The BJP on Friday moved the Election Commission seeking action against Rahul Gandhi for his "abusive" and "completely untrue" comments against <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-narendra-modi-gets-highest-civilian-award-of-russia-209806">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a>, accusing the Congress president of attributing words to the Supreme Court in the Rafale case that it never said.

Senior BJP leader and Union minister Nirmala Sitharaman also expressed her party's "disappointment" with the poll watchdog, saying it has looked the other way despite their repeated pleas to it against Gandhi for his "baseless" allegations against Modi.

A BJP delegation, including Sitharaman, Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and its media head Anil Baluni, submitted to the EC a memorandum in which the saffron party also accused the Trinamool Congress of poll rigging in West Bengal during the first phase polling of the general election on Thursday.

Pointing to Gandhi's remarks Wednesday that the apex court has acknowledged that Modi is a "thief" and that he gave Rs 30,000 crore to industrialist Anil Ambani, Naqvi said such "lies" and "baseless allegations" are not only violative of the Model Code of Conduct but also fall under "corrupt practices", as described in the Representation of People Act.

The court had never said such a thing, he said.

"Congress president Rahul Gandhi is using abusive and such strong statements which are totally untrue, calling repeatedly the prime minister a 'chor' (thief) and also putting words in the mouth of Supreme Court," Sitharaman told reporters.

Gandhi has been making such allegations without any evidence, she said, adding that the BJP has approached the EC three times so far against the Congress president.

The BJP felt "let down" that the EC has not taken cognizance of its complaints against him, she said.

Taking a dig at Gandhi, Naqvi said the "brand new president" of an old party like the Congress has crossed all boundaries with his utterances.

The apex court had on Wednesday allowed leaked documents to be relied upon by petitioners seeking review of its Rafale judgement and dismissed the government's preliminary objections claiming "privilege" over them.

Gandhi had then claimed that the court has accepted that Modi was a thief.

The BJP on Friday moved the Election Commission seeking action against Rahul Gandhi for his "abusive" and "completely untrue" comments against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing the Congress president of attributing words to the Supreme Court in the Rafale case that it never said.

The BJP on Friday moved the Election Commission seeking action against Rahul Gandhi for his "abusive" and "completely untrue" comments against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing the Congress president of attributing words to the Supreme Court in the Rafale case that it never said. Senior BJP leader and Union minister Nirmala Sitharaman also expressed her party's "disappointment" with the poll watchdog, saying it has looked the other way despite their repeated pleas to it against Gandhi for his "baseless" allegations against Modi. A BJP delegation, including Sitharaman, Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and its media head Anil Baluni, submitted to the EC a memorandum in which the saffron party also accused the Trinamool Congress of poll rigging in West Bengal during the first phase polling of the general election on Thursday. Pointing to Gandhi's remarks Wednesday that the apex court has acknowledged that Modi is a "thief" and that he gave Rs 30,000 crore to industrialist Anil Ambani, Naqvi said such "lies" and "baseless allegations" are not only violative of the Model Code of Conduct but also fall under "corrupt practices", as described in the Representation of People Act. The court had never said such a thing, he said. "Congress president Rahul Gandhi is using abusive and such strong statements which are totally untrue, calling repeatedly the prime minister a 'chor' (thief) and also putting words in the mouth of Supreme Court," Sitharaman told reporters. Gandhi has been making such allegations without any evidence, she said, adding that the BJP has approached the EC three times so far against the Congress president. The BJP felt "let down" that the EC has not taken cognizance of its complaints against him, she said. Taking a dig at Gandhi, Naqvi said the "brand new president" of an old party like the Congress has crossed all boundaries with his utterances. The apex court had on Wednesday allowed leaked documents to be relied upon by petitioners seeking review of its Rafale judgement and dismissed the government's preliminary objections claiming "privilege" over them. Gandhi had then claimed that the court has accepted that Modi was a thief.

BJP moves Election Commission for action against Rahul Gandhi for making 'baseless' allegations against PM Modi

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-100-ready-to-shut-down-mexico-border-207612">US President Donald Trump</a> took a shot on Tuesday at former Vice President Joe Biden, a possible Democratic rival in the 2020 race for the White House, mocking him over allegations of unwanted physical contact with women.

In a speech to a fundraising dinner for the National Republican Congressional Committee, Trump twice alluded to the allegations from two women that are hanging over Biden as he weighs whether to enter the contest to become the Democratic candidate in November 2020 presidential elections.

A former Nevada state legislator last week accused Biden of kissing her on the back of the head at a 2014 event, and a Connecticut woman said Biden rubbed noses with her at a 2009 event. Biden has said he did not believe he ever acted inappropriately, and his defenders have said he is known for hugging and being physically affectionate.

In wide-ranging remarks that meandered for more than 80 minutes but often circled back to the 2020 race, Biden was the only potential rival Trump mentioned by name - a sign that he would view Biden as a strong challenger, was he to enter and win the Democratic race.

Biden was vice president under President Barack Obama and had a long career in the Senate before that. He had been expected to announce his bid for the Democratic primary race this month and has led the large field of Democratic hopefuls in opinion polls.

Trump told the dinner, which raised $23 million for Republicans running for the House of Representatives, a story about wanting to kiss a general he met in Iraq who had promised an expedient end to a campaign against Islamic State militants in Syria.

"I said, 'General: come here and give me a kiss.' I felt like Joe Biden," Trump said, drawing laughter and applause.

Earlier, he told the crowd - which was dotted with members of the House - that they would be "going into the war with some socialists" in the next election.

"It looks like the only non-, sort of, heavy socialist is being taken care of pretty well by the socialists," Trump said.

One of Biden's accusers has been a supporter of Senator Bernie Sanders, who has already entered the Democratic primary race, and whose views are to the left of Biden.

"I was going to call him - I don't know him well - I was going to say, 'Welcome to the world, Joe. You have a good time, Joe? You have a good time?" Trump said.

Trump struggled during his 2016 run for office with multiple accusations of unwanted sexual contact from women, particularly after videotaped remarks emerged of Trump bragging about groping women.

Biden, while campaigning for Trump's Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton, had said he would like to take Trump "behind the gym" to beat him up for the comments.

US President Donald Trump took a shot on Tuesday at former Vice President Joe Biden, a possible Democratic rival in the 2020 race for the White House, mocking him over allegations of unwanted physical contact with women.

US President Donald Trump took a shot on Tuesday at former Vice President Joe Biden, a possible Democratic rival in the 2020 race for the White House, mocking him over allegations of unwanted physical contact with women. In a speech to a fundraising dinner for the National Republican Congressional Committee, Trump twice alluded to the allegations from two women that are hanging over Biden as he weighs whether to enter the contest to become the Democratic candidate in November 2020 presidential elections. A former Nevada state legislator last week accused Biden of kissing her on the back of the head at a 2014 event, and a Connecticut woman said Biden rubbed noses with her at a 2009 event. Biden has said he did not believe he ever acted inappropriately, and his defenders have said he is known for hugging and being physically affectionate. In wide-ranging remarks that meandered for more than 80 minutes but often circled back to the 2020 race, Biden was the only potential rival Trump mentioned by name - a sign that he would view Biden as a strong challenger, was he to enter and win the Democratic race. Biden was vice president under President Barack Obama and had a long career in the Senate before that. He had been expected to announce his bid for the Democratic primary race this month and has led the large field of Democratic hopefuls in opinion polls. Trump told the dinner, which raised $23 million for Republicans running for the House of Representatives, a story about wanting to kiss a general he met in Iraq who had promised an expedient end to a campaign against Islamic State militants in Syria. "I said, 'General: come here and give me a kiss.' I felt like Joe Biden," Trump said, drawing laughter and applause. Earlier, he told the crowd - which was dotted with members of the House - that they would be "going into the war with some socialists" in the next election. "It looks like the only non-, sort of, heavy socialist is being taken care of pretty well by the socialists," Trump said. One of Biden's accusers has been a supporter of Senator Bernie Sanders, who has already entered the Democratic primary race, and whose views are to the left of Biden. "I was going to call him - I don't know him well - I was going to say, 'Welcome to the world, Joe. You have a good time, Joe? You have a good time?" Trump said. Trump struggled during his 2016 run for office with multiple accusations of unwanted sexual contact from women, particularly after videotaped remarks emerged of Trump bragging about groping women. Biden, while campaigning for Trump's Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton, had said he would like to take Trump "behind the gym" to beat him up for the comments.

Trump takes shot at former vice president Joe Biden over kiss complaint

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/tokyo-court-denies-the-request-for-carlos-ghosns-release-on-bail-190413">Former Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn</a> slammed his ongoing detention in Japan Thursday, telling AFP and a French newspaper the decision to refuse him bail "would not be normal in any other democracy."

"Why am I being punished before being found guilty?" Ghosn asked, speaking to AFP and the Les Echos daily in his first interview with foreign media since his shock November 19 arrest.

Ghosn, who is being held at a Tokyo detention centre on three charges of financial misconduct, said his arrest was "a story of betrayal".

"There is no question about this," he said, speaking firmly and clearly in English, dressed in a black tracksuit and plastic sandals.

"I have in front of me an army at Nissan, more than hundreds of people are dedicated to the case, 70 people at the prosecutor's office, and I am being left in prison for more than 70 days," he added.

"No phone, no computer... how can I defend myself?"

The 64-year-old Franco-Brazilian-Lebanese tycoon said he was the victim of a "plot" caused by opposition to his plans to more fully integrate the auto alliance he led of Nissan, Mitsubishi Motors and France's Renault.

And he said Nissan was trying to "destroy my reputation."&nbsp;

"I have an army of people throwing trash at me every day," he said.

"There are not only allegations of the prosecutors, but also those of Nissan. They take a lot of facts out of their context. It is a distortion of reality to destroy my reputation."

A Nissan spokesman said the company had "uncovered substantial and convincing evidence of misconduct."

"The sole cause of this chain of events is the misconduct led by Ghosn and (right-hand man Greg) Kelly."

'No sense of time' 
&nbsp; 
Once feted in Japan for his role in turning around Nissan, Ghosn has gone from flying around the world in a private jet to a cell in Tokyo's Kosuge detention centre.

