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Archives for September 2018

Twitter permanently bans US conspiracy theorist Alex Jones

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Twitter said it has permanently banned US conspiracy theorist Alexander Jones and accounts associated with his website Infowars for “abusive behaviour”.

“Today, we permanently suspended @realalexjones and @infowars from Twitter and Periscope,” Twitter said on Thursday on its Safety account, Xinhua news agency reported.

The world leading social media site said it took the action “based on new reports of Tweets and videos posted yesterday that violate our abusive behaviour policy, in addition to the accounts’ past violations.”

The ban will cut Jones and Infowars from its 1.5 million followers on future interaction on Twitter’s platform, and Twitter vows to “take action” if the latter attempts to circumvent the prohibitive measure.

“We will continue to evaluate reports we receive regarding other accounts potentially associated with @realalexjones or @infowars and will take action if content that violates our rules is reported or if other accounts are utilized in an attempt to circumvent their ban,” @TwitterSafety said in one of its tweets.

The social media firm said it will increase transparency in implementation of its rules and actions, but it declines to “comment on enforcement actions we take against individual accounts, for their privacy.”

Twitter is one of the latest major tech companies such as Google, Facebook and Apple that has permanently banned Jones and his associated accounts. It imposed a week-long ban on Jones as a warning for his bellicose behaviour last month.

In August, Google-owned YouTube, Apple and Facebook removed or restricted Jones’ activities on their platforms for hate speech.

Jones is a controversial American radio show host and conspiracy theorist, who runs the website Infowars.com that is devoted to conspiracy theories and fake news.

He is notorious for accusing the US government of planning the Oklahoma City bombing that killed at least 168 people and wounded more than 680 others in 1995.

Jones also doubted the government’s role in the September 11, 2001 terror attacks in the US that left 2,996 people dead and over 6,000 injured.

(IANS)

British Airways probes massive customer data theft

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British Airways announced that it was probing a massive theft of customer data from its website and mobile app.

The airline said the breach took place between 10.58 p.m. on August 21 and 9.45 p.m. on September 5, reported.

“The breach has been resolved and our website is working normally,” it said in a statement on Thursday night.

“We have notified the police and relevant authorities. We are deeply sorry for the disruption that this criminal activity has caused. We take the protection of our customers’ data very seriously.”

British Airways said personal and financial details of customers making bookings had been compromised.

About 380,000 transactions were affected, but the stolen data did not include travel or passport details.

All affected customers had been contacted on Thursday night.

Alex Cruz, British Airways’ Chairman and Chief Executive, said: “We are deeply sorry for the disruption that this criminal activity has caused. We take the protection of our customers’ data very seriously.”

This is not the first customer relations problem to affect the airline in recent times, the BBC said.

In July, the airline apologised after IT issues caused dozens of flights in and out of London’s Heathrow Airport to be cancelled.

In June, more than 2,000 British Airways passengers had their tickets cancelled because the prices were too cheap.

In May 2017, serious problems with British Airways’ IT systems led to thousands of passengers having their plans disrupted, after all flights from Heathrow and Gatwick were cancelled.

(IANS)

Brazilian presidential candidate stabbed at rally

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Brazil’s front-running far-right presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro was stabbed during a rally while campaigning for next month’s election.

On Thursday, Bolsonaro, notorious for making racist, sexist and homophobic remarks, was being led through a crowd on the shoulders of supporters in Juiz de Fora city in the southern state of Minhas Gervais when an assailant stabbed him from the front and he appeared to scream in pain, reports CNN.

Known to many of his countrymen as the “Brazilian Trump”, Bolsonaro was taken to a hospital where medical officials and his family said he was in a stable condition.

“Unfortunately it was more serious than we hoped,” tweeted his son Flavio Bolsonaro.

“The wound reached part of his liver, lung and intestine. He lost a lot of blood, reaching the hospital… Almost dead… His condition now seems stable. Please pray!”

Brazil’s federal police said that they arrested a man identified as Adelio Bispo de Oliveira, 40, whom a group of people tried to lynch after accusing him of staging the attack, reports Efe news.

Bolsonaro is one of the most controversial candidates in the current electoral round because he is a defender of Brazil’s 1964-1984 military dictatorship.

He is also facing court proceedings for inciting violence.

According to a voter survey released on Wednesday, the rightist would finish first in the October 7 election if imprisoned former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, whose candidacy was declared invalid by election authorities does not participate, but he would lose in a runoff.

Lula was heading all the voter surveys with some 40 per cent support but recently he was declared “ineligible” to run because of his conviction on corruption charges.

