Donald Trump announces barring of transgender people from US military

Donald Trump in a tweet on Tuesday said, “After consultation with my generals and military experts, please be advised that the United States Government will not accept or allow transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the US Military.”

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced his decision to bar transgender people from joining the military saying that it is not feasible to bear the “tremendous medical costs and disruption” they cause. “Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail. Thank you.”

Trump in a tweet on Tuesday said, “After consultation with my generals and military experts, please be advised that the United States Government will not accept or allow transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the US Military.”

It is not clear whether transgender individuals, numbering from 2,500 to 7,000 people already serving in the US military, would be pushed out.

The US military consists of approximately 2,500 to 7,000 transgender people out of a total of 1.3 million active duty service members. Earlier this year, in June, Pentagon chief Jim Mattis had ordered a delay of six months in recruiting transgenders in the armed services, a plan initiated by former President Barack Obama.

The US has, in the past three months, been witnessing a rise in differences over the issue of transgender rights in the country. The matter came into focus with the Trump administration reversing federal protections, put in place during Obama’s tenure, which ordered the schools to allow transgender students to use restrooms corresponding to their gender identity. The students were earlier bound to use the bathrooms according to the gender on their birth certificate.

In June this year, the Pentagon deferred the recruitment of transgenders until January 1, saying “review their accession plans and provide input on the impact to the readiness and lethality of our forces.”

However, the different military services had varied view on when to accept transgender recruits. Spokeswoman Dana White said last week, “Different services had different takes. Some asked for time… there were all kinds of different recommendations.”

Source:The Indian Express

With 2 billion users, Facebook profits up 71% in Q2

Clocking over two billion monthly active users (MAUs), Facebook has posted a net income of $3.89 billion in second quarter of 2017 — up 71% from the same quarter last year.

Riding on increased mobile video ad sales, Facebook stocks hit record high as total revenue was up 44.8% to $9.32 billion, the company said in a statement late Wednesday.

“We had a good second quarter and first half of the year. Our community is now two billion people and we’re focusing on bringing the world closer together,” said Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

The daily active users (DAUs) were 1.32 billion on average for June 2017, an increase of 17 per cent year-over-year.

Mobile advertising revenue represented approximately 87% of advertising revenue for the second quarter, up from approximately 84% of advertising revenue in the second quarter last year.

The growing monetisation of video within the Facebook News Feed and the popularity of photo-sharing app Instagram contributed majorly towards these results.

“Clearly, the biggest driver of growth is, overall, Facebook News Feed. Instagram is making a contribution, and an increasing contribution,” Chief Financial Officer David Wehner was quoted as saying in The Guardian.

Capital expenditures for the second quarter of 2017 were $1.44 billion.

Facebook currently employees 20,658 people — an increase of 43% year-over-year.

Nitish Kumar sworn-in as Bihar Chief Minister; Sushil Modi as Deputy Chief Minister

Slogans in favour of Nitish Kumar as Vikas Purush (development man) were shouted in the swearing-in ceremony.

Nitish Kumar was sworn-in as Chief Minister of Bihar on Thursday for sixth time. Senior state BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi too took oath as the Deputy chief minister in the new cabinet of the NDA government.

Except two leaders no other leaders from JD(U) or the BJP took oath as minister in the cabinet. It is said that other ministers will take oath after the NDA government would prove its majority within two days time given by the Governor.

Slogans in favour of Nitish Kumar as Vikas Purush (development man) were shouted in the swearing-in ceremony.

Senior BJP leaders from the centre J P Nadda and Anil Jain were present in the swearing-in ceremony.

Meanwhile, some RJD workers sat on dharna and shouted slogans against Nitish Kumar. The RJD leaders said they would observe the day as “protest day” against Nitish Kumar who betrayed with the mandate of the people of Bihar.

“The people of Bihar had voted for the mahagathbandhan (grand alliance) for five years…but Nitish Kumar betrayed with the mandate of the people and formed government with the BJP”, said an RJD leader.

Apparently upbeat BJP leaders chanted “development of Bihar” and said now the NDA government would work for the development of Bihar.

Chinese jets intercept US surveillance plane: US officials

The officials said initial reports showed one of the Chinese J-10 aircraft came close to the US EP-3 plane on Sunday, causing the American aircraft to change direction.

Two Chinese fighter jets intercepted a US Navy surveillance plane over the East China Sea over the weekend, with one coming within about 300 feet (91 meters) of the American aircraft, two US officials told Reuters on Monday.

The officials said initial reports showed one of the Chinese J-10 aircraft came close to the US EP-3 plane on Sunday, causing the American aircraft to change direction. The persons spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly on the matter.

One of the officials said the Chinese jet was armed and the incident took place 80 nautical miles (148 km) from the Chinese city of Qingdao.

Incidents such as Sunday's intercept are not uncommon.

In May, two Chinese SU-30 aircraft intercepted a US aircraft designed to detect radiation while it was flying in international air space over the East China Sea.

China is deeply suspicious of any US military activity around its coastline.

James Bond 25 to release in 2019

There is no word yet on whether Daniel Craig will return for the role.

James Bond will be back in action in 2019, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and Eon Productions have announced. The 25th film about the legendary super spy will hit theatres on November 8, 2019, reported Deadline.