He spoke without emotion but said it was "very hard" to be unable to speak with his family.

"Since November 19, I could not even call my wife Carole, my children," he said.

He said the lights were on even at night, and with no watch or clock, he had "no sense of time".

"I have only 30 minutes to go outside on the roof. I'm craving for fresh air. Yes, I am strong, but obviously, I am tired."

Nonetheless, Ghosn, speaking from behind a window and flanked by two guards, did not appear noticeably gaunt and walked confidently into the room.&nbsp;

Japanese authorities did not permit any cameras or recording equipment to be used during the interview.

Ghosn has only been seen in public once since his arrest, during a January 8 court appearance where he denied any wrongdoing.

He faces three charges of financial misconduct, including claims he under-reported his salary, tried to shift personal losses onto Nissan's books and used company funds to compensate a friend.

He denies any wrongdoing and repeated Thursday that "there is not one yen that I have received that was not reported".

The court has judged Ghosn a flight risk who could tamper with evidence if freed, and his own lawyer has acknowledged the tycoon is unlikely to win bail before a trial, which could take at least six months.

He has pledged to stay in Japan, wear a tracking device and even hire guards of the court's choosing, but to no avail.

"I have done everything I can to show I can't flee, to reassure them I would not destroy any evidence," he said Thursday.

'Resistance from the beginning'&nbsp;

Ghosn's arrest has laid bare tensions in the alliance he forged and led among Nissan, Mitsubishi Motors and French automaker Renault.

While the Japanese firms moved quickly to oust Ghosn from leadership positions, Renault was more cautious about the allegations against him, and he resigned before a board meeting to discuss removing him there.

Renault currently owns 43 per cent of Nissan, which itself has a 15 per cent stake in the French company.

But Nissan overtook its French partner compared to when the alliance was created and Ghosn said he believed his attempts to further integrate the alliance prompted a backlash among the Japanese firm's executives that resulted in his arrest.

"There was resistance from the beginning," he said.

During his sole court appearance, Ghosn spoke fondly of Nissan, and he said that affection endured despite his situation.

"I love Japan, I love Nissan. I have dedicated so many years to revive the company, to rebuild it again," he said.

"I have nothing against the company."

Former Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn slammed his ongoing detention in Japan Thursday, telling AFP and a French newspaper the decision to refuse him bail "would not be normal in any other democracy.

Former Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn slammed his ongoing detention in Japan Thursday, telling AFP and a French newspaper the decision to refuse him bail "would not be normal in any other democracy." "Why am I being punished before being found guilty?" Ghosn asked, speaking to AFP and the Les Echos daily in his first interview with foreign media since his shock November 19 arrest. Ghosn, who is being held at a Tokyo detention centre on three charges of financial misconduct, said his arrest was "a story of betrayal". "There is no question about this," he said, speaking firmly and clearly in English, dressed in a black tracksuit and plastic sandals. "I have in front of me an army at Nissan, more than hundreds of people are dedicated to the case, 70 people at the prosecutor's office, and I am being left in prison for more than 70 days," he added. "No phone, no computer... how can I defend myself?" The 64-year-old Franco-Brazilian-Lebanese tycoon said he was the victim of a "plot" caused by opposition to his plans to more fully integrate the auto alliance he led of Nissan, Mitsubishi Motors and France's Renault. And he said Nissan was trying to "destroy my reputation." "I have an army of people throwing trash at me every day," he said. "There are not only allegations of the prosecutors, but also those of Nissan. They take a lot of facts out of their context. It is a distortion of reality to destroy my reputation." A Nissan spokesman said the company had "uncovered substantial and convincing evidence of misconduct." "The sole cause of this chain of events is the misconduct led by Ghosn and (right-hand man Greg) Kelly." 'No sense of time' Once feted in Japan for his role in turning around Nissan, Ghosn has gone from flying around the world in a private jet to a cell in Tokyo's Kosuge detention centre. He spoke without emotion but said it was "very hard" to be unable to speak with his family. "Since November 19, I could not even call my wife Carole, my children," he said. He said the lights were on even at night, and with no watch or clock, he had "no sense of time". "I have only 30 minutes to go outside on the roof. I'm craving for fresh air. Yes, I am strong, but obviously, I am tired." Nonetheless, Ghosn, speaking from behind a window and flanked by two guards, did not appear noticeably gaunt and walked confidently into the room. Japanese authorities did not permit any cameras or recording equipment to be used during the interview. Ghosn has only been seen in public once since his arrest, during a January 8 court appearance where he denied any wrongdoing. He faces three charges of financial misconduct, including claims he under-reported his salary, tried to shift personal losses onto Nissan's books and used company funds to compensate a friend. He denies any wrongdoing and repeated Thursday that "there is not one yen that I have received that was not reported". The court has judged Ghosn a flight risk who could tamper with evidence if freed, and his own lawyer has acknowledged the tycoon is unlikely to win bail before a trial, which could take at least six months. He has pledged to stay in Japan, wear a tracking device and even hire guards of the court's choosing, but to no avail. "I have done everything I can to show I can't flee, to reassure them I would not destroy any evidence," he said Thursday. 'Resistance from the beginning' Ghosn's arrest has laid bare tensions in the alliance he forged and led among Nissan, Mitsubishi Motors and French automaker Renault. While the Japanese firms moved quickly to oust Ghosn from leadership positions, Renault was more cautious about the allegations against him, and he resigned before a board meeting to discuss removing him there. Renault currently owns 43 per cent of Nissan, which itself has a 15 per cent stake in the French company. But Nissan overtook its French partner compared to when the alliance was created and Ghosn said he believed his attempts to further integrate the alliance prompted a backlash among the Japanese firm's executives that resulted in his arrest. "There was resistance from the beginning," he said. During his sole court appearance, Ghosn spoke fondly of Nissan, and he said that affection endured despite his situation. "I love Japan, I love Nissan. I have dedicated so many years to revive the company, to rebuild it again," he said. "I have nothing against the company."

Bail refusal would not be normal in any other democracy: Ghosn

Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Saturday accused BJP of continuing its efforts to poach MLAs and claimed one of his party`s legislators was on Thursday offered huge amount of money under the saffron party's 'Operation Kamala'.

“Operation Kamala is still on. Even last night they (BJP) offered one of our MLAs, a huge amount of money and asked him where it should be sent. You will be surprised to know the gift amount. Our MLA responded that he did not need any gift and wants to be left alone.This is how they are still working on poaching,” Kumaraswamy said.

Former state chief minister and CLP leader Siddaramaiah also accused BJP of attempting to poach legislators. There is no operation Kamala. They have Benami money which they have earned through corruption. With that corruption money they tried and failed.”

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on the other hand refuted all such allegations and asserted that legislators are trying to leave the JD(S)-Congress coalition due to internal fight.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“We are not resorting to any operation Kamala. Their MLAs are trying to go away from them because of their internal fights and it is their duty to keep them intact within their party. They should stop giving baseless statements against us. We have 104 MLAs and two 2 independent MLAs and we are concentrating on our work as the Opposition," Yeddyurappa said,

The Congress, which shares power with JD-S, has 80 MLAs in the 224-member Assembly, including the Speaker. Accordingly, 79 MLAs were expected to attend the CLP meeting held under the supervision of central leaders K C Venugopal and Mallikarjun Kharge.

Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Saturday accused BJP of continuing its efforts to poach MLAs and claimed one of his party`s legislators was on Thursday offered huge amount of money under the saffron party's 'Operation Kamala'.

Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Saturday accused BJP of continuing its efforts to poach MLAs and claimed one of his party`s legislators was on Thursday offered huge amount of money under the saffron party's 'Operation Kamala'. “Operation Kamala is still on. Even last night they (BJP) offered one of our MLAs, a huge amount of money and asked him where it should be sent. You will be surprised to know the gift amount. Our MLA responded that he did not need any gift and wants to be left alone.This is how they are still working on poaching,” Kumaraswamy said. Former state chief minister and CLP leader Siddaramaiah also accused BJP of attempting to poach legislators. There is no operation Kamala. They have Benami money which they have earned through corruption. With that corruption money they tried and failed.” Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on the other hand refuted all such allegations and asserted that legislators are trying to leave the JD(S)-Congress coalition due to internal fight. “We are not resorting to any operation Kamala. Their MLAs are trying to go away from them because of their internal fights and it is their duty to keep them intact within their party. They should stop giving baseless statements against us. We have 104 MLAs and two 2 independent MLAs and we are concentrating on our work as the Opposition," Yeddyurappa said, The Congress, which shares power with JD-S, has 80 MLAs in the 224-member Assembly, including the Speaker. Accordingly, 79 MLAs were expected to attend the CLP meeting held under the supervision of central leaders K C Venugopal and Mallikarjun Kharge.

Karnataka CM claims operation Kamala still on, BJP refutes baseless allegation

Shares of Videocon Industries and ICICI Bank fell by up to 3 per cent Thursday after the CBI booked former ICICI Bank CEO and MD Chanda Kochhar, her husband Deepak Kochhar and Videocon group MD Venugopal Dhoot in connection with alleged cheating and irregularities.

The scrip of Videocon Industries Ltd went down by 2.73 per cent to close at Rs 2.85 on the BSE.

Shares of ICICI Bank fell by 0.72 per cent to end at Rs 365 apiece on the BSE.

The CBI has booked Chanda, Deepak and Dhoot in connection with alleged cheating and irregularities in loans sanctioned by the bank to the group in 2012, officials said Thursday.

The agency Thursday carried out searches at multiple locations, including the offices of Videocon group in Mumbai and Aurangabad, offices of Nupower Renewables Pvt Limited which is operated by Deepak Kochhar, and Supreme Energy after registering a case.

In addition to Chanda, Deepak and Dhoot, the agency has also named companies NuPower Renewables, Supreme Energy, Videocon International Electronics and Videocon Industries as accused in the FIR registered under IPC sections related to criminal conspiracy and provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, they said.

Shares of Videocon Industries and ICICI Bank fell by up to 3 per cent Thursday after the CBI booked former ICICI Bank CEO and MD Chanda Kochhar, her husband Deepak Kochhar and Videocon group MD Venugopal Dhoot in connection with alleged cheating and irregularities.