Hollywood legend Burt Reynolds dead

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Burt Reynolds, the moustachioed megastar who first strutted on screen more than half a century ago, has died, according to his agent. He was 82.

The Michigan native, whose easy-going charms and handsome looks drew prominent roles in films such as “Smokey and the Bandit” and “Boogie Nights,” suffered a cardiac arrest on Thursday, CNN quoted the veteran actor’s agent Todd Eisner as saying.

An iconic Hollywood sex symbol in front of the camera, Reynolds also tried his directorial hand behind it, and later earned a reputation for philanthropy after founding the Burt Reynolds Institute for Film and Theatre in Florida.

His roles over the years ranged and pivoted from Southern heart throb to tough guy to comedy, notably in his role as Rep. David Dilbeck in the 1996 film “Striptease”, which flopped at the box office but earned him widespread praise for his comedic prowess.

But it was John Boorman’s 1972 thriller “Deliverance”, which cast Reynolds as outdoorsman Lewis Medlock, that is widely credited for launching his early career.

Reynolds made an acting resurgence in recent years, appearing in numerous films and TV shows.

He was cast in the upcoming Quentin Tarantino-directed “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”, scheduled for release next year.

Reynolds had not yet started shooting his appearance in the film.

Infosys forms joint venture with Temasek in Singapore

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Indian software major Infosys on Friday said it has formed a joint venture (JV) with global investment firm Temasek in Singapore to service it and its clients in the digital domain.

“The JV will integrate our team with that of Temasek’s Singapore subsidiary Trusted Source Pte Ltd, which delivers IT services to it and its clients,” said the city-based IT major in a statement here.

As per an agreement signed by the partners on Thursday night, Infosys will hold 60 per cent in the JV and Temasek 40 per cent.

Facebook to build $1 billion data centre in Singapore

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As governments the world over including in India aim to store data of their people within their boundaries, Facebook on Friday announced to build its first data centre in Asia that will be located in Singapore.

The 170,000-square-metre data centre will be built with more than 1.4 billion Singapore dollars (over $1 billion), opening hundreds of job opportunities.

“We are excited to announce that Facebook’s first custom-built data center in Asia will be located in Singapore. It will support hundreds of jobs and form part of our growing presence in Singapore and across Asia,” Facebook said in a statement.

Facebook’s data centres are currently located across the US and in Europe.

In India, a government panel is currently working on the guidelines to ensure that data generated locally must be stored within the country.

The social media giant said it selected Singapore for robust infrastructure and access to fibre, a talented local workforce, and a great set of community partners, including the Singapore Economic Development Board.

“Singapore has also established policies that foster a business-friendly environment, including measures that support the enforcement of contracts and increase the ease of construction permitting,” Facebook said.

The World Bank recently named Singapore as top country in Asia to do business.

The Singapore data centre will be the first to incorporate the new “StatePoint Liquid Cooling” system.

This technology minimises water and power consumption and can reduce the amount of peak water used by 20 per cent in climates like Singapore’s, said Facebook.

The 11-storey facility will be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy, Facebook added.

(IANS)

Cong leader announces Rs 5 lakh for ‘cutting off” BJP MLA Ram Kadam’s tongue

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Congress leader and a former Maharashtra minister Subodh Saoji on Thursday allegedly announced a reward for anyone who “cuts off the tongue” of BJP MLA Ram Kadam, whose “would abduct the girl a boy has liked” statement triggered a huge controversy.

In a video of an event at Buldhana district, Saoji was purportedly heard saying that Kadam’s statement was unbecoming of a legislator. “And therefore, I am announcing a Rs 5 lakh reward for anyone who comes forward and cuts off his tongue. I strongly condemn him saying girls should be abducted,” he purportedly said.

The Maharashtra State Commission for Women has issued a notice to Kadam over his remark, seeking his reply.

In a big embarrassment for the ruling BJP in Maharashtra, one of its lawmakers on Tuesday courted a controversy by saying that he will kidnap a girl even if she refuses a proposal from a boy and help him elope with her. The controversial comments were made by BJP MLA Ram Kadam, who came under severe attack from ally Shiv Sena and other parties.

Kadam had made the controversial remarks at a ‘dahi handi’ event in his suburban Ghatkopar assembly constituency in Mumbai on Monday night. “You (youngsters) can meet me for any work,” he had told a huge gathering of youngsters there.

A video clip of the event later surfaced in which Kadam can be seen saying that he was flooded with requests from youngsters to help them after girls rejected their proposal. “I will help, 100 percent. Come (to me) with your parents. What will I do if parents approve? I will kidnap the girl concerned and hand her over to you (for marriage),” he told the crowd in Marathi.

