The Supreme Court has issued notice to the Centre and both the petitioners in the matter.
(AKS-01/05)
Govt committed to clean & green environment: Prakash Javadekar
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|
 Updated on : 03-05-2015 07:50 PM
|
|
In an exclusive interview to DD News, Union environment minister Prakash
Javadekar said his government is committed to clean and green
environment.
|
He said government's policies have helped change environment ministry's negative image.
The minister also said the clearance processes for projects have been simplified by making them online.
He further added that development without destruction is government's agenda.
Prakash Javadekar also called for people's participation in the clean environment movement.
(AKS-03/05)
|
SEBI asks bondholders of two Sahara firms to submit their claims
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 Updated on : 03-05-2015 08:22 PM
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Making a fresh bid to locate Sahara investors eligible for refunds,
capital markets regulator SEBI has asked the bondholders of two Sahara
firms to submit their claims along with the proof of investments.
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The latest exercise follows two similar attempts made by the Securities and Exchange Board of India in the past.
The
first exercise began in August 2014, when the investors were asked to
submit their refund claims by September 30, followed by a similar
exercise in December when the bondholders were required to approach SEBI
with their applications by January 2015.
(AKS-03/05)
|
Telecos slash roaming charges
|
|
 Updated on : 01-05-2015 03:54 PM
|
|
Mobile users will pay less for roaming from today as leading operators,
including Airtel, Vodafone, Idea and RCom, slashed their roaming rates
weeks after regulator cut ceiling tariffs.
|
While in roaming, call rates will be cheaper by up to 40 per cent and SMS by up to 75 per cent.
Telecom regulator TRAI on April 9 had reduced ceiling tariffs for
national roaming calls and SMSes and mandated service providers to offer
a special roaming tariff plan.
The changes came into effect from today.
The regulator cut the maximum or ceiling rate that a telecom operator
can charge for STD calls on roaming to Rs 1.15 per minute from Rs 1.50
per minute.
Similarly, national SMS rate was reduced to 38 paise from Rs 1.50 per SMS.
Also, an operator can charge a maximum 25 paise for each local SMS
instead of Re 1 per SMS and a maximum 80 paise per minute for a local
call instead of Re 1.
(AKS-01/05)
Lok Sabha likely to pass historic GST Bill today
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|
 Updated on : 06-05-2015 09:32 AM
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Lok Sabha is likely to pass the historic GST Bill today after Government's reply.
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The GST Bill was taken up for consideration in Lok Sabha on Tuesday.
There were demands by the opposition to refer it to the Standing Committee, which the Lok Sabha Speaker had rejected.
The Congress said it supports the Bill barring certain provisions.
The Finance Minister appealed to all parties to support the legislation
and said no purpose would be served by delaying the passage of the
crucial bill.
As soon as the legislative topic was announced , there was a loud demand
to refer the GST bill to parliamentary standing committee.
After Lok Sabha Speaker rejected Opposition demands to refer the key
reform measure to a parliamentary Standing Committee, the GST Bill was
taken up for consideration in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.
The Opposition insisted that the 122nd Constitutional Amendment Bill be
referred to the Standing Committee on Finance as it was a new bill as
opposed to the one brought by the UPA government.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said if the GST Bill was sent back to the
panel, it would deny the benefits to the states by another financial
year as the deadline of April 1, 2016 will be missed.
He appealed to the opposition parties to rise above partisan considerations.
Congress leader Veerappa Moily said he supported GST but was against
some of the provisions of the bill. AIADMK also opposed the bill
TMC appeared to be favouring the bill, while BJD also has given its
approval with some conditions.
If the bill is implemented, only one tax will be levied on goods and
services which means in place of VAT, excise and service tax only one
tax will apply which will be beneficial for the tax payers and that is
the precise reason why the government is keen on passing the bill in the
current session itself.
(AKS-06/05)
|
Relief to MP governor in Vyapam scam
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 Updated on : 05-05-2015 09:23 PM
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In
a major relief to Madhya Pradesh Governor Ram Naresh Yadav, the High
Court has quashed the FIR against him in the Professional Examination
Board scam.
|
The bench of the court said that the President and Governor cannot be prosecuted in the court while in office.
The
SIT probing the case had filed FIR against the governor alleging
accused him of recommending the names of five candidates in the Forest
Guard Recruitment scam.
World Press Freedom day celebrated
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 Updated on : 04-05-2015 09:17 AM
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World
Press Freedom day was celebrated on Sunday, 3 May is a date which
celebrates the fundamental principles of press freedom; to evaluate
press freedom around the world, to defend the media from attacks on
their independence and to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their
lives in the exercise of their profession.
|
Over 100 national celebrations take place each year to commemorate this Day.
UNESCO leads the worldwide celebration by identifying the global
thematic and organizing the main event in different parts of world every
year.
The international day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 1993
following a Recommendation adopted at the 26th Session of UNESCO's
General Conference in 1991.
This in turn was a response to a call by African journalists who in
1991 produced the landmark Windhoek Declaration on media pluralism and
independence.
I&B MINISTER GREETS CITIZENS & JOURNALISTS
Information and Broadcasting Minister Arun Jaitley greeted citizens and journalists on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day.
In a tweet, the minister extended greetings towards ensuring independent and free media.
On the World Press Freedom Day, my very best wishes to citizens &
journalists towards ensuring independent & free media.
Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Col Rajyavardhan
Singh Rathore in his greetings on World Press Freedom day, has said that
freedom of speech and expression are quintessential to fully functional
democracy.
The minister added that the government is fully committed to the freedom of press.
(AKS-03/05)
|
Kazakhstan President Nazarbayev wins fifth term by landslide
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 Updated on : 30-04-2015 12:13 PM
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Energy-rich
Kazakhstan's incumbent President Nursultan Nazarbayev scored a crushing
victory in Sunday's one-sided presidential ballot, taking 97.5 percent
of the vote to win a fifth consecutive term.
|
The exit poll showed Nazarbayev's closest competitor Turgun Syzdykov as scoring 1.8 percent of the ballot.
Kazakhstan's Central Election Commission claimed a record voter turnout
of 95.11 percent for the poll. The CEC is expected to present
preliminary results today.
Nazarbayev has ruled the vast Central Asian country since before the
breakup of the USSR in 1991.His new five-year term will take him to
three decades as leader.
(PT-27/04)
Kate Middleton gave birth to a girl
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 Updated on : 03-05-2015 12:53 PM
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Britain's Duchess of Cambridge and wife of Prince William, Kate Middleton gave birth to a girl on Saturday.