There is no word yet on whether Daniel Craig will return for the role. Casting and director will be announced at a later date.

The script is coming from Neal Purvis and Robert Wade, who worked on Craig’s four Bond films: Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace, Skyfall and Spectre.

BCCI plans grand felicitation for Mithali Raj & Co for good show at World Cup 2017

New Delhi, July 24: The BCCI is planning a grand felicitation for the Indian women's cricket team, which won a billion hearts despite a heartbreaking loss in the World Cup final at Lord's on Sunday (July 23). 

World Cup Special Site

 The team is scheduled to return home in batches from Wednesday (July 26) onwards.

The date and venue for the felicitation has not been finalised yet and will be done after checking the availability of the players.

At the ceremony, the players will be presented with cheques of Rs 50 lakh each while the support staff will receive will Rs 25 lakh each, as announced by the BCCI before the final. 

Efforts are also on for a players' interaction with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who richly praised the women for taking India to their first final in 12 years.

"They lost the final but made the nation proud with their performance. The BCCI will organise a felicitation for the team and we are also trying to fix up a meeting with Prime Minister Modi," a BCCI official close to the development, told PTI.

"There is a feeling (among the BCCI and COA) that the surge in popularity of the women's game should be cashed in on. One way to build on the World Cup gains is by having a women's IPL. 

"The focus now should immediately turn to the World T20 next year," the official added.

Soruce:One India

President Pranab Mukherjee exits Rashtrapati Bhavan with great stature: Arun Jaitley

Describing Pranab Mukherjee's transformation from a senior Minister to a President as "exemplary", Jaitley said he had won many admirers and his stature grew with each passing day.

President Pranab Mukherjee is garlanded as Parliament bids farewell to him, at Central Hall in New Delhi on Sunday. (Source: PTI)

Reflecting on Pranab Mukherjee’s tenure as President of India, Union Minister Arun Jaitley hailed his non-partisanship and conduct as “an advisor and a guide” to the Government.

“As President, he was unquestionably the guardian of the Constitution. He realised that in a democracy there could only be one power centre i.e. elected Government and the Prime Minister. He, therefore, actively associated with two different Governments during his presidency with equal ease,” Jaitley wrote in a Facebook note.

Mukherjee’s term comes to an end on Monday and President-elect Ram Nath Kovind will take oath tomorrow at a ceremony in Raisina Hill.

Describing Mukherjee’s transformation from a senior Minister to a President as “exemplary”, Jaitley said he had won many admirers and his stature grew with each passing day.

Jaitley fondly remembered Mukherjee’s time in the Parliament as a member of the House.


“His natural ability was to rise above partisan arguments. In Parliament, he almost spoke like an amicus curiae – a friend of the House, rather than a party leader. This quality enabled him to evolve a consensus in favour of the argument that he advanced. Very rarely did he lose his cool, but if he did, he was smiling a minute later and making up with his target through some complimentary references,” he wrote.

Jaitley credited Mukherjee for playing a key role in the passage of three important constitution amendments.


“One related to the freezing of seats in the Lok Sabha and the State Legislatures despite demographic changes in several States. The second involved review of the Anti-Defection Law. The third one dealt with limiting the size of the Council of Ministers both in the centre and the States. His Committee expeditiously considered these amendments and improved upon the drafts that the Government had prepared and produced a much better document. He evolved a consensus on all these issues. Even in opposition he was never an obstructionist. He was a product of the parliamentary system and favoured using Parliament for larger National interest.”

Source:Indian Express

What is the MiG-35?

Russia intends to sell its newest warplane MiG-35 to India. Here is everything you need to know about the aircraft.

Director General of Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG, Ilya Tarasenko told reporters that after presenting MiG-35 in January, the MiG corporation has started actively promoting the aircraft in India and other parts of the world. A clear indication that Russia is keen on selling its new fighter jet MIG-35 to India. “We are proposing supply of the aircraft for tenders in India and we actively work with its Air Fore in order to win the tender,” he said.
Here is everything you need to about the MiG-35 fighter jet:

What is MiG-35?


Russia’s newest war planet MiG-35 is an upgraded version of its predecessor MiG-29, and was designed by Mikoyan design bureau in the early 2000s. The multi-role fighter aircraft, earlier served as MiG-29M2 model demonstrator. The plane has been designed as 4++ generation fighter by Mikoyan. It has been classified as a medium-weight fighter plane by the creators. Speaking to reporters, MiG Director Ilya Tarasenko described MiG-35 as “the best” and added it would beat American jet Lockheed Martin’s fifth generation combat aircraft F-35.

The primary function of the aircraft is to gain air superiority. It is also capable of performing all-weather precision ground strike. The aircraft also possesses the capabilities to perform aerial reconnaissance with special equipment.

When was MIG-35 first launched?

The Mig-35 was designed by Mikoyan bureau in early 2000s and made its first public reveal in 2007. According to sources cited by military today website, at least 10 prototypes of the aircraft have been developed. Currently, the aircraft is still under developmental stage. In 2017 January, Russia started flight tests of MiG-35 fighter aircraft. An international presentation of the plane was held in Moscow on January 27. According to Russian officials, the first combat-ready plane will be delivered to the Air Force by 2018.

