsquo; requires telling someone about personal suffering. Mentally-ill, quite rightfully, fear that disclosure will invite discrimination. Evidence suggests patients are reluctant to make a disclosure, fearing dangerous consequences; they are treated with bias, subjected to harassment, ridiculed, expelled from schools, jobs, lose the support of loved ones. The list is endless with the nadir reached with exclusion and isolation. Social stigma and inadequate public support for treatment leave them with few options.

&nbsp;

However, the time has come for a steady erosion of such beliefs. In this context, Indian lawmakers deserve a compliment for having taken a major step to pass the Mental Healthcare Bill, 2016. Indeed, it is a landmark achievement considering that this step has come almost after two decades. The Bill seeks to adopt a modern, sensitive and humane approach to deal with mental problems and simultaneously promises to protect the rights of persons with mental illness. Very importantly, the Bill contains provisions of bolstering treatment and healthcare facilities, ensuring accountability and availability of the services to the needy.

&nbsp;

The importance of this piece of legislation can be gauged from the quantum of mental health-related problems in the country. According to the World Health Organisation&rsquo;s most recent report, 7.5 per cent of Indians suffer from some kind of major or minor mental disorders. On similar lines, a report released by the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences in October 2016, said that the incidence of depression is roughly one in every 20 Indians &mdash; or five per cent of the population. What is even more depressing is, while the burden of mental illness is rapidly growing in the country, a large section of the impacted population do not receive treatment at all.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The reason behind this is the limited to psychiatric outreach. According to a Lancet study, there are 0&middot;3 psychiatrists per a hundred thousands population.

&nbsp;

Barriers to effective mental health care are many, and they include lack of resources and a shortage of trained healthcare professionals, clinical psychologists and social workers. Crucially, by passing this piece of legislation, our policymakers have bid adieu to the archaic laws of the Mental Health Act of 1987. While this ancient Act was a landmark in itself, in the sense that it replaced the century-old Indian Lunacy Act 1912, yet, there were numerous drawbacks. Not only did it lack any sense of human rights but also missed a clear direction in providing mental health services. The role of the family, which is so essential in management, was completely ignored. Hence, a revision of the laws was essential.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The new Mental Healthcare Bill, 2016, outlays several positive notes:

First, and most importantly, the Bill seeks to decriminalise Section 309 of the Indian Penal Code, under which suicide attempt by the mentally-ill people was considered to be a criminal offence. It is clearly understood that any act of crime undertaken by a mentally-ill person, which often gets violent, is not a deliberate attempt but merely a result of an unusual or strange behaviour. Hence, the new Bill has adopted a pragmatic approach by treating such instances as an outcome of severe stress. Besides, the new law also calls for the rehabilitation of such individuals.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The second important aspect of the Bill is, it accords the right to access mental healthcare services and treatment run or funded by the Government. Additionally, it calls for a free supply of all notified essential medicines to the mentally ill patients. Situations that have existed until now really present a grim scenario, with many well-functioning hospitals not providing regular psychiatric outpatient services, leave alone in-patient facilities. In fact, in most of the hospitals, a psychiatrist or even a bed for such people is not available. This had become a long-entrenched barrier to their treatment. It is here that the new laws mandate parity for mental and physical healthcare. It calls to raise the number of psychologists and psychiatrists, who are in short supply across the country.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Third, the new legislation places a strong emphasis on advance directive, which means a mentally-ill person will have the right to direct his doctor/psychiatrist on the kind of treatment he/she wants to opt for along with empowering them with the right to nominate their representative.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Fourth, the Bill calls for improved healthcare services and facilities. On its priority list are: Effective primary and district-level coverage of mental health services; increase in the base of psychiatrists, which remains abysmally low when compared to the actual demand; training medical practitioners (according to studies, many doctors are not even confident in diagnosing the disease, leave alone treating); give more preference to professional counselling, which is perhaps the best way to cure this disease; increase health insurance in view of the growth of private players which has seen a sharp rise in out-of-pocket expenditures.

&nbsp;

On the one hand, when India has taken tremendous strides in the field of medicine, such scientific and normative advances were in dire need of support in the form of progressive laws, which the new Bill has successfully addressed. However, a patient-friendly legislation that makes promises is not enough. What has been promised on paper must be executed. Second, an attempt must be made to change deep-seated attitudes that a mentally ill patient is different from other sick people and is inferior. As a matter of fact, mental illness is very much curable when detected early. More than anything else, we need to get out of the colonial mode of treatment as that of being confined to a mental asylum (pagal khana) as this makes the patient doubly vulnerable.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

It is, therefore, important that people affected by this disease come out openly and talk about it. Noted Bollywood actors are examples as they have come out of the darkness by candidly speaking about their stressed emotional conditions, how it affected them, and how they managed it.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

It is expected that the new Bill, along with sustained efforts on the part of doctors, psychiatrists, community healthcare professionals, friends and family members, will go a long way to improve India&#39;s outlook towards critical mental health issues and will also push the country to the club of the most liberal democracies of the world where the mentally-ill are given an opportunity to be part of the mainstream.

&nbsp;

Will the Mental Healthcare Bill, 2016 end persecution of the mental patients

The term ‘disclosure’ is an unusual word, especially for a person who is suffering from mental illness, as the act of making a ‘disclosure’ requires telling someone about personal suffering. Mentally-ill, quite rightfully, fear that disclosure will invite discrimination. Evidence suggests patients are reluctant to make a disclosure, fearing dangerous consequences; they are treated with bias, subjected to harassment, ridiculed, expelled from schools, jobs, lose the support of loved ones. The list is endless with the nadir reached with exclusion and isolation. Social stigma and inadequate public support for treatment leave them with few options. However, the time has come for a steady erosion of such beliefs. In this context, Indian lawmakers deserve a compliment for having taken a major step to pass the Mental Healthcare Bill, 2016. Indeed, it is a landmark achievement considering that this step has come almost after two decades. The Bill seeks to adopt a modern, sensitive and humane approach to deal with mental problems and simultaneously promises to protect the rights of persons with mental illness. Very importantly, the Bill contains provisions of bolstering treatment and healthcare facilities, ensuring accountability and availability of the services to the needy. The importance of this piece of legislation can be gauged from the quantum of mental health-related problems in the country. According to the World Health Organisation’s most recent report, 7.5 per cent of Indians suffer from some kind of major or minor mental disorders. On similar lines, a report released by the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences in October 2016, said that the incidence of depression is roughly one in every 20 Indians — or five per cent of the population. What is even more depressing is, while the burden of mental illness is rapidly growing in the country, a large section of the impacted population do not receive treatment at all. The reason behind this is the limited to psychiatric outreach. According to a Lancet study, there are 0·3 psychiatrists per a hundred thousands population. Barriers to effective mental health care are many, and they include lack of resources and a shortage of trained healthcare professionals, clinical psychologists and social workers. Crucially, by passing this piece of legislation, our policymakers have bid adieu to the archaic laws of the Mental Health Act of 1987. While this ancient Act was a landmark in itself, in the sense that it replaced the century-old Indian Lunacy Act 1912, yet, there were numerous drawbacks. Not only did it lack any sense of human rights but also missed a clear direction in providing mental health services. The role of the family, which is so essential in management, was completely ignored. Hence, a revision of the laws was essential. The new Mental Healthcare Bill, 2016, outlays several positive notes: First, and most importantly, the Bill seeks to decriminalise Section 309 of the Indian Penal Code, under which suicide attempt by the mentally-ill people was considered to be a criminal offence. It is clearly understood that any act of crime undertaken by a mentally-ill person, which often gets violent, is not a deliberate attempt but merely a result of an unusual or strange behaviour. Hence, the new Bill has adopted a pragmatic approach by treating such instances as an outcome of severe stress. Besides, the new law also calls for the rehabilitation of such individuals. The second important aspect of the Bill is, it accords the right to access mental healthcare services and treatment run or funded by the Government. Additionally, it calls for a free supply of all notified essential medicines to the mentally ill patients. Situations that have existed until now really present a grim scenario, with many well-functioning hospitals not providing regular psychiatric outpatient services, leave alone in-patient facilities. In fact, in most of the hospitals, a psychiatrist or even a bed for such people is not available. This had become a long-entrenched barrier to their treatment. It is here that the new laws mandate parity for mental and physical healthcare. It calls to raise the number of psychologists and psychiatrists, who are in short supply across the country. Third, the new legislation places a strong emphasis on advance directive, which means a mentally-ill person will have the right to direct his doctor/psychiatrist on the kind of treatment he/she wants to opt for along with empowering them with the right to nominate their representative. Fourth, the Bill calls for improved healthcare services and facilities. On its priority list are: Effective primary and district-level coverage of mental health services; increase in the base of psychiatrists, which remains abysmally low when compared to the actual demand; training medical practitioners (according to studies, many doctors are not even confident in diagnosing the disease, leave alone treating); give more preference to professional counselling, which is perhaps the best way to cure this disease; increase health insurance in view of the growth of private players which has seen a sharp rise in out-of-pocket expenditures. On the one hand, when India has taken tremendous strides in the field of medicine, such scientific and normative advances were in dire need of support in the form of progressive laws, which the new Bill has successfully addressed. However, a patient-friendly legislation that makes promises is not enough. What has been promised on paper must be executed. Second, an attempt must be made to change deep-seated attitudes that a mentally ill patient is different from other sick people and is inferior. As a matter of fact, mental illness is very much curable when detected early. More than anything else, we need to get out of the colonial mode of treatment as that of being confined to a mental asylum (pagal khana) as this makes the patient doubly vulnerable. It is, therefore, important that people affected by this disease come out openly and talk about it. Noted Bollywood actors are examples as they have come out of the darkness by candidly speaking about their stressed emotional conditions, how it affected them, and how they managed it. It is expected that the new Bill, along with sustained efforts on the part of doctors, psychiatrists, community healthcare professionals, friends and family members, will go a long way to improve India's outlook towards critical mental health issues and will also push the country to the club of the most liberal democracies of the world where the mentally-ill are given an opportunity to be part of the mainstream.