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The royal family's newest member was born at St Mary's Hospital in West London.
Britain's Duke and Duchess of Cambridge presented their new daughter to a cheering crowd of well wishers and media in London.
The baby princess will be fourth in line to the throne behind her
brother Prince George, father William and grandfather Prince Charles.
An official birth notice was placed on an easel at Buckingham Palace announcing the latest royal birth.
Congratulatory messages started pouring in soon after the birth of the
baby was announced... However, the name of the baby girl has not been
announced yet.
RBY@03/05
|
President gives away 62nd National Film Awards
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 Updated on : 04-05-2015 10:28 AM
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President Pranab Mukherjee conferred National film awards for the year
2014 at the 62nd National Film Awards Function held at Vigyan Bhawan on
Sunday.
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I&B minister Arun Jaitley and MoS I&B Col. Rajyavardhan Rathore were also present on the occasion.
The Award for the Best Film on Social Issues was given to Bengali movie 'Chotoder Chobi'.
The Best Director award was conferred on Srijit Mukherji for the Film 'Chotushkone'.
While Kangana Ranaut received award for the Best Actor for 'Queen', Vijay got the award for the film 'Nanu Avanalla Avalu'.
The highlight of the function was the live musical performance of Sukhwinder Singh and Uttara Unnikrishnan.
A
total of 21 Awards were given by the President in the Non-Feature film
category while the number of awards in Feature Film category being 45.
Veteran film actor Shashi Kapoor was conferred with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke award.
Congratulating the awardees on this occasion President said Film
industry should look beyond markets and work together to nurture
universal human values and India's civilizational heritage.
President said Indian cinema has crossed all boundaries of region,
caste, creed and religion which reflects the immense diversity of our
nation.
Speaking at the event, I&B minister Arun Jaitley said that Indian
Cinema has come a long way and have found increasing acceptance in the
international fora.
I&B secretary Bimal Julka said that the government is committed to
take all possible measures towards the overall growth of the film
industry.
(AKS-03/05)
GST Bill passed in Lok Sabha
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 Updated on : 07-05-2015 09:01 AM
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The
Goods and Services Tax Constitutional Amendment Bill has been passed in
the Lok Sabha on Wednesday with an overwhelming majority.
|
352 voted in favour of the GST bill and 37 members vote against the Bill.
Congress staged a walkout during the vote. All amendments moved by the opposition were defeated.
Earlier in the Lok Sabha replying to the discussion on the GST bill
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, said that no state will be losing revenue
after roll out of GST.
He added that GST will reduce prices in the long run and boost economic growth.
On the Opposition demand to send bill to panel, Jaitley said, GST Bill
is not a dancing instrument which will go jumping from Standing
Committee to Standing Committee.
Goods and Services Tax (GST) will be levied both on goods and services.
GST will convert the country into unified market, replacing most
indirect taxes with one tax.
All About Goods and Services Tax (GST):
- It would have a dual structure
- A Central component to be levied and collected by the Centre
-A state component administered by states
-At the Central level, it will subsume Central excise duty, service tax and additional customs duties
-At the state level it will include value-added tax, entertainment tax, luxury tax, lottery taxes and electricity duty
-Central sales tax (CST) will be completely phased out
- Entry tax or octroi would be subsumed from the start
- Petroleum products will continue for a few years
- State taxes on alcohol and tobacco will remain
-Rate for GST is proposed to be 26.88 per cent
-12.77 per cent for Centre Share and 13.91 per cent for state share respectively
@NZ-06/05
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Haryana govt announces step to check female foeticide
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 Updated on : 06-05-2015 11:44 AM
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In a major step to check female foeticide and promote 'Beti Bachao'
campaign in Haryana, the state government will give Rs. one lakh cash
award to anyone who provides information regarding sex determination
tests or female foeticides to concerned authorities.
|
Once the people involved in this crime are caught red-handed and
after verification of information, the person, who provides this
information, would immediately be given the cash prize.
For this, a provision of 25 lakh rupees token money has been provided
under annual plan 2015-16 and Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has
also given his approval.
The step has been taken in order to completely put an end to female
foeticide, which has led to unbalanced sex-ratio in the state.
(AKS-06/05)
|
I&B Minister Arun Jaitley to launch DD News mobile app today
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 Updated on : 07-05-2015 09:27 AM
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Doordarshan
News, nation's premier 24 hours news channel is launching its mobile
app which will make it possible for millions of people in India to keep
in touch with the latest happenings around them.
|
Union Information and broadcasting Minister Arun Jaitley will launch the app on Thursday in New Delhi.
The mobile App will bring DD News and its authentic news coverage to
each and every phone and reach each and every corner of the country.
You can watch news updates and top videos on your mobile phone. Besides
main news, DD News has three sports & two business bulletins daily
along many current affairs programmes.
A touch on your phone and you can watch many Special shows on health,
youth issues, cinema, art & culture, flagships schemes.
You can download the DD News app in these easy steps:
1. Visit the Android Play Store.
2. Search for DD News
3. Download the app to your phone.
And enjoy
1. Latest News
2. Live streaming of DD news channel
3. Top Videos
@NZ-06/05
|
Army inducts indigenously-built Akash missile
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 Updated on : 06-05-2015 11:06 AM
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The indigenously built Akash Air Defence system has been inducted into
the Army with Army Chief General Dalbir Singh receiving its symbolic key
from the CMD of Bharat Dynamics Limited on Tuesday.
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The Akash Air defence system is a surface to air missile system
which has been designed and developed by DRDO and assembled by public
sector undertakings with several ordnance factories.
Akash is capable to engage a wide variety of aerial threats like
aircraft, helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles up to a maximum range
of 25 km and up to an altitude of 20 km.
(AKS-06/05)
Centre, states should work as 'Team India': PM
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 Updated on : 11-05-2015 11:01 AM
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said there is no substitute to the
joint efforts that can be made by the Centre and the States for better
development of India.
|
In his address after the inauguration of modernised IISCO Steel
Plant in Burnpur, West Bengal the Prime Minister on Sunday said there
should be no differences as far as national development issues go.
In West Bengal Prime Minister visited the famous Dakshineshwar Temple and offered prayers.
He offered floral tributes to the presiding deity of Bhavatarini, an aspect of Goddess Kali.
Prime Minister also visited Belur Math, talked to the monks there and offered prayers.
