After Facebook and Twitter, Google has cracked down on malicious cryptocurrency mining extensions on its Chrome platform.

Until now, Google Chrome’s web policy permitted cryptocurrency mining in extensions as long as it is the extension’s single purpose and the user is adequately informed about the mining behaviour.

“Unfortunately, approximately 90 per cent of all extensions with mining scripts that developers have attempted to upload to Chrome Web Store have failed to comply with these policies, and have been either rejected or removed from the store,” James Wagner, Extensions Platform Product Manager, said in a blog post late Monday.

“Starting today, Chrome Web Store will no longer accept extensions that mine cryptocurrency,” he added.

Existing extensions that mine cryptocurrency will be delisted from the Chrome Web Store in late June.

Extensions with blockchain-related purposes other than mining will continue to be permitted in the Web Store, Google said.

Over the past few months, there has been a rise in malicious extensions that appear to provide useful functionality on the surface, while embedding hidden cryptocurrency mining scripts that run in the background without the user’s consent.

These mining scripts often consume significant CPU resources, and can severely impact system performance and power consumption.

“This policy is another step forward in ensuring that Chrome users can enjoy the benefits of extensions without exposing themselves to hidden risks,” Wagner said.

Late last month, Twitter confirmed to block cryptocurrency-related ads on the platform.

In January, social media giant Facebook banned all ads promoting cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin and ICOs.

n yet another act to curb terrorism, the US State Department has amended the “designation” of Pakistan-based terrorist organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba to include its aliases so that the entire network falls within the ambit of American sanctions.

A press release from the US State Department said, “The Department of State has amended the designation of Pakistan-based terrorist organization Lashkar e-Tayyiba (LeT) to include the aliases Milli Muslim League (MML) and Tehreek-e- Azadi-e Kashmir (TAJK). The aliases have been added to LeT’s designations as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) under Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, and as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) under Executive Order 13224.”

The modus operandi of these terror organisations is to change their names every time an organisation is put under international sanction. LeT, is an organisation that operates from Pakistan and directs its attacks against India. Its chief Hafiz Saeed, a globally designated terrorist, is yet to be brought to book by Pakistan.

According to the press release, apart from amending the list, seven other individuals have also been “designated” terrorists. “Concurrently with today’s State Department actions, the US Department of the Treasury designated seven members of the MML central leadership body for acting for on behalf of LeT: Saifullah Khalid, Muzammil Iqbal Hashimi, Muhammad Harris Dar, Tabish Qayyuum, Fayyaz Ahmad, Faisal Nadeem, and Muhammad Ehsan”, the statement said.

Terrorism designations “expose” and “isolate” organisations and individuals, and “deny” them access to the US financial system. Moreover, designations can assist the law enforcement activities of US agencies and other governments.

Efforts are made to improve the counter-terrorism cooperation between India and the US wherein these designations “seek to deny LeT the resources it needs to plan and carry out further terrorist attacks.”

According to the statement, “Among other consequences of the designations, LeT’s property and interests in property subject to the US jurisdiction are blocked, and US persons are generally prohibited from engaging in any transactions with the group.”

Hafiz Saeed has changed the name of his organisation from LeT to a so-called ‘philanthropic’ organisation Jammat-ud-Dawaa till it was banned and they had to come up with another name called Falah-e-Insaniat. According to US findings, to avoid sanctions, LeT has repeatedly changed its name over the years. In January 2017, LeT began operating under the name Tehreek-e-Azadi-e-Kashmir. LeT has engaged in terrorist activities under this name, including inciting terrorism, as well as recruiting and fundraising.

In August 2017, LeT chief Hafiz Saeed created the MML to serve as a political front for the group. LeT members make up MML’s leadership and the so-called party openly displays Saeed’s likeness in its election banners and literature.

Explaining the reasons for constant updating of the listing, Ambassador Nathan A. Sales, the Coordinator for Counter-terrorism at the Department of State, noted that it has to be done so that these organisations do not “circumvent” the sanctions and “deceive” the public.

