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CBI arrests PNB General Manager in $1.8 bn fraud case

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Express photo by Sumit Malhotra

New Delhi/Mumbai: The CBI on Wednesday said that it has arrested a General Manager rank officer of the Punjab National Bank in connection with the Rs 11,300 crore fraud case.

“Rajesh Jindal, who was holding the charge of Brady House Branch Head between August 2009 and May 2011 was arrested on Tuesday night from Mumbai,” a CBI official said.

It was during Jindal’s tenure at the Brady House the alleged fraud took place, the CBI officer said.

Jindal was heading the second largest branch of the PNB when the practice of issuing the Letter of Understandings (LOUs) without sanctioned limits to diamond trader Nirav Modi’s firms began. Jindal was presently posted as GM Credit at PNB’s Head Office in New Delhi. His was the 14th arrest in the fraud case so far.

Since February 14, when the CBI registered the first FIR in the case, multiple raids at Nirav Modi and Choksi’s residential and office premises have been conducted.

The agency officials also said that they are questioning the executive director and general manager level officials of the Brady House Branch along with Modi’s staffs and associates including Saurabh Sharma, who is President Foreign Finance Division of the Firestar International Pvt. Ltd. and Subhash Parab, Finance Executive.

Beside them, the agency officials would also continue to examine the executive level officials of Mehul Choksi’s Gitanjali Group. Earlier on Tuesday, the agency also arrested three employees of Nirav Modi and two of his uncle Mehul Choksi’s Gitanjali group.

Nirav Modi’s Firestar International firm’s President Vipul Ambani, its Senior Executive Arjun Patil, and Executive Assistant and authorised signatory of the diamond merchant’s three accused firms, Kavita Mankikar, were arrested after daylong questioning on Tuesday.

Chief Managing Officer (CFO) of Gitanjali group, Kapil Khandelwal, and its Manager Niten Shahi were also held.

The agency will now produce all six arrested since Tuesday before a court later in the day.

The arrests were made in two cases registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on February 14 and 15 against Nirav Modi and the Gitanjali group of firms respectively.

(IANS)

Kamal Haasan embarks formally on his political journey

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Chennai: Actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan on Wednesday formally began his political journey by first visiting former President late A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s residence in Rameswaram.

He will be unveiling his party’s name and the flag at a public rally later in the day in Madurai.

Kamal met the former President’s elder brother and other family members at the residence in Rameswaram, around 600 km from here. “Greatness can come from simple beginnings,” he said. “Actually it will come only from simplicity. Glad to start my journey from a great man’s simple abode,” the actor added in a tweet.

However his second halt at the government school in Mandapam where Kalam studied got cancelled as the district administration did not give permission, according to reports reaching here.

Speaking to a television channel a leader of a Hindu outfit said they had opposed Kamal’s visit to the school as he was trying to gain political mileage and nothing more. Later speaking to the fishing community in Rameswaram, Haasan said that it is one of the most important industry in Tamil Nadu. He would be back to listen to the suggestions made by the fisherfolks.

Several flags in white with Tamil Nadu map in black, sporting the tag line “Naalai Namadhe” meaning “Tomorrow is Ours” were seen flying in Rameswaram.

Bharatiya Janata Party’s Tamil Nadu unit leader Tamilisai Soundararajan told reporters that Kamal appeared to have “started a political party to compete against someone”.

She said while anyone can float a political party, Tamil Nadu is not in a situation where only Kamal can save it.

On the other hand Dalit party leader Thol. Thirumavalan told reporters that Kamal and Rajinikanth are agents of the BJP to affect DMK in Tamil Nadu.

(IANS)

Railways to propose to build Ayodhya railway station as Ram temple replica: Manoj Sinha

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Ayodhya: Union minister Manoj Sinha today said the Railways Ministry would submit a proposal to the Union Cabinet to re-construct the Ayodhya railway station as a replica of the Ram temple.

The minister of state for railways made the announcement after laying the foundation stone of projects worth more than Rs 200 crore, including Rs 80 crore for the reconstruction of the railway station. He said the proposal for the reconstruction of Ayodhya railway station as the replica of the Ram temple would be submitted by the Railways Ministry to the Union Cabinet.

“The government is concerned about connecting Ayodhya through rail to the entire country so that Ram Bhakts may visit the place,” he said. He said the railway station would have all state-of-the-art facilities.