(AKS-11/05)
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DTC bus drivers on strike today
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 Updated on : 11-05-2015 10:53 AM
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A section of DTC's bus drivers and conductors are on a strike today,
demanding arrest of the accused in the road rage incident where a DTC
driver was beaten to death on Sunday.
|
A 42-year-old DTC bus driver was beaten to death in broad daylight
allegedly by a youth as passengers looked on after the bus grazed his
bike in Mundka area of west Delhi, evoking protest by the employees of
the government-run agency.
The victim , a resident of Jhajjar in Haryana, was attacked allegedly by the biker following the accident at
around 9.30 on Sunday morning.
The Delhi government has announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to Kumar's family.
(AKS-11/05)
|
Centre’s Social security schemes unveiled simultaneously across the country
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 Updated on : 10-05-2015 02:06 PM
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The social security schemes were launched simultaneously at 115 places
in the country with 60 Union Ministers attending the functions and
unveiling the schemes along with state chief ministers.
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Finance Minister Arun Jaitley launched the schemes from the country's financial capital Mumbai..
Home Minister Rajnath Singh launched the schemes from Lucknow.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj launched the schemes from Bhopal.
Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore launched these schemes from Guwahati.
Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar launched these schemes from Kochhi, Kerala.
Chemicals and Fertilisers Minister Ananth Kumar launched these schemes
from Bengaluru
With the start of Pradhan Mantri Bima Suraksha Yojana, Pradhan Mantri
Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and Atal Pension Yojana, the dream of wiping
out tears has been fulfilled and this is a step in the right direction.
Union Human Resources Development Minister Smriti Irani said that the
three new social security schemes launched by Prime Minister Narendra
Modi are a historic step towards ensuring economic security for the
people of the country. She said this after launching the social security
schemes in Hyderabad.
(AKS-10/05)
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Gujarat CM dedicates to nation, INS Sardar Patel
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 Updated on : 10-05-2015 03:19 PM
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Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel dedicated to the nation, INS
Sardar Patel, the new naval base of the Indian Navy at Porbandar.
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The commissioning of INS Sardar Patel- the new naval base on Gujarat
coast, will increase the maritime security on western coast. Its aim is
to beef up security along the vast state coastline.
Gujarat has a coastline of 1600 km and 70% of the country's oil and 73% of gas is imported though the ports in the state.
The ports of Gujarat handle 40 to 50% of the total maritime trade handled by the various ports of India.
The naval base will also enhance the logistic support being provided to
the Indian Navy units deployed in the Northern Arabian Sea, including
along the International Maritime Boundary Line with Pakistan.
The 2008, Mumbai attacks have added a new dimension to the coastal
security, which has enhanced responsibility, and the need for continued
naval presence in this area in the entire coastline of India, 46 coastal
radar stations and 74 automatic identification systems have been put.
To give a push to the Make in India initiative, 48 ships and submarines will be developed indigenously.
The economic importance of this frontal maritime state, in the overall
national security dynamics, is the core factor governing sustenance and
operation of naval assets from the Forward Operating Naval base at
Porbandar.
(AKS-10/05)
|
Conservatives win majority and Labour suffers big losses in British Parliament elections
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 Updated on : 09-05-2015 09:51 AM
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In
Britain, Prime Minister David Cameron has returned to Downing Street
with the Conservative party winning the general election and securing
325 seats.
|
As Cameron retained power in UK's hotly-contested polls, he vowed to
hold a referendum on the country's EU membership and quick devolution
of powers to Scotland and Wales.
The Conservative Party has reached the half way mark of 325 seats with Labour party securing 229 seats.
Scottish National Party has won 56 seats and Liberal Democrats have managed to win only 8 seats.
The Scottish National Party has surged ahead in a Scottish landslide.
Talking of Wales, the Conservatives have gained three seats, in their best result since 1983, winning 11 seats
(ST-08/05)
Advanced version of BrahMos missile successfully test-fired
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 Updated on : 10-05-2015 03:49 PM
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An advanced version of the BrahMos land-attack cruise missile was
successfully test-fired on Saturday from the Car Nicobar Islands.
|
PTI quoting defence sources reported that the land-to-land
configuration of BrahMos was launched from a Mobile Autonomous
Launcher(MAL) for its full-range of 290-km Saturday afternoon.
This is the 48th test firing of the missile. This test met all flight parameters, including high-level manoeuvers.
A similar test was concluded successfully on Friday too. The BrahMos missile has been jointly developed by India and Russia.
(AKS-10/05)
India beat Japan 4-0, wins series 3-0
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|
 Updated on : 10-05-2015 03:29 PM
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India thrashed Japan 4-0 in the fourth and final match of the four-Test hockey series at Bhubaneswar on Saturday.
|
V R Raghunath gave the lead by converting a penalty corner in the 27th minute. The rest of the goals were field goals.
Akashdeep Singh scored twice and Dharamvir Singh accounted for the other goal.
The series, which India won three nil, was in preparation of the
all-important FIH Hockey World League Semi-Final scheduled in June this
year in Belgium.
(AKS-10/05)
Japan's maglev train creates new world speed record with top speed of 603 km/h
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 Updated on : 23-04-2015 08:15 PM
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Japan's state-of-the-art maglev train clocked a new world speed record
Tuesday in a test run near Mount Fuji, smashing through the 600
kilometre per hour mark, as Tokyo races to sell the technology abroad.
|
The
seven-car maglev train short for "magnetic levitation" hit a top speed
of 603 kilometres an hour, and managed nearly 11 seconds at over 600kph,
operator Central Japan Railway said.
The new record came less than a week after the company recorded a top speed of 590 kph, breaking its own 2003 record of 581 kph.
@NZ-22/04
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National Technology Day being observed; PM greets nation
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 Updated on : 11-05-2015 05:03 PM
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National
Technology Day is being celebrated today. The day commemorates the
anniversary of Shakti, the Pokhran nuclear test, conducted on May 11,
1998.
|
The
day glorifies the importance of science in day-to-day life and
motivates students to adopt science as a career option.to honour
technological innovations and their successful commercialization.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted the people on this occasion and
highlighted the importance of technology in transforming the lives of
common people.
He underscored its significance in various areas from mitigating poverty to ending corruption.
The PM also said government is leaving no stone unturned in ensuring that technology becomes a big part of our lives.
(PT-11/05)
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K V Kamath named head of BRICS development bank
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 Updated on : 11-05-2015 03:53 PM
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Eminent
banker K V Kamath has been appointed as head of the USD 50 billion New
Development Bank being set up by the five emerging economies of BRICS
grouping.
|
Finance
Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi said that Kamath will have a five year term of
the bank, which is likely to be operationalised within one year. Kamath
is the Chairman of the India's largest private sector bank ICICI.