Shares of Videocon Industries and ICICI Bank fell by up to 3 per cent Thursday after the CBI booked former ICICI Bank CEO and MD Chanda Kochhar, her husband Deepak Kochhar and Videocon group MD Venugopal Dhoot in connection with alleged cheating and irregularities. The scrip of Videocon Industries Ltd went down by 2.73 per cent to close at Rs 2.85 on the BSE. Shares of ICICI Bank fell by 0.72 per cent to end at Rs 365 apiece on the BSE. The CBI has booked Chanda, Deepak and Dhoot in connection with alleged cheating and irregularities in loans sanctioned by the bank to the group in 2012, officials said Thursday. The agency Thursday carried out searches at multiple locations, including the offices of Videocon group in Mumbai and Aurangabad, offices of Nupower Renewables Pvt Limited which is operated by Deepak Kochhar, and Supreme Energy after registering a case. In addition to Chanda, Deepak and Dhoot, the agency has also named companies NuPower Renewables, Supreme Energy, Videocon International Electronics and Videocon Industries as accused in the FIR registered under IPC sections related to criminal conspiracy and provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, they said.

Videocon Industries, ICICI Bank shares fall up to 3 per cent

DR Congo rebuked the African Union on Friday over its calls to suspend the announcement of final results from the presidential election, insisting that the Constitutional Court assessing the vote's legality was impartial.

The court is examining a dispute over the December 30 election to choose a successor to President Joseph Kabila, with runner up Martin Fayulu claiming he was cheated of victory by fraud.

"The court is independent, both of us and the African Union," government spokesman Lambert Mende said.

"I don't think it is the business of the government or even of the African Union to tell the court what it should do."

At a meeting on Thursday in Addis Ababa, AU heads of state and government agreed to send a high-level delegation to Kinshasa help solve the crisis.

AU commission chief Moussa Faki Mahamat and Rwanda's President Paul Kagame, currently the AU chairman, are expected to fly in on Monday.

The summit also said there were "serious doubts" about the provisional results of the vote and called for the final announcement to be suspended -- a matter which now lies in the hands of the Constitutional Court.

Mende, who is also minister of communication and the media, added bluntly: "I don't know if there are countries where people can interfere like that in a legal procedure.

"The court will do what is right for showing the truth. We should all trust it," he said.

Appeal

On January 10, DR Congo's electoral commission declared opposition leader Felix Tshisekedi the provisional winner of the December 30 vote with 38.57 per cent against Fayulu's 34.8 per cent.

But Fayulu declared the result to be an "electoral coup" forged by Tshisekedi and Kabila, and filed an appeal with the Constitutional Court a day later.&nbsp;

He claims he won with 61 per cent of the vote.

The Financial Times and other foreign media have reported seeing documents that confirm Fayulu as the winner.

The court's ruling, and the announcement of the final results have to be completed by next Tuesday when the new president is scheduled to be sworn in.&nbsp;

Fears of violence

The dispute has raised fears that the political crisis that began when Kabila refused to step down at the end of his constitutional term in office two years ago, could turn into a bloodbath.

The vast and chronically unstable country lived through two regional wars in 1996-97 and 1998-2003, and the previous two elections in 2006 and 2011, were marred by bloody clashes.

The AU has taken the firmest line of all major international bodies with regard to the post-election crisis.

The Southern African Development Community (SADC), a bloc that includes Angola and South Africa, initially called for a recount and a unity government.

But in a later communique, it made no mention of those demands, instead of calling on Congolese politicians to "address any electoral grievances in line with the Democratic Republic of Congo's Constitution and relevant electoral laws".

Kagame's visit as part of the AU delegation could complicate matters, analysts say.

Rwanda backed the 1997 ouster of dictator Mobutu Sese Seko by Kabila's father, Laurent-Desire Kabila, but then changed allies. Sporadic clashes occurred last year on the border between the two neighbours.

DR Congo rebuked the African Union on Friday over its calls to suspend the announcement of final results from the presidential election, insisting that the Constitutional Court assessing the vote's legality was impartial.

DR Congo rebuked the African Union on Friday over its calls to suspend the announcement of final results from the presidential election, insisting that the Constitutional Court assessing the vote's legality was impartial. The court is examining a dispute over the December 30 election to choose a successor to President Joseph Kabila, with runner up Martin Fayulu claiming he was cheated of victory by fraud. "The court is independent, both of us and the African Union," government spokesman Lambert Mende said. "I don't think it is the business of the government or even of the African Union to tell the court what it should do." At a meeting on Thursday in Addis Ababa, AU heads of state and government agreed to send a high-level delegation to Kinshasa help solve the crisis. AU commission chief Moussa Faki Mahamat and Rwanda's President Paul Kagame, currently the AU chairman, are expected to fly in on Monday. The summit also said there were "serious doubts" about the provisional results of the vote and called for the final announcement to be suspended -- a matter which now lies in the hands of the Constitutional Court. Mende, who is also minister of communication and the media, added bluntly: "I don't know if there are countries where people can interfere like that in a legal procedure. "The court will do what is right for showing the truth. We should all trust it," he said. Appeal On January 10, DR Congo's electoral commission declared opposition leader Felix Tshisekedi the provisional winner of the December 30 vote with 38.57 per cent against Fayulu's 34.8 per cent. But Fayulu declared the result to be an "electoral coup" forged by Tshisekedi and Kabila, and filed an appeal with the Constitutional Court a day later. He claims he won with 61 per cent of the vote. The Financial Times and other foreign media have reported seeing documents that confirm Fayulu as the winner. The court's ruling, and the announcement of the final results have to be completed by next Tuesday when the new president is scheduled to be sworn in. Fears of violence The dispute has raised fears that the political crisis that began when Kabila refused to step down at the end of his constitutional term in office two years ago, could turn into a bloodbath. The vast and chronically unstable country lived through two regional wars in 1996-97 and 1998-2003, and the previous two elections in 2006 and 2011, were marred by bloody clashes. The AU has taken the firmest line of all major international bodies with regard to the post-election crisis. The Southern African Development Community (SADC), a bloc that includes Angola and South Africa, initially called for a recount and a unity government. But in a later communique, it made no mention of those demands, instead of calling on Congolese politicians to "address any electoral grievances in line with the Democratic Republic of Congo's Constitution and relevant electoral laws". Kagame's visit as part of the AU delegation could complicate matters, analysts say. Rwanda backed the 1997 ouster of dictator Mobutu Sese Seko by Kabila's father, Laurent-Desire Kabila, but then changed allies. Sporadic clashes occurred last year on the border between the two neighbours.

DR Congo slaps down Africa Union call to suspend final vote result

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/nissan-chairman-ghosn-faces-new-under-reporting-charge-worth-35-million-181672">Carlos Ghosn</a> is expected to be charged and face new allegations of financial misconduct Monday, meaning the once-revered auto tycoon is likely to be spending Christmas in a Japanese cell.

In a fall from grace that stunned the business world, the former Nissan chairman was arrested on November 19 on suspicion of under-declaring his income by some five billion yen ($44 million) between 2010 and 2015.

On Monday, authorities are expected to press formal charges over this allegation, and re-arrest him on suspicion that he also under-reported his income by a further four billion over the past three years.

Under Japanese law, suspects can be re-arrested several times for different allegations, allowing prosecutors to question them for prolonged periods -- a system that has attracted criticism internationally.

Monday represents the final day prosecutors can hold Ghosn and close aide Greg Kelly before either charging or re-arresting them, and a further arrest would allow them another 22 days of questioning.

In addition to charges against Ghosn, prosecutors are also preparing to indict Nissan itself, according to local media, as the company submitted the official documents that under-reported the income.

Ghosn denies the charges and is in a "combative" frame of mind, according to sources at Renault, the company he still formally leads -- even if the French car giant has appointed an interim chairman.

The Japanese firms in the three-way alliance with Renault -- Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors -- have both sacked the Franco-Lebanese-Brazilian as chairman.

Lebanese phoenix&nbsp;

The millionaire auto sector star, who attracted some criticism for a perceived lavish lifestyle, is now alone in a spartan cell in a Tokyo detention centre, in a tiny room measuring just three tatami mats -- around five square metres.

He has reportedly told embassy visitors he is being well treated but has complained of the cold, with Monday's temperature in the Japanese capital hovering around five degrees Celsius.

He spends his time reading books and news reports and is said to be unhappy about the rice-based food.

According to local news agency Kyodo, he has admitted signing documents to defer part of his salary until after retirement but said this amount did not need to be declared as it has not yet been definitively fixed.

A source close to the investigation has said Ghosn and Kelly allegedly put the system in place after a new law came in obliging the highest-paid members of the firm to declare their salary.

Ghosn is suspected of deferring part of his pay to avoid criticism from staff and shareholders that his salary was too generous.

"We are closely watching if he is actually indicted and then found guilty," said Satoru Takada, an analyst at TIW, a Tokyo-based research and consulting firm.

"If he is exempted from prosecution or found innocent, it is going to create huge confusion in Nissan's management," Takada told AFP.

It is unclear if Ghosn can be bailed before a potential trial.

In Japan, prosecutors and defendants begin a trial at a district court and can appeal to a high court and the Supreme Court. It may take several years before reaching a final judgement.&nbsp;

If found guilty, Ghosn could face a 10-year prison sentence.

The affair represents a staggering turnaround for a figure celebrated for saving Nissan from the brink of bankruptcy and rebuilding it as a money-making subsidiary of Renault.

Nissan has begun a process of choosing Ghosn's successor, with the final decision expected on December 17.

His arrest has sparked incredulity at Renault, which owns 43 percent of Nissan and says it has not seen a detailed account of the charges against Ghosn.

It has also fuelled anger in Lebanon, with digital billboards around Beirut proclaiming "We are all Carlos Ghosn" under a picture of the magnate.

"A Lebanese phoenix will not be scorched by a Japanese sun," Interior Minister Nohad Machnouk has declared.

Carlos Ghosn is expected to be charged and face new allegations of financial misconduct Monday, meaning the once-revered auto tycoon is likely to be spending Christmas in a Japanese cell.