Creating a better world for the mentally ill

The Indian government has recently introduced the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016. The Bill proposes that illegal immigrants in India belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan would be entitled to Indian citizenship after six years of residence even if they have no valid papers or passport.

Lawmakers have maintained that this move to grant Indian citizenship to the above categories of persons from neighbouring countries is based on &lsquo;humanitarian grounds&rsquo;.&nbsp;

The Bill, however, ends up raising more questions than it seeks to address, including raising doubts on the government&rsquo;s actual humanitarian concern and also the impact of such a move.&nbsp;

First, the most notable criticism of the Bill is that in this entire scheme, Muslims are conspicuous by their absence. In short, Muslim migrants would not be entitled to the benefit of such a law if it were to be passed.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

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<h5>Muslim migrants would not be entitled to the benefit of such a law if it were to be passed</h5>
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&nbsp;

The Bill is seen by many as a consequence of the BJP&rsquo;s election promise in 2014 to grant citizenship to Hindus from Muslim majority countries. During its campaign, BJP had declared India to be a natural home for persecuted Hindus and said that it has a responsibility towards Hindus who are harassed in other countries. However, it was not mentioned at that time that no such responsibility would be taken for Muslims who are faced with similar circumstances.&nbsp;

If the government was moved only by humanitarian concern towards victims of religious persecution and displacement, it could not afford to exclude approximately 36,000 Rohingya Muslims who were forced to flee Myanmar due to the 2015 insurgency and are currently living in different parts of India and praying for asylum ever since.&nbsp;

The Bill also conveniently overlooks the plight of Muslim sects like Shias and Ahmediyas who face persecution in Sunni-dominated Pakistan.

Second, even keeping the visible exclusion of Muslims aside, the claims about humanitarian concerns further seem inconsistent due to other reasons. Neighbouring Sri Lanka, where Tamils have faced a history of persecution has been excluded from the ambit, raising a question whether it was thought that such inclusion would be more suited to the interests of regional political parties, such as the AIADMK and the DMK than BJP. Also questionable is the move to exclude migrants from countries like China, prompting the critics to ask whether the government has decided to adopt a safer foreign policy of not wanting to openly label China as an aggressor or burning any further bridges with them.

Third, the Bill has been widely criticised on the ground that it fails to take into confidence or address concerns of indigenous people and their decades-long movement against illegal migrants. The prime case in point is Assam, which is already suffering from a high influx of migrants from Bangladesh. According to the Assam Accord, 1985, anyone entering India after 25th March, 1971, is an illegal citizen, irrespective of their religion.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

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<h5>The Bill fails to take into confidence or address concerns of indigenous people and their decades long movement against illegal migrants</h5>
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The Bill has neither tried to assuage the apprehensions of all the stakeholders nor has it made adequate provisions to avoid conflict with the Assam Accord. This move of the government also comes at a time when, based on the Assam Accord and upon the intervention of the Supreme Court of India, the Government of Assam is updating the National Register for Citizens to include people permanently residing in the state till 24th March, 1971 and to only treat such persons as citizens of the country.

Several Assamese organisations are protesting against this Bill due to the fear of exodus of religious minorities from Bangladesh amid rising attacks on them by militants as it may further complicate the already vulnerable demographic of Assam.

Fourth, it is suggested by various quarters that even if the government decides to give shelter to victims of religious persecution from neighbouring countries on humanitarian ground, they should be only given &lsquo;Refugee&rsquo; status as per international law and not that of a &lsquo;Migrant&rsquo;.

&nbsp;The Bill seems to confuse &lsquo;Refugees&rsquo; with &lsquo;Migrants&rsquo; and overlooks this important distinction by terming religious minority people as migrants, when they would in fact be refugees.&nbsp;

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<h5>The Bill seems to confuse &lsquo;Refugees&rsquo; with &lsquo;Migrants&rsquo; and overlooks this important distinction by terming religious minority people as migrants, when they would in fact be refugees.&nbsp;</h5>
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&lsquo;Migration&rsquo; means voluntary movement of people, usually for seeking better economic prospects. On the other hand, &lsquo;refuge&rsquo; is an involuntary act of forced movement, compelled by preservation of human rights and safety and not to gain any economic advantage. Using the correct terminology in the Bill is important as the laws and policies, especially under international law for migrants and refugees are entirely different.

Shelter to individuals of&nbsp;a select religion, however, by excluding others defeats the intention and rationality of international refugee laws.&nbsp;

The Bill also plays foul with our own long-standing refugee policy. Even though India does not have a codified refugee policy, during the Tibetan refugee crisis, one of the main conditions was that refugees would have to return to their homeland once normalcy prevailed. In a direct contradiction, the proposed amendment not only provides citizenship rights to such refugees, but vastly relaxes the procedure to avail of such citizenship.

The Statement of Objects and Reasons of Bill maintains a studied silence on all the above issues. The Bill most importantly fails to explain why the Muslim community is being singled out in an apparent violation of Article 14 &ndash; Right to Equality &ndash; of the constitution. It was only after the Bill came under heavy criticism from opposition parties for being &lsquo;biased&rsquo; against one specific religion that it was sent to a Joint Parliamentary Committee for further examination.

The unfortunate trend that emerges is that be it any party in power, the citizenship laws have always been used by ruling governments to appease and consolidate their own respective vote banks.&nbsp;

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<h5>The Citizenship laws have always been used by ruling Governments to appease and consolidate their own respective vote banks</h5>
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Earlier, the Congress government was forced to negotiate the Assam Accord, affecting primarily Muslims who, as a result stood debarred from obtaining Indian citizenship even after many years of residence. This in turn led to the electoral victory of Asom Gana Parishad.&nbsp;

In order to dilute the effect of the Assam Accord, the Congress enacted the Illegal Migrant (Determination by Tribunal) Act, 1983, which provided for the detection and expulsion of illegal immigrants from Assam &ndash; all of them Bangladeshi Muslims. However, in an exercise in appeasement, it was ensured that the procedure provided in the Act and the implementation thereof was such that the expulsions were virtually negligible.&nbsp;

While favouring one community for electoral gains is bad enough, excluding the community altogether is even worse and severely undermines the otherwise secular socio-legal framework of our nation. It is a move that violates the policy of pluralism and co-existence on which the Indian polity is based.

The Supreme Court of India has stated on more than one occasion that secularism forms the basic structure of our constitution and cannot be done away with. The Bill may tend to do just the opposite.

