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Archives for March 2018

Family of Woman Killed by Self-Driving Car Settles with Uber: Report

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The family of the woman who was killed in a fatal accident with Uber’s self-driving vehicle in the US state of Arizona has reportedly reached a settlement with the ride-hailing company even as the police continued to investigate the crash.

“The attorney with the firm of Bellah Perez in Glendale, Arizona, said ‘the matter has been resolved’ between Uber and daughter and husband of Elaine Herzberg who died after being hit by an Uber self-driving SUV,” The Telegraph reported on Thursday.

However, the terms of the settlement between Herzberg’s family and Uber have not been disclosed.

Meanwhile, Arizona Governor Doug Ducey suspended the ride-hailing giant’s self-driving vehicle tests earlier this week following the fatal collision.

“As Governor, my top priority is public safety. Improving public safety has always been an emphasis of Arizona’s approach to autonomous vehicle testing and my expectation is that public safety is also the top priority for all who operate this technology in Arizona,” Ducey wrote in a letter to Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi.

Uber has already suspended its self-driving operations in other cities including Tempe, Pittsburgh, San Francisco and Toronto following the fatal accident.

A self-driving Volvo SUV from Uber travelling at 64 km per hour killed the woman in Arizona earlier this month, triggering a heated debate on whether autonomous cars are safe enough and who is to blame for the death.

According to the police, the victim was walking outside of the crosswalk when she was hit by the car, which was in autonomous mode at that time although a vehicle operator was behind the wheel.

(IANS)

After Karnataka fiasco, faith in EC’s ‘neutrality’ vanishes: Shiv Sena

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Ruling NDA ally Shiv Sena on Thursday questioned the “neutral or unbiased” functioning of the Election Commission after the Karnataka Assembly elections date allegedly leaked out before the official announcement.

“It was felt the ECI would remain neutral or unbiased. The country had already lost faith in ECI following the Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) controversy. After the Karnataka episode, the bare minimum trust in ECI has vanished,” the Sena said.

An editorial in the party mouthpiece ‘Saamana’ and ‘Dopahar Ka Saamana’ said: “Some Amit Malaviya of the BJP IT Cell announced the Karnataka poll dates (May 12) and punctured the ECI’s scheduled press conference where it was to be officially declared. What does this mean?”

When T.N. Seshan was the Chief Election Commissioner, he had shown that the poll panel had a ‘spine’. But before and after him, that backbone was missing, it said.

The reason for this is the persons heading the Election Commission were joining politics, were appointed to to Rajya Sabha, become ministers or Governors. Ditto was the case with judges of the Supreme Court or High Court chief justices.

“This is no sign of neutrality. These are the rewards for ’tilting the scales’ when in authority. Right from the ECI to the courts now, suspicions are being raised on people who are appointed, with preference being given to candidates from a particular state. Its detrimental to the country’s integrity,” the Sena said.

“After this government has taken over, it has been imposing like-minded persons without capabilities on the country’s legal machinery, education sector and the election departments, playing havoc with their credibility,” the Sena pointed out.

“Demonetisation was a total flop as it failed to unearth black money and the Reserve Bank Of India Governor’s credibility was finished. But as the (demonetization) news had already leaked out, industrialists and politicians managed to successfully convert several tonnes of Rs 500-Rs 1,000 bundles to white while the common man suffered,” the Sena said.

(IANS)

Pakistan PM frisked at US airport as visit was private: US official

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Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi was frisked at an airport in the US as he was on a private visit to that country, a US official said here on Thursday.

“My understanding is that if the head of state chooses to travel privately without diplomatic passport, then they are travelling as a private citizen, then he would have to go through the same security screening that you and I will have to go,” Alexander McLaren, deputy spokesperson of the US Embassy here, said during a media interaction.

“Obviously, an official visit is a different story,” he said.

A video that has gone viral on social media shows a casually-dressed Abbasi being frisked at the John F. Kennedy Airport in New York earlier this week.