Sinha said Rs 1,116 crore were being spent on the double track and electrification of Faizabad-Barabanki rail route and the work would be completed in 2022.
BJP MP Vinay Katiyar was also present at the event.

“The development of Ayodhya railway station was being discussed from the time of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. When its construction will be completed, then the construction of Ram temple will be started,” he said.

(PTI)

Rahul questions PM’s silence on PNB fraud in ‘Mann ki Baat’

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New Delhi: Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday again attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his silence on the multi-crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud and Rafale fighter jet deal, saying the country wants to hear about these issues in his ‘Mann Ki Baat’.

“Modiji, last month you ignored my suggestions for your ‘Mann Ki Baat’ monologue. Why ask for ideas when in your heart you know every Indian wants to hear you speak about Nirav Modi’s Rs 22,000 crore loot and scoot and the Rs 58,000 crore Rafale scam.

“I look forward to your sermon,” Gandhi said in a tweet attaching a picture of Modi’s tweet urging people to share ideas for his monthly radio programme ‘Mann ki Baat’.

On Tuesday too, Gandhi had attacked the Prime Minister during his election rally in Meghalaya. “I would like to request this Modi (the Prime Minister), on behalf of all of us, to bring back the other (Nirav) Modi when he goes on another of his many foreign trips.

“We will all be very grateful as a nation to get our hard-earned money back,” the Congress chief said.

Gandhi also drew a comparison between the Prime Minister and Nirav Modi.

“…Nirav Modi sold diamonds, which are the stuff he claims dreams are made of. In fact, one can say he sold dreams to many people, including the government which happily slept while (Nirav) Modi ran away with the public’s hard-earned money.

“A few years ago, another (Prime Minister) Modi also sold dreams to the people of India. Dreams of ‘achche din’, Rs 15 lakh in everyone’s bank account, two crore jobs, and so on,” the Congress leader said.

Nirav Modi fled the country just before the scam — in which he allegedly cheated the bank of over Rs 11,300 crore — came to light. The ruling BJP and the Congress have been trading charges over who detected and acted against the fraud.

(IANS)

Heera Foodex participates in Gulfood 2018 Exhibition

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Heera Foodex, a healthy food products manufacturing arm of Heera Group, is participating in the annual Gulfood Exhibition 2018 in UAE.

Heera Foodex features in United Arab Emirates’ 23rd edition of the international food exhibition “Gulfood 2018,” which opened on February 18 and will last until February 22.

The UAE’s Minister of Finance and Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashi Al Maktoum inaugurated the international food fair, “Gulfood 2018” on Sunday, February 18, in the Dubai World Trade Center, where 60 food industry companies and 180 countries are participating, including Morocco.

Dubai World Trade Center reserves 1 million square feet for Gulfood exhibitions.

In 2017, the food fair attracted 97,000. This year, 90.000 visitors are expected to attend, and 5,000 exhibitions are on display, including India’s Heera Foodex.

Gulfood is the world’s largest annual food and beverage exhibition taking place in Dubai, UAE, where suppliers from all around the world join to showcase and advertise the latest food trends in the food industry.

Gulfood seeks to develop business relationships and energize food industry trade in the Middle East, Gulf countries, southern Asia and Africa.

The food fair showcases meat and poultry, beverages, dairy, edible oils, pulses, grains, and cereals, and halal food as reported by Gulfood website.

“I have not come to divide votes”: Dr. Nowhera Shaik of All India Mahila Empowerment Party

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All India Mahila Empowerment Party (MEP) held a rally in RT Nagar here in Bengaluru, where the party’s Founder and President Dr. Nowhera Shaik countered the negative rumours spread against her and the party.

Addressing both the workers and the press, Dr. Nowhera Shaik said that some mischief mongers are spreading lies against her that she is helping BJP by contesting in the elections. Dr. Shaik said that she registered her political party in February 2014 even before Narendra Modi became the PM, so there is no question of her helping anyone.

She said the party is contesting elections to create an impact in people’s lives, and promised interest-free loans for taxi drivers and farmers of the state if they come to power.

Dr. Nowhera Shaik also praised Supreme Court’s decision over Cauvery waters, and said the court’s decision should be accepted.

Cabinet approves setting up tribunal to settle Mahanadi water dispute

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New Delhi: The Union Cabinet today approved the setting up of a tribunal to resolve the dispute between Odisha and Chhattisgarh on sharing Mahanadi river water, official sources said.