Also, such a selective law based purely on religious identities sends out the wrong message of hostile, unreceptive nationalism, which considers itself to be under siege from other communities.&nbsp;

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<h5>Such a selective law based purely on religious identities sends out the wrong message of hostile, unreceptive nationalism, which considers itself to be under siege from other communities.&nbsp;</h5>
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Therefore, the Bill may have a polarising effect and would further increase the trust deficit between the ruling government and the muslim community, something which a mature, participative and inclusive democracy can ill afford.&nbsp;

It is therefore hoped that the government would, rather than hastening with the Bill and taking a myopic view of things, agree to take into account the views of all those who are affected by the passage of the Bill and sufficiently answer their apprehensions.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill raises doubts on the government?s actual humanitarian concern

The Indian government has recently introduced the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016. The Bill proposes that illegal immigrants in India belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan would be entitled to Indian citizenship after six years of residence even if they have no valid papers or passport. Lawmakers have maintained that this move to grant Indian citizenship to the above categories of persons from neighbouring countries is based on ‘humanitarian grounds’. The Bill, however, ends up raising more questions than it seeks to address, including raising doubts on the government’s actual humanitarian concern and also the impact of such a move. First, the most notable criticism of the Bill is that in this entire scheme, Muslims are conspicuous by their absence. In short, Muslim migrants would not be entitled to the benefit of such a law if it were to be passed. Muslim migrants would not be entitled to the benefit of such a law if it were to be passed × The Bill is seen by many as a consequence of the BJP’s election promise in 2014 to grant citizenship to Hindus from Muslim majority countries. During its campaign, BJP had declared India to be a natural home for persecuted Hindus and said that it has a responsibility towards Hindus who are harassed in other countries. However, it was not mentioned at that time that no such responsibility would be taken for Muslims who are faced with similar circumstances. If the government was moved only by humanitarian concern towards victims of religious persecution and displacement, it could not afford to exclude approximately 36,000 Rohingya Muslims who were forced to flee Myanmar due to the 2015 insurgency and are currently living in different parts of India and praying for asylum ever since. The Bill also conveniently overlooks the plight of Muslim sects like Shias and Ahmediyas who face persecution in Sunni-dominated Pakistan. Second, even keeping the visible exclusion of Muslims aside, the claims about humanitarian concerns further seem inconsistent due to other reasons. Neighbouring Sri Lanka, where Tamils have faced a history of persecution has been excluded from the ambit, raising a question whether it was thought that such inclusion would be more suited to the interests of regional political parties, such as the AIADMK and the DMK than BJP. Also questionable is the move to exclude migrants from countries like China, prompting the critics to ask whether the government has decided to adopt a safer foreign policy of not wanting to openly label China as an aggressor or burning any further bridges with them. Third, the Bill has been widely criticised on the ground that it fails to take into confidence or address concerns of indigenous people and their decades-long movement against illegal migrants. The prime case in point is Assam, which is already suffering from a high influx of migrants from Bangladesh. According to the Assam Accord, 1985, anyone entering India after 25th March, 1971, is an illegal citizen, irrespective of their religion. The Bill fails to take into confidence or address concerns of indigenous people and their decades long movement against illegal migrants × The Bill has neither tried to assuage the apprehensions of all the stakeholders nor has it made adequate provisions to avoid conflict with the Assam Accord. This move of the government also comes at a time when, based on the Assam Accord and upon the intervention of the Supreme Court of India, the Government of Assam is updating the National Register for Citizens to include people permanently residing in the state till 24th March, 1971 and to only treat such persons as citizens of the country. Several Assamese organisations are protesting against this Bill due to the fear of exodus of religious minorities from Bangladesh amid rising attacks on them by militants as it may further complicate the already vulnerable demographic of Assam. Fourth, it is suggested by various quarters that even if the government decides to give shelter to victims of religious persecution from neighbouring countries on humanitarian ground, they should be only given ‘Refugee’ status as per international law and not that of a ‘Migrant’. The Bill seems to confuse ‘Refugees’ with ‘Migrants’ and overlooks this important distinction by terming religious minority people as migrants, when they would in fact be refugees. The Bill seems to confuse ‘Refugees’ with ‘Migrants’ and overlooks this important distinction by terming religious minority people as migrants, when they would in fact be refugees. × ‘Migration’ means voluntary movement of people, usually for seeking better economic prospects. On the other hand, ‘refuge’ is an involuntary act of forced movement, compelled by preservation of human rights and safety and not to gain any economic advantage. Using the correct terminology in the Bill is important as the laws and policies, especially under international law for migrants and refugees are entirely different. Shelter to individuals of a select religion, however, by excluding others defeats the intention and rationality of international refugee laws. The Bill also plays foul with our own long-standing refugee policy. Even though India does not have a codified refugee policy, during the Tibetan refugee crisis, one of the main conditions was that refugees would have to return to their homeland once normalcy prevailed. In a direct contradiction, the proposed amendment not only provides citizenship rights to such refugees, but vastly relaxes the procedure to avail of such citizenship. The Statement of Objects and Reasons of Bill maintains a studied silence on all the above issues. The Bill most importantly fails to explain why the Muslim community is being singled out in an apparent violation of Article 14 – Right to Equality – of the constitution. It was only after the Bill came under heavy criticism from opposition parties for being ‘biased’ against one specific religion that it was sent to a Joint Parliamentary Committee for further examination. The unfortunate trend that emerges is that be it any party in power, the citizenship laws have always been used by ruling governments to appease and consolidate their own respective vote banks. The Citizenship laws have always been used by ruling Governments to appease and consolidate their own respective vote banks × Earlier, the Congress government was forced to negotiate the Assam Accord, affecting primarily Muslims who, as a result stood debarred from obtaining Indian citizenship even after many years of residence. This in turn led to the electoral victory of Asom Gana Parishad. In order to dilute the effect of the Assam Accord, the Congress enacted the Illegal Migrant (Determination by Tribunal) Act, 1983, which provided for the detection and expulsion of illegal immigrants from Assam – all of them Bangladeshi Muslims. However, in an exercise in appeasement, it was ensured that the procedure provided in the Act and the implementation thereof was such that the expulsions were virtually negligible. While favouring one community for electoral gains is bad enough, excluding the community altogether is even worse and severely undermines the otherwise secular socio-legal framework of our nation. It is a move that violates the policy of pluralism and co-existence on which the Indian polity is based. The Supreme Court of India has stated on more than one occasion that secularism forms the basic structure of our constitution and cannot be done away with. The Bill may tend to do just the opposite. Also, such a selective law based purely on religious identities sends out the wrong message of hostile, unreceptive nationalism, which considers itself to be under siege from other communities. Such a selective law based purely on religious identities sends out the wrong message of hostile, unreceptive nationalism, which considers itself to be under siege from other communities. × Therefore, the Bill may have a polarising effect and would further increase the trust deficit between the ruling government and the muslim community, something which a mature, participative and inclusive democracy can ill afford. It is therefore hoped that the government would, rather than hastening with the Bill and taking a myopic view of things, agree to take into account the views of all those who are affected by the passage of the Bill and sufficiently answer their apprehensions.

Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016: The politics of humanity

Organisers of the 2016 Paralympic Games are giving away half a million tickets 100 days before the start of competition in a bid to boost support for September&#39;s events, officials said on Monday. 
 
Sales have lagged and Rio de Janeiro said it was buying 500,000 tickets to give to city employees, students and the handicapped. 
Before the announcement, only 720,000 oout of the total 3.3 million tickets had been sold, said Donovan Ferreti, director of ticketing to Reuters. 
Ferreti said that number was disappointing but hoped Monday`s announcement would boost interest in the 23 Paralympic events that will take place between Sept. 7 and 18. 
&quot;We are delighted that these students are coming to be part of this unique experience,&quot; said Ferreti. 
Some 392,000 of the free tickets will go to children who get good grades in school, he said. 
Another 47,000 tickets will be given away by the city of Rio for the Olympics, which will be held in South America for the first time between Aug. 5 and 21.