He was seen putting on his belt after clearing security, picking up his coat and bag and walking away moments later.

According to Pakistani media reports, Abbasi travelled to the US to visit his ailing sister.

(IANS)

Gitanjali Gems defrauds Karnataka Bank of Rs 86.5 cr

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Privately-run Karnataka Bank Ltd has informed the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) that Gitanjali Gems of scam-hit Mehul Choksi had committed a Rs 86.5 crore fraud in the fund-based working capital.

“We have reported a fraud to the RBI amounting to Rs 86.47 crore in the fund-based working capital facilities extended to Gitanjali Gems Ltd on account of non-realisation of export bills and diversion of funds,” said the Mangaluru-based bank in a regulatory filing on the BSE late on Wednesday night.

The scheduled commercial bank, however, clarified it does not have any Letter of Understanding (LoU) exposure in Choksi’s company.

“The working capital facilities were extended by the bank under consortium arrangement and provisions will be made as per the RBI guidelines,” the bank’s Company Secretary Prasanna Patil said in the filing.

Choksi and his nephew Nirav Modi are already facing investigation in the Rs 13,540-crore fraud they committed on the state-run Punjab National Bank’s Mumbai branch, which came to light after they left the country in early January.

(Ians)

Everywhere There is Leak, The Chowkidaar is Weak’ : Rahul Gandhi

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Taking a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday listed the various information leaks that have come to light recently. From the Facebook data breach by a UK firm to influence election campaigns to Karnataka election date leaks and CBSE questions papers’ leaks, the Congress leader said there’s leak everywhere and that the country’s “chowkidar” (watchman) — read PM Modi — is “weak”.

After news surfaced that UK data firm Cambridge Analytica was involved in harvesting data to influence US presidential elections, it was found out that the firm has worked in India in the past. As per Cambridge Analytica’s website, its services were used in the Bihar Assembly Elections in 2010 and the India partner of CA’s parent company allegedly worked with three political parties – BJP, Congress and JD(U).

BOLLYWOOD BUZZ

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DULQUER SALMAAN & SONAM KAPOOR TEAMED UP FOR ZOYA FACTOR

dulquer salmaan sonam kapoor the zoya factor movie images photos


Fox Star Studios & Adlabs Films latest collaboration Zoya Factor, starring Dulqer Salmaan & Sonam Kapoor is an adaptation of the popular novella “The Zoya Factor” by Anuja Chauhan. Sonam Kapoor will essay the character of Zoya. Dulquer Salman, a heartthrob of the Malayalam industry known for his successful films like O Kaadhal Kanmani, Bangalore Days & Kammatipaadam essays the role of Nikhil. Zoya Factor tells the tale of a Rajput girl, Zoya Solanki, who meets the Indian Cricket Team through her job as an executive in an advertising agency and ends up becoming a lucky charm for the team in the 2010 Cricket World Cup. Dulquer Salmaan Dulquer will play the captain of the Indian Cricket Team in the rom – com to be helmed by Abhishek Sharma who had directed Tere Bin Laden. Rucha Pathak, Chief Creative Officer, Fox Star Studios, “It’s a hat -trick for us at Fox Star Studios with Sonam Kapoor, in the past we had blockbuster films like Prem Ratan Dhan Paayo (PRDP) & National Award winning film Neerja, with Zoya Factor we are equally more excited to have South Super star Dulquer Salmaan alongside Sonam & a fresh new pair in Bollywood. Abhishek Sharma says, “The book has many layers, characters & tracks”.