“Today’s amendments take aim at Lashkar e-Taiba’s efforts to circumvent sanctions and deceive the public about its true character. Make no mistake: whatever LeT chooses to call itself, it remains a violent terrorist group. The United States supports all efforts to ensure that LeT does not have a political voice until it gives up violence as a tool of influence”, he said.

Formed in the 1980s, LeT was responsible for the November 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India that killed 166 people, including six Americans, and has killed dozens of Indian security forces and civilians in recent years. LeT continues to operate freely within Pakistan, holding public rallies, raising funds, and plotting and training for terrorist attacks.

Determining the fact that the future of Agricultural Sector depends on technological advancements
PAAMA Agrico, India’s fastest growing, agricultural equipment Research & Development organization partners with one of the most prestigious educational institutions, RVCE (RV College of Engineering, Bengaluru) for its Research & Development Collaboration. This association intends to address inherent agricultural industry challenges with advancements made through research, innovation and technological development.

Elucidating the trend of how the World’s economic superpowers are driven by their manufacturing capabilities and emulating this in the Indian landscape, Mr. Srinivas P Kamisetty, Founder, PAAMA Agrico says, “50% of India’s population is rural, and continues to be subject to uncertainties related to agriculture. The genesis of cost-effective, durable, easy-to-use agricultural equipments that are in compliance with natural climatic changes; will be a cog in the wheel, determining the growth of the economy and consequently improve the nation’s status.” He further explains that, “RVCE has state-of-art Research & Development Centre that fosters several patented initiatives. Moreover being an Alumnus, who was actively engaged in such efforts, this choice comes to me quite naturally.”
Dr. K N Subramanya, Principal, RVCE says, “We are happy to associate with PAAMA Agrico’s Research & Development initiatives and collaborate with them on technological developments.”
Academic-industry partnerships have gained momentum in burgeoning landscape of agriculture; as a result of economic pressure, growing business complexity and ability of academic institutions to provide interdisciplinary viewpoint. In turn facilitating a new pathway in the manner people work, exchange information and conduct research in this industry.
Dr. Sridhar R & Prof. Gangadhar Angadi, faculty Department of Mechanical Engineering, RVCE, believe that “It has been witnessed that students working in manufacturing industry express higher level of job satisfaction as opposed to services industry; hence we consider the exposure to manufacturing industry as a quintessential and expresses gratitude to PAAMA Agrico, for enabling us with this engagement.”
Academic-industry Research & Development partnerships have been cited as the norm in the business environment that is subject to scientific discoveries and technological breakthroughs owing to the recompenses that it has to offer. Founded on the philosophy of engineering progress by taking mechanization to a whole new level, PAAMA Agrico’s believes that its intensive efforts in the R&D space marks its key market differentiator.
About PAAMA Agrico:
PAAMA Agrico is India’s favourite, agricultural equipment research and development organization; founded in the year 2015 with the objective of revolutionizing traditional and time intensive farming processes with sustainable technology.
PAAMA’s research centric approach, cutting edge product features, direct communication & distribution touch-points with farmers, after sales services, dynamic leadership that bring in both global and local exposure and ability to provide invincible quality & pricing has earned it the status of being best-in-class among the Rotavators and Cultivator industry.
A make in India brand, PAAMA has its state-of-art manufacturing facility is spread over 20,000 sq feet of Factory Space on a 100,000 sft plot of land in Doddaballapur Industrial Area, Bengaluru of Karnataka. For further information please visit www.paama.in

A fire destroyed at least six godowns, where oil and tyres were stored, at a village here in the wee hours today, an official said.

No casualty or injury was reported in the mishap, he said. The fire broke out around 12.15 am in one of the godowns and spread rapidly to the other warehouses in the vicinity in Gundavali village, an official at the fire control room in Bhiwandi taluka said.