Carlos Ghosn is expected to be charged and face new allegations of financial misconduct Monday, meaning the once-revered auto tycoon is likely to be spending Christmas in a Japanese cell. In a fall from grace that stunned the business world, the former Nissan chairman was arrested on November 19 on suspicion of under-declaring his income by some five billion yen ($44 million) between 2010 and 2015. On Monday, authorities are expected to press formal charges over this allegation, and re-arrest him on suspicion that he also under-reported his income by a further four billion over the past three years. Under Japanese law, suspects can be re-arrested several times for different allegations, allowing prosecutors to question them for prolonged periods -- a system that has attracted criticism internationally. Monday represents the final day prosecutors can hold Ghosn and close aide Greg Kelly before either charging or re-arresting them, and a further arrest would allow them another 22 days of questioning. In addition to charges against Ghosn, prosecutors are also preparing to indict Nissan itself, according to local media, as the company submitted the official documents that under-reported the income. Ghosn denies the charges and is in a "combative" frame of mind, according to sources at Renault, the company he still formally leads -- even if the French car giant has appointed an interim chairman. The Japanese firms in the three-way alliance with Renault -- Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors -- have both sacked the Franco-Lebanese-Brazilian as chairman. Lebanese phoenix The millionaire auto sector star, who attracted some criticism for a perceived lavish lifestyle, is now alone in a spartan cell in a Tokyo detention centre, in a tiny room measuring just three tatami mats -- around five square metres. He has reportedly told embassy visitors he is being well treated but has complained of the cold, with Monday's temperature in the Japanese capital hovering around five degrees Celsius. He spends his time reading books and news reports and is said to be unhappy about the rice-based food. According to local news agency Kyodo, he has admitted signing documents to defer part of his salary until after retirement but said this amount did not need to be declared as it has not yet been definitively fixed. A source close to the investigation has said Ghosn and Kelly allegedly put the system in place after a new law came in obliging the highest-paid members of the firm to declare their salary. Ghosn is suspected of deferring part of his pay to avoid criticism from staff and shareholders that his salary was too generous. "We are closely watching if he is actually indicted and then found guilty," said Satoru Takada, an analyst at TIW, a Tokyo-based research and consulting firm. "If he is exempted from prosecution or found innocent, it is going to create huge confusion in Nissan's management," Takada told AFP. It is unclear if Ghosn can be bailed before a potential trial. In Japan, prosecutors and defendants begin a trial at a district court and can appeal to a high court and the Supreme Court. It may take several years before reaching a final judgement. If found guilty, Ghosn could face a 10-year prison sentence. The affair represents a staggering turnaround for a figure celebrated for saving Nissan from the brink of bankruptcy and rebuilding it as a money-making subsidiary of Renault. Nissan has begun a process of choosing Ghosn's successor, with the final decision expected on December 17. His arrest has sparked incredulity at Renault, which owns 43 percent of Nissan and says it has not seen a detailed account of the charges against Ghosn. It has also fuelled anger in Lebanon, with digital billboards around Beirut proclaiming "We are all Carlos Ghosn" under a picture of the magnate. "A Lebanese phoenix will not be scorched by a Japanese sun," Interior Minister Nohad Machnouk has declared.

Ex-Nissan chief Ghosn set to be charged, face new allegations

With Carlos Ghosn's arrest, frustrations over the tycoon's management style have burst into the open within Nissan, with some staff also wary of playing second fiddle to Renault and its French-state backers.

Rumblings within Nissan have grown in intensity since the beginning of the year, analysts say, as the 64-year-old Brazil-born Frenchman appeared to be moving towards a complete merger with Renault that would be unpopular in the Japanese firm.

Renault is the dominant player in the alliance, owning 43 per cent of Nissan stock, but the Japanese firm now brings more turnover to the table -- only intensifying a power-struggle between the firms.

One former staff member who worked for Nissan for 10 years told AFP on condition of anonymity: "Internally, we felt the tensions, even if they didn't appear on the outside."

Some Nissan staff increasingly had the impression their hard-won profits were being used to prop up their French big brother.

For example, there was some resentment when the Nissan Micra was ordered to be built in a Renault factory just outside Paris or when the Nissan Rogue crossover destined for the US market was constructed by a South-Korean Renault subsidiary.&nbsp;

"Bringing services together is wonderful but in practice, it is not that easy. Renault and Nissan's people started saying that the integration Ghosn was leading us towards will not work," said the former employee.

Another staff member, speaking to public broadcaster NHK, was even blunter.&nbsp;

"I don't feel any merit to working with Renault. In my opinion, many Nissan employees feel they don't want to work with Renault," he said.

'Massive tellings-off'

Ghosn also drew fire with some in Japan for what was perceived as a lavish lifestyle and brash management style -- both of which run counter to Japanese corporate culture.

The staff member cited by NHK complained that Ghosn prohibited employees from receiving gifts or being wined and dined and that the former chairman had ordered them to submit a written pledge to this effect.

Another former employee told AFP that Ghosn put "incredible" pressure on his staff.

"He humiliated people in public all the time with massive tellings-off in front of everyone. No one could say anything but resentment grew."

Ghosn is under arrest on suspicion of understating his income by around $44 million over five years. He denies the allegations and has not been able to make any public defence as he languishes in a Tokyo detention centre.

Nissan CEO Hiroto Saikawa denounced his former mentor in an emotional press conference, saying that too much power had been concentrated in the hands of one person.

According to a Nissan insider, Saikawa has also raised concerns of governance within the three-way alliance, which was the top-selling auto group last year.

"No matter what subject we wanted to discuss with Renault, we always had to go through Ghosn," Saikawa told staff Monday, according to someone present.

This is an "uneven" situation that must be addressed, added Saikawa.

In many ways, Saikawa's shift in attitude towards Ghosn reflects the wider growing dissatisfaction within Nissan.

Known as one of "Ghosn's children" -- who owed his career to the tycoon -- Saikawa began to distance himself from his mentor in 2017, feeling that Ghosn had left him alone to deal with a vehicle inspection scandal that broke that year.

'Anger' at Renault

Adding to the tension is the involvement of the French government, which holds a 15-per cent stake in Renault.

"France wants Nissan," screamed a headline in the Nikkei business daily in July.

The Japanese firm was badly shaken in 2015 when Emmanuel Macron, then economy minister, raised Paris's stake in Renault to increase voting power.

Current French Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire has stressed that there should be no changes in the make-up of the alliance, which states that Renault appoints the boss.

Koji Endo, an auto sector analyst at SBI Securities, told AFP: "Emotionally, people at Nissan seem to be angry against Renault and Ghosn and they will probably claim there has to be some change in equity relationships."

However, moving towards a more equal relationship will be "very difficult... because of the influence of the French government," added the expert.

Nissan would have to convince Renault and Paris to boost the Japanese firm's stake in the alliance, he noted.

"I understand that Nissan wants to do that, but in reality, I don't think it can be done in a short period of time," he told AFP.

The official line is that the Ghosn arrest should not have an impact on the day-to-day operations either at Nissan or within the Alliance.

But another auto sector expert, Takaki Nakanishi, said the situation within the alliance was "serious."

"The confidence to work together has completely disappeared," said Nakanishi.

With Carlos Ghosn's arrest, frustrations over the tycoon's management style have burst into the open within Nissan, with some staff also wary of playing second fiddle to Renault and its French-state backers.

With Carlos Ghosn's arrest, frustrations over the tycoon's management style have burst into the open within Nissan, with some staff also wary of playing second fiddle to Renault and its French-state backers. Rumblings within Nissan have grown in intensity since the beginning of the year, analysts say, as the 64-year-old Brazil-born Frenchman appeared to be moving towards a complete merger with Renault that would be unpopular in the Japanese firm. Renault is the dominant player in the alliance, owning 43 per cent of Nissan stock, but the Japanese firm now brings more turnover to the table -- only intensifying a power-struggle between the firms. One former staff member who worked for Nissan for 10 years told AFP on condition of anonymity: "Internally, we felt the tensions, even if they didn't appear on the outside." Some Nissan staff increasingly had the impression their hard-won profits were being used to prop up their French big brother. For example, there was some resentment when the Nissan Micra was ordered to be built in a Renault factory just outside Paris or when the Nissan Rogue crossover destined for the US market was constructed by a South-Korean Renault subsidiary. "Bringing services together is wonderful but in practice, it is not that easy. Renault and Nissan's people started saying that the integration Ghosn was leading us towards will not work," said the former employee. Another staff member, speaking to public broadcaster NHK, was even blunter. "I don't feel any merit to working with Renault. In my opinion, many Nissan employees feel they don't want to work with Renault," he said. 'Massive tellings-off' Ghosn also drew fire with some in Japan for what was perceived as a lavish lifestyle and brash management style -- both of which run counter to Japanese corporate culture. The staff member cited by NHK complained that Ghosn prohibited employees from receiving gifts or being wined and dined and that the former chairman had ordered them to submit a written pledge to this effect. Another former employee told AFP that Ghosn put "incredible" pressure on his staff. "He humiliated people in public all the time with massive tellings-off in front of everyone. No one could say anything but resentment grew." Ghosn is under arrest on suspicion of understating his income by around $44 million over five years. He denies the allegations and has not been able to make any public defence as he languishes in a Tokyo detention centre. Nissan CEO Hiroto Saikawa denounced his former mentor in an emotional press conference, saying that too much power had been concentrated in the hands of one person. According to a Nissan insider, Saikawa has also raised concerns of governance within the three-way alliance, which was the top-selling auto group last year. "No matter what subject we wanted to discuss with Renault, we always had to go through Ghosn," Saikawa told staff Monday, according to someone present. This is an "uneven" situation that must be addressed, added Saikawa. In many ways, Saikawa's shift in attitude towards Ghosn reflects the wider growing dissatisfaction within Nissan. Known as one of "Ghosn's children" -- who owed his career to the tycoon -- Saikawa began to distance himself from his mentor in 2017, feeling that Ghosn had left him alone to deal with a vehicle inspection scandal that broke that year. 'Anger' at Renault Adding to the tension is the involvement of the French government, which holds a 15-per cent stake in Renault. "France wants Nissan," screamed a headline in the Nikkei business daily in July. The Japanese firm was badly shaken in 2015 when Emmanuel Macron, then economy minister, raised Paris's stake in Renault to increase voting power. Current French Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire has stressed that there should be no changes in the make-up of the alliance, which states that Renault appoints the boss. Koji Endo, an auto sector analyst at SBI Securities, told AFP: "Emotionally, people at Nissan seem to be angry against Renault and Ghosn and they will probably claim there has to be some change in equity relationships." However, moving towards a more equal relationship will be "very difficult... because of the influence of the French government," added the expert. Nissan would have to convince Renault and Paris to boost the Japanese firm's stake in the alliance, he noted. "I understand that Nissan wants to do that, but in reality, I don't think it can be done in a short period of time," he told AFP. The official line is that the Ghosn arrest should not have an impact on the day-to-day operations either at Nissan or within the Alliance. But another auto sector expert, Takaki Nakanishi, said the situation within the alliance was "serious." "The confidence to work together has completely disappeared," said Nakanishi.