Organisers of the 2016 Paralympic Games are giving away half a million tickets 100 days before the start of competition in a bid to boost support for September's events

Organisers of the 2016 Paralympic Games are giving away half a million tickets 100 days before the start of competition in a bid to boost support for September's events, officials said on Monday. Sales have lagged and Rio de Janeiro said it was buying 500,000 tickets to give to city employees, students and the handicapped. Before the announcement, only 720,000 oout of the total 3.3 million tickets had been sold, said Donovan Ferreti, director of ticketing to Reuters. Ferreti said that number was disappointing but hoped Monday`s announcement would boost interest in the 23 Paralympic events that will take place between Sept. 7 and 18. "We are delighted that these students are coming to be part of this unique experience," said Ferreti. Some 392,000 of the free tickets will go to children who get good grades in school, he said. Another 47,000 tickets will be given away by the city of Rio for the Olympics, which will be held in South America for the first time between Aug. 5 and 21.

Rio gives away 500,000 Paralympics tickets to boost support

A bill to improve maternity benefits was passed in the Rajya Sabha, the Upper House of the Indian parliament, on Thursday. The Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Bill, 2016 increases the maternity leave that Indian women are entitled to from 12 weeks to 26 weeks. 
 
The bill which now has to be passed by the Lok Sabha, the Lower House of the Indian parliament, before it becomes law, also allows maternity leave for, in the language of the bill, &nbsp;&ldquo;commissioning mothers&rdquo; i.e, women who have their fertilised eggs implanted in surrogates.&nbsp; 
 
There is also a provision in the bill that requires companies with more than 50 employees to have creches and allow female employees to visit the cr?che at least four times a day, according to an analysis by the Delhi-based organisation PRS Legislative Research. 
 
The original Maternity Benefit Act in India, which was introduced in 1961, has gone through amendments several times over the past 55 years including in 1976, 1988, 1995 and 2008. The 12-week maternity-leave provision had survived all those amendments, but it seems the Indian parliament might finally be bringing maternity leave benefits in line with the rest of the world.&nbsp; 
 
Considering just the countries in South Asia, if the proposed bill comes into law, India will have the most maternity leave granted to mothers, according to the 2014 International Labour Organization report &ldquo;Maternity and Paternity at work&rdquo;. Paternity leave though has been left untouched by the bill at 0 days, leaving India behind Bangladesh which legally allows fathers 10 days of paternity leave. 
 
<img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/1_maternity%20leaves%20in%20sa-20160815120002.jpg" /> 
 
 
<img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/2_paternity%20leave%20in%20sa-20160815120150.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
 
The move from 12 to 26 weeks would actually leave India 13th in the list of countries with the most generous maternity leave periods. The list is led by Balkan countries such as Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro, which all offer at least 52 weeks or a year as maternity leave. When it comes to paternity leave though, the Nordic countries lead the way with Iceland offering 90 and Finland offering 54 days of paternity leave. 
 
<img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/3_countries%20with%20the%20most%20maternity%20leaves-20160815120417.jpg" />
</div>
 
<img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/4_countries%20with%20the%20most%20paternity%20leavepsd-20160815120539.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
 
Countries in the Persian Gulf are the most regressive when it comes to maternity leave with the United Arab Emirates offering just six weeks, Qatar and Oman seven weeks. 
 
 
<img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/5_countries%20with%20the%20least%20maternity%20leaves-20160815120730.jpg" />

<div class="media-description">
 
There are several offenders when it comes to paternity leave around the world, with India just one of 105 countries to offer no paternity leave at all. After this blow struck for maternal rights, it seems like legislation recognising the rights of Indian fathers is long overdue too. 
 
(Graphics: Simranjeet Singh)
</div>
</div>

The Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Bill 2016 increases maternity leave from 12 to 26 weeks (explained by infographics)

A bill to improve maternity benefits was passed in the Rajya Sabha, the Upper House of the Indian parliament, on Thursday. The Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Bill, 2016 increases the maternity leave that Indian women are entitled to from 12 weeks to 26 weeks. The bill which now has to be passed by the Lok Sabha, the Lower House of the Indian parliament, before it becomes law, also allows maternity leave for, in the language of the bill, “commissioning mothers” i.e, women who have their fertilised eggs implanted in surrogates. There is also a provision in the bill that requires companies with more than 50 employees to have creches and allow female employees to visit the cr?che at least four times a day, according to an analysis by the Delhi-based organisation PRS Legislative Research. The original Maternity Benefit Act in India, which was introduced in 1961, has gone through amendments several times over the past 55 years including in 1976, 1988, 1995 and 2008. The 12-week maternity-leave provision had survived all those amendments, but it seems the Indian parliament might finally be bringing maternity leave benefits in line with the rest of the world. Considering just the countries in South Asia, if the proposed bill comes into law, India will have the most maternity leave granted to mothers, according to the 2014 International Labour Organization report “Maternity and Paternity at work”. Paternity leave though has been left untouched by the bill at 0 days, leaving India behind Bangladesh which legally allows fathers 10 days of paternity leave. The move from 12 to 26 weeks would actually leave India 13th in the list of countries with the most generous maternity leave periods. The list is led by Balkan countries such as Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro, which all offer at least 52 weeks or a year as maternity leave. When it comes to paternity leave though, the Nordic countries lead the way with Iceland offering 90 and Finland offering 54 days of paternity leave. Countries in the Persian Gulf are the most regressive when it comes to maternity leave with the United Arab Emirates offering just six weeks, Qatar and Oman seven weeks. There are several offenders when it comes to paternity leave around the world, with India just one of 105 countries to offer no paternity leave at all. After this blow struck for maternal rights, it seems like legislation recognising the rights of Indian fathers is long overdue too. (Graphics: Simranjeet Singh)

Mothers could get longer maternity leaves in India

Brazil&#39;s Olympic coach Rogerio Micale called up midfielder Douglas Costa and goalkeeper Fernando Prass on Wednesday to join striker Neymar as the three players over the age of 23 to play with Brazil as they try to win Olympic gold at home at the 2016 Rio Olympics. 
 
Neymar, who was already named to the Olympic squad in a deal reached with Barcelona, is the biggest name on the list of 18 players Micale announced at the Brazilian Soccer Confederation (CBF) headquarters in Rio de Janeiro. 
 
Micale said he would not hesitate to reach out to Brazil&#39;s new head coach for the national team, Tite, as he steers his team through the Olympics. 
 
&quot;It&#39;s an honour, a joy to have &#39;Professor Tite&#39; on my side. I&#39;m not going to feel any kind of embarrassment leaning on his wisdom, all the soccer experiences he has seen, the victories he&#39;s had all this time. I want to be very close (to him), because whatever can be added right now will be good for my career,&quot; Micale said. 
 
Brazil are thirsty for a gold medal on their home turf after taking silver to Mexico at the London 2012 Games. 
 
Micale said he was forced to leave players he had hoped to count on out of the line-up after their clubs would not free them up for the Olympics, which are not part of the FIFA calendar for national teams. 
 
Micale said most the players on the squad are leaders at their clubs, both domestically and abroad, and that he is confident in his young team adding that they could take some pressure off of Neymar. 
 
&quot;He&#39;s a player with a different kind of profile, an indisputable quality, one of the best players in the world. I think any coach from any national team in the world would like to be able to count on a player with a profile like his. But on the national team we try to add other leaders, we do have them, yes. I don&#39;t think we can put it all on one player even if he has all the qualities he represents in soccer throughout the world. And my expectations are that he will respond. I know how badly he wants a medal, just like the rest of us,&quot; Micale added. 
 
The 2016 Olympics will be Brazil&#39;s first official competition in Brazil since their failed 2014 World Cup in which they lost 7 to 1 to Germany in the semi-finals and then again to the Netherlands 3 to 0 in the third place match. 
 
Brazil will open their campaign in Group A against South Africa (Aug. 8, Brasilia), Iraq (Aug. 7, Brasilia) and Denmark (Aug. 10, Salvador). 
 