Kadam also reportedly shared his mobile number with the crowd. However, when quizzed about his controversial statement, Kadam said that his remarks were distorted.

”If there was something objectionable, there were several journalists and they would’ve paid attention. They didn’t because they heard entire speech and not just a small video. Opposition leaders are making a 40-second clip viral on Twitter. That’s creating a wrong impression,” Kadam’said.

”I said that every youth, whether it’s a boy or a girl, should marry after taking their parents into confidence. After saying this, I took a long pause and from the audience said something. I repeated that on mike and after that also, I spoke some more,”Kadam.

Demanding an apology from the MLA, the Shiv Sena asked Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who is also the state’s home minister, what action would be taken against Kadam for making a statement that “threatens the safety of girls”. The Congress also called for Kadam’s arrest, while the NCP that said his comments exposed “Ravana-like” face of the ruling party.

Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray took to Twitter to slam the MLA offering to marry off girls “against their will”. “Ashamed and disgraced that he sits in the legislative assembly of Maharashtra- a land of culture & women liberty,” he tweeted.

“Not just an outright apology from him, but I’d want to know from the Home Minister of Maharashtra what action will be taken for openly making such statements that threaten the safety of girls and offering safety to those wanting to kidnap them,” he added.

Opposition Leader in Assembly Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil said Kadam’s remarks were unfortunate and condemnable. “The state government should immediately arrest him,” he said.

State NCP chief Jayant Patil said, “Cases should be filed against Kadam if a girl is kidnapped in Maharashtra as the MLA himself is encouraging their kidnapping.” “He should apologise. I am sure women members of the Assembly will pose questions to him,” Patil said.

State NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik said Kadam was speaking the language of abducting girls.

(ANI)

Rahul Gandhi is the country’s “biggest baffoon”: KCR

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Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekar Rao launched a trenchant attack on Rahul Gandhi, describing him as the “biggest buffoon in the country” while speaking to reporters today.
Mr KCR, was addressing a lengthy press conference after announcing that the state assembly would be dissolved, which set Telangana on course to early polls.

“Everyone knows what Rahul Gandhi is…He’s the biggest buffoon in the country. Whole country has seen how he went to Mr Narendra Modi and hugged him, the way he is winking,” said KCR, in his unfiltered attack, referring to the 47-year-old Congress chief’s much-talked about act of hugging the Prime Minister in the Lok Sabha.

When asked about the Congress president’s plans to campaign in the state, KCR scoffed: “He is an asset for us. The more he comes to Telangana, the more seats we will win.”

The Chief Minister of India’s newest state also said Rahul Gandhi had inherited the “Congress’s Delhi sultanate”. And so, he said, the people of Telangana should not be slaves to Delhi. “The decisions of Telangana should be taken in Telangana,” he said.

A stung Congress responded: “Only a buffoon can say this”. Congress leader RC Khuntia said the Telangana chief minister had no right to say anything about RG, when he was promoting his own family. “He is a Hitler, a dictator. He hasn’t visited his office because of superstition,” Mr Khuntia said.

Earlier today, KCR asked the Governor to dissolve the assembly, a decision that had been anticipated for days. The move pushes forward the elections from the middle of 2019 to the end of this year.

The Chief Minister also named more than 100 candidates of his Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS). He will formally launch the party’s election campaign with a public meeting at Husnabad in Siddipet district on Friday. Christened “Prajala Aasirwada Sabha”, this will be the first of 100 public meetings planned by TRS over the next 50 days.

Mr Rao’s push for early elections is seen as a move to keep his voter base together. Had the assembly completed the full term, it would have clashed with the general elections and the focus would shift to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The TRS chief has been pitching for a non-Congress-non-BJP front for the 2019 polls for months. The Congress, however, accuses him of working to a secret pact with the BJP.

(PTI)

Stop terror attacks from your soil: India, US to Pakistan

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India and the US on Thursday told Pakistan not to let its soil be used by terrorists to carry out cross-border terror attacks while demanding that the perpetrators of earlier terror attacks be expeditiously brought to justice.

New Delhi and Washington also committed to work together toward advancing a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.

“The Ministers denounced any use of terrorist proxies in the region, and in this context, they called on Pakistan to ensure that the territory under its control is not used to launch terrorist attacks on other countries,” a joint statement issued following the first ever 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue attended by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defence Secretary Jim Mattis here said.