Ghosn arrest lays bare frustration at Nissan

The Central Bureau of Investigation registered cases Wednesday against the principal and others of the National Defence Academy.&nbsp;

ANI reported that the cases were registered against allegations of irregularities in the selection and appointment of teaching faculty at the NDA.&nbsp;

Cases were registered against a professor of political science, assistant professors of chemistry and mathematics, and the HOD of the chemistry department.&nbsp;

ANI reported that the CBI is conducting raids on the premises of the National Defence Academy, including the offices and homes of the accused.&nbsp;

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CBI registers case against Principal of National Defence Academy in Pune's Khadakwasla, a Professor of Political Science, Asst Professors of Chemistry, Mathematics, HOD of Chemistry dept & others on allegations of irregularities in selection/appointment of teaching faculty in NDA
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The National Defence Academy is located in Pune's Khadakwasla.&nbsp;

The Central Bureau of Investigation registered cases Wednesday against the principal and others of the National Defence Academy. the cases were registered against allegations of irregularities in the selection and appointment of teaching faculty at the NDA

The Central Bureau of Investigation registered cases Wednesday against the principal and others of the National Defence Academy. ANI reported that the cases were registered against allegations of irregularities in the selection and appointment of teaching faculty at the NDA. Cases were registered against a professor of political science, assistant professors of chemistry and mathematics, and the HOD of the chemistry department. ANI reported that the CBI is conducting raids on the premises of the National Defence Academy, including the offices and homes of the accused. CBI registers case against Principal of National Defence Academy in Pune's Khadakwasla, a Professor of Political Science, Asst Professors of Chemistry, Mathematics, HOD of Chemistry dept & others on allegations of irregularities in selection/appointment of teaching faculty in NDA — ANI (@ANI) June 6, 2018 × Searches are being conducted by CBI at the premises, including office/residences of the accused in Pune over allegations of irregularities in selection/appointment of teaching faculty in National Defence Academy (NDA) — ANI (@ANI) June 6, 2018 × The National Defence Academy is located in Pune's Khadakwasla.

CBI conducts raids on National Defence Academy

Intensifying allegations of military interference threaten to cast a shadow over Pakistan's general election on July 25, a historic event that will mark only the country's second ever democratic transition of power.

On Friday the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party handed over to a technocratic caretaker administration after completing a full five-year term, another democratic milestone.

But as campaigning begins, tensions between the civilian politicians and the powerful military, which has ruled for about half of Pakistan's history since independence in 1947, are running high.

Four PML-N lawmakers told Reuters they had received threats and pressure to switch allegiance to rival parties, while newspapers are awash with accusations of military "engineering" and journalists and media houses complain of growing censorship.

"It is a chipping away. It's behind the scenes, under the covers, below the radar," PML-N's outgoing Privatisation Minister Daniyal Aziz told Reuters, using typically coded language to hint at meddling by the generals without naming them.

The military, which strongly denies interfering in politics, did not respond to a Reuters request for comment.

The political tensions come at a time of growing economic instability in the nuclear-armed nation of 208 million people. Islamabad's rapidly depleting currency reserves and a widening current account deficit have prompted many analysts to predict the next government will need to seek the country's second International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout since 2013.

PML-N founder Nawaz Sharif was ousted by the Supreme Court as prime minister in July and now faces corruption charges, events he has described as "pre-poll rigging" aimed at denying his party another term. He has cast the campaign as a battle to protect the "sanctity of the vote".

ANTI-CORRUPTION PLATFORM

PML-N's main challenge is expected to come from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party led by cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan, who is betting his anti-corruption message will propel him to power.

Khan has denied the generals have thrown their weight behind PTI, and accuses Sharif of hiding behind such allegations to avoid accountability.

Also read: <a href="Pak court allows ex-foreign minister Khawaja Asif to contest elections">Pak court allows ex-foreign minister Khawaja Asif to contest elections</a>

In a statement, the PTI this week said: "Any deliberate or unconscious effort to compromise the sanctity of ballot could cause irreparable damage to national interests".

But analysts and Western diplomats who spoke to Reuters said the military was squeezing PML-N ahead of polls.

"This kind of interference has always been there, but this time it is so naked that everyone is seeing it and everyone is talking about it," said Ijaz Khan, a retired international relations professor at Peshawar University.&nbsp

A "Pre-Election Assessment Report" published this week by an independent think-tank, Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT), deemed the pre-poll process to have been "unfair overall" in the 12 months before the election was called last week.

PILDAT said "surreptitious muzzling" of the media, a rise in bias from the military establishment and a "perceived partisanship in judicial and political accountability have nearly eroded the prospects of a free and fair election in 2018".

Pakistan's biggest TV channel, Geo, went off air for several weeks in April and only returned after its executives struck a deal with the military over their coverage of Sharif, two executives told Reuters.

Distribution of Dawn, the biggest English-language newspaper in the country, has been suspended from some military cantonment areas in several cities, a senior Dawn executive told Reuters. Many prominent columnists have put out statements about their work being censored, often by their own editors.

MENACING PHONE CALLS

A frequent complaint by Sharif, whose second term as prime minister was ended by a bloodless army coup in 1999, is that PML-N lawmakers are being intimidated.

Four PML-N lawmakers from the Punjab province described to Reuters a similar pattern of strange calls and visits from unknown men who would pretend to be well-wishers, but then make clear to them it would be in their interest to ditch Sharif.

None of the lawmakers wished to be identified. One recounted a recent, seemingly random, encounter with a man claiming to be a supporter that ended with the well-wisher telling him: "Your boss is a traitor. Traitors have no future in this country".

Three of the lawmakers are sticking with PML-N but one has defected to PTI. All four said they believed the calls were from intelligence agents, though they did not have any proof. Reuters could not independently corroborate the events they described.

In the last few months at least 15 National Assembly PML-N lawmakers have left the party, mostly to join PTI. PML-N officials say most were politicians who won their seats as independents in 2013 and joined PML-N afterwards.

Khan has dismissed PML-N accusations the lawmakers were pressured into switching sides, but predicted in a recent meeting with foreign media that many more would follow. He believes such defections will be vital to gaining a foothold in Punjab, long a PML-N stronghold that returns 141 of the 272 directly contested seats in the National Assembly.

IN THE DOCK

Several senior PML-N figures are currently facing court cases after a flurry of charges against them.

Among them, Sharif could be jailed for 14 years before the polls in a corruption trial he calls a "witch hunt", while Aziz, the former privatisation minister, is facing contempt of court charges that could bar him from standing in the election.

The judiciary has denied targeting, or favouring, any political party, and rejects allegations from PML-N of collusion with the military to weaken the party.

The Election Commision of Pakistan's code of conduct for the pre-poll campaign period is shaping up to be the next battleground.

Proposed new rules would prohibit anyone from criticising the military and the judiciary, while also banning politicians from talking about what they have achieved in government.

With PML-N's electoral campaign built around touting mega infrastructure projects and defending civilian rule, the party is no doubt who this would hurt the most.

Newspapers are awash with accusations of military 'engineering' and journalists and media houses complain of growing censorship. The elections are scheduled to take place on June 25