(Reuters)

2016 Olympics will be Brazil's first official competition in Brazil since their failed 2014 World Cup in which they lost 7 to 1 to Germany

Brazil's Olympic coach Rogerio Micale called up midfielder Douglas Costa and goalkeeper Fernando Prass on Wednesday to join striker Neymar as the three players over the age of 23 to play with Brazil as they try to win Olympic gold at home at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Neymar, who was already named to the Olympic squad in a deal reached with Barcelona, is the biggest name on the list of 18 players Micale announced at the Brazilian Soccer Confederation (CBF) headquarters in Rio de Janeiro. Micale said he would not hesitate to reach out to Brazil's new head coach for the national team, Tite, as he steers his team through the Olympics. "It's an honour, a joy to have 'Professor Tite' on my side. I'm not going to feel any kind of embarrassment leaning on his wisdom, all the soccer experiences he has seen, the victories he's had all this time. I want to be very close (to him), because whatever can be added right now will be good for my career," Micale said. Brazil are thirsty for a gold medal on their home turf after taking silver to Mexico at the London 2012 Games. Micale said he was forced to leave players he had hoped to count on out of the line-up after their clubs would not free them up for the Olympics, which are not part of the FIFA calendar for national teams. Micale said most the players on the squad are leaders at their clubs, both domestically and abroad, and that he is confident in his young team adding that they could take some pressure off of Neymar. "He's a player with a different kind of profile, an indisputable quality, one of the best players in the world. I think any coach from any national team in the world would like to be able to count on a player with a profile like his. But on the national team we try to add other leaders, we do have them, yes. I don't think we can put it all on one player even if he has all the qualities he represents in soccer throughout the world. And my expectations are that he will respond. I know how badly he wants a medal, just like the rest of us," Micale added. The 2016 Olympics will be Brazil's first official competition in Brazil since their failed 2014 World Cup in which they lost 7 to 1 to Germany in the semi-finals and then again to the Netherlands 3 to 0 in the third place match. Brazil will open their campaign in Group A against South Africa (Aug. 8, Brasilia), Iraq (Aug. 7, Brasilia) and Denmark (Aug. 10, Salvador). (Reuters)

Neymar, Douglas Costa named in Brazil's Olympic squad

Chile upset favourites Argentina with a penalty shootout victory in the Copa America final at MetLife Stadium on Sunday to retain their title in the world`s oldest continental soccer competition. 
 
Chile earned themselves bragging rights as South America`s dominant team as they beat heavyweights Argentina 4-2 on penalties for a second straight year. 
 
Lionel Messi missed from the spot in the shootout, cutting a dejected figure after the result was sealed and Argentina`s trophy drought had been extended to 23 years. 
 
&quot;We are an historic group and we proved that today,&quot; Chilean striker Eduardo Vargas told TV cameras after the game. 
 
The two sides were deadlocked 0-0 after 90 minutes and also after another half an hour of extra time in a match where both teams were reduced to 10 men in the first half. 
 
Chilean substitute Francisco Silva placed his penalty low and to the right of Sergio Romero to score the decider after Messi and Lucas Biglia missed for Argentina and Arturo Vidal missed for Chile. 
 
The win was the second Copa America in a row for Chile, who won their first Copa title at home last year in exactly the same fashion, beating Argentina on penalties after the teams had drawn 0-0 after extra time. 
 
The excitement of the penalty finish barely made up for a disappointing game in which both teams failed to provide many memorable moments for the announced sellout 82,000 crowd in New Jersey. 
 
The bulk of first half action involved referee Heber Lopes in an overly physical encounter. 
 
The Brazilian sent off Marcelo Diaz on 27 minutes for a second crude challenge on Messi, and then he levelled the sides 15 minutes later when he showed Marcos Rojo a straight red for a harsh tackle on Vidal. 
 
Three others were booked, including Messi for diving inside the box, in a first half that had as many cards as shots on goal. 
 
The second half provided more of the same and although Chile, who have never beaten Argentina in open play in 26 previous Copa America encounters, at least managed to call Romero into action, neither side created any clear cut chances. 
 
The 30 minutes of extra time was more of the same, although Vargas came close for Chile and substitute Sergio Aguero had a nice header tipped over by Claudio Bravo. 
 
The Centenary Copa America was played in the United States for the first time this year to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the inaugural Copa America in 1916. 
 
The tournament was expanded to 16 teams, 10 from South America and six from the CONCACAF region of North and central America and the Caribbean. 
 
(Reuters) 
 
 
(Reuters)

Win on penalties. Both sides were reduced to 10 men in the first half

Chile upset favourites Argentina with a penalty shootout victory in the Copa America final at MetLife Stadium on Sunday to retain their title in the world`s oldest continental soccer competition. Chile earned themselves bragging rights as South America`s dominant team as they beat heavyweights Argentina 4-2 on penalties for a second straight year. Lionel Messi missed from the spot in the shootout, cutting a dejected figure after the result was sealed and Argentina`s trophy drought had been extended to 23 years. "We are an historic group and we proved that today," Chilean striker Eduardo Vargas told TV cameras after the game. The two sides were deadlocked 0-0 after 90 minutes and also after another half an hour of extra time in a match where both teams were reduced to 10 men in the first half. Chilean substitute Francisco Silva placed his penalty low and to the right of Sergio Romero to score the decider after Messi and Lucas Biglia missed for Argentina and Arturo Vidal missed for Chile. The win was the second Copa America in a row for Chile, who won their first Copa title at home last year in exactly the same fashion, beating Argentina on penalties after the teams had drawn 0-0 after extra time. The excitement of the penalty finish barely made up for a disappointing game in which both teams failed to provide many memorable moments for the announced sellout 82,000 crowd in New Jersey. The bulk of first half action involved referee Heber Lopes in an overly physical encounter. The Brazilian sent off Marcelo Diaz on 27 minutes for a second crude challenge on Messi, and then he levelled the sides 15 minutes later when he showed Marcos Rojo a straight red for a harsh tackle on Vidal. Three others were booked, including Messi for diving inside the box, in a first half that had as many cards as shots on goal. The second half provided more of the same and although Chile, who have never beaten Argentina in open play in 26 previous Copa America encounters, at least managed to call Romero into action, neither side created any clear cut chances. The 30 minutes of extra time was more of the same, although Vargas came close for Chile and substitute Sergio Aguero had a nice header tipped over by Claudio Bravo. The Centenary Copa America was played in the United States for the first time this year to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the inaugural Copa America in 1916. The tournament was expanded to 16 teams, 10 from South America and six from the CONCACAF region of North and central America and the Caribbean. (Reuters) (Reuters)

Chile upset favourites Argentina, keep the Copa

<div style="text-align: justify;">Italy&nbsp;moved into the knockout stages of Euro 2016 and continued to defy their doubters as Eder scored two minutes from fulltime to secure a 1-0 win over a shot-shy and unadventurous Sweden on Friday. 
Eder ended a great run by firing home to move&nbsp;Italy&nbsp;clear at the top of Group E on six points after two matches following their 2-0 victory over Belgium in their opening encounter. 
The result left Sweden in an uncomfortable position with one point after two games ahead of their final group clash against Belgium next week. 
Sweden were well organised at the back but toothless in attack, with their danger man Zlatan Ibrahimovic looking a shadow of his brilliant best and hardly creating a chance. 
Italy, who came into the tournament with questions surrounding the strength of their squad, but surprised many with their superb performance against a highly-fancied Belgium side, relied on their trademark, tight defence against the Swedes. 
They rarely threatened up front, however, until Marco Parolo hit the crossbar with a header shortly before Eder netted the winner. 
&quot;It was a difficult game,&quot;&nbsp;Italy&nbsp;coach Antonio Conte told Rai Sport. &quot;We struggled in the first half. 
&quot;The boys did well to ride the storm and hurt Sweden when we needed to.&quot; 
Italy&nbsp;had been praised for their unity and work rate in their opening win over Belgium, but appeared to have no answer to Sweden&#39;s organised rearguard until Eder&#39;s late intervention. 
Sweden coach Erik Hamren had criticised their lack of attacking vitality following their opening 1-1 draw with Ireland, and while there was an improvement in their overall performance, Ibrahimovic once again failed to provide a cutting edge and live up to his billing. 
&quot;We were much better than the Italians for periods, but we didn&rsquo;t create really dangerous chances,&quot; Sweden midfielder Albin Ekdal told Swedish broadcaster SVT. 
Sweden are still without a shot on target at the tournament, although Martin Olsson proved a menacing threat down the left, sending an effort just over the bar on 18 minutes having set the tone with an early cross that prompted a nervous clearance from Giorgio Chiellini. 
Olsson&#39;s frequent forays left space for Antonio Candreva, but Andreas Isaksson and Erik Johansson combined to clear his testing deliveries, while Ibrahimovic flashed a close-range header wide towards the end of the first half. 
Having masterminded victory over the Belgians, Conte&#39;s tactics were completely neutralised during the opening 45 minutes in Toulouse and his side appeared unsettled as a result. 
&quot;At halftime Conte told us we were too slow and he was right,&quot; Parolo told Rai Sport. 
&quot;We changed the tempo after the break and we deserved our victory.&quot; 
Conte introduced Simone Zaza in the 60th minute and he had a decisive role in the winner, heading a Chiellini throw in into the path of Eder. 
The forward then cut in from the left -- evading Andreas Granqvist&#39;s attempted tackle -- and sent a curling right-footed shot round Isaksson to take&nbsp;Italy&nbsp;through. 
(Reuters)</div>