What are MiG-35 features?


MiG-35 has been built with improved avionics and weapons system. The 17.32 m aircraft has a wing span of 12 m and can carry up to 7000 kg of payload. It has the newly built Phazatron Zhuk active phased array radar system which can detect 30 targets at a range of 130-160 km in air and 300 km in water, and can engage with 6 targets at a time. The radar is also highly resistant to countermeasures and can detect incoming fighters at least from 50 km and outgoing fighters at least from 90 km. It can also detect a tank at 20 km. The fighter plane packs 30-mm cannon and 150 rounds of ammunition on board. It can also use air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles along with guided and unguided rockets and bombs.

Fitted with two Klimov RD-33MK engines, the MiG-35 has 7 per cent more power than its predecessor and offers higher thrust. The engines also include systems which reduce infrared and optical visibility of the aircraft.

The fighter plane, just like its predecessor, attracts potential buyers because of its high maneuverability, which is among one of the best. Speaking to reporters, Tarasenko said. “I would like to note the demand for this aircraft for our own air force, as well as our foreign partners. The plane is light, multi-functional and has high maneuverability.” He added that the aircraft’s technical specifications including its flight capabilities, weapons range and defence systems are close to a fifth-generation aircraft.

Mikhail Belyaev, the Lead Test Pilot of MiG-35, added that new equipment on board and quality of new weapons are added assets of the aircraft. “Compared with the basic version of the MiG-29, it is a new aircraft, new airframe, fly-by-wire, glass cockpit, adapted for night vision goggles…new engines, more power, more fuel, new on board equipment and new weapons,” Belyaev said.

What are the limitations of MiG-35?


According to Military Today, in spite of its modern features, the avionics and sensors of MiG-35 are inferior when compared with Western designs. Futhermore, Russia has a limited production of proposed MiG-35 aircraft, which are not much threat to Western air forces. Also, in spite of its high maneuverability, the plane sacrifices in range and weight to attain agility, according to US magazine National Interest.

Source:Indian Express

Don't underestimate our determination to safeguard national security, China warns India

China's defense ministry spokesman Wu Qian speaks during a news conference at the State Council Information Office in Beijing on Monday.   | Photo Credit: AP

India has called for both sides to withdraw forces and a negotiated settlement to the standoff.

China on Monday warned India not to “push your luck” by underestimating its determination to safeguard what it considers sovereign Chinese territory.

Defense ministry spokesman Col. Wu Qian reiterated China’s demand that Indian troops pull back from the Doklam Plateau, an area also claimed by Indian ally Bhutan where Chinese teams had been building a road toward India’s border.

“China’s determination and resolve to safeguard national security and sovereignty is unshakable,” Mr. Wu said at a news conference to mark the coming 90th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Liberation Army.

“Here is a wish to remind India, do not push your luck and cling to any fantasies,” Wu said. “The 90-year history of the PLA has proved but one thing- that our military means to secure our country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity has strengthened and our determination has never wavered. It is easier to shake a mountain than to shake the PLA.”


India has called for both sides to withdraw forces and a negotiated settlement to the standoff that began last month after Chinese troops began working to extend southward the road from Yadong in Tibet.

While the sides have exercised restraint thus far, heated rhetoric in both Beijing and New Delhi has raised concern over a renewal of hostilities that resulted in a brief but bloody frontier war between the sides in 1962. The nuclear-armed neighbours share a 3,500-kilometer border, much of it contested, and China acts as a key ally and arms supplier for India’s arch-rival, Pakistan.


The crisis is expected to be discussed when India's National Security Adviser Ajit Doval visits Beijing at the end of this week for a security forum under the BRICS group of large developing nations that includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

Source:The Hindu

Kabul: At least 35 killed, 40 injured in suicide car bomb blast

Acting Interior Ministry spokesman Najib Danish said at least 35 people had been killed and 40 wounded but the casualty toll could rise further.

A Taliban suicide attacker detonated a car bomb in the western part of Kabul on Monday, killing at least 35 people and wounding more than 40, and the death toll could rise, an Interior Ministry spokesman in the Afghan capital said.

Police cordoned off the area, located near the house of the deputy government Chief Executive Mohammad Mohaqiq in a part of the city where many of the mainly Shi'ite Hazara community live.

Monday's suicide bombing was yet another example of the unrelenting violence in Afghanistan.

The Taliban, which is battling the Western-backed government and a NATO-led coalition for control of Afghanistan, has launched a wave of attacks around the country in recent days, sparking fighting in more than half a dozen provinces.

"I was in my shop when suddenly I heard a terrible sound and as a result all of my shop windows shattered," said Ali Ahmed, a resident in the area of Monday's blast.
Acting Interior Ministry spokesman Najib Danish said at least 35 people had been killed and 40 wounded but the casualty toll could rise further.

Salim Rasouli, director of the city's hospitals, said at least 13 dead and 17 wounded had been taken to hospitals.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed responsibility for the attack on behalf of the Islamist group in a post on Twitter, saying 37 "intelligence workers" had been killed.
The Taliban often exaggerate the scale of attacks against Afghan government and foreign targets.

Mujahid said the target of the attack had been two buses that had been under surveillance for two months.