Leaders of the emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India, China and
South Africa (BRICS) had last year reached an agreement to establish the
New Development Bank, with its headquarters in Shanghai.
Finance Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi further added that as per the
agreement, India got the right to nominate the first president.Kamath
has been named the first president of the NDB.
The BRICS nations account for nearly USD 16 trillion in GDP and 40 per
cent of the world's population.The bank will start with an initial
paid-in-capital of USD 50 billion with each BRICS country contributing
USD 10 billion.
(PT--11/05)
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Arun Jaitley presents Dada Saheb Phalke award to Shashi Kapoor
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 Updated on : 10-05-2015 01:10 PM
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Union
Information and Broadcasting Minister Arun Jaitley presented the
prestigious Dada Saheb Phalke award to Actor-filmaker Shashi Kapoor in
Mumbai on Sunday.
|
The veteran actor was unable to attend the award ceremony in Delhi
because of his ill-health, therefore, he was handed over the award at a
function at Prithvi Theatre in Mumbai.
The 77-year-old actor, who is wheelchair bound and has been ailing from
kidney problems, is the third from his family to get the award, after
father Prithvi Raj Kapoor and elder brother Raj Kapoor.
He was honoured with Padma Bhushan in 2011.
(AKS-10/05)
|
French President Francois Hollande meets Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro
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|
 Updated on : 12-05-2015 09:18 AM
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French President Francois Hollande meets Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro on a historic trip to Havana.
|
Hollande's state visit is the first for a French president to Cuba since the former Spanish colony became independent.
The
French leader met with Castro during the one-day visit to the island
nation as the European country looks to have a larger role in Cuba's
engagement with the West.
French President Francois Hollande
also met with Cuban President Raul Castro on Monday during his historic
visit to the Caribbean nation which also included a wreath laying
ceremony for Cuban independence hero Jose Marti in Havana's Revolution
Square.
Hollande is the first French president to visit Cuba since 1898.
RBY@12/05
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Bopanna, Mergea win Madrid Open doubles
|
|
 Updated on : 11-05-2015 02:24 PM
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Indian tennis ace Rohan Bopanna won his third title of the 2015 season
and first with new partner Florin Mergea as they lifted the Madrid Open
trophy with a tense win over Nenand Zimonjic and Martin Matkowsk on
Sunday.
|
Bopanna and his Romanian partner saved a match point before
overcoming the challenge of the fifth seeds 6-2, 6-7, 11-9 in one hour
and 24 minutes in the final of the clay court Masters event.
Bopanna had won two titles with Daniel Nestor in Sydney and Dubai at the
start of the season before splitting with the Canadian.
With Mergea it was his second final, having ended runners-up at the Casablanca event, last month.
(AKS-11/05)
|
Andy Murray beats Rafael Nadal to win Madrid Masters final
|
|
 Updated on : 11-05-2015 02:03 PM
|
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Andy Murray claimed his first victory over Rafael Nadal on clay to win the Madrid Masters on Sunday evening.
|
The Briton had never beaten Nadal in six previous meetings on the surface but won 6-3 6-2 to stun the home crowd.
Defending champion Nadal was aiming for a record fifth win in Madrid but
Murray outclassed his Spanish opponent to lift his first Masters title
on clay.
Nadal had reached the final without dropping a single set, showing signs
of his best form ahead of the French Open later this month.
But defeat means he slips to seventh in the world rankings, the first time he has been outside the top five in a decade.
(AKS-11/05)
Discus thrower Vikas Gowda wins gold in Jamaican Intl. meet
|
|
 Updated on : 11-05-2015 02:06 PM
|
|
Ace Indian discus thrower Vikas Gowda continued with his fine form as he
came up with an effort of 65.14 meters to win his event in the Jamaican
International Invitation meet in Kingston on Sunday.
|
Gowda, the reigning Commonwealth Games champion and silver winner in
2014 Asian Games, has thrown the discus over 65 meter three times in
the last three weeks.
The 31-year-old national record holder first came up with a throw of
65.25 meters at Chula Vista on April 24 to qualify for World
Championships in Beijing in August before hurling the discus to 65.75
meters at San Diego two days later.
(AKS-11/05)
Lok Sabha passes foreign black money bill
|
|
 Updated on : 12-05-2015 12:08 PM
|
|
A stringent law imposing a steep 120 per cent of tax and penalty on
undisclosed foreign assets and income besides a jail term of up to 10
years to deal with black money stashed abroad was passed by the Lok
Sabha on Monday.
|
The Bill was passed by voice vote with support including from
opposition, after Finance Minister Arun Jaitley dismissed apprehensions
that innocent people will be harassed under the "deterrent" law saying
the government does not intend to proceed against trivial violations but
wont let big fish escape the net.
The Lok Sabha has passed the Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets
(Imposition of Tax) Bill 2015 which makes money laundering outside India
a chargeable offence.
Replying to the day long debate on the Bill, Finance Minister Arun
Jaitley emphasized the importance of a deterrent law in India to curb
the menace of black money.
Government also said that it has amended money laundering act which will make unlawful assets outside a crime.
Negating worries about the Bill, Finance Minister assured that the provisions will not be misused against innocents.
Earlier during the debate there was a demand to send the Bill to a Standing Committee of Parliament.
However, Government warned against it saying that it will further give a
window of escape to the culprits and delay the enactment of law.
Arun Jaitley, said the Black money bill doesn't deal with domestic black
money.
Speaking in the lower house, Arun Jaitley said the proposed law, will for the first time tax undisclosed funds stashed abroad.
As per the Bill, introduced in the Lok Sabha in March, the provisions would come into effect from April 1, 2016.
Jaitley said that since this is the first time that the government is
imposing a tax on undisclosed foreign income, hence he has provided for a
compliance window for offenders to come clean.
Within the period of compliance window, the tax rate would be thirty
percent + thirty percent of the total value of the undisclosed income.
However after the compliance window closes, the tax rate would increase
hundred per cent and will become a whopping 120 per cent.
Further if the foreign assets have been disposed of, the Bill has provisions to deal with it as well.
The Government constituted an SIT to deal with menace of black money in
the first cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Narendra Modi undertook.
Now an important bill has been passed by the Lok Sabha raising hopes of decisive battle against the menace.
(AKS-12/05)
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‘India is a bright spot in Asia’: IMF
|
|
 Updated on : 07-05-2015 06:45 PM
|
|
International Monetayr Fund said India is a bright spot in Asia and as
it pegged India be one of the fasted growing emerging economies earlier.
|
With higher political certainty improved business confidence,
reduced external vulnerabilities and lower commodity prices, real GDP is
forecast to rise to 7.2 per cent in FY 2014/15, accelerating to 7.5 per
cent in 2015/16.