Eder scored two minutes from full time to secure the win against Sweden

Italy moved into the knockout stages of Euro 2016 and continued to defy their doubters as Eder scored two minutes from fulltime to secure a 1-0 win over a shot-shy and unadventurous Sweden on Friday. Eder ended a great run by firing home to move Italy clear at the top of Group E on six points after two matches following their 2-0 victory over Belgium in their opening encounter. The result left Sweden in an uncomfortable position with one point after two games ahead of their final group clash against Belgium next week. Sweden were well organised at the back but toothless in attack, with their danger man Zlatan Ibrahimovic looking a shadow of his brilliant best and hardly creating a chance. Italy, who came into the tournament with questions surrounding the strength of their squad, but surprised many with their superb performance against a highly-fancied Belgium side, relied on their trademark, tight defence against the Swedes. They rarely threatened up front, however, until Marco Parolo hit the crossbar with a header shortly before Eder netted the winner. "It was a difficult game," Italy coach Antonio Conte told Rai Sport. "We struggled in the first half. "The boys did well to ride the storm and hurt Sweden when we needed to." Italy had been praised for their unity and work rate in their opening win over Belgium, but appeared to have no answer to Sweden's organised rearguard until Eder's late intervention. Sweden coach Erik Hamren had criticised their lack of attacking vitality following their opening 1-1 draw with Ireland, and while there was an improvement in their overall performance, Ibrahimovic once again failed to provide a cutting edge and live up to his billing. "We were much better than the Italians for periods, but we didn’t create really dangerous chances," Sweden midfielder Albin Ekdal told Swedish broadcaster SVT. Sweden are still without a shot on target at the tournament, although Martin Olsson proved a menacing threat down the left, sending an effort just over the bar on 18 minutes having set the tone with an early cross that prompted a nervous clearance from Giorgio Chiellini. Olsson's frequent forays left space for Antonio Candreva, but Andreas Isaksson and Erik Johansson combined to clear his testing deliveries, while Ibrahimovic flashed a close-range header wide towards the end of the first half. Having masterminded victory over the Belgians, Conte's tactics were completely neutralised during the opening 45 minutes in Toulouse and his side appeared unsettled as a result. "At halftime Conte told us we were too slow and he was right," Parolo told Rai Sport. "We changed the tempo after the break and we deserved our victory." Conte introduced Simone Zaza in the 60th minute and he had a decisive role in the winner, heading a Chiellini throw in into the path of Eder. The forward then cut in from the left -- evading Andreas Granqvist's attempted tackle -- and sent a curling right-footed shot round Isaksson to take Italy through. (Reuters)

Late goal allows Italy to enter knockout stages of Euro 2016

Spain&#39;s seaside city of Barcelona on Thursday unveiled a large digital counter that will track the number of refugees who die in the Mediterranean, next to one of its popular beaches. 
 
&quot;We are inaugurating this shame counter, which will update all known victims who drowned in the Mediterranean in real time,&quot; said Mayor Ada Colau.&nbsp;The monument consists of a large metal rectangular pillar that comes decked out with a digital counter above the inscription &quot;This isn&#39;t just a number, these are people&quot;. 
 
The counter kicked off with &quot;3,034&quot;, the number of migrants and refugees who have died trying to cross the Mediterranean to Europe in 2016, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). 
 
&quot;We&#39;re here to look the Mediterranean in the face and look at this number, 3,034 people who drowned because they were not offered a safe passage,&quot; said Colau, as swimmers took advantage of the last rays of sunshine nearby. 
 
The fatality rate this year is higher than in the same period in 2015, the IOM said this week.&nbsp;One reason for the higher death toll this year is that there have been a series of shipwrecks involving larger vessels carrying several hundred people rather than the more typical dinghies that carry a maximum of 100 migrants. 
 
Syrians fleeing the country&#39;s brutal war again made up the largest group to have risked their lives to make the dangerous sea crossing so far this year.&nbsp;Afghans were next on the list, followed by Iraqis. 
 
(AFP)

The counter kicked off with 3,034, which is the total number of migrants and refugees who have died in 2016 while crossing the Mediterranean

Spain's seaside city of Barcelona on Thursday unveiled a large digital counter that will track the number of refugees who die in the Mediterranean, next to one of its popular beaches. "We are inaugurating this shame counter, which will update all known victims who drowned in the Mediterranean in real time," said Mayor Ada Colau. The monument consists of a large metal rectangular pillar that comes decked out with a digital counter above the inscription "This isn't just a number, these are people". The counter kicked off with "3,034", the number of migrants and refugees who have died trying to cross the Mediterranean to Europe in 2016, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). "We're here to look the Mediterranean in the face and look at this number, 3,034 people who drowned because they were not offered a safe passage," said Colau, as swimmers took advantage of the last rays of sunshine nearby. The fatality rate this year is higher than in the same period in 2015, the IOM said this week. One reason for the higher death toll this year is that there have been a series of shipwrecks involving larger vessels carrying several hundred people rather than the more typical dinghies that carry a maximum of 100 migrants. Syrians fleeing the country's brutal war again made up the largest group to have risked their lives to make the dangerous sea crossing so far this year. Afghans were next on the list, followed by Iraqis. (AFP)

Barcelona unveils 'shame counter' that tracks refugee deaths

London: Stock markets traded within sight of their highest levels this year on Wednesday as the prospect of stimulative economic policy across the developed world eased immediate concern over Britain&#39;s vote to leave the European Union. 
 
The swift moves by the Conservative Party that see Theresa May replacing David Cameron as prime minister on Wednesday have helped fund a recovery that, aside from sterling itself, has wiped out the negative reaction to the June 23 vote. 
 
Asian markets outside Japan gained another third of a percent to come within a hair&#39;s breadth of the year&#39;s highs from April, while European shares rose 0.2 percent, on course for their fifth straight day of gains. 
 
Traders say that concerns over the economic and political impact of what promise to be torturous exit talks between London and Brussels have not gone away, but they are certainly on the back burner for a moment. 
 
U.S. stock futures showed Wall Street set to build further on record highs hit on Tuesday. Expectations that sterling&#39;s fall will help British companies has London&#39;s FTSE index at its highest since last August. 
 
&quot;This is a short term relief rally thanks to some certainty around the swift handover to a new PM,&quot; said Tobias Davis, Head of Corporate Treasury Sales at Western Union in London. 
 
&quot;The path ahead still looks incredibly challenging. Equities are only rallying thanks to negative yields across most of the curve in Swiss, German and Japanese markets. In reality, the economic landscape is deteriorating.&quot; 
 
Sterling, whose 14 percent fall made it one of the main victims of last month&#39;s referendum, hit its highest in more than a week at $1.3340. 
 
But for every blip higher for the pound at the moment there are more sellers ready to bet it will fall further in the months ahead and it quickly fell back to stand just 0.2 percent stronger on the day at $1.3280. 
 
The yen, investors&#39; go-to currency in times of market stress was also up half a percent against the euro and dollar after falling sharply on the back of Japan&#39;s move into another round of stimulative policy. 
 
The debate among currency traders around Thursday&#39;s Bank of England meeting is also now not whether it will cut interest rates but by how much -- some measure of the concern over the economy&#39;s fate for the rest of the year. 
 
&quot;I&#39;m struck at the enthusiasm of all and sundry to tell us that European and U.S. growth rates will hardly be affected by the UK post-referendum slowdown,&quot; Societe Generale&#39;s Kit Juckes said in a note to clients. 
 