The decision by the Cabinet comes following the Supreme Court directive to the Centre last month to form the tribunal within a month to resolve the long-standing dispute. The Odisha government had moved the court in December 2016, seeking an order asking Chhattisgarh to stop its construction work in projects on the upstream of Mahanadi, saying it had affected the river flow in the state. It had also pitched for setting up of the tribunal.

The tribunal would determine water sharing among basin states on the basis of the overall availability of water in the complete Mahanadi basin, the contribution of each state, the present utilisation of water resource in each state and the potential for future development, official sources said.

As per provisions of the Inter-State River Water Disputes (ISRWD) Act, 1956, the tribunal is required to submit its report and decision within a period of three years, which can be extended for a period not exceeding two years due to “unavoidable reasons”.

(Agencies)

Mohammed Haris Nalapad sent to 2-days police custody

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Bengaluru: Bengaluru Court on sent the Youth Congress leader Mohammed Haris Nalapad, who was accused of assaulting a youth in Bengaluru, to two-day police custody on Monday. Nalapad had surrendered to the Cubbonpark police on Monday after absconding for 37 hours. Nalapad who is the son of Karnataka Congress MLA NA Haris, was expelled as the Bengaluru District Youth Congress General Secretary from Sunday for a period of six years after it was reported that he allegedly assaulted a person in a restaurant in Bengaluru.

The case will be heard again on February 21 by the 8th Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrates Court. Nalapad’s five associates who were also involved in the assault were arrested on Sunday. They are also sent to two days police custody.

Meanwhile, a fight broke out between Nalapad’s supporters and media personnel at the Cubbon Park police station on Monday.

The Cubbonpark police have registered an FIR against Nalapad under IPC sections 341 (wrongful restraint), 506 (criminal intimidation), 143 and 144 (unlawful assembly), 146 and 147 (rioting), 326 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons) and 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace).

(Agencies)

Philippines: HIV cases up 3,147 percent in 10 years

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Philippine Department of Health says 11,103 new HIV cases were reported in 2017, up 19.9 percent from 2016 [AP]

by Ted Regencia, Al Jazeera

New HIV cases continued to increase in the Philippines in 2017, with a 3,147 percent surge since 2007, according to an Al Jazeera analysis of the latest data published by the country’s health agency, bucking a downward trend worldwide.

In a February 2018 report, the Philippine Department of Health said 11,103 new cases were reported in 2017, up 19.85 percent from the 9,264 cases in 2016.

Compared with the 342 HIV infections reported in 2007, the 2017 figure is 3,147 percent higher.

READ MORE
Filipinos challenge stigma amid rising HIV cases
In contrast, new HIV cases reported worldwide had gone down, from 2.1 million in 2015 to 1.8 million in 2016, according to the latest figures provided by the World Health Organization and the UN AIDS Programme.

The latest report from the Philippines comes after President Rodrigo Duterte was recently quoted as saying that Filipinos should follow the government’s reproductive health programme, but avoid using condoms because “it is not satisfying.”

The health department said of the new cases in 2017, more than 95 percent involved male transmission. A total of 38 cases involved minors under 15 years old.

With a population of more than 100 million, the number of HIV cases in the Philippines remains low. But in terms of percentage increase, the UN said in August 2017 the country has the fastest growing HIV epidemic in the Asia-Pacific region in recent years.

Candy wrapper?

The UN report also said the Philippines has become one of eight countries that account “for more than 90 percent of new HIV infections” in the region.

For years, the use of condoms and other artificial birth control methods had been frowned upon in the majority Catholic country.

But that changed after the Philippines passed a reproductive health reform law in 2012.

Aside from abstinence and natural methods, the government then started to promote the use of condoms to encourage family planning and safe sex, and to reduce teenage pregnancy, which is also prevalent in the Philippines.

Commenting on the country’s swelling population, Duterte said last week that Filipinos are too carefree when it comes to reproduction, adding the country would be more manageable with a smaller population.

“I am not joking. Just follow the government programme [on reproductive health]. We have free pills but just avoid condoms, because it is not satisfying,” he said.

Duterte then compared using condoms to eating candies without removing plastic wrappers.

He also advised women “to get an injection good for six months, so there will be no limit in your libido”.

‘Thoughtless and irresponsible’
Ana Santos, a journalist and reproductive health advocate, said what Duterte said about condom use was “thoughtless and irresponsible.

“His comment on condoms tells us how little he knows about the HIV epidemic in the Philippines, and how condoms are a scientifically proven method to prevent its spread,” Santos told Al Jazeera.