International monetary fund said that Reforms to streamline and
expedite land and environmental clearances, increase labour market
flexibility, and simplify business procedures should continue to improve
India's business climate which is crucial for sustaining faster and
more inclusive growth.
On the other side, The International
Monetary Fund will soon send a team to India to get a grasp of the
implementation of the government's new GDP methodology, which has been
questioned in certain quarters, including RBI.
RBY@07/05
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Bill on GST referred to Select Committee
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 Updated on : 12-05-2015 09:42 PM
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The Constitution amendment bill providing for the roll-out of the
long-pending Goods and Services Tax (GST) was Tuesday referred to a
Select Committee.
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The 21-member panel will give its report by the last day of the first week of the Monsoon session.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley moved the motion for referring the Bill
(The Constitution One Hundred and Twenty-second Amendment Bill, 2014 to
the Select Committee.
The Committee constitutes of Bhupender Yadav, Chandan Mitra and Ajay
Sancheti (of BJP), Madhusudan Mistry, Mani Shankar Aiyar and Bhalchandra
Mungekar (of Congress), Naresh Agrawal (SP), K C Tyagi (JD-U), Derek
O'Brien (Trinamool Congress), Satish Chandra Misra (BSP), A
Navaneethakrishnan (AIADMK), K N Balagopal (CPI-M), Dilip Kumar Tirkey
(BJD), C M Ramesh (TDP), Praful Patel (NCP), Kanimozhi (DMK), Anil Desai
(Shiv Sena), Naresh Gujral (SAD), Mohammad Fayaz (PDP), D Raja (CPI),
Rajeev Chandrasekhar (Independent).
The GST bill was approved by Lok Sabha on Wednesday last after a walkout by Congress.
Being a Constitution amendment bill, it requires to be passed by both Houses of Parliament by a two-third majority.
Once passed by Parliament, the Bill will then need ratification of more
than half of 29 states before scheduled roll out in April next year.
GST was first mooted 12 years ago but couldn't be approved as states feared curbs on their fiscal powers.
(DD-12.5)
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BCCI, PCB Chiefs meet in Kolkata over resumption of ties
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 Updated on : 11-05-2015 02:09 PM
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Board of Control for Cricket in India and Pakistan Cricket Board Chiefs
met in Kolkata on Sunday to chalk out a plan for the already signed
Memorandum of Understanding of 5 series in 8 years.
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Jag Mohan Dalmiya sounded hopeful about the resumption of cricketing ties but put the ball in the government's court.
The two countries played one short series of three ODIs and two T20
matches in India in December 2012 but otherwise they have met only in
ICC organized events or the Asia Cup.
(AKS-11/05)
PM Narendra Modi reaches China in first leg of 3-nation tour
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 Updated on : 14-05-2015 09:22 AM
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Prime
Minister Narendra Modi has reached China in the first leg of his three
nation visit. Apart from the official welcome, Huge crowds were present
in the Xian Airport to receive the Prime Minister.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Terracota Warriors Museum at Xi'an.
Museum houses large collection of Terracotta sculptures depict armies of the 1st Emperor of China.
He will hold summit talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping on a range of issues.
The PM would begin his day with a visit to the famous Terracotta Warriors museum in a short while from now.
The museum houses a large collection of terracotta sculptures depicting the armies of the first Emperor of China.
He would later visit the famous Buddhist Dashang temple in Shaanxi province, the home province of Chinese President Xi.
In Xi'an, PM Modi will be hosted by the Chinese President, departing
from normal protocol to reciprocate gesture by PM in Ahmedabad when the
Chinese leader visited India in September last year.
The PM would also be accorded traditional Tang dynasty welcome followed by a banquet by the Chinese President.
(PT-14/05)
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Vadra Land Deals: Panel may be formed
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 Updated on : 14-05-2015 09:28 AM
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An
inquiry commission headed by a retired Supreme Court judge will probe
the alleged irregularities during the 10-year Congress rule in Haryana
including controversial land deals involving Robert Vadra.
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Haryana Education Minister Ram Bilas Sharma made the announcement. Congress has termed the decision as political vendetta.
Meanwhile, Haryana's senior leader and Union Minister Chaudhary Birender
Singh has supported the initiative of the state government stressing
that the land deals agreed for in the past 10 years need to be looked
into.
Without naming Robert Vadra, the son-in law of Congress President, Sonia
Gandhi, Singh said about 20,000 acres of land was notified for
acquisition and were given away to developers and builders by the state
government.
(PT-15/05)
President Pranab Mukherjee appointed Governors in six states on Tuesday.
Former Odisha Minister Droupadi Murmu will be the new Governor of
Jharkhand. She will replace Dr. Syed Ahmed who has been transferred to
Manipur for remaining period of his term.
J P Rajkhowa has been appointed as the new Governor of Arunachal Pradesh
who will replace Retired Lt. General Nirbhay Sharma who has been
transferred and appointed as Governor of Mizoram for the remainder of
his term.
Tathagata Roy will be the Governor of Tripura and V. Shanmuganthan has
been appointed as Meghalaya Governor. Their appointments will take
effect from the dates the incumbents assume charge.
PM meets Mongolian President
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 Updated on : 17-05-2015 09:25 PM
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday met Mongolian President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj.
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Several key issues to strengthen bilateral cooperation between both the countries were discussed during the meet.
It's the first ever visit of an Indian Prime Minister to Mongolia.
Prime Minister Modi also clicked a selfie with the president Elbegdorj.
Mongolian President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj gifted Prime Minister Narendra
Modi The Morin Khuur, traditional Mongolian instrument.
Prime Minister tweeted it as a unique gift from President of Mongolia. The Prime Minister also played the 'Morin Khuur'.
The Prime Minister also presented President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj a
specially commissioned reproduction of a rare 13th century manuscript on
the history of Mongols from the Rampur Raza Library, Rampur.
The manuscript is a part of Volume 1 of the work and no other copy of it is known to exist.
(AKS-17/05)
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(SU-13.5)
India, Mongolia decide to elevate ties to strategic partnership
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 Updated on : 18-05-2015 10:23 AM
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Furthering to India's "Act East" foreign policy, Prime Minister Narendra
Modi's historic visit to Mongolia marked a new era in partnership
between both the countries.
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Both countries signed 13 agreements in key sectors including
cooperation in the field of Cyber Security, renewable energy, Policing
and Surveillance.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Mongolian Parliament on Sunday.