&quot;That flies in the face of the increased correlation of major economies&#39; growth rates in an ever more connected world.&quot; 
 
Stimulus 
In commodities, oil prices dropped after industry group American Petroleum Institute (API) reported a surprise build of 2.2 million barrels in US crude stockpiles last week. [O/R] 
 
Brent crude futures fell 1.6 percent to $47.71 after surging roughly 5 percent on Tuesday on broad improvement in risk sentiment. 
 
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe ordered a new round of fiscal stimulus spending, as expected, after an election victory on Sunday. His meeting with former U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Ben Bernanke, a proponent of &quot;helicopter money&quot; policies - printing money and directly handing it to the private sector to stimulate the economy - fuelled speculation that some of the stimulus plan could be funded by Bank of Japan easing. 
 
The European Central Bank is also widely expected to take a dovish stance when it holds its policy review a week later. 
 
&quot;After being faced with the prospect of a major slowdown in global activity in the wake of the Brexit vote, governments and central banks worldwide are now expected to do their utmost to reassure markets and provide stimulus,&quot; wrote Angus Nicholson, market analyst at IG in Melbourne. 
 
(Reuters)

Swift moves by the Conservative Party that see Theresa May replacing David Cameron as prime minister have helped fund a recovery

London: Stock markets traded within sight of their highest levels this year on Wednesday as the prospect of stimulative economic policy across the developed world eased immediate concern over Britain's vote to leave the European Union. The swift moves by the Conservative Party that see Theresa May replacing David Cameron as prime minister on Wednesday have helped fund a recovery that, aside from sterling itself, has wiped out the negative reaction to the June 23 vote. Asian markets outside Japan gained another third of a percent to come within a hair's breadth of the year's highs from April, while European shares rose 0.2 percent, on course for their fifth straight day of gains. Traders say that concerns over the economic and political impact of what promise to be torturous exit talks between London and Brussels have not gone away, but they are certainly on the back burner for a moment. U.S. stock futures showed Wall Street set to build further on record highs hit on Tuesday. Expectations that sterling's fall will help British companies has London's FTSE index at its highest since last August. "This is a short term relief rally thanks to some certainty around the swift handover to a new PM," said Tobias Davis, Head of Corporate Treasury Sales at Western Union in London. "The path ahead still looks incredibly challenging. Equities are only rallying thanks to negative yields across most of the curve in Swiss, German and Japanese markets. In reality, the economic landscape is deteriorating." Sterling, whose 14 percent fall made it one of the main victims of last month's referendum, hit its highest in more than a week at $1.3340. But for every blip higher for the pound at the moment there are more sellers ready to bet it will fall further in the months ahead and it quickly fell back to stand just 0.2 percent stronger on the day at $1.3280. The yen, investors' go-to currency in times of market stress was also up half a percent against the euro and dollar after falling sharply on the back of Japan's move into another round of stimulative policy. The debate among currency traders around Thursday's Bank of England meeting is also now not whether it will cut interest rates but by how much -- some measure of the concern over the economy's fate for the rest of the year. "I'm struck at the enthusiasm of all and sundry to tell us that European and U.S. growth rates will hardly be affected by the UK post-referendum slowdown," Societe Generale's Kit Juckes said in a note to clients. "That flies in the face of the increased correlation of major economies' growth rates in an ever more connected world." Stimulus In commodities, oil prices dropped after industry group American Petroleum Institute (API) reported a surprise build of 2.2 million barrels in US crude stockpiles last week. [O/R] Brent crude futures fell 1.6 percent to $47.71 after surging roughly 5 percent on Tuesday on broad improvement in risk sentiment. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe ordered a new round of fiscal stimulus spending, as expected, after an election victory on Sunday. His meeting with former U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Ben Bernanke, a proponent of "helicopter money" policies - printing money and directly handing it to the private sector to stimulate the economy - fuelled speculation that some of the stimulus plan could be funded by Bank of Japan easing. The European Central Bank is also widely expected to take a dovish stance when it holds its policy review a week later. "After being faced with the prospect of a major slowdown in global activity in the wake of the Brexit vote, governments and central banks worldwide are now expected to do their utmost to reassure markets and provide stimulus," wrote Angus Nicholson, market analyst at IG in Melbourne. (Reuters)

Brexit, what Brexit? Global shares near 2016 highs

Usain Bolt confirmed suffering a grade one hamstring tear at Jamaica&#39;s Olympic trials on Friday but the star sprinter expects to secure his place at the Rio Games by proving his fitness at the London Anniversary Games later this month. 
 
Bolt withdrew from the final of the men&#39;s 100 metres after Friday night&#39;s semi-finals as Yohan Blake went on to win the trial in 9.95 seconds. 
 
&quot;After feeling discomfort in my hamstring after the first round last night (Thursday) and then again in the semi-final tonight (Friday) I was examined by the chief doctor of the national championships and diagnosed with a grade 1 tear,&quot; Bolt said on his official Facebook account. 
 
&quot;I have submitted a medical exemption to be excused from the 100m final and the remainder of the National Championships.&quot; 
 
&quot;I will seek treatment immediately and hope to be fit at the London Anniversary Games on July 22 to earn selection for the Olympic Games in Rio,&quot; the two-time 100m and 200m Olympic gold medallist added. 
 
Bolt had clocked 10.04 seconds to win the semi-final one after a poor start. 
 
His withdrawal does not mean he would miss the Rio Olympics, where Bolt is expected to defend his 100m and 200m titles. 
 
Unlike the United States, where the first three in the trials win Olympic berths, Jamaica&#39;s selection policy allows medical exemptions. 
 
His coach Glen Mills said that efforts were on since Thursday night to get Bolt ready for Friday&#39;s semi-final and final. 
 
&quot;Hamstring injuries are always serious. The fact that he couldn&#39;t run, showed it is serious, but we&#39;ll see what happens between now and (the Olympics),&quot; Mills said at the trackside after another of his charge, Blake, won the trial. 
 
Bolt also posted a photo of receiving treatment on his Instagram page. 
 
(Reuters)

He will be able to prove his fitness for the Rio games at the London Anniversary Games later this month

Usain Bolt confirmed suffering a grade one hamstring tear at Jamaica's Olympic trials on Friday but the star sprinter expects to secure his place at the Rio Games by proving his fitness at the London Anniversary Games later this month. Bolt withdrew from the final of the men's 100 metres after Friday night's semi-finals as Yohan Blake went on to win the trial in 9.95 seconds. "After feeling discomfort in my hamstring after the first round last night (Thursday) and then again in the semi-final tonight (Friday) I was examined by the chief doctor of the national championships and diagnosed with a grade 1 tear," Bolt said on his official Facebook account. "I have submitted a medical exemption to be excused from the 100m final and the remainder of the National Championships." "I will seek treatment immediately and hope to be fit at the London Anniversary Games on July 22 to earn selection for the Olympic Games in Rio," the two-time 100m and 200m Olympic gold medallist added. Bolt had clocked 10.04 seconds to win the semi-final one after a poor start. His withdrawal does not mean he would miss the Rio Olympics, where Bolt is expected to defend his 100m and 200m titles. Unlike the United States, where the first three in the trials win Olympic berths, Jamaica's selection policy allows medical exemptions. His coach Glen Mills said that efforts were on since Thursday night to get Bolt ready for Friday's semi-final and final. "Hamstring injuries are always serious. The fact that he couldn't run, showed it is serious, but we'll see what happens between now and (the Olympics)," Mills said at the trackside after another of his charge, Blake, won the trial. Bolt also posted a photo of receiving treatment on his Instagram page. (Reuters)

Bolt tears hamstring, drops out of final of Jamaica 100m Olympic trial

Following a long-held tradition, thousands of yoga fans gathered in New York`s Times Square on Monday to mark the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. 
 
During the 14th edition of the annual event, yogis transformed the famous intersection in one of the world`s busiest cities into a huge outdoor yoga lesson surrounded by cars, construction and the hustle and bustle of Manhattan. 
 
The first lesson began at 5:00 am (0900 GMT), and the last at 7:30 pm. All were free and open to yoga practitioners of all levels. 
There was a heavy police presence. 
 
Thousands of yoga mats were distributed for the get-together, covering crosswalks. 
 