Government security forces said a small bus owned by the Ministry of Mines had been destroyed in the blast.

Three civilian vehicles and 15 shops were destroyed or damaged in the blast, the Interior Ministry said in a statement.

At least 1,662 civilians were killed in Afghanistan in the first half of the year. The latest suicide bombing came two weeks after the Islamic State group claimed an attack on a mosque in the capital that killed at least four people.

Kabul has accounted for at least 20 percent of all civilian casualties this year, including at least 150 people killed in a massive truck bomb attack at the end of May, according to United Nations figures.

On Sunday, dozens of Afghan troops were under siege after Taliban fighters overran a district in northern Faryab province, a spokesman for the provincial police said.

There was also fighting in Baghlan, Badakhshan, and Kunduz provinces in Afghanistan's north, and Kandahar, Helmand, and Uruzgan in the south, according to officials.

The resurgence of violence also coincides with the U.S. administration weighing up its strategic options for Afghanistan, including the possibility of sending more troops to bolster the training and advisory mission already helping Afghan forces.

Source:India Today

Reliance JioPhone: Does it have Qualcomm 205 SoC or a Spreadtrum one?

Reliance JioPhone was launched last week, and this is a feature phone unlike any other, thanks to the 4G VoLTE connectivity, ability to run Jio apps including JioTV, JioMusic as well. But there's some confusion on which processor is powering the JioPhone.

Reliance JioPhone is a feature phone, that comes with 4G VoLTE: But which processor will be powering JioPhone: Qualcomm or Spreadtrum? In this photo, Akash Ambani and Isha Ambani showcase the JioPhone. (Image courtesy: RIL)

Reliance JioPhone was launched last week, and this is a feature phone unlike any other, thanks to the 4G VoLTE connectivity, ability to run Jio apps including JioTV, JioMusic as well. But there’s some confusion on which processor is powering the JioPhone.

On July 21, Qualcomm India had tweeted saying, “Glad to partner with @reliancejio on the new #JioPhone, powered by our #205 mobile platform.” The indication was that the Reliance JioPhone is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 205 processor. But interestingly another player, Spreadtrum Communications has also tweeted about how they are partnering with JioPhone.

The tweet from Spreadtrum reads, “Making India digital with #JioPhone. @Spreadtrum is proud to be a part of the digital freedom for #featurephone users. @Reliancejio.”  This particular tweet doesn’t mention which processor or SoC from the company is being used, unlike the Qualcomm one, which says the Snapdragon 205 processor is being used.

Reliance Jio still hasn’t listed full details, specifications of the phone on the website. We have reached out to Jio asking for a confirmation on this. Interestingly when Lava had launched its 4G feature phone, Lava Connect, it used the  Spreadtrum SC9820, which is a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, and has support for TDD-LTE, FDD-LTE and 4G VoLTE.


Reports have claimed Intex is manufacturing the JioPhone, while other says Foxconn will be doing this. Reliance has itself said that by the end of the year, JioPhone will be entirely Made in India, though it has not specified the OEM. With the JioPhone, the company plans to change the dynamics of the feature phone market, and has launched this at an effective price of Rs zero.

However, JioPhone comes with a Rs 1500 refundable security deposit, which can be collected after three years. The monthly pack on the JioPhone is Rs 153, with 500MB or 0.5GB data being promised every day and all voice calls, SMS being free on this smartphone. JioPhone also has sachet packets at Rs 24 and Rs 54, which offer similar data, voice calling benefits. The validity of these packs is two days and one week respectively.

Reliance JioPhone looks like any other feature phone with its Alphanumeric keyboard, and has a 2.4-inch QVGA display, a dedicated torchlight button. There’s also a headphone jack, microphone, speaker, and FM Radio feature as well. Jio says users can also rely on voice commands to carry out tasks on the JioPhone, and the phone will come pre-loaded with Jio apps including JioCinema, so people can watch movies on the phone as well.


It also has an SOS feature, which can be enabled by long pressing the number five button. Jio has also promised support for quick payments via NFC in the future. There’s also a JioCable accessory by which the phone can be connected to any television set to stream content from the phone on the TV. The JioTV pack will start at Rs 309 for users. Reliance JioPhone will go on sale officially in September. Pre-bookings will open from August 24, though users can register on the Reliance Jio website to indicate their interest in the phone.

India implodes in thrilling finale

Shrubsole swings it England’s way with a superb spell

England beat India by nine runs in a pulsating final to win the Women’s World Cup at Lord’s on Sunday.

India, set 229 for victory, was on course at 191 for three but Punam Raut’s dismissal for 86 sparked a dramatic collapse.

Pace bowler Anya Shrubsole took five wickets for 11 runs in 19 deliveries as India slumped to 219 all out with eight balls to spare. India lost its last seven wickets for 28 runs. Shrubsole finished with six for 46 in 9.4 overs.

Earlier, India had restricted the host to 228 for seven with veteran pace bowler Jhulan Goswami enjoying an excellent return of three for 23 in 10 overs.

The 34-year-old pacer dismissed England’s star batter Sarah Taylor (45) and top-scorer Natalie Sciver (51).