Addressing the parliament, Prime Minister Modi said it is a matter of
pride to address the House on Sunday and appreciated Mongolian
Parliament's decision saying its a remarkable gesture of honour for
India.
Both countries signed 13 agreements in key sectors including cooperation
in the field of Cyber Security, renewable energy, Policing and
Surveillance.
Prime Minister Modi, the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Mongolia,
addressed a joint conference and held wide ranging talks with his
counterpart Chimed Saikhanbileg.
The two sides inked 13 agreements covering strategic partnership, cyber
security, policing, surveillance, civil nuclear sector, health care,
medicine, homeopathy, renewable energy, animal health, dairy, nuclear
technology for curing cancer, defence, agriculture, renewable energy and
health sector.
Upgrading India and Mongolia's relationship from Comprehensive to
"Strategic Partnership", Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a credit
line of 1 billion US dollars to Mongolia to expand its economic
capacity and infrastructure.
After the talks of the two Prime Ministers, a joint statement was also
released. Underscoring the significance of the visit in the backdrop of
the 60thanniversary of diplomatic relations between Mongolia and India,
the statement says the visit marks the dawn of a new era in
Mongolia-India relations.
The two Prime Minister pledged to further consolidate India-Mongolia
comprehensive partnership, and agreed to elevate the level of the
comprehensive partnership to a Strategic Partnership.
The next meeting of the Joint Committee on Cooperation will be held in Ulan Bator in 2015 at a mutually convenient time.
The two leaders stressed the urgent need for reform of United Nations
Security Council by expanding in both permanent and non-permanent
categories.
Mongolia reiterated its support to India's candidature for permanent membership of the UNSC.
India also confirmed its support to Mongolia's candidacy to the UN Human Rights Council for the terms 2016-2018.
(AKS-18/05)
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PM Modi arrives in Seoul; to hold summit level talks with President of S Korea
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 Updated on : 18-05-2015 10:09 AM
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Seoul on his third and final leg of his three-nation tour.
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The Prime Minister will start his official engagements in South
Korea by laying a wreath at the National Cemetery followed by a
community reception where at least 1500 members of the Indian community
are expected to attend.
Bilateral talks between the two countries would be held on the first day
of Prime Minister's visit, followed by signing of agreements.
South Korean President Park Geun-hye will host a dinner for the visiting dignitary in the evening.
Prime Minister will participate in the 6th Asian Leadership Conference tomorrow.
He will meet top CEOs of Korean companies who are willing to invest in India.
There would be an interaction with Friends of India in South Korea as well.
The Prime Minister will also visit the Hyundai Heavy Industries shipyard.
During his two-day visit to south Korea, Prime Minister will also meet UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon.
(AKS-18/05)
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FM outlines economic road map for NDA govt's 2nd yr in office
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 Updated on : 17-05-2015 03:02 PM
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Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has outlined economic road map for NDA government's second year in office.
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He said making taxation reasonable and ease of doing business will be priority of the government.
He added maintaining speed of reforms and eliminating discretions will be thrust areas of government in second year in office.
(AKS-17/05)
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Sania, Martina finish as runners-up
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 Updated on : 17-05-2015 10:10 PM
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Sania Mirza and Martina Hingis finish runners-up at the WTA
Internazionali BNL d'Italia, after getting defeated in the final against
Timea Babos and Kristina Mladenovic, on Sunday.
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Sania Mirza and Martina Hingis were playing their fourth final
together since March 2015, the Indo-Swiss pair lost 3-6 4-6 against the
third seeded team of Timea Babos and Kristina Mladenovic.
Although numerous break chances were being provided to Sania and Hingis but the Hungarian-French pair fought with solid intent.
Fortunately, due to their appearance in the final, Sania and Hingis have
reclaimed their top spot in the Road to Singapore leader-board.
(MM – 17/05)
Rupee relatively stable: RBI Guv Rajan
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 Updated on : 20-05-2015 07:56 AM
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Reserve
Bank Governor Raghu Ram Rajan on Tuesday said that the depreciation of
the Rupee is due in the part to US Dollar's strength.
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RBI Governor said that Rupee has fallen less, and in the less volatile fashion, than other currencies.
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Rajyavardhan Rathore inaugurates India Pavilion at 68th Cannes Film Festival
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 Updated on : 15-05-2015 12:07 PM
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Minister
of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore on
Thursday inaugurated the India Pavilion at the 68th Cannes
International Film Festival here. He stressed the importance of movies
in government campaigns like 'Make In India' and 'Skill India'.
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"The new government at the Centre is certainly more decisive and focused
and is constantly working towards taking India to higher levels of
growth, which is inclusive.
The government is channelising that objective through campaigns like
'Make in India’ and ‘Skill India’, and realises that the film industry
is an important part of these campaigns given its tremendous potential
towards job creation," Rathore said, according to a statement issued by
Ficci.
“India has already signed co-production agreements with a slew of
countries, and in the last one year five co-productions have been
undertaken with France alone. We need to take these partnerships to the
next level now," Rathore added.
Pointing to the Indian government's rigorous work towards providing a
seamless work environment for the film industry by establishing a
single-window clearance mechanism, he also announced plans of a center
of excellence for gaming and visual effects.
The session also saw unveiling of the 46th IFFI, 2015 regulations and
‘India Film Guide’ by Rathore. The India Film Guide is a comprehensive
booklet with information on policy initiatives by the government
pertaining to film sector, the listing of Indian companies at Cannes
Film Market, Indian films at Cannes and contacts of important people in
the business of filmmaking.
Filmmaker Bobby Bedi, who delivered the welcome address, said: “India’s
presence at Cannes has increased tremendously over the past decade and
we have seen an increase in representation in terms of quantity and an
improvement in the quality of content as well”.
Mohan Kumar, ambassador of India to France, said the ambition should be
to get Indian films in the most important category of films at Cannes.
He added over the next two to three years, he will strive to work on
that.
The Cannes film gala began on May 13 and it will conclude on May 24.
Gurvinder Singh's Punjabi film “Chauthi Koot” and Neeraj Ghaywan's debut
feature "Masaan" are among the Indian films that have been chosen to be
screened in the official UnCertain Regard section of the jamboree, the
red carpet of which is being graced by Indian ambassadors of L'Oreal
Paris -- Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Sonam Kapoor and Katrina Kaif.
Govt to generate 5-10 lakh jobs for youth in Defence sector: Parrikar
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 Updated on : 24-05-2015 09:43 PM
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Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has told DDNews that Make in India is
being given such a place of primacy in India's defence sector that in
3-5 years 5-10 lakh jobs for the youth will be generated.
