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New Delhi: Congress Vice-president Rahul Gandhi slammed the BJP government on the issue of demonetisation at Jan Vedna Sammelan in New Delhi.
Rahul Gandhi alleged that BJP, RSS and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have weakened institutions like RBI.
Also, the Gandhi scion labelled demonetisation as a personal decision of PM Modi. ‘Achhe din’ would come when Congress returns to power in 2019, Rahul Gandhi said.
(Agencies)
Bombing in Kandahar kills seven people, including five UAE diplomats, and wounds Ambassador Juma al-Kaabi.
AP
by Al Jazeera
The United Arab Emirates says five of its diplomats died in a bombing in Afghanistan’s Kandahar that killed at least 11 people and wounded 17 others, including Juma al-Kaabi, the UAE ambassador to Afghanistan.
The official Emirati news agency, WAM, said the officials were “on a mission to carry out humanitarian, educational and development projects”.
The blast, which struck the provincial governor’s office during a visit by the UAE delegation, was one of a string of bombings that hit three Afghan cities on Tuesday, killing nearly 50 people and wounding 100.
Dubai’s ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the UAE’s prime minister and vice president, said on Twitter that “there is no human, moral or religious justification for the bombing and killing of people trying to help” others.
On the Afghan side, authorities said the dead included two politicians, a deputy governor from Kandahar and an Afghan diplomat stationed at its embassy in Washington.
The diplomats were expected to open a number of UAE-backed projects as part of an aid programme to Afghanistan.
In honour of the dead, government institutions across the UAE were directed to fly the flag at half-mast for three days.
The Taliban denied carrying out the bombing, saying the attack was a result of “internal local rivalry”.
Elsewhere on Tuesday, two suicide blasts claimed by the Taliban near Afghanistan’s parliament in Kabul killed at least 30 people and wounded 80.
In a separate incident on the same day, a suicide bomber on foot struck in the southern Helmand province, killing at least seven people, according to officials.
The target of the attack, also claimed by the Taliban, was a guesthouse used by a provincial intelligence official in Lashkar Gah, the provincial capital.
Afghanistan last week welcomed the Pentagon’s decision to deploy some 300 US Marines to Helmand, where American forces engaged in heated combat until they pulled out in 2014.
The Marines will head to the poppy-growing province this spring to assist a NATO-led mission to train Afghan forces, in the latest sign that foreign forces are increasingly being drawn back into the worsening conflict.
NATO officially ended its combat mission in December 2014, but US forces were granted greater powers in June to strike armed groups as President Barack Obama vowed a more aggressive campaign.
Dubai: India’s Virat Kohli, currently second in the International Cricket Council (ICC) One-day International (ODI) rankings, will have his eyes on the top spot, currently held by South African AB de Villiers, when he starts the three-match rubber against England, starting January 15.
The Delhi batsman, who will start his first series as full-time India skipper succeeding Mahendra Singh Dhoni, trails de Villiers by 13 points.
Kohli, on the other hand, will be chased by swashbuckling Australian opener David Warner, who sits at No.3 and narrowly trails the India star by just two points.
In the team rankings, third-placed India will have an opportunity to narrow the gap with second-ranked South Africa, when the men-in-blue takes on fifth-ranked England. Australia lead the team rankings.
With 111 points in their kitty, India can rise up to 114 points and trail the Proteas by just two points in case they manage to whitewash Eoin Morgan’s side.
However, if England manage a clean sweep of India, they can move up to the fourth and push Kohli’s boys to the fifth spot.
Pakistan, meanwhile, will need to win at least one game in their five-match rubber against Australia, starting on Friday, to keep themselves in the hunt for an automatic qualification for the 2019 World Cup in England.
The green brigade are currently in the eighth position on 89 points, three behind Bangladesh and three ahead of the West Indies.
Hosts England and the seven highest-ranked sides on the ICC ODI Team Rankings as on September 30, 2017, will qualify directly for the 2019 World Cup, to be held from May 30 to July 15.
The four bottom-ranked sides will be joined by six teams from the ICC World Cricket League in the 10-team ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2018 and the top two sides will complete the 10-team World Cup line-up.
(IANS)
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed the petition filed by an NGO seeking a probe into the IT raids on Sahara and Birla in which certain politicians name came up.
Dismissing the plea, the apex court said that there was no conclusive evidence in the matter.
A bench of the apex court headed by Justice Arun Mishra and also comprising Justice Amitava Roy passed the order after a detailed hearing from the petitioner-NGO ‘Common Cause’ and Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi.
Attorney General Rohatgi, top law officer representing the Central Government, earlier in the day told the apex court division bench that there was no credible document or evidence which prove that former Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi was paid by the corporate houses.
“Nobody in the country would be safe if such documents are accepted as legal evidence. Anyone can put name of anybody on such papers,” he added.