WHEN OBAMA LOVED OSAMA 1ST LOOK POSTER OUT

The 1st look poster of When Obama Loved Osama produced by Jaivindra Singh Bhati & Chaman Gupta & directed by Sudhish Kumar Sharma & starring Mousam Sharma, Swati Bakshi, Rahul Avana, Amrita Acharya, Mohit Baghel, Vikas Giri, Kimti Anand, Mushtaq Khan, Manoj Bakshi, Lilliput Faruqui, Heena Panchal, Hemant Pandey & Himani Shivpuri was unveiled recently. It is about Aman Osama, a modern Muslim man living in Agra, who, being a Nana Patekar fan, gets so influenced by his persona that he starts emulating him sub – consciously whenever he gets angry. Osama turns back to his normal self when somebody hits him on his head. Aman falls in love with Maggi, the daughter of MLA Sagar Obama. Obama asks Aman to campaign for him so that he can woo the Muslim voters. Aman’s cousin Joy is a Christian who is in love with Shaheen, a Muslim girl who happens to be the daughter of Jaffar Abbasi, a politician. Abbasi tells Joy he will get him married to his daughter if he campaigns for him in the election and gets him the votes of the Christians. When Aman & Joy share their ordeal with each other, they hatch a plan that will solve both their problems together.

RAJPAL YADAV IS THE SCENE STEALER IN ‘SHAADI TERI BAJAYENGE HUM BAND’

Music plays an integral part in Hindi movies. No piece of entertainment is ever complete without a heavy dose of gaana – bajana. The Rajpal Yadav starrer comedy drama Shaadi Teri Bajayenge Hum Band’s press conference was held recently in Mumbai. Raj Pal Yadav who plays a key role of the film as Selfi Don, shared his experience with Media. Well – known Punjabi singer Daler Mehndi has sung the title track for this film that was recently released. Present on the occasion were actor – producer Rohit Kumar, director Gurpreet Sondh and the entire cast of the film namely Rahul Bagga, DilBagh Singh, Rohit kumar, Radha Bhatt, Shrashti Maheshwari & Afreen Alvi. The movie will see Rajpal Yadav & Mustaq Khan playing key roles. Top Bollywood singers have rendered their voices for the songs of this film, such as, Daler Mehndi, Sonu Nigam, DilBagh Singh, Money Sondh & Aaksa Singh. Music is composed by Aditya Pushkarna. This super comedy Shaadi Teri Bajanyege Hum Band is a high voltage comedy film slated to release on 23rd Mar, 2018 across the nation.

ALIA BHATT INJURED ON THE SETS OF ‘BRAHMASTRA”

Alia Bhatt who has been busy with Ayan Mukerji’s fantasy adventure, Brahmastra, in Bulgaria since Feb, 2018 has recently met with an accident. The actress who turned 25 with a party on the sets recently, was filming an action sequence 2 days later, when she injured her shoulder. The injured shoulder is currently in an arm sling. The schedule has been tough & challenging on several levels and this accident has set the film’s shooting back by 2 days. However, their highest priority is Alia’s recovery. She has been advised minimal movement of the arm which means she cannot resume filming her action sequences in the near future to prevent any further trauma to her shoulder.” says Marikje Desouza, Excecutive Producer Brahmastra.

PULKIT SAMRAT’S NEW FITNESS MANTRA: DANCING ADDS MORE FLEXIBILITY & STAMINA!

One of the fittest Gen – X actors, Pulkit Samrat loves working out so much so that he has a gym in his house. The talented actor, who had been focusing on weight training as a part of his fitness regime since some time now, wants a break from his regular routine and doing so, he has opted for dancing. The actor informs, “I have been working out with a mix of some functional & more of weight training. But there comes a point when your body gets used to the same routine. Dancing as a form of workout will add more flexibility & stamina for me. Hrithik is such an inspiration for so many upcoming dancers. He is the best dancer in our industry. I am in complete awe of him when it comes to dancing.”

JUHI CHAWLA’S NEXT IS A PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER

Juhi Chawla who has been lately busy shooting for Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga has signed her next which is a psychological thriller! This is a one of a kind film in which Juhi will be playing a pivotal role. The film which is yet to be titled is written & directed by Niddhish Puuzhakkal. Juhi will be seen in a never seen before avatar though her character is being kept under the wraps for now.” Juhi has been shooting in Chandigarh for Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga and without a break will start shooting for this film next month! The actress has been juggling between mediums as well as genres & roles and picking the most interesting of work from that of a defense minister in a web series to a multi – star cast film like Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga and now this psychological thriller.