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Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said the government has already
decided to implement one rank, one pension for the armed forces.
All that is left to do is to announce the decision.
And you can watch the entire conversation with the defence minister on
the first year of the Modi govt on the 25th of May at 10 pm only on
ddnews.
(AKS-24/05)
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US NSA planned hack of Google app store : Report
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 Updated on : 22-05-2015 11:06 AM
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The
US National Security Agency developed plans to hack into data links to
app stores operated by Google and Samsung to plant spyware on
smartphones, a media report said today.
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The online news site The Intercept said US intelligence developed the
plan with allies in Britain, Canada, New Zealand and Australia, a group
known as the "Five Eyes" alliance.
The report, based on a document leaked by former NSA contractor Edward
Snowden, said the plan aimed to step up surveillance efforts on
smartphones.
The plan appeared to have been discussed at meetings involving the
intelligence services in 2011 and 2012, according to the classified
document.
The project called "Irritant Horn" would allow the agencies to hijack data connections to app stores and
surreptitiously implant malicious software on smartphones that
would allow for data to be harvested.
The intelligence agencies could also use the spyware to send
misinformation to targets to confuse potential adversaries, according to
the report.
The Intercept said the plan was motivated in part by concerns about the
possibility of "another Arab Spring," or the spread of popular
movements.
The agencies were particularly interested in the Africa region,
especially Senegal, Sudan and the Congo but also targeted app store
servers in France, Cuba, Morocco, Switzerland, Bahamas, the Netherlands
and Russia.
At the time, the Google app store was called Android Market. It is now
known as Google Play.
In developing the plan the agencies found weaknesses in UC Browser, an
app owned by Alibaba Group which is popular in China and India to browse
the Internet and is used by some 500
million people worldwide.
The document was also published in Canada by CBC News, which said the
aim of the plan was to collect data on suspected terrorists and other
intelligence targets, including their online search queries, SIM card
numbers, device IDs and the location of the smartphone.
In one case, according to the CBC, analysts found a foreign military
using the UC Browser app to communicate covertly about its operations in
Western countries.
@BJ-22.05
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PM Modi to hold rally on 1st anniversary of NDA govt
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 Updated on : 25-05-2015 08:46 AM
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address a public rally in the
birthplace of Pundit Deendayal Upadhyay in Mathura to mark the
completion of NDA government's one year in office. BJP will celebrate
the occasion as 'Jankalyan Parv' from May 26.
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DD
News correspondent reports, BJP will celebrate the completion of NDA
government's one year in office as 'Jankalyan Parva' from May 26 to
publicise the achievements of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led
government during this period.
BJP has announced a host of programmes including 200 big rallies and
5,000 public meetings across the country to mark the occasion in which
which all Union and state ministers, party MPs and office bearers will
address.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit former Jan Sangh president and
ideologue Deendayal Upadhyay's village, Nagla Chandrabhan in Mathura in
Uttar Pradesh on Monday where he will hold a public rally in the
village.
The preparation for Prime Minsiter's visit to the village is in full
swing..People in the village are excited about Prime Minister's visit to
village.
BJP will undertake a mass awareness program to publicise its achievements during last one year.
(AKS-24/05)
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Hungarian author wins Man Booker Prize
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 Updated on : 21-05-2015 01:29 PM
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Hungarian author Laszlo Krasznahorkai has won Britain's prestigious Man
Booker International prize for his achievement in fiction as he edged
out India's Amitav Ghosh and eight others to bag the top literary award.
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Chair of judges Marina Warner, an academic and writer, compared
Krasznahorkai's work to Franz Kafka -- Krasznahorkai's own personal
literary hero -- and Beckett.
"I feel we've encountered here someone of that order," she said while announcing the winner in London on Wednesday.
"That's a trick that the best writers pull off; they give you the thrill
of the strange...then after a while they imaginatively retune you. So
now we say, 'it's just like being in a Kafka story'; I believe that soon
we will say it's like being in a Krasznahorkai story," she said lauding
his work.
Krasznahorkai, 61, in his acceptance speech at a ceremony in the
Victoria and Albert Museum, credited Kafka, singer Jimi Hendrix and the
city of Kyoto in Japan for inspiration.
The biennial Man Booker International prize is worth 60,000 pounds and
is intended to honour a living author for his or her body of work,
either written in English or available in English translation.
The award can be won only once in an author's lifetime. It has gone in
the past to accomplished authors like Arundhati Roy, Aravind Adiga,
Ismail Kadare from Albania, Chinua Achebe from Nigeria and Canada's
Alice Munro among others.
Krasznahorkai was one of 10 writers shortlisted for this year's award,
alongside authors including Ghosh, Libya's Ibrahim al-Koni, Mozambique's
Mia Couto and America's Fanny Howe.
Kolkata-born, 58-year-old Ghosh had also missed out on the prize in 2008 when he was shortlisted for his work 'Sea of Poppies'.
"We really would have preferred not to have to choose a winner -- every
one of the 10 writers is really remarkable in different ways and there
really isn't any of them who doesn't reward reading, who couldn't have
won the prize," Warner said.
But Krasznahorkai, she said, is "a visionary writer of extraordinary
intensity and vocal range who captures the texture of present-day
existence in scenes that are terrifying, strange, appallingly comic, and
often shatteringly beautiful".
Krasznahorkai's first novel 'Satantango' was published to huge acclaim
in Hungary in 1985 and was later adapted for a cinema by filmmaker Bela
Tarr in collaboration with the author.
He followed it with 1989's 'The Melancholy of Resistance', published in
English in 1998, in which violent hysteria follows the arrival of a
circus with a dead whale in a small Hungarian town.
It won the German Bestenliste Prize for the best literary work of the year.
(DD-21.5)
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AIBA World Ch'ship: Indian boxers win 3 gold , 2 silver medals on final day
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 Updated on : 24-05-2015 07:15 PM
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Indian
boxers rounded off a thoroughly commendable performance at the AIBA
Women's Junior World Championships as well clinching three gold and two
silver medals on the final day of the event in Taipei on Saturday.
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Savita in 50kg, Mandeep Sandhu in 52kg and Sakshi in 54kg struck gold
for the country, while Soniya in 48kg and Niharika Gonella in 70kg
settled for silver medals.
(AKS-24/05)
PM launches exclusive channel for farmers, DD Kisan
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 Updated on : 27-05-2015 12:01 AM
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated to farmers a 24-hour channel on completion of one year of his government at the centre.