The apex court said that it was not doubting the integrity of the settlement commission order, but examining the integrity of such diaries.
Senior apex court lawyer Prashant Bhushan appearing for the petitioner NGO told the apex court that there was sufficient evidence to prove that public officials were allegedly paid and probe must be ordered to find out the truth.
(IANS)
As the New Year 2017 began, Future Group’s. Central offered a never before shopping experience to shopaholics with 3 Days FREE Shopping. With best deals on over 200 brands at unbelievable discounts, spanning across varied categories such as apparel, footwear, handbags, sportswear, jewellery, travel gear, lingerie, toys, sunglasses et al.
The 3 days of Free Shopping Weekend made every shopper’s dream come true. One could pick up any apparel, footwear, handbags, sportswear, Jewellery, travel gear, lingerie, toys, sunglasses et al worth Rs. 8000 MRP for which one had to pay only Rs. 4000 and can get that Rs 4000 back too through free garments worth Rs. 2000 MRP, free shopping vouchers worth Rs. 1500/- and free Future Pay Wallet credit worth Rs. 500/- This is the 1st time ever a consumer had it all for Free as confirmed by Store Manager Umesh Agnihotri of Dahisar branch. Marketing managers Neha Sinha & Charanjeet Malik welcomed the media @ the event.
3 days Free Shopping was their attempt to provide all customers with a never – seen – before shopping extravaganza. Central was launched with a primary intention to offer the best & the latest options to the fashion conscious consumers. The 3 Days Free Shopping enabled the consumers to not only access 100’s of brands but also made them almost Free. This shopping deal was held at all the 35 stores of Central Pan India. Model actress Ekta jain came specially to wish them all the best.
The Lahshminarayana Global Music Festival has already been held in 55 cities across 22 countries, and will now also take place in USA, UK & Germany this year.
Recognized worldwide for bringing the best of international musical talents under one roof, showcasing music from every genre – Indian classical to jazz, the Lakshminarayana Global Music Festival (LGMF) will kick off its 25th edition in Sri Shanmukhananda Hall, on 13th Jan, 2017. These concerts will be dedicated to the birth centenary of Lord Yehudi Menuhin, the most prolific violinist of the 20th century.
Founded by violin legend Dr. L. Subramaniam & Viji Subramaniam, the Lakshminarayana Global Music Festival (LGMF) was launched by Bharat Ratna MS Subbulakshmi in 1992. Since its inception, Lakshminarayana Global Music Festival (LGMF) has hosted some of the biggest names in the music industry including Bismillah Khan, Lord Yehudi Menuhin, Gangubai Hangal, Pandit Jasraj, George Duke, Stanley Clarke, Al – Jarreau, Steven Seagal & Symphony Orchestras.
Lakshminarayana Global Music Festival (LGMF) is the only music festival that has been able to showcase talent from around the world and provide a platform for myriad styles of music; it has presented Indian Classical (Carnatic & Hindustani), Jazz, Rock, Western Classical, Orchestral, Indian Folk, Ghazals, Hindi Film music, and different Classical & Folk styles from 5 different continents.
This year’s edition will begin with an evening of Global Fusion Music, with a lineup of acclaimed international artists with Dr. L. Subramaniam: Kavita Krishnamurti Subramaniam, Vadim Repin (prodigy violinist & recipient of France’s most prestigious musical award, the “Victoried Honneur” for a lifetime’s dedication to music), Svetlana Smolina (hailed by Los Angeles Times as “an outstanding pianist with a luxuriant tone” and a frequent player on global stages including – Carnegie Hall, Salzburg Festival, & Hollywood Bowl) & Audun Sandvik (Norwegian cellist & teacher at the Norwegian Academy of Music, one of Europe’s most prestigious institutes).
Commenting on the event, Dr. L. Subramaniam, Founder & Artistic Director, of Lakshminarayana Global Music Festival (LGMF), averred, “It gives me immense pleasure to celebrate the 25thedition of this unique festival. I have always been passionate about taking Indian arts & culture to a global audience, while exposing Indians to global music. When we started the festival over 2 decades ago, we never imagined that it would attain a global stature and be associated with so many legendary names from the world of music. Today, we are honored to dedicate our silver jubilee edition to one of the most important musician of our time, Yehudi Meuhin.”
Speaking on this occasion, Kavita Krishnamurti, acclaimed playback singer & Director, Lakshminarayana Global Music Festival (LGMF) averred, “Over the years, the festival has received an overwhelming response amassing millions of views across social media platforms, and hosting over 2 lakh people at a single event. Each musician has a unique talent, and when they share a stage, it creates a riveting experience for everyone. I invite everybody to enjoy an evening of diverse musical talents.”
The fest has already been held in 55 cities across 22 countries till date. This year, in addition to its presence in Bangalore, Mumbai, San Diego, Chicago & New York, the festival will also be held in UK & Germany for the 1st time ever. Moreover, music enthusiasts have yet another reason to enjoy the show as it is free for all.