SARA ALI KHAN – THE SIMMBA GIRL

After the release of the 1stever poster of Simmba, various speculations were on the loose about who the leading lady would be. Rohit Shetty & Karan Johar have signed Sara Ali Khan to be the leading lady in their next directorial venture. Sara Ali Khan will be seen opposite Ranveer Singh who plays the role of a notorious cop named Sangram Bhalerao. Simmba marks the debut collaboration of Rohit Shetty & Karan Johar and undoubtedly the fresh leading pair of Ranveer Singh & Sara Ali Khan. Simmba is slated to release worldwide on 28th Dec, 2018

HUMA QURESHI TO DELIVER A TALK ON GREEN LIVING!

Huma Qureshi was in Goa to voice her opinion on eco – friendly alternatives at the Monaco Residential Conclave (associated with PEAKLIFE), which is themed as – “Green is the new glam. The 2 day enclave conclave saw industry leaders, business heads, wellness professionals & distinguished decision makers from across the length & breadth of the country coming together to exchange views & pinions on green initiatives. The gorgeous actress was present at the opening ceremony, followed by a panel discussion. Huma has quite a popularity that she is channeling for a green cause that needs everyone’s attention. The stunner will be shedding light on green initiatives at the imminent discussion. Says Huma, “Eco – friendly practices are the need of the hour. I’m not just excited to share some interesting green tips that I have learnt on my travels outside of India, but I’m also looking forward to know what other attendees bring to the discussion”.

HARSHVARDHAN RANE TO ENDORSE AN INTERNATIONAL MOTORBIKE BRAND

Harshvardhan Rane, who will be seen in J P Dutta’s big – ticket film this year, Paltan, has been approached by the makers of a popular international motorbike brand. The handsome hunk is known for his passion about traveling and never missing out on opportunities to unwind on his high – end bike scouting scenic locations. In fact, Harshvardhan’s recent photo shoot flaunting his BMW R nineT Scrambler bike resembling Hollywood actor Martin Henderson (Grey’s Anatomy & The Ring fame) was appreciated by many. Considering that, the makers of a popular international motorbike brand approached him to make him the face of their latest campaign.

KARAN JOHAR IS IN NO HURRY TO FIND SRIDEVI’S REPLACEMENT IN SHIDDA

Karan Johar, who had signed Sridevi for his production venture namely, Abhishek Varman’s Shiddat, is looking for her replacement after the sudden demise of Sridevi. However, a source close to the filmmaker, says, “Karan was extremely fond of Sridevi and they shared an amazing relationship. He doesn’t want to rush to find a replacement right away. That is certainly not on his priority list.” It’s just 2 weeks since Sridevi’s death. Karan will soon sit with the team and decide who they want to approach for the role that was offered to Sridevi. All other speculations are baseless,” added the source.

SC/ST Act: Social Justice Ministry gets Law Ministry’s consent to challenge SC ruling

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The Union Law Ministry on Thursday consented to the Social Justice Ministry’s proposal to challenge the Supreme Court’s recent order on the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes Atrocities (Prevention) Act, 1989, sources told The Indian Express. The Dalit MPs in the NDA have been mounting pressure on the government to file a review petition against the ruling.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Arun Jaitley and Ravi Shankar Prasad at Parliament House on Wednesday. Express Photo by Praveen Jain