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DD Kisan is the first channel in the world devoted to farmers only.
Speaking on the occasion, he said development of villages and argiculture needs are priorities for the country's growth.
The prime minister expressed concerns over farmer distress.
He recalled the times when farming was a highly regarded occupation in the country and said the situation is not same anymore.
He stressed on the use of modern techniques in irrigation and said
farming can become attractive again if it gets technological
advancements.
Speaking at the launch of the channel, union Agriculture minister Radha
Mohan Singh said farmers need to be strengthened for a strong nation.
Farmers too seemed very excited with the launch of a round-the-clock television channel.
Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had announced a 24-hour channel
dedicated to farmers in his budget speech last year and allocated Rs 100
crore for it.
Prasar Bharati Chairman A Surya Prakash supervised the finer aspects of the channels in the run up to its launch.
Apart from farming-related information, the Channel will also provide
news about wholesale rates, future markets and weather-related
information which are of immense importance to the farmers.
Agricultural experts will inform farmers about alternative patterns and cattle rearing.
The channel will also broadcast programmes on government schemes such as 'Beti padhao, Beti Bachao'.
In all this is a step that not only tells the farmers what is good for
them, it also informs and communicates to them that they are essential
part of the country and deserve something special.
(AKS-26/05)
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RBI to soon set up Central Fraud Registry
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 Updated on : 26-05-2015 07:31 PM
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The Reserve Bank of India will soon set up a Central Fraud Registry as part of an early warning system.
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The idea is to set up a structure for quick sharing of information about unscrupulous borrowers and help banks fight bad loans.
Currently, there is no single database that lenders can access for all relevant details of previously reported frauds.
The structure will make available more information to banks at the time
of starting a banking relationship, extension of credit facilities or at
any time during operation of an account.
(AKS-26/05)
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FICCI praises Modi govt's 1st year
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 Updated on : 26-05-2015 11:47 AM
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Praising
the initiatives the Modi govt has taken in the past one year, Ficci
said it would take 18-24 months for results to be visible on the ground,
even as the industry body noted that improving India's ranking in ease
of doing business index is a "tall order".
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Ficci President Jyotsna Suri said the Modi government in its first year
in office had sparked a positive sentiment, restored investor confidence
and established Brand India.
"Prime Minister's extensive international travels have brought a
positive focus to India. Today, India's macro-economic performance is
far better than what we had one year back.
"GDP growth has improved, inflation is considerably lower, fiscal and
current account deficit are under control and we are seeing an influx of
foreign investment into the country." she said in a press conference in
New Delhi on Monday.
Suri, however, said it is a "tall order" for the government to improve
the country's ranking on the World Bank's ease of doing business index.
India is ranked 142 in ease of doing business index.
Government has taken several steps to improve 'ease of doing business' in the country.
"An action plan has been proposed for improvement in the regulatory
environment and improving ease of doing business," Finance Minister Arun
Jaitley had said earlier.
The seeds of development have been sown and it is just a matter of time
when we shall reap the fruits of all these efforts, Suri said.
FICCI past president R V Kanoria said it will take 18-24 months time for results of measures taken to be visible on the ground.
Asked whether tax terrorism was still a worry, Kanoria said: "It is
something which is deep- rooted which needs to be rooted out. It is
bound to happen if there is a desire and a will at the top, which is
quite apparent that it is. Till that time when one sees it really happen
on the ground, there will be talk about it."
"Tax terrorism can only stop if complication in the law is reduced, if
exemptions are done away with, discretion goes out of the system,
because there is still too much discretion. I think these are areas
which will get tackled," he added.
On the issue of FDI in retail, Vice Chairman and MD of Bharti
Enterprises Rajan Bharti Mittal said: "It is very clear that they (Govt)
are continuing with the existing policy which allows 51 percent subject
to the state clearances."
"Investors will take their own call. The policy is very clear that the
states will allow or not allow. So, if the states are not allowing it,
you will not be participating in those states," he said.
Suri said that no government at the Centre has worked so hard in one
year to reverse the spiral of negativity and brought in policies that
will spur demand and growth in the very near future.
However, she said: "I don't think anyone can stand tall and say
corruption is a thing of the past, although efforts are being made to
bring in transparency."
The industry body said the government should now focus on raising farm
productivity and formulate a water policy that ensures efficient and
fair distribution of water for agriculture, industrial and domestic
consumption.
On the question of Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) in the infrastructure
sector, FICCI past President Naina Lal Kidwai said that
infrastructure-related companies are over leveraged and would be unfair
to bundle such projects which have accumulated NPAs due to fraud and
other corporate malpractices.
"There is a need to sort out regulatory issues and unless that is done credit off take will not pick up," she added.
Asked about the Government's target to install 100 GW solar power
capacity by 2022, Kidwai said: "The problem with the solar and power
sector is that because public sector banks are absolutely full with
power sector NPAs, there is no appetite to lend to the power sector.
"A 100 Gigawatt what we want to do with the country and it is a fabulous
vision. However, to achieve it with the banking sector in the current
state is not going to be readily done."
CII Director General Chandrajit Banerjee in a statement issued
separately said: "In its first year, the Government led by Prime
Minister Narendra Modi has turned around investor sentiment and taken
strong action across multiple sectors for scripting a new growth
narrative.
"Policies have contributed to infusing more competition into the market,
harnessing new levers of growth, and dispersing more powers to state
governments in the spirit of federalism."
"Combined with effective measures to tackle subsidy leakages, auction of
natural resources and passing of critical legislation, these steps
would aid India's GDP growth to accelerate to 8.2 per cent during the
year," CII hoped.
Godrej Group Chairman Adi Godrej said: "The Government in the past year
has taken unprecedented and innovative steps of a scale that could not
have been envisaged earlier.
"They have succeeded in changing the economic calculus of the country by
demonstrating that 120 million bank accounts can be opened at short
notice or 4 lakh toilets can be built in schools in a year and so on."
(DD-26.5)
Nation remembers Pandit Nehru on his death anniversary
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 Updated on : 27-05-2015 11:42 AM
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The Nation remembers country's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru on his death anniversary today.
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President Pranab Mukherjee and Vice President Hamid Ansari paid tributes to the country's first Prime Minister.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Nehru. In his tweet, the
Prime Minister remembered Nehru's contribution as a freedom fighter and
as country's first PM.
Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress President
Sonia Gandhi were among the leaders who paid floral tribute to Nehru at
his memorial Shanti Van on the banks of Yamuna in Delhi this morning.
@BJ-27.05
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