The accompanying artists for Mumbai include – Atul Raninga (Keyboards), Ravi Iyer (Guitar), Jayanthi (Guitar), V. V. Ramanamurthy (Mridangam), Girish Vishwa (Dholak), Ashish Jha (Tabla) & Satya Sai G (Morsing).
Bengaluru: Karnataka SSLC Examination Board has released a circular asking the schools not to allow the students who arrive to appear for their SSLC exam(s) later than a minute. The move came in an attempt to stop question paper leakage and other related issues.
According to the circular from the board sent to the schools in the state has asked the students to enter their receptive examination halls in between 09.15 AM – 09.30 AM as the examination will commence at 09.30 AM. Those who arrive after 09.30 AM can’t write their examination, the board said.
(Agencies)
Bengaluru: The number of drought hit taluks in the state are expected to rise from 139 to 160 as the Karnataka is facing severe water shortage, said state Revenue Minister Kagodu Thimmappa speaking to reporters herein the state capital on Tuesday after a sub committee meeting of the state cabinet which decided to declare 21 taluks of the state as drought hit in addition to 139 taluks which had been declared as drought hit last year.
Generally, cereals, pulses and others would have sown on an area of 33 lakh hectares in the state during Northeast monsoon season. However, sown area is limits to only 25 lakh hectares this year.
The names of 21 taluks will be released after a meeting of state cabinet very soon. A failure of Northeast monsoon rains has hit the life of the farmers and the government has ordered the respective deputy commissioners of the districts to collect information on crop damage due to water scarcity.
Answering to a question, Kogodu Thimmappa said, the government has asked the concerned authorities to drill bore wells where there is severe water scarcity and government has already released Rs 10 crore for the purchase of fodder.
The union government hasn’t yet released Rs 1782 crore as drought relief fund as declared last week. Once the drought relief fund is credited to the state treasury, then it will be deposited the bank accounts of 35 lakh farmers of drought-ridden taluks of Karnataka, revenue minister said.
(Agencies)
Lambi: A shoe was today hurled at Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal by a relative of a radical Sikh leader during an election campaign at Ratta Khera village here.
40-year-old Gurbachan Singh allegedly hurled the shoe towards Badal, which first hit security personnel and then touched 89-year-old Badal’s turban, police said.
“A man identified as Gurbachan Singh, a relative of a Sikh radical leader, hurled shoe at Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal,” Muktsar SSP Dhruman H Nimbale said today.
A security official guarding Badal tried to stop the shoe with his hand. “After hitting the security personnel, the shoe then touched the turban of CM,” Nimbale said, adding that there was no injury to Badal in this incident.
The SSP said the incident occurred at village Ratta Khera where Badal was busy in a public meeting during his election campaign.
“CM was just getting up after completing his address when a shoe was hurled by Gurbachan towards CM,” he said.
Gurbachan is brother of radical Sikh leader Amrik Singh Ajnala. “He appeared to be upset over the sacrilege incidents which took place in Punjab,” the SSP said, adding that he had been nabbed.
A case will be registered against the accused, he said.
A few days back, a group of people threw stones at the cavalcade of deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal at Kandhwala Hazir Khan village in his constituency, Jalalabad in Fazilka district, leaving four Akali supporters injured.
(Agencies)
European Court of Human Rights upholds fines on Swiss Muslim parents who refused mixed swimming lessons for daughters.
![The ECHR said the Swiss court was right to protect foreign pupils from social exclusion [Jean-Christophe Bott/EPA]](https://i0.wp.com/nasheman.in/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/ECHR.jpg)
The ECHR said the Swiss court was right to protect foreign pupils from social exclusion [Jean-Christophe Bott/EPA]
by Al Jazeera
The European Court of Human Rights upheld a decision of a Swiss court backing fines on Muslim parents who refused to allow their daughters to take part in mixed swimming lessons on the basis of their religion.
The parents, both Turkish-Swiss dual nationals, appealed to the court over a fine handed down by education authorities after they declined to send two of their daughters to mixed swimming lessons.
They said that the requirement, imposed by the school up until the age of puberty as part of its physical education curriculum, violated their right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion enshrined in article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
While the court acknowledged that the requirement was an interference with the freedom of religion, it ruled that the interference represented a “legitimate aim” to protect foreign pupils from social exclusion.
It said that schools played an important role in encouraging social integration, especially regarding children of foreign origin.
It also noted that the authorities in Basel, Switzerland, had tried to reach a compromise with the parents, including allowing the girls to wear burkinis for the lessons.
The court also ruled that the fine imposed on the parents, of 350 Swiss francs ($345) each per child, totalling 1,400 francs, was proportionate to the aim.
The European Court of Human Rights was established to oversee the European Convention on Human Rights, adopted by the 47-member Council of Europe.
The court is not a European Union institution.