“On the eve of the 10-year anniversary of the 26/11 Mumbai attack, they called on Pakistan to bring to justice expeditiously the perpetrators of the Mumbai, Pathankot, Uri, and other cross-border terrorist attacks,” it stated.

“The Ministers welcomed the launch of a bilateral dialogue on designation of terrorists in 2017, which is strengthening cooperation and action against terrorist groups, including Al Qaeda, ISIS (IS or Islamic State), Lashkar-e-Tayyiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, Hizb-ul Mujahideen, the Haqqani Network, Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, D-Company, and their affiliates.”

According to the statement, the Ministers welcomed the expansion of bilateral counter-terrorism cooperation and announced their intent to increase information-sharing efforts on known or suspected terrorists and to implement UN Security Council Resolution 2396 on returning foreign terrorist fighters.

While committing to enhance their ongoing cooperation in multilateral fora such as the UN and Financial Action Task Force (FATF), they reaffirmed their support for the India-initiated UN Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism “that will advance and strengthen the framework for global cooperation and reinforce the message that no cause or grievance justifies terrorism”.

“The two sides further reaffirmed their commitment to ongoing and future cooperation to ensure a stable cyberspace environment and to prevent cyber-attacks,” the statement said.

It also stated that the Ministers reviewed cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region and noted that the common principles for the region articulated in the India-US joint statement of June 2017 have been further amplified by US President Donald Trump at Danang, Vietnam on November 10, 2017, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Singapore at the Shangri-La Dialogue on June 1, 2018.

“Both sides committed to work together and in concert with other partners toward advancing a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region, based on recognition of Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) centrality and on respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, rule of law, good governance, free and fair trade, and freedom of navigation and overflight,” the statement said.

“Noting the importance of infrastructure and connectivity for the Indo-Pacific region, both sides emphasised the need to work collectively with other partner countries to support transparent, responsible, and sustainable debt financing practices in infrastructure development,” it stated in an apparent reference to China putting countries in the region in debt traps under its Belt and Road Initiative.

India and the US are both part of the quad revived last year, that also includes Japan and Australia, seeking to work for peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.

According to the statement, the Ministers also reaffirmed their shared commitment to a united, sovereign, democratic, inclusive, stable, prosperous, and peaceful Afghanistan and expressed support for an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation process.

“The United States acknowledged India’s longstanding and ongoing contributions of economic assistance to Afghanistan and also welcomed India’s enhanced role in Afghanistan’s development and stabilization,” it stated.

While India welcomed the recent US-North Korea summit, the US welcomed India’s accession to the three export control regimes – the Australia Group, the Wassenaar Arrangement and the Missile Technology Control Regime.

Washington also reiterated its support to New Delhi for its bid to become a member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).

China has been blocking India’s bid for membership in the NSG on the ground that for a country to become a member of the 48-nation bloc, it should be a signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

According to the joint statement, The Ministers recognised the importance and the potential for increasing bilateral trade, and investment and committed to further expanding and balancing the trade and economic partnership, including by facilitating trade, improving market access, and addressing issues of interest to both sides.

On the India-US civilian nuclear agreement, it stated: “Both sides looked forward to full implementation of the civil nuclear energy partnership and collaboration between Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) and Westinghouse Electric Company for the establishment of six nuclear power plants in India.”

Pakistan marks Defence Day

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Pakistan observed Defence Day on Thursday by paying tribute to martyrs on the 53rd anniversary of the 1965 war with India.

The day dawned with a 31-gun salute in the federal capital and 21-gun salute in the provincial capitals. A change of guard ceremony was held at the mausoleums of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah in Karachi and at Allama Iqbal’s in Lahore, Geo News reported.

Special prayers were offered followed by change of guard ceremonies at the mausoleums of Allama Iqbal in Lahore and Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah in Karachi. A ceremony at the Pakistan Navy headquarters in Islamabad was also held.

Prime Minister Imran Khan and outgoing President Mamnoon Hussain issued their messages of solidarity on the Defence Day.

Khan said Pakistan believes in peaceful coexistence and wants to promote mutual cooperation with other countries, including its neighbours, on the basis of equality, Radio Pakistan reported.

“The people of Pakistan will leave no stone unturned in defending their motherland, while standing side by side with (the) valiant armed forces of the country,” he said.

Hussain said the spirit of sacrifices rendered by the armed forces and the nation should inspire the people to forge unity among their ranks.

The highlight of the day will be a function scheduled for 8 p.m. at General Headquarters in Rawalpindi.

Khan will be the chief guest at the ceremony, which will be attended by Army Chief General Qamar Jawed Bajwa, services chiefs, ministers, diplomats and people from various walks of life.

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