Intensifying allegations of military interference threaten to cast a shadow over Pakistan's general election on July 25, a historic event that will mark only the country's second ever democratic transition of power. On Friday the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party handed over to a technocratic caretaker administration after completing a full five-year term, another democratic milestone. But as campaigning begins, tensions between the civilian politicians and the powerful military, which has ruled for about half of Pakistan's history since independence in 1947, are running high. Four PML-N lawmakers told Reuters they had received threats and pressure to switch allegiance to rival parties, while newspapers are awash with accusations of military "engineering" and journalists and media houses complain of growing censorship. "It is a chipping away. It's behind the scenes, under the covers, below the radar," PML-N's outgoing Privatisation Minister Daniyal Aziz told Reuters, using typically coded language to hint at meddling by the generals without naming them. The military, which strongly denies interfering in politics, did not respond to a Reuters request for comment. The political tensions come at a time of growing economic instability in the nuclear-armed nation of 208 million people. Islamabad's rapidly depleting currency reserves and a widening current account deficit have prompted many analysts to predict the next government will need to seek the country's second International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout since 2013. PML-N founder Nawaz Sharif was ousted by the Supreme Court as prime minister in July and now faces corruption charges, events he has described as "pre-poll rigging" aimed at denying his party another term. He has cast the campaign as a battle to protect the "sanctity of the vote". ANTI-CORRUPTION PLATFORM PML-N's main challenge is expected to come from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party led by cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan, who is betting his anti-corruption message will propel him to power. Khan has denied the generals have thrown their weight behind PTI, and accuses Sharif of hiding behind such allegations to avoid accountability. Also read: Pak court allows ex-foreign minister Khawaja Asif to contest elections In a statement, the PTI this week said: "Any deliberate or unconscious effort to compromise the sanctity of ballot could cause irreparable damage to national interests". But analysts and Western diplomats who spoke to Reuters said the military was squeezing PML-N ahead of polls. "This kind of interference has always been there, but this time it is so naked that everyone is seeing it and everyone is talking about it," said Ijaz Khan, a retired international relations professor at Peshawar University. A "Pre-Election Assessment Report" published this week by an independent think-tank, Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT), deemed the pre-poll process to have been "unfair overall" in the 12 months before the election was called last week. PILDAT said "surreptitious muzzling" of the media, a rise in bias from the military establishment and a "perceived partisanship in judicial and political accountability have nearly eroded the prospects of a free and fair election in 2018". Pakistan's biggest TV channel, Geo, went off air for several weeks in April and only returned after its executives struck a deal with the military over their coverage of Sharif, two executives told Reuters. Distribution of Dawn, the biggest English-language newspaper in the country, has been suspended from some military cantonment areas in several cities, a senior Dawn executive told Reuters. Many prominent columnists have put out statements about their work being censored, often by their own editors. MENACING PHONE CALLS A frequent complaint by Sharif, whose second term as prime minister was ended by a bloodless army coup in 1999, is that PML-N lawmakers are being intimidated. Four PML-N lawmakers from the Punjab province described to Reuters a similar pattern of strange calls and visits from unknown men who would pretend to be well-wishers, but then make clear to them it would be in their interest to ditch Sharif. None of the lawmakers wished to be identified. One recounted a recent, seemingly random, encounter with a man claiming to be a supporter that ended with the well-wisher telling him: "Your boss is a traitor. Traitors have no future in this country". Three of the lawmakers are sticking with PML-N but one has defected to PTI. All four said they believed the calls were from intelligence agents, though they did not have any proof. Reuters could not independently corroborate the events they described. In the last few months at least 15 National Assembly PML-N lawmakers have left the party, mostly to join PTI. PML-N officials say most were politicians who won their seats as independents in 2013 and joined PML-N afterwards. Khan has dismissed PML-N accusations the lawmakers were pressured into switching sides, but predicted in a recent meeting with foreign media that many more would follow. He believes such defections will be vital to gaining a foothold in Punjab, long a PML-N stronghold that returns 141 of the 272 directly contested seats in the National Assembly. IN THE DOCK Several senior PML-N figures are currently facing court cases after a flurry of charges against them. Among them, Sharif could be jailed for 14 years before the polls in a corruption trial he calls a "witch hunt", while Aziz, the former privatisation minister, is facing contempt of court charges that could bar him from standing in the election. The judiciary has denied targeting, or favouring, any political party, and rejects allegations from PML-N of collusion with the military to weaken the party. The Election Commision of Pakistan's code of conduct for the pre-poll campaign period is shaping up to be the next battleground. Proposed new rules would prohibit anyone from criticising the military and the judiciary, while also banning politicians from talking about what they have achieved in government. With PML-N's electoral campaign built around touting mega infrastructure projects and defending civilian rule, the party is no doubt who this would hurt the most.

Allegations of Army interference cast shadow over Pakistan general election

United States president Donald Trump has been accused of a number of sexual allegations in the recent past. But, Trump was perhaps not the only leader under this loop.&nbsp;

In 1998, Bill Clinton was accused of having a continuous affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky from 1995 to 1997. However, two decades ago this week he declared that he &quot;did not have sexual relations with that woman,&quot; under oath.

He was later tried for perjury and obstruction of justice which is when he finally admitted to the allegations. The charges were dropped after a 21-day Senate trial, but only after he resigned from the presidency.

Earlier, a lawyer from president Donald Trumps office allegedly paid $130,000 dollars to a former adult-actress a month before the 2016 elections, for her to keep mum about an alleged sexual encounter with Trump.&nbsp;

As per reports, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trumps-lawyer-paid-130k-to-pornstar-for-silence-over-trump-encounter-reports-29385">Trump and Clifford</a> had the encounter in Lake Tahoe, California, in 2006, a year after he married his third wife, Melania.&nbsp;

Clifford was 27 at the time and had come to represent the adult film studio Wicked, which made her films. She also got a picture clicked with Trump which had surfaced the net.&nbsp;

He was, though, married at the time and his wife, Melania, had given birth to their son less than four months earlier.

The lack of criticism surrounding Trump&rsquo;s supposed affair with Daniels indicates an ambivalence toward him, and frankly, politicians in general when it comes to plain old sex scandals.

But Trump is no normal politician and in his tumultuous administration, &quot;it&#39;s not even the biggest story of the week,&quot; wrote Aaron Blake in The Washington Post.

Tobe Berkovitz, an associate professor of advertising at Boston University, said Trump displays an uncanny ability to sail past scandals.

&quot;Trump is an anomaly,&quot; said Berkovitz, who has served as a political consultant on numerous political campaigns in addition to teaching.

&quot;Look at the litany of other politicians, celebrities and journalists who have just had the trap door open out from under them for behavior that might not be as egregious or as bad as Trump&#39;s,&quot; Berkovitz said.&nbsp;

Trump and the rest of the men on Capitol Hill won&rsquo;t be hurt by the average sex scandal, and it&rsquo;s because the public expects much worse from them.

Meanwhile, Cohen also denied the reports, saying, &quot;These rumours have circulated time and again since 2011&quot;. &quot;President Trump once again vehemently denies any such occurrence as has Ms Daniels&quot;. 
&nbsp;

Trump and the rest of the men on Capitol Hill won’t be hurt by the average sex scandal, and it’s because the public expects much worse from them.

United States president Donald Trump has been accused of a number of sexual allegations in the recent past. But, Trump was perhaps not the only leader under this loop. In 1998, Bill Clinton was accused of having a continuous affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky from 1995 to 1997. However, two decades ago this week he declared that he "did not have sexual relations with that woman," under oath. He was later tried for perjury and obstruction of justice which is when he finally admitted to the allegations. The charges were dropped after a 21-day Senate trial, but only after he resigned from the presidency. Earlier, a lawyer from president Donald Trumps office allegedly paid $130,000 dollars to a former adult-actress a month before the 2016 elections, for her to keep mum about an alleged sexual encounter with Trump. As per reports, Trump and Clifford had the encounter in Lake Tahoe, California, in 2006, a year after he married his third wife, Melania. Clifford was 27 at the time and had come to represent the adult film studio Wicked, which made her films. She also got a picture clicked with Trump which had surfaced the net. He was, though, married at the time and his wife, Melania, had given birth to their son less than four months earlier. The lack of criticism surrounding Trump’s supposed affair with Daniels indicates an ambivalence toward him, and frankly, politicians in general when it comes to plain old sex scandals. But Trump is no normal politician and in his tumultuous administration, "it's not even the biggest story of the week," wrote Aaron Blake in The Washington Post. Tobe Berkovitz, an associate professor of advertising at Boston University, said Trump displays an uncanny ability to sail past scandals. "Trump is an anomaly," said Berkovitz, who has served as a political consultant on numerous political campaigns in addition to teaching. "Look at the litany of other politicians, celebrities and journalists who have just had the trap door open out from under them for behavior that might not be as egregious or as bad as Trump's," Berkovitz said. Trump and the rest of the men on Capitol Hill won’t be hurt by the average sex scandal, and it’s because the public expects much worse from them. Meanwhile, Cohen also denied the reports, saying, "These rumours have circulated time and again since 2011". "President Trump once again vehemently denies any such occurrence as has Ms Daniels".

Unites States presidents and history of sex scandals

Foreign interference in Australian politics has become a &quot;serious problem&quot;, a top official said Monday, with tougher laws on espionage and overseas donations to be introduced to parliament.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull ordered an inquiry in June after media revelations that the nation&#39;s spy agency had warned the country&#39;s political elite two years ago about taking donations from two billionaires with links to the Chinese Communist Party.

The probe, by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and Fairfax Media, said that despite being cautioned, both the Liberals and Labor continued accepting substantial sums of cash.

It said intelligence agencies had major concerns that China was interfering in Australian institutions and using the political donations system to gain access. Beijing denied the allegations as &quot;totally groundless&quot;.

Since then concern over foreign interference has gathered momentum, heightened by ongoing revelations of Russian meddling in the American political system.

&quot;The issue of foreign interference in our politics is an extremely serious problem,&quot; Attorney-General George Brandis told parliament on Monday.

&quot;So I can tell the Senate that later this week, the government will introduce a milestone legislative package to reform Australia&#39;s espionage and foreign interference legislation.&quot;

He said the new laws would strengthen and modernise a range of offences &quot;for the purposes of investigating, disrupting and prosecuting acts of espionage and covert interference in the Australian political process&quot;.&nbsp;

There would be a new transparency scheme, providing &quot;visibility of the nature and extent of influence over Australia&#39;s government and political processes by foreign interests&quot;.&nbsp;

&quot;It will introduce new offences targeting foreign interference and economic espionage, including offences that criminalise covert and deceptive activities that support the intelligence activities of foreign actors,&quot; he added.

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman said in response on Monday that Beijing &quot;always stays committed to following the principle of mutual respect for sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs&quot; of other countries.&nbsp;

&quot;At the same time we urge the relevant people on the Australian side to abandon prejudices,&quot; Geng Shuang told a regular press briefing.&nbsp;

Last week, a key Australian Labor MP, Sam Dastyari, was forced to resign as deputy opposition whip after reports that he told a Chinese businessman his phone was likely being tapped by intelligence agencies.

The man, Huang Xiangmo, is a prominent Chinese political donor.

A probe said intelligence agencies had major concerns that China was interfering in Australian institutions and using the political donations system to gain access

Foreign interference in Australian politics has become a "serious problem", a top official said Monday, with tougher laws on espionage and overseas donations to be introduced to parliament. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull ordered an inquiry in June after media revelations that the nation's spy agency had warned the country's political elite two years ago about taking donations from two billionaires with links to the Chinese Communist Party. The probe, by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and Fairfax Media, said that despite being cautioned, both the Liberals and Labor continued accepting substantial sums of cash. It said intelligence agencies had major concerns that China was interfering in Australian institutions and using the political donations system to gain access. Beijing denied the allegations as "totally groundless". Since then concern over foreign interference has gathered momentum, heightened by ongoing revelations of Russian meddling in the American political system. "The issue of foreign interference in our politics is an extremely serious problem," Attorney-General George Brandis told parliament on Monday. "So I can tell the Senate that later this week, the government will introduce a milestone legislative package to reform Australia's espionage and foreign interference legislation." He said the new laws would strengthen and modernise a range of offences "for the purposes of investigating, disrupting and prosecuting acts of espionage and covert interference in the Australian political process". There would be a new transparency scheme, providing "visibility of the nature and extent of influence over Australia's government and political processes by foreign interests". "It will introduce new offences targeting foreign interference and economic espionage, including offences that criminalise covert and deceptive activities that support the intelligence activities of foreign actors," he added. A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman said in response on Monday that Beijing "always stays committed to following the principle of mutual respect for sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs" of other countries. "At the same time we urge the relevant people on the Australian side to abandon prejudices," Geng Shuang told a regular press briefing. Last week, a key Australian Labor MP, Sam Dastyari, was forced to resign as deputy opposition whip after reports that he told a Chinese businessman his phone was likely being tapped by intelligence agencies. The man, Huang Xiangmo, is a prominent Chinese political donor.