Last year, during the first international yoga day designated by the United Nations, some 17,000 people participated. 
(AFP)

Last year, during the first international yoga day designated by the United Nations, some 17,000 people participated

Following a long-held tradition, thousands of yoga fans gathered in New York`s Times Square on Monday to mark the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. During the 14th edition of the annual event, yogis transformed the famous intersection in one of the world`s busiest cities into a huge outdoor yoga lesson surrounded by cars, construction and the hustle and bustle of Manhattan. The first lesson began at 5:00 am (0900 GMT), and the last at 7:30 pm. All were free and open to yoga practitioners of all levels. There was a heavy police presence. Thousands of yoga mats were distributed for the get-together, covering crosswalks. Last year, during the first international yoga day designated by the United Nations, some 17,000 people participated. (AFP)

Thousands of yoga practitioners hit Times Square to welcome summer

Leg-spinner Imran Tahir became the first South African to claim seven wickets in a One-Day International as the Proteas demolished West Indies in St Kitts on Wednesday. 
 
Tahir served up a rich variety of deliveries to claim 7-45 from nine overs as the South Africa won by 139 runs, dismissing the bewildered West Indies for 204 in 38 overs at Warner Park. 
 
Earlier, Hashim Amla scored 110 off 99 balls to notch his 23rd career ODI century, sharing an opening partnership of 182 with Quinton de Kock (71) to set the visitors on their way to a formidable 343-4. 
 
West Indies made a bright start in reply with openers Johnson Charles and Andrew Fletcher compiling a quickfire 69 before the latter holed out at deep mid-wicket for 21 from the last ball of the ninth over to give Tahir his first wicket. 
 
The result was never in doubt once Charles, who scored 49, was sent packing in the 13th over. 
 
Tahir&#39;s haul included the scalp of World Twenty20 hero Carlos Brathwaite, who was clean bowled by a wicked googly for a golden duck. 
 
In his 58th match, Tahir became the fastest South African bowler to reach 100 ODI wickets, and the fourth quickest overall. 
 
Tahir said he had not realised he needed only two wickets to crack the century until a pre-match phone call came from his wife. 
 
&quot;I&#39;m grateful she reminded me,&quot; the 37-year-old said. &quot;I&#39;m really pleased.&quot; 
 
West Indies captain Jason Holder offered no excuses. 
 
&quot;We weren&#39;t good enough today and were totally outplayed. We didn&#39;t bowl well, especially the first 10 overs,&quot; he said. 
 
South Africa&#39;s victory leaves the triangular series evenly poised, with the Proteas, West Indies and Australia all on two wins from four matches. 
 
South Africa, thanks to two bonus points, lead the standings with 10 points, followed by Australia on nine and West Indies on eight. 
 
The series shifts to Barbados for three more matches from Sunday and the hosts face the biggest challenge if they are to make the June 25 final. 
 
&quot;Probably one (victory) out of two games will be enough for us to go to the final,&quot; said South African captain AB de Villiers. 
(Reuters)

In his 58th match, Imran Tahir became the fastest South African bowler to reach 100 ODI wickets, and the fourth quickest overall

Leg-spinner Imran Tahir became the first South African to claim seven wickets in a One-Day International as the Proteas demolished West Indies in St Kitts on Wednesday. Tahir served up a rich variety of deliveries to claim 7-45 from nine overs as the South Africa won by 139 runs, dismissing the bewildered West Indies for 204 in 38 overs at Warner Park. Earlier, Hashim Amla scored 110 off 99 balls to notch his 23rd career ODI century, sharing an opening partnership of 182 with Quinton de Kock (71) to set the visitors on their way to a formidable 343-4. West Indies made a bright start in reply with openers Johnson Charles and Andrew Fletcher compiling a quickfire 69 before the latter holed out at deep mid-wicket for 21 from the last ball of the ninth over to give Tahir his first wicket. The result was never in doubt once Charles, who scored 49, was sent packing in the 13th over. Tahir's haul included the scalp of World Twenty20 hero Carlos Brathwaite, who was clean bowled by a wicked googly for a golden duck. In his 58th match, Tahir became the fastest South African bowler to reach 100 ODI wickets, and the fourth quickest overall. Tahir said he had not realised he needed only two wickets to crack the century until a pre-match phone call came from his wife. "I'm grateful she reminded me," the 37-year-old said. "I'm really pleased." West Indies captain Jason Holder offered no excuses. "We weren't good enough today and were totally outplayed. We didn't bowl well, especially the first 10 overs," he said. South Africa's victory leaves the triangular series evenly poised, with the Proteas, West Indies and Australia all on two wins from four matches. South Africa, thanks to two bonus points, lead the standings with 10 points, followed by Australia on nine and West Indies on eight. The series shifts to Barbados for three more matches from Sunday and the hosts face the biggest challenge if they are to make the June 25 final. "Probably one (victory) out of two games will be enough for us to go to the final," said South African captain AB de Villiers. (Reuters)

Tahir spins South Africa to victory over West Indies

India has agreed to work towards joining the Paris Agreement on climate change this year, India and the United States said on Tuesday, pushing the international fight to curb global warming ahead.

President Barack Obama welcomed Indian Prime Minister Narendra&nbsp;Modi&nbsp;to the White House for their seventh meeting since&nbsp;Modi&nbsp;took office in 2014, underscoring the warm relationship between the leaders and the world&#39;s two largest democracies.&nbsp;

&quot;We discussed how we can, as quickly as possible, bring the Paris Agreement into force,&quot; Obama said. Climate change is a legacy issue for the US president who leaves office in January.India&#39;s potential entrance into the agreement this year would help accelerate its enactment, perhaps years ahead of schedule. India is the world&rsquo;s third-largest greenhouse gas emitter after China and the United States.

Obama and&nbsp;Modi&nbsp;agreed to work together on an &quot;ambitious&quot; amendment to an international pact known as the Montreal Protocol to reduce hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs),&nbsp;a&nbsp;potent greenhouse gas.

The two countries said India would take steps to join the Paris agreement this year.

&quot;India and the United States recognise the urgency of climate change and share the goal of enabling entry into force of the Paris Agreement as early as possible,&quot; the joint statement said.

&quot;The United States reaffirms its commitment to join the agreement as soon as possible this year. India similarly has begun its processes to work toward this shared objective.&quot;

The agreement, forged in 2015, will take effect when at least 55 countries representing 55 per cent of global emissions ratify it. By late last month 17 small countries had ratified it, according to the United Nations, and many others including the United States and China have pledged to do so in 2016.

Environmental groups had hoped&nbsp;Modi&nbsp;would say that India was ready to ratify the agreement during his Washington trip.

&ldquo;With India now on board, a growing chorus&nbsp;of countries are seeking to bring the Paris Agreement into full effect as soon as possible,&quot;&nbsp;said Andrew Steer, president of the World Resources Institute.&nbsp;

Environmental groups had hoped?Modi?would say that India was ready to ratify the agreement during his Washington trip

India has agreed to work towards joining the Paris Agreement on climate change this year, India and the United States said on Tuesday, pushing the international fight to curb global warming ahead. President Barack Obama welcomed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the White House for their seventh meeting since Modi took office in 2014, underscoring the warm relationship between the leaders and the world's two largest democracies. "We discussed how we can, as quickly as possible, bring the Paris Agreement into force," Obama said. Climate change is a legacy issue for the US president who leaves office in January.India's potential entrance into the agreement this year would help accelerate its enactment, perhaps years ahead of schedule. India is the world’s third-largest greenhouse gas emitter after China and the United States. Obama and Modi agreed to work together on an "ambitious" amendment to an international pact known as the Montreal Protocol to reduce hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), a potent greenhouse gas. The two countries said India would take steps to join the Paris agreement this year. "India and the United States recognise the urgency of climate change and share the goal of enabling entry into force of the Paris Agreement as early as possible," the joint statement said. "The United States reaffirms its commitment to join the agreement as soon as possible this year. India similarly has begun its processes to work toward this shared objective." The agreement, forged in 2015, will take effect when at least 55 countries representing 55 per cent of global emissions ratify it. By late last month 17 small countries had ratified it, according to the United Nations, and many others including the United States and China have pledged to do so in 2016. Environmental groups had hoped Modi would say that India was ready to ratify the agreement during his Washington trip. “With India now on board, a growing chorus of countries are seeking to bring the Paris Agreement into full effect as soon as possible," said Andrew Steer, president of the World Resources Institute.

In boost to Paris climate pact, India says it aims to join this year

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