England, which opted to bat, was struggling at 164 for six in the 38th over. But its tailenders kept it in the game, batting out the full 50 overs and ensuring India would at least have to chase a total in excess of 200 in front of a full house of around 26,500 spectators.

Jenny Gunn (25 not out) and Laura Marsh (14 not out) added an unbroken 32 runs off 25 balls.

Steady start

England made a steady start against India which had won the opening pool match between the two teams by 35 runs at Derby.

But, from 47 for no loss, England lost three wickets in quick succession to be 63 for three in the 17th over with leg-spinner Poonam Yadav (two for 36) taking two for one in five balls.

Lauren Winfield (24) was bowled round the legs trying to sweep left-arm spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad before Poonam had opener Tammy Beaumont hole out to Jhulan at deep-midwicket for 23.

Sweep proved to be captain Heather Knight’s undoing as she fell leg before for just one to PoonamYadav.

Taylor and Sciver put on 83 before Jhulan struck in her second spell. Taylor was caught low down the legside by wicket-keeper Sushma Verma. And 146 for four became 146 for five when Fran Wilson was leg before off the next ball.

Sciver on song

Sciver, on the other hand, completed her half-century off 65 balls with five fours. But she too fell leg before to Jhulan. England was 164 for six in the 38th over with all its top-order dismissed after Jhulan took three for two in 10 balls.

Brunt made a useful 34 before she was brilliantly run out by Deepti’s direct hit from cover.

Six Kerala men among Islamic State fighters in Syria

Kannur resident arrested after being deported from Turkey on third attempt to cross into IS territory

At least six persons from Kerala are said to be fighting alongside the Islamic State (IS) in Syria since February, according to disclosures by a Kannur resident to the Delhi Police after he was deported from Turkey recently.

Shahjahan Velluva Kandy from Kannur in Kerala, who was arrestedon July 1 at the Delhi airport on being deported, has identified at least six persons from in and around Kannur who were said to be in the IS-controlled territory.

From Dubai

Kandy told security agencies that the six men had crossed over to Syria while two others were deported.

He told interrogators that some of them were working in Dubai and had reached Turkey through Iran, from where they crossed over to Syria on foot. An official said they were interrogating Kandy further to know the exact point from where the Kerala men crossed over to Syria, adding there were many points along Turkey-Syria border to illegally cross over.

All accounted for

“All the men named by Kandy have been accounted for and we are investigating further. Some of them went from Dubai, where they were working, so their families were also not aware. Kandy was caught when a paying guest accommodation where he was living in Istanbul was raided by Turkish authorities,” a senior Home Ministry official told The Hindu. It is not clear whether Kandy and others had the same handler, who was directing them online.

The Islamist organisation, which had captured large areas in Syria and Iraq to establish a ‘Caliphate,’ has been losing territory over the past few months as coalition forces reclaim the areas under their control. While Mosul in Iraq has been declared free of IS control, Syrian forces were in the last leg to recapture Raqqa, the self-declared capital of the terrorist outfit.

Escaped scrutiny

The official said the escape of the four persons to Syria at a time when the hold of the terrorist organisation was shrinking was a cause of concern as security agencies had till now no knowledge of this development.

Kandy managed to slip from the radar of security agencies even though he had been questioned by the authorities in February and was under “scrutiny.”

Last year, 21 men, women and children from Kerala had left for Afghanistan via Iran to live in the IS controlled territory. Mainly comprising defectors from Tehrik-i-Taliban (TTP), the Wilayat Khorasan of Islamic State in Afghanistan came into existence in 2015. Three of them are learnt to have been killed in drone attacks.

Earlier, agencies had information about 30 Indians who were said to be fighting for IS since 2014. Most of these fighters included former Indian Mujahideen members who fled India after the serial bombings in 2008.

Police said, the last was Kandy’s third attempt to cross over to Syria from Turkey in the past one year. Kandy made the first attempt when he went alone to Malaysia in 2016 but he returned as he couldn’t get a contact in Turkey. He went to Malaysia again in February 2016 and travelled on to Turkey in June the same year with his wife and children. He and his family were caught by the Turkish authorities and deported to India.


In 2017, he again went to Malaysia on a forged passport, travelled to Iran and then reached Turkey with hopes to cross over to Syria, when was caught again and handed over to Indian authorities.

India-China standoff: Time the media 'shut up'

Let us start off by saying that the media is entirely to blame for the escalating tension between India and China. Amidst the standoff which is into its 5th week at Doklam, the two nations are clearly not in the mood for war.

Aggressive posturing by both the Indian and Chinese media has only led to the tension escalating feels V Balachandran, former Special Secretary, Cabinet Secretariat. The question now is what needs to be done. What has had to happen has already happened says Balachandran in this chat with Media.

We have had similar problems: 
We have had similar problems in the past as well. It may not have been of this magnitude and intensity. However India always took a pragmatic view considering the border was not demarcated. This is about what we feel and what they feel about the boundary, Balachandran says. 

In the past when such issues arose, a flag meet would be immediately called for. The issue would be resolved by stepping back. However now the atmospherics have changed, explains the former officer who was with the Research and Analysis Wing. 