New Australia laws to deal with foreign political meddling

Wipro, India&#39;s third largest software services firm, today said it will contest the lawsuit filed by National Grid US seeking damages of over USD 140 million for a project that began in 2009.

In a filing to the stock exchanges, Wipro said the company has become a subject of litigation with a long-time customer, National Grid US.

&quot;The lawsuit relates to an ERP implementation project which began in 2009 and was undertaken by National Grid US... The lawsuit in US District Court for the Eastern District of New York seeks damages amounting to USD 140 million plus additional costs related to the project,&quot; Wipro said.

It added that the financial implications for Wipro, if any, will depend on the final judgement in the matter.

Wipro said it had joined the project in 2010, and the post-Go-live process was completed in 2014.

&quot;Wipro strongly believes that the allegations misstate facts and the claims are baseless. Wipro will vigorously contest the allegations in court,&quot; it said.

The Bengaluru-based company said it had provided &quot;valuable services with skill and care&quot; and during the course of the ERP implementation project, National Grid had given Wipro many positive evaluations.

Wipro also received an award from National Grid US with respect to this project in 2014, it noted.

In a filing to the stock exchanges, Wipro said the company has become a subject of litigation with a long-time customer, National Grid US

Wipro, India's third largest software services firm, today said it will contest the lawsuit filed by National Grid US seeking damages of over USD 140 million for a project that began in 2009. In a filing to the stock exchanges, Wipro said the company has become a subject of litigation with a long-time customer, National Grid US. "The lawsuit relates to an ERP implementation project which began in 2009 and was undertaken by National Grid US... The lawsuit in US District Court for the Eastern District of New York seeks damages amounting to USD 140 million plus additional costs related to the project," Wipro said. It added that the financial implications for Wipro, if any, will depend on the final judgement in the matter. Wipro said it had joined the project in 2010, and the post-Go-live process was completed in 2014. "Wipro strongly believes that the allegations misstate facts and the claims are baseless. Wipro will vigorously contest the allegations in court," it said. The Bengaluru-based company said it had provided "valuable services with skill and care" and during the course of the ERP implementation project, National Grid had given Wipro many positive evaluations. Wipro also received an award from National Grid US with respect to this project in 2014, it noted.

Wipro refutes National Grid's claims, to contest in US court

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said Friday that the allegations against the Rafale deal were &quot;shameful&quot; and a &quot;disservice&quot; to the country&#39;s armed forces.&nbsp;

Sitharaman&#39;s remarks came a day after Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of changing the &quot;entire deal&quot; for the benefit of one businessman. &nbsp;

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Can you explain &quot;Reliance&quot; on someone with nil experience in aerospace for Rafale deal?
&mdash; Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfRG/status/930995047436185600?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 16, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Self &quot;Reliance&quot; is obviously a critical aspect of &quot;Make in India.&quot;
&mdash; Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfRG/status/930995317801082882?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 16, 2017</a></blockquote>
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India is buying 36 Rafale fighter jets from France.&nbsp;

The Congress has alleged the deal is overpriced, and that there is a scam brewing.&nbsp;

And that the deal was changed to benefit Anil Ambani&#39;s Reliance Defence Limited.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had spoken to the French government about the jets during his April 2015 visit to Paris.&nbsp;

The final agreement for the jets was signed in 2016.&nbsp;

The Congress has alleged that the planes are being bought at three times the price the former UPA government had negotiated with France.&nbsp;

The 36 Rafale jets are going to cost India Rs 58,000 crore.

The Congress says the UPA government had negotiated a $10.2 billion deal for the acquisition of 126 Rafale jets while the NDA government renegotiated the deal down to $8.7 billion -- but for just 36 fighters.

Sitharaman retorted Friday that the Congress had sat on the deal for 10 years -- at the cost of national security.&nbsp;

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Smt <a href="https://twitter.com/nsitharaman?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nsitharaman</a> on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rafale?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Rafale</a> : &quot; The present govt addressed the vacuum in our national security structure created by the indecisiveness of 10 yr long UPA regime by immediately procuring 36 aircraft in a fly-away condition&quot; (1)
&mdash; Raksha Mantri (@DefenceMinIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/DefenceMinIndia/status/931494883226824706?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 17, 2017</a></blockquote>
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&quot;This (delay) potentially compromised national security interests,&quot; the minister was quoted as saying.

Sitharaman added Friday that the deal was signed after five rounds of discussions between the Indian and French sides, and approval by the Cabinet Committee on Security.&nbsp;

&quot;These allegations are shameful...The deal was finalised following a transparent procedure,&quot; PTI reported Sitharaman as telling reporters.

Indian Air Force Chief BS Dhano had on Thursday also weighed in on the controversy, saying he did not understand what it was about.&nbsp;

&quot;This is a cheaper deal,&quot; he had said.&nbsp;

The Congress has alleged the deal -- India is buying 36 Rafale fighter jets from France -- is overpriced, and that there is a scam brewing

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said Friday that the allegations against the Rafale deal were "shameful" and a "disservice" to the country's armed forces. Sitharaman's remarks came a day after Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of changing the "entire deal" for the benefit of one businessman. Can you explain "Reliance" on someone with nil experience in aerospace for Rafale deal? — Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) November 16, 2017 × Self "Reliance" is obviously a critical aspect of "Make in India." — Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) November 16, 2017 × India is buying 36 Rafale fighter jets from France. The Congress has alleged the deal is overpriced, and that there is a scam brewing. And that the deal was changed to benefit Anil Ambani's Reliance Defence Limited. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had spoken to the French government about the jets during his April 2015 visit to Paris. The final agreement for the jets was signed in 2016. The Congress has alleged that the planes are being bought at three times the price the former UPA government had negotiated with France. The 36 Rafale jets are going to cost India Rs 58,000 crore. The Congress says the UPA government had negotiated a $10.2 billion deal for the acquisition of 126 Rafale jets while the NDA government renegotiated the deal down to $8.7 billion -- but for just 36 fighters. Sitharaman retorted Friday that the Congress had sat on the deal for 10 years -- at the cost of national security. Smt @nsitharaman on #Rafale : " The present govt addressed the vacuum in our national security structure created by the indecisiveness of 10 yr long UPA regime by immediately procuring 36 aircraft in a fly-away condition" (1) — Raksha Mantri (@DefenceMinIndia) November 17, 2017 × "This (delay) potentially compromised national security interests," the minister was quoted as saying. Sitharaman added Friday that the deal was signed after five rounds of discussions between the Indian and French sides, and approval by the Cabinet Committee on Security. "These allegations are shameful...The deal was finalised following a transparent procedure," PTI reported Sitharaman as telling reporters. Indian Air Force Chief BS Dhano had on Thursday also weighed in on the controversy, saying he did not understand what it was about. "This is a cheaper deal," he had said.

Allegations against Rafale deal 'shameful', 'disservice' to armed forces: Nirmala Sitharaman

Apple on Tuesday rejected allegations from Russia&#39;s state competition watchdog it may have been involved in fixing prices for iPhones, saying resellers set their own prices. 
 
Apple reacted a day after Russia&#39;s Federal Anti-Monopoly Service (FAS) said it had opened a case into the allegations after a consumer had pointed out that identical prices had been set for iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus models, which appeared in Russia in October 2015, at 16 major resellers. 
 
Apple, in emailed comments, said it did not oblige Russian resellers to fix prices for its products. 
 
&quot;Resellers set their own prices for the Apple products they sell in Russia and around the world,&quot; the company&#39;s press office said. 
 
FAS said it was looking into the idea that Apple had somehow obliged Russian resellers to treat its recommended product prices as mandatory. It said an investigation had shown that retailers had set identical prices and kept them at that level for a certain time period, including for other models. 
 
FAS has the power to fine firms it finds guilty of price-fixing. 
 
(Reuters)

The Russian state watchdog had opened a case after a consumer pointed out identical prices had been set for the 6s and 6s Plus models

Apple on Tuesday rejected allegations from Russia's state competition watchdog it may have been involved in fixing prices for iPhones, saying resellers set their own prices. Apple reacted a day after Russia's Federal Anti-Monopoly Service (FAS) said it had opened a case into the allegations after a consumer had pointed out that identical prices had been set for iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus models, which appeared in Russia in October 2015, at 16 major resellers. Apple, in emailed comments, said it did not oblige Russian resellers to fix prices for its products. "Resellers set their own prices for the Apple products they sell in Russia and around the world," the company's press office said. FAS said it was looking into the idea that Apple had somehow obliged Russian resellers to treat its recommended product prices as mandatory. It said an investigation had shown that retailers had set identical prices and kept them at that level for a certain time period, including for other models. FAS has the power to fine firms it finds guilty of price-fixing. (Reuters)

Apple dismisses iPhone price-fixing allegations in Russia

The International Boxing Association (AIBA) has dismissed allegations of corruption within the organisation and demanded proof after a British newspaper reported that some bouts in the Rio Olympics could be fixed. 
 
According to The Guardian, citing multiple sources, a group of senior referees and judges met before a major championship to decide on how to score certain bouts having earlier relied on hand and head signals to select a winner. 
 
&quot;We reiterate that, unless tangible proof is put forward, not just rumours, we cannot further comment on these allegations,&quot; the paper quoted the sport&#39;s global governing body as saying. 
 