The apex court, on March 20, observed “instances of abuse” of the Act by “vested interests” for political or personal reasons. In light of this, the SC laid down stringent safeguards, including provisions for anticipatory bail and a “preliminary enquiry” before registering a case under the Act.
Read | In Uttar Pradesh, a BJP Dalit MP speaks up: We need to save Constitution, Bahujans
“To avoid false implication of an innocent, a preliminary enquiry may be conducted by the DSP concerned to find out whether the allegations make out a case under the Atrocities Act and that the allegations are not frivolous or motivated,” ruled a bench of Justices A K Goel and U U Lalit.
A delegation of Dalit MPs had met Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday to discuss the judgment and voice their concerns. Following the meeting, Minister of State for Social Justice Ramdas Athawale had stated, “The PM said the government is in the process of filing a review petition once the Law Ministry finishes studying the matter. Our government is doing the most work for welfare of Dalits, unlike other governments who were all talk.”
Express Explained | Rising pendency, falling convictions: what data on SC/ST Act trials show
The BJP has more than three dozen SC MPs.
Athawale’s Republican Party of India (A) – a BJP ally – meanwhile is filing its own review petition in the SC to challenge the judgment. “…our lawyers feel we should take a stand as a party. In the review petition, we will state that it was after detailed discussions in Parliament that offences under this Act were made non-bailable. By diluting it, atrocities against Dalits will increase,” the Dalit leader from Maharashtra had said.

Malala returns home for first time since Taliban shooting

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Pakistani education and rights activist, targeted by Taliban, arrives in capital Islamabad amid tight security.

Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai has arrived home in Pakistan for the first time since being shot by Taliban gunmen in an assassination attempt five years ago.

The 20-year-old, the youngest person ever to win the Nobel prize, landed in the capital Islamabad early on Thursday morning.

Television footage showed her sitting alongside her parents in an airport waiting lounge and, later, travelling in a security convoy into the city.

Yousafzai was shot in the headby Taliban gunmen in October 2012 for speaking out against their ban on girls education in her native Swat Valley, in Pakistan’s north.

READ MORE
The fight for education in Pakistan’s Swat
Two other students were wounded in that attack.

After receiving emergency medical treatment in Pakistan, she was shifted to the United Kingdom for specialised medical procedures, where she has resided ever since due to fears for her security if she returned to Pakistan.

Following the attack, the Pakistani Taliban vowed to kill her if she ever returned.

Details of Yousafzai’s itinerary are not being made public due to security concerns, the AFP news agency reported, but she is expected to meet with Pakistani Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and others.

Focus on education
Since recovering from her wounds, Yousafzai has championed the cause of education across the globe, speaking out passionately at the United Nations and other fora for the right of all children, and particularly young women, to receive an education.

In 2013, she and her father, Ziauddin Yousafzai, a teacher and rights activist, founded the Malala Fund, which champions the right of every girl to 12 years of free and safe education. The organisation focuses on working in conflict zones, with programmes in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nigeria and countries hosting Syrian refugees.

It is unclear if Yousafzai will visit her native Swat valley, where she made her name as a young rights activist, writing a series of anonymous blogs for the BBC while the valley was under Taliban rule in 2009.

Pakistan’s military fought a protracted battle to retake the scenic rural valley, eventually displacing the Taliban from Swat that year.

Attacks such as the one that targeted Yousafzai, however, continued for several years, with the Taliban exacting revenge on those who stood up to them during their reign.

In 2016, Taliban commanders attempted to extort money from local traders, sparking fears that they were attempting to launch a comeback in Swat, which was home to current Pakistani Taliban chief Mullah Fazlullah.

“I really miss my friends and family. But I also miss the landscape,” Yousafzai told Pakistani publication Mangobaaz in an interview earlier this week.

“When I woke up in the hospital in the UK, I looked outside and asked the doctors where are the mountains and rivers. Swat Valley is a paradise on Earth and I don’t think I fully appreciated its beauty until it wasn’t outside my window every day.”

Yousafzai currently attends Oxford University, where she is pursuing a Bachelors degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics.