Media needs to calm down: 
While there is tension already, the media on both sides have become aggressive. This is only adding to the problem says Balachandran. Everything is being blown out of proportion. When a Malabar exercise is held, the media projects it as though it is a confrontation against China. 
The Malabar exercise is going on for several years now. When we conduct an exercise with China, it should not be projected as though it is a message for some other country, Balachandran explains.
 Such statements only breed hostility. It is time for a dialogue which I am sure our NSA also realises. Another important thing to do is stop sitting on either sides of the border and hurl threats through the media. It is time to cool down. The media needs to stop being hysterical. The aggressive posturing by the Indian media is now being matched with hysteria by the Chinese media too, Balachandran says.


Stop being a satellite of another nation: 
Running to the United States is not the solution for India. The US does not have time and they have far too many problems to deal with. The present government should stop being a satellite of another country. 
We have to use our own diplomacy and deal with China directly, the former officer explains. This is a direct issue with China and it would be prudent to deal directly on it, Balachandran also says. 

The deterioration of ties after Pokhran 2: 
There was a time following the visit by former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi when ties with China had improved considerably. I however did not understand the need for the government to dash off a letter to the Clinton administration after Pokhran 2.

India wrote to the US justifying Pokhran 2. It was said that this was not targeted at Pakistan but at some other nation. The letter was leaked in the press and subsequently published. China did take offense to the letter as it felt that India was trying to target it. China wondered why India had complained to the US about it. Following that episode, the ties with China have never looked up and all subsequent meetings with their leaders have been more of photo ops, Balachandran also says. 

The Myanmar fiasco: 
The government must also reign in on its ministers who make brash statements. Do you recall the statements given by people not connected with the issue following the Myanmar incident? A minister said that India had entered Myanmar and shot down cadres of the NSCN(K). 

These people must not speak out of turn. Moreover in the case of China diplomacy and not a muscular policy will work. It is time to gather our heads and find a solution diplomatically. If we withdraw from the tri-junction then it would be a loss of face. I am sure our NSA will find a diplomatic solution to the problem. The next time, we need to ensure that the situation does not reach this stage.

Trump, Putin had second undisclosed meeting at G20 summit: Reports

The White House has confirmed that the two leaders spoke during the G20 dinner, but said it is incorrect to describe it as the second meeting.

U.S. President Donald Trump had a second undisclosed meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of G20 summit in Germany early this month, according to media reports.

The White House has confirmed that the two leaders spoke during the G20 dinner, but said it is incorrect to describe it as the second meeting.

“There was no “second meeting” between President Trump and President Putin, just a brief conversation at the end of a dinner. The insinuation that the White House has tried to “hide” a second meeting is false, malicious and absurd,” the White House said on Tuesday night after various media reports came about the second meeting.

The meeting lasted for about an hour and was in addition to the two and half hour meeting the two leaders had as part of the structured dialogue, the media reports claimed.

“It is not merely perfectly normal, it is part of a President’s duties, to interact with world leaders. Throughout the G20 and in all his other foreign engagements, President Trump has demonstrated American leadership by representing our interests and values on the world stage,” the White House said in support of the meeting.

The White House said during the night of the G20 summit, there was, first, a concert for all the leaders in the new Hamburg opera house. The leaders were all photographed by the press in before going inside.

Later that night, the German Chancellor Angela Merkel hosted a dinner for leaders and spouses only, and the German government set the seating arrangements, it said.

The concert and dinner were publicly announced on both the President’s schedule and the G20 schedule, with the clear understanding that all visiting leaders would be present, it added.

“At the dinner, President Trump was seated between Mrs Abe, wife of the Prime Minister of Japan, and Mrs Macri, wife of the President of Argentina. Mrs Trump was seated next to President Putin,” the White House said.

During the course of the dinner, all the leaders circulated throughout the room and spoke with one another freely, the White House explained.

“President Trump spoke with many leaders during the course of the evening. As the dinner was concluding, President Trump went over to Mrs Trump, where he spoke briefly with President Putin,” it said.

“Each couple was allowed one translator. The American translator accompanying President Trump spoke Japanese. When President Trump spoke to President Putin, the two leaders used the Russian translator, since the American translator did not speak Russian,” the White House said.

Protocol breach

Ian Bremmer, president of Eurasia Group, the absence of American translator in the meeting was breach of national security protocol.

“Never in my life as a political scientist have I seen two countries — major countries — with a constellation of national interests that are as dissonant, while the two leaders seem to be doing everything possible to make nice and be close to each other,” he told Bloomberg in an interview.

The New York Times said the meeting raises new questions about Trump-Putin relationship.

“The intimate dinner conversation, of which there is no official US government record, because no American official other than the president was involved, is the latest to raise eyebrows. Foreign leaders who witnessed it later commented privately on the oddity of an American president flaunting such a close rapport with his Russian counterpart,” the daily reported.

“Pretty much everyone at the dinner thought this was really weird, that here is the president of the US, who clearly wants to display that he has a better relationship personally with President Putin than any of us, or simply doesn’t care,” Bremmer was quoted as saying by The New York Times.

Bremmer said he heard directly from attendees.

“They were flummoxed, they were confused and they were startled,” he said.

But in a series of two tweets, Trump slammed the media.

“Fake News story of secret dinner with Putin is “sick.” All G20 leaders, and spouses, were invited by the Chancellor of Germany,” Trump said.