&quot;Our role is to ensure a fair and transparent competition and that the thousands of spectators and millions of fans enjoy an amazing tournament with 13 great and undisputed gold medallists. It is not a matter for AIBA to interfere with the decision made by the judges under sporting rules.&quot; 
 
Irish judge Seamus Kelly, one of the sources named in the report, said he had been asked to fix bouts at the Arab Games in Doha in 2011 using signals, and that his fellow officials were afraid to speak out. 
 
&quot;People are afraid... because if they are judges they will be sidelined and won&#39;t get to go to the Olympics or other championships. If they are officials, they fear their country&#39;s boxers will be targeted,&quot; he said. 
 
AIBA executive committee member Terry Smith said he was not aware of the allegations, and challenged officials to take up the matter using established channels within the organisation. 
 
&quot;I wish they&#39;d confide a little bit internally,&quot; he added. &quot;I would like them to challenge it where it takes place. These are the types of rumours we certainly don&#39;t want with the Olympics coming up.&quot; 
 
(Reuters)

Executive committee member Terry Smith has challenged officials to take up the matter using established channels within the organisation

The International Boxing Association (AIBA) has dismissed allegations of corruption within the organisation and demanded proof after a British newspaper reported that some bouts in the Rio Olympics could be fixed. According to The Guardian, citing multiple sources, a group of senior referees and judges met before a major championship to decide on how to score certain bouts having earlier relied on hand and head signals to select a winner. "We reiterate that, unless tangible proof is put forward, not just rumours, we cannot further comment on these allegations," the paper quoted the sport's global governing body as saying. "Our role is to ensure a fair and transparent competition and that the thousands of spectators and millions of fans enjoy an amazing tournament with 13 great and undisputed gold medallists. It is not a matter for AIBA to interfere with the decision made by the judges under sporting rules." Irish judge Seamus Kelly, one of the sources named in the report, said he had been asked to fix bouts at the Arab Games in Doha in 2011 using signals, and that his fellow officials were afraid to speak out. "People are afraid... because if they are judges they will be sidelined and won't get to go to the Olympics or other championships. If they are officials, they fear their country's boxers will be targeted," he said. AIBA executive committee member Terry Smith said he was not aware of the allegations, and challenged officials to take up the matter using established channels within the organisation. "I wish they'd confide a little bit internally," he added. "I would like them to challenge it where it takes place. These are the types of rumours we certainly don't want with the Olympics coming up." (Reuters)

International Boxing Association dismisses corruption allegations as 'rumours'

The head of Malaysia&#39;s anti-graft body will step down on August 1, the agency said on Thursday, more than two years before the scheduled end of a term that included an investigation of Prime Minister Najib Razak. 
 
The revelations of the investigation, first reported by the Wall Street Journal last year, have shaken investors in Southeast Asia&#39;s third-biggest economy and dented confidence in Najib&#39;s ruling coalition. 
 
Abu Kassim Mohamed, the chief commissioner of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), asked for his contract to be terminated earlier than expected, the agency said in a statement. 
 
&quot;There was no pressure from any parties towards the decision made by Abu Kassim to shorten his contract,&quot; it said, dismissing speculation in domestic media that pressure from the Prime Minister&#39;s office might have prompted the resignation. 
 
The Prime Minister&#39;s office did not immediately respond to a request from Reuters seeking comment. 
 
Under Abu Kassim, who took on his role in the beginning of 2010, the anti-graft body began investigations into allegations of graft and financial mismanagement at state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) and the transfer of 2.6 billion Ringgit ($647.09 million) to Najib&#39;s bank accounts. 
 
Malaysia&#39;s attorney-general cleared Najib of any criminal offences or corruption in January. Najib has denied any wrongdoing and said he did not take any money for personal gain. 
 
Abu Kassim&#39;s contract was to have run until December 4, 2018, the anti-graft body said, adding that the request to cut short his tenure followed an offer to be a visiting expert at the International Anti-Corruption Academy in Austria. 
 
&quot;The request was made after I got the opportunity to improve Malaysia and MACC&#39;s name and international standing,&quot; Abu Kassim told reporters, adding that he will stay in the civil service until mandatory retirement in 2020. 
 
A second vacancy is coming up as his deputy, Shukri Abdull, will retire on October 3, Abu Kassim added, in a video of the news conference released by the agency. 
 
Najib was widely criticised last year after the government replaced Attorney General Abdul Gani Patail, who had led investigations into 1MDB, with Mohamed Apandi Ali. It cited Patail&#39;s failing health for the change ahead of his retirement. 
 
($1 = 4.0180 ringgit) 
 
(Reuters)

Abu Kassim Mohamed, the chief commissioner of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, will vacate the post on August 1

The head of Malaysia's anti-graft body will step down on August 1, the agency said on Thursday, more than two years before the scheduled end of a term that included an investigation of Prime Minister Najib Razak. The revelations of the investigation, first reported by the Wall Street Journal last year, have shaken investors in Southeast Asia's third-biggest economy and dented confidence in Najib's ruling coalition. Abu Kassim Mohamed, the chief commissioner of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), asked for his contract to be terminated earlier than expected, the agency said in a statement. "There was no pressure from any parties towards the decision made by Abu Kassim to shorten his contract," it said, dismissing speculation in domestic media that pressure from the Prime Minister's office might have prompted the resignation. The Prime Minister's office did not immediately respond to a request from Reuters seeking comment. Under Abu Kassim, who took on his role in the beginning of 2010, the anti-graft body began investigations into allegations of graft and financial mismanagement at state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) and the transfer of 2.6 billion Ringgit ($647.09 million) to Najib's bank accounts. Malaysia's attorney-general cleared Najib of any criminal offences or corruption in January. Najib has denied any wrongdoing and said he did not take any money for personal gain. Abu Kassim's contract was to have run until December 4, 2018, the anti-graft body said, adding that the request to cut short his tenure followed an offer to be a visiting expert at the International Anti-Corruption Academy in Austria. "The request was made after I got the opportunity to improve Malaysia and MACC's name and international standing," Abu Kassim told reporters, adding that he will stay in the civil service until mandatory retirement in 2020. A second vacancy is coming up as his deputy, Shukri Abdull, will retire on October 3, Abu Kassim added, in a video of the news conference released by the agency. Najib was widely criticised last year after the government replaced Attorney General Abdul Gani Patail, who had led investigations into 1MDB, with Mohamed Apandi Ali. It cited Patail's failing health for the change ahead of his retirement. ($1 = 4.0180 ringgit) (Reuters)

Malaysia's anti-graft panel chief to step down

Brazil&#39;s interim President Michel Temer dismissed graft allegations against him as dishonest and reckless, pledging in a national address on Thursday that his government would not be distracted from fiscal reforms aimed at reviving the economy. 
 
Temer said it was &quot;irresponsible, ridiculous, mendacious and criminal&quot; to suggest, as former Petrobras executive Sergio Machado did in plea bargain testimony, that he had sought campaign funds for his party from a graft scheme at the state-run oil company. 
 
The testimony, made public by the Supreme Court on Wednesday, was the first direct link between Temer and the sweeping corruption probe that has thrown Brazil&#39;s politics into chaos and deepened its worst recession in decades. 
 
&quot;I say it again, when an idea as flippant as this comes out, it embarrasses or can embarrass the government&#39;s activity. But I want to say here, to register, loud and clear, nothing will embarrass our intentions, our mission, our task during the period in which I am in front of the presidency of the republic, with an extraordinary economic team, with a foreign affairs team which is equally as extraordinary, and a very adequate ministry. Nothing will impede us from continuing to work for the good of Brazil and the Brazilian people,&quot; said Temer in Brasilia on Thursday. 
 
The highly charged plea bargain implicating Temer and two dozen other elected officials, many of them senior members of his ruling coalition, stole the thunder from a landmark fiscal reform revealed the same day. 
 
Machado&#39;s plea deal included allegations that Temer had sought campaign funds for his party&#39;s 2012 Sao Paulo mayoral candidate from the graft scheme at Petrobras, the biggest ever uncovered in Brazil. 
 
The accusations provide more fodder for suspended President Dilma Rousseff and her allies, who accuse Temer and his party of&nbsp;&nbsp;mounting the impeachment process against her in order to distract from their own roles in the corruption scandal. Rousseff faces a trial in the Senate on unrelated charges of breaking budget rules. 
 
(Reuters)

The testimony by Petrobras executive Sergio Machado has thrown Brazil's politics into chaos and deepened its worst recession in decades

Brazil's interim President Michel Temer dismissed graft allegations against him as dishonest and reckless, pledging in a national address on Thursday that his government would not be distracted from fiscal reforms aimed at reviving the economy. Temer said it was "irresponsible, ridiculous, mendacious and criminal" to suggest, as former Petrobras executive Sergio Machado did in plea bargain testimony, that he had sought campaign funds for his party from a graft scheme at the state-run oil company. The testimony, made public by the Supreme Court on Wednesday, was the first direct link between Temer and the sweeping corruption probe that has thrown Brazil's politics into chaos and deepened its worst recession in decades. "I say it again, when an idea as flippant as this comes out, it embarrasses or can embarrass the government's activity. But I want to say here, to register, loud and clear, nothing will embarrass our intentions, our mission, our task during the period in which I am in front of the presidency of the republic, with an extraordinary economic team, with a foreign affairs team which is equally as extraordinary, and a very adequate ministry. Nothing will impede us from continuing to work for the good of Brazil and the Brazilian people," said Temer in Brasilia on Thursday. The highly charged plea bargain implicating Temer and two dozen other elected officials, many of them senior members of his ruling coalition, stole the thunder from a landmark fiscal reform revealed the same day. Machado's plea deal included allegations that Temer had sought campaign funds for his party's 2012 Sao Paulo mayoral candidate from the graft scheme at Petrobras, the biggest ever uncovered in Brazil. The accusations provide more fodder for suspended President Dilma Rousseff and her allies, who accuse Temer and his party of mounting the impeachment process against her in order to distract from their own roles in the corruption scandal. Rousseff faces a trial in the Senate on unrelated charges of breaking budget rules. (Reuters)

Brazil's Temer denies alleged link to Petrobras scandal

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