She said the HIV epidemic “has been festering” because of “historically low condom use due to shame and stigma and a misconception that condoms are not pleasurable.

“This is a misconception Duterte just reinforced.”

Carlos Conde, a Human Rights Watch representative, said instead of criticising condoms, the president “should take meaningful action” such as expanding accessibility and their use nationwide.

“Policies restricting access to condoms are a threat to public health,” Conde said in a statement to Al Jazeera, citing the spread of HIV and the continued high maternal mortality rate.

In a statement posted on social media, Risa Hontiveros, an opposition senator, wrote: “It’s not satisfying if you use condoms? Try HIV-AIDS and teenage pregnancy.”

Meanwhile, Ronnievinn Pagtakhan, a top Filipino advocate of HIV-AIDS prevention, told Al Jazeera the increase of HIV cases continues to be “alarming.

“There is an epidemic,” he said, noting of the 100-120 people getting tested daily at a health centre he runs in Manila, between 8-10 percent test positive.

Pagtakhan also pointed out the increase in the number of new cases could be attributed to more awareness about HIV among the population.

While sex is “a very personal matter”, it is necessary that Filipinos must be well-informed about their options and consequences of their behaviour, he said.

“In view of the explosive growth in the number of HIV infections in the Philippines, we need more conversations rather than quick judgement and hate.”

‘Each year, 6 lakh newborns die within 28 days of birth in India’

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New Delhi: A quarter of global neonatal deaths happen in India where nearly 600,000 newborns die within 28 days of their birth every year, according to a new Unicef study.

The study, which found the number of newborn deaths in India was one of the highest in the world, says the causes of such deaths are preventable and treatable as 80 per cent of these fatalities happen for no serious reason.

On a brighter side, the study says, India has remarkably reduced the under-five mortality.

“Though infant mortality in the country has declined considerably, the number of newborns dying each year remains unacceptably high. India, with nearly 600,000 newborn deaths each year, accounts for a quarter of the global burden of neonatal deaths,” said Unicef in its global report on neonatal mortality “Every Child Alive” released on early Tuesday.

Of the 184 countries, which the report covers, India’s 31 rank with 25.4 neonatal mortality rate (per 1,000 live births) kept the world’s seventh largest economy below 153 countries who have better survival rates for their newborns.

A year earlier, India was the 28th worst country among 184 nations in terms of neonatal mortality.

The first 28 days of life – the neonatal period – are the most vulnerable time for a child’s survival. Children face the highest risk of dying in their first month of life, at a global rate of 19 deaths per 1,000 live births.

Globally, 2.6 million children died in the first month of life in 2016 most of which occurred in the first week, with about one million dying on the first day and close to one million dying within the next six days, as per the Unicef.

“Among those children, more than 80 per cent died from preventable and treatable causes such as premature birth, complications during delivery, and infections like sepsis and pneumonia,” says the UN children’s agency.

Affordable and quality healthcare solutions should be there for every mother and newborn. It includes steady supply of clean water and electricity at health facilities, presence of a skilled health attendant during birth, disinfecting the umbilical cord, breastfeeding within the first hour after birth and skin-to-skin contact between the mother and child, it said.

“India is currently off-track to meet the SDG (Sustainable Development Goal) target for neonatal mortality of 12 by 2030,” said the report. However, the country has made impressive progress in reduction of under-five mortality and with the current rate of decline “is on track to meet the SDG target for the under-five mortality of 25 per 1000 live births by 2030.”

India registered a reduction of 66 per cent in under-five deaths during 1990 to 2015, nearly meeting its Millennium Development Goal (MDG) target. In comparison, the decline in under-five mortality for the world was 55 per cent.

The recent progress is even better, with 120,000 fewer deaths in 2016 as compared to 2015. The number of annual under-five deaths in India has gone below one million for the first time in 2016, said the agency.

On the policy front, introduction of conditional cash transfers, provision of free transport services – 102 and 108 – and making free healthcare an entitlement for every women and infant have led to doubling of institutional deliveries from 39 per cent in 2005 to 79 per cent in 2016.

However, the progress has been inequitable for girls, with under-five mortality rate for girls being at 41 per 1,000 as against 37 per 1000 for boys. India is the only big country in the world to have a higher mortality for girls as compared to boys, it said and added girls are biologically stronger but socially vulnerable in India.

(IANS)

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