“Press knew about it. The Fake News is becoming more and more dishonest! Even a dinner arranged for top 20 leaders in Germany is made to look sinister!” Trump said in another tweet.

Vladimir Putin preferred Clinton at White House, says Donald Trump

US President Donald Trump has said that his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin would have preferred it if his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton would have won the US Presidential election. “Why would he want me? Because from day one I wanted a strong military, he doesn’t want to see that. From day one I want fracking and everything else to get energy prices low and to create tremendous energy. We’re going to be self-supporting, we just about are now. We’re going to be exporting energy – he doesn’t want that,” he said in an interview with Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN).

He also said that if Clinton would have been elected as the President, US military “would be decimated”. “So there are many things that I do that are the exact opposite of what he would want. So what I keep hearing about that he would have rather had Trump, I think ‘probably not,” he added.

Talking about Putin and US relations with Russia, he said the two countries might not always get along because both leaders put the interests of their own respective countries first. “He (Putin) wants what’s good for Russia, and I want what’s good for the United States. And I think in a case like Syria where we can get together, do a ceasefire, and there are many other cases where getting along can be a very positive thing, but always Putin is going to want Russia and Trump is going to want the United States and that’s the way it is,” he told CBN.

This was his first major interview after the G20 Summit in Hamburg, Germany where Trump and Putin met for the first time. He said he had a good meeting with his Russian counterpart. “I think we had an excellent meeting. One thing we did is we had a ceasefire in a major part of Syria where there was tremendous bedlam and tremendous killing. And, by the way, this is now four days,” Trump said.

“The ceasefire has held for four days. Those (previous) ceasefires haven’t held at all. That’s because President Putin and President Trump made the deal, and it’s held. Now, I don’t know what’s going to happen. Maybe as we’re speaking they start shooting again. But this has held unlike all of the other ceasefires that didn’t mean anything,” he continued.
He also emphasised on the need of having a dialogue. “We are a tremendously powerful nuclear power, and so are they (Russia). It doesn’t make sense not to have some kind of a relationship,” he said.

Source:Indian Express

Five-judge Constitution Bench to decide on Aadhaar-related issues

Shifting of the enrolment operations into State premises would result in greater convenience for residents, says UIDAI CEO Ajay Bhushan Pandey. File picture  

Chief Justice of India J.S. Khehar on Wednesday agreed to set up a five-judge Constitution Bench to decide all issues arising out of Aadhaar, including the prominent one — government making the unique identification number mandatory to avail social welfare schemes.

The hearing will be held on July 18 and 19.

The Centre on Wednesday requested an early hearing saying “millions of people are involved in the outcome of the case.”

Attorney General K.K. Venugopal, pleading on behalf of the government, and Shyam Divan arguing for the petitioners joined hands to press the top court for early setting up of the Bench on Aadhaar.

A vacation bench of the apex court, on June 27, refused to pass an interim order against the Centre’s notification making Aadhaar mandatory for availing the benefits of social welfare schemes, with the government assuring it that no one would be deprived for want of this identification.

The court had observed that no interim order could be passed merely on the “apprehension” raised by the petitioners that somebody might be deprived of the benefits under the various social welfare schemes due to lack of Aadhaar, especially when no such affected person has come before it.

The apex court was hearing three separate petitions challenging government’s notification making Aadhaar mandatory for availing benefits of social welfare schemes.

The court had passed a slew of orders asking the government and its agencies not to make Aadhaar mandatory for extending benefits of their welfare schemes.


It, however, had allowed the Centre to seek Aadhaar card voluntarily from citizens for extending benefits of schemes like the LPG subsidy, Jan Dhan scheme and Public Distribution System.

Source:The Hindu

Top 10 Most Popular Food Items in the World !

Top 10 Most Popular Food Items in the World !

U.S. military plane crashes in Mississippi; 16 dead

Washington, July 11: At least 16 people were killed when a US military plane crashed in rural Mississippi on Monday evening, a regional emergency management official said. 

Leflore County Sheriff Ricky Banks told the media that the military airplane that crashed in his jurisdiction on Monday evening was carrying 16 people, reports Efe news.

12 killed in US military plane crash; search on for missing crew members (Representative image)

No official details were immediately available on the circumstances of the crash in northern Mississippi's LeFlore County, about 100 miles (160 km) north of Jackson, the state capital.

Captain Sarah Burns, a spokeswoman for the Marine Corps, said only that a U.S. Marines KC-130 Hercules transport aircraft had "experienced a mishap," with news media initially reporting five confirmed deaths.

The accident, of which the causes have yet to be confirmed, occurred at 4 p.m. on the border of Sunflower and Leflore counties, north of the state capital Jackson. 

Authorities set up an 8 km radius around the site on a soybean crop to search for victims. The crashed aircraft is a four-engine tanker used for aerial refueling and transportation.

Source:One India

Kerala actor Dileep sent to 14-day judicial custody in actress’ abduction, assault case

Dileep was arrested on Monday evening in Kochi in connection with the conspiracy behind the case pertaining to the abduction and sexual assault of a well-known actress in February this year. However, he was taken into police custody in the morning.