ALJAZEERA

China: North Korea’s Kim ‘ready to denuclearise’

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Xi held talks with Kim at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing [Xinhua via AP]

by Al Jazeera

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has pledged to denuclearise the Korean Peninsula during his first meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, according to China’s state news agency.

Xinhua on Wednesday quoted Kim saying that the issue could be resolved if South Korea and the United States respond to Pyongyang’s efforts “with goodwill”.

“It is our consistent stand to be committed to denuclearisation on the peninsula, in accordance with the will of late President Kim Il-sung and late General Secretary Kim Jong-il,” Kim said, referring to his grandfather and father, according to the statement issued by China’s foreign ministry.

“The issue of denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula can be resolved, if South Korea and the United States respond to our efforts with goodwill, create an atmosphere of peace and stability while taking progressive and synchronous measures for the realisation of peace.”

Kim was also reported to have reaffirmed his willingness to meet US President Donald Trump. It was the first official mention of the planned event by North Korea.

China and North Korea both confirmed that Kim had visited Beijing and met Xi during what China’s foreign ministry called an unofficial visit to China from Sunday to Wednesday.

Xi held talks with Kim at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, and he and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted a banquet for Kim and his wife Ri Sol-ju, Xinhua said. They also watched an art performance together, according to the news agency.

The China visit was Kim’s first known trip outside North Korea since he assumed power in 2011 and is believed by analysts to be a preparation for upcoming summits with South Korea and the US.

North Korea’s KCNA news agency made no mention of Kim’s pledge to denuclearise, or his anticipated meeting with Trump that is planned for sometime in May.

The White House said the Chinese government contacted them on Tuesday to tell US officials about Kim’s visit to China.

Sarah Huckabee Sanders, White House spokeswoman, said the briefing included a “personal message from President Xi to President Trump,” which was conveyed to the president. She did not say what that message entailed.

Baik Tae-hyun, South Korean unification ministry spokesperson, said the meeting has helped set the right tone for the upcoming talks.

“I think improvement in the North Korea-China relationship ahead of the inter-Korean summit and US-North Korea summit, will be helpful in solving the problem in the Korean Peninsula, such as denuclearisation and establishment of peace.”

Karnataka polls: Congress to announce all candidates by April 15: Parameshwara

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Bengaluru: The Karnataka Congress on Wednesday said all candidates for the 224-member state assembly polls will be announced in a single phase by April 15.

The highly anticipated state polls are scheduled for May 12.

“We will announce candidates for all 224 assembly constituencies in a single phase. As the date of the election has already been announced, we need to do it as soon as possible,” Pradesh Congress president G Parameshwara told reporters here.

Stating that the party’s central election committee will meet after the screening committee meeting on April 9 and April 10, he noted that the list of party candidates for the state polls will be out by April 15.

The Election Commission had yesterday announced that a single phase election would be conducted in the southern state on May 12 and the counting of votes will be taken up on May 15.

As part of the poll preparations, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Parameshwara are holding back to back meetings with ministers in-charge of various districts and the election manifesto committee.

Explaining the process of selection of candidates, the KPCC president said the Pradesh Election Committee has already held its meeting and taken certain decisions, which has been conveyed to the leadership in Delhi.

“As part of the same process, the chief minister and myself are holding discussions with district in-charge ministers today, to gather their opinion that will help in the selection of candidates,” he said.

“In continuation of this process, there will be a screening committee meeting in Delhi on April 9 and 10 where we will put forward all the information we have gathered, following which the decisions will be taken,” Parameshwara added.

Congress President Rahul Gandhi had earlier this month constituted the screening committee for the upcoming Karnataka assembly polls. The committee is headed by senior party leader Madhusudan Mistry, which will also comprise party MPs Tamradhwaj Sahu and Gaurav Gogoi.

AICC General Secretary In-charge of the state K C Venugopal, G Parameshwara and Siddaramaiah are ex-officio members of the committee.

Parameshwara also said that the party was in the process of finalising the list of 40-star campaigners for the polls.

(PTI)

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