Investigations have so far revealed that due to “personal enmity”, Dileep allegedly “gave the supari” to attack the actress, said police. (File photo)

Leading Malayalam actor Dileep, arrested for his alleged role in the case of abduction and sexual assault of a well-known actress in February this year, was sent to 14-day judicial custody on Tuesday morning. Dileep was arrested on Monday evening from Kochi.

Last week, the 48-year-old actor along with film director Nadirshah was questioned by police for 13 hours in connection with the case. Police had also raided the business premises of his wife Kavya Madhavan.

The actress was allegedly attacked in a moving car on February 19 in Kochi. According to police, this was the second attempt to attack her.

In April, the police had charge-sheeted the supari gang that had attacked the actress and, in June, after a letter purportedly written by the gang leader, Sunil Kumar alias Pulsar Suni, to Dileep seeking financial aid was exposed, police reopened the conspiracy behind the attack. After this, Dileep had also complained of being blackmailed by Sunil Kumar seeking money.
Earlier, Dileep’s brother Anoop, manager Appunni, and his close friend and Nadirshah were also questioned by the police.


Kerala DGP Loknath Behera said, “Dileep was arrested based on evidence collected by the probe team. The investigation is still on and more arrests cannot be ruled out.’’

Investigations have so far revealed that due to “personal enmity”, Dileep allegedly “gave the supari” to attack the actress, said police.

Dileep was earlier married to popular actress Manju Warrier. At that time, the actress who has been assaulted was close to his family. But after Dileep and Warrier formalised a mutual separation in 2015, citing irrevocable differences, this relationship got soured.


Dileep ranks only behind Kerala’s two “superstars” Mohanlal and Mammootty in terms of popularity and box-office draw and has acted in over 130 films in a career spanning two decades.

Source:Indian Express

Why Aamir Khan Is The King Of Khans: Foreign Media

Aamir Khan played Haryanvi wrestler Mahavir Singh Phogat in Dangal

MUMBAI:No points fir guessing the three Bollywood superstars sharing a surname, who have ruled Bollywood box offices across three decades but the success of wrestling blockbuster Dangal means it's Aamir Khan who's currently king of the Khans. Known as the "Khans of Bollywood", Aamir Khan, Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan have been the undoubted superstars of Bollywood since the mid-1990s taking it in turns to reign supreme. But with Dangal smashing records, Salman suffering a rare flop and Shah Rukh without a major hit in four years, the crown for now is firmly placed on Dangal actor Aamir Khan's head.

"The Khans used to be on a par but Aamir has moved ahead and Shah Rukh is kind of lagging behind recently," film trade analyst Ramesh Bala said of the trio who all turn 52 this year and who are not related.

Dangal has set new and previously unimaginable parameters for the box office potential of a Bollywood movie since it was first released in India in December last year.


It quickly became the highest-grossing Bollywood film ever, knocking another of Aamir's movies off the top spot, and has made close to 20 billion rupees ($310 million) worldwide.

Aamir plays the role of Haryanvi wrestler Mahavir Singh Phogat who defies the odds by raising his daughters Geeta and Babita Phogat to become champion wrestlers. Geeta won gold for India at the 2010 Commonwealth Games while Babita topped the podium at the 2014 edition.

Critics say the movie resonated because it was a patriotic story about a triumphant underdog that dealt with India's skewed attitude towards girls and credit a large part of Aamir's success to his careful choosing of movies with a message.


"Aamir is one person who really puts a lot of thought and effort into selecting films that are relevant to an Indian audience. There are very few actors who really do enough of that," film distributor Akshaye Rathi told AFP.

Audiences lapped up Aamir's 2014 satirical science fiction comedy PK, number two on the all-time Bollywood grossing list, for its questioning of religious superstitions.

His 2009 hit 3 Idiots appealed for its coming of age tale about students struggling to deal with the pressure of becoming engineers.

- 'Genius' -

Mr Rathi also points to the fact that Aamir does one film every two years on average while Salman and Shah Rukh regularly release two a year.

"Aamir has been very consistent for a very long time. He doesn't do as many films as Shah Rukh or Salman and the more films you do the higher the chance that one misses," Mr Rathi explained.

Salman's annual Eid holiday release is usually a blockbuster shoo-in, but the latest, Tubelight, bombed.

Critics panned the script and said the star's portrayal of a "village idiot" failed to resonate with his largely young Indian male fan base.

Mr Bala blames Shah Rukh's failure to register a hit since Chennai Express in 2013 on "experimenting with different genres", including romance, action and drama.

Aamir is lauded for taking on challenging roles. For Dangalhe gained and then lost again 25 kilograms (55 pounds) in weight while cinemagoers adored his portrayal of a humanoid alien stranded on Earth in PK.

"As a star he doesn't enjoy so much of a fan following as he enjoys the trust of the audience for his craft. People believe at the back of their minds that if Aamir appears in a film there will be something, different, something novel in it," said Mr Rathi.

Dangal has made around $ 180 million more than PK in global sales thanks to a record-breaking run in the hugely profitable Chinese market, where Aamir has worked hard at building his brand, becoming the biggest Indian star there.

"Aamir has time and again proven his marketing genius and his genius when it comes to choosing the right script, delivering a terrific performance and enthralling the audience," said Mr Rathi.

Source:NDTV