Several oil drums and rubber tyres of various companies kept in the godowns aggravated the blaze, he said. Six fire engines from Bhiwandi, Thane, Kalyan and Navi Mumbai managed to bring the flames under control after hectic efforts for about six hours, he said, adding that the cooling operation was underway.

The cause of the fire was yet to be ascertained, the official said.

As many as 20 flights to and from Bengaluru were diverted after an Indigo aircraft suffered a tyre-burst while landing at Hyderabad airport on Wednesday night.
Operations at Hyderabad Airport were affected between 10:28pm on Wednesday and 2:22am on Thursday.
Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) officials said that ten flights were diverted from Hyderabad to Bengaluru. Four other Hyderabad-bound flights returned to Bengaluru.

The cascading effect led to delays in several flights. BIAL officials said four flights from Bengaluru were diverted to Chennai and one each to Mumbai and Coimbatore.
Sources say operations at Bengaluru airport were affected due to additional traffic.

One common reason for Tyre burst during take off or landing, is the presence of pieces of debris fallen on runway from the immediate previous flight.

Several flights from Hyderabad airport were diverted to nearby airports like Bengaluru and Chennai since the Indigo aircraft was stranded on the runway forcing Rajiv Gandhi International Airport authorities to suspend operations.
The Indigo 7117 carrying 77 passengers took off from Tirupati Airport around 8.55 pm and landed at Hyderabad airport at around 10:25 pm on Wednesday. One of the tyres burst during landing, however, airline officials, clarified that all 73 passengers including an infant were evacuated safely.

(Ians)

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.”

Mamata Banerjee in Delhi LIVE Updates: The West Bengal chief minister has also expressed her willingness to have a tete-a-tete with SP chief Akhilesh Yadav and BSP supremo Mayawati if the leaders invite her for a meeting to Lucknow.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who is camping in Delhi and trying to mobilise like-minded parties to form an anti-BJP federal front, has a host of meetings lined up for Wednesday. On a three-day trip to the national capital, the TMC supremo met BJP’s Shatrughan Sinha and Yashwant Sinha and former Union minister Arun Shourie. All the three leaders have been vocal critics of the NDA regime. The all-important meeting with her Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal is scheduled to take place at 6 pm. “Banerjee is interested in having a conversation with Arvind (Kejriwal) about a number of issues, including his participation in a possible federal front… She is also interested in asking about his politics of apology and also the recent HC judgment on the EC disqualification of 20 AAP MLAs,” a source told Indian Express.
Banerjee, who met NCP chief Sharad Pawar, SP’s Ram Gopal Yadav and DMK’s Kanimozhi among others on Tuesday, has also expressed her willingness to have a tete-a-tete with SP chief Akhilesh Yadav and BSP supremo Mayawati if the leaders invite her for a meeting to Lucknow. Not one to hold back in attacking the saffron party, Banerjee on Tuesday said, “There’s no party in the country that’s more communal than the BJP.” She also castigated the ruling party over other issues like not taking up the no-confidence motion and on the Karnataka poll date leak fiasco.

The robberies carried out by this gang is not less than any Hollywood movie story. A man, who failed in grade eight, watched Hollywood movies having robbery in their storyline, built a gang and looted jewellery shops for more than eight years. He also used procured bullet proof jackets from China and Maharashtra for the safety of self and his gang members. At last, the gang is arrested by the Bengaluru police.

This gang fell into the dragnet of the police who were trying to unearth the dacoity that took place on February 19, 2018 at Chemmannur Jewellers which is situated at Rajajinagar first block. Police of Subramanya and Mahalakshmi Lay Out police stations have arrested four person including two sons of an astrologer.

The arrested culprits are Samrat Shiv (30) and Shankar (26), residents of Kothanur and sons of an astrologer, Nivesh Kumar (26) and Jagadish (34), a resident of Sangli in Maharashtra. With the arrest of these four people, Karnataka police have unearthed jewellery dacoity cases that were a challenge to them since eight long years.

The accused have looted around eight kilograms of gold so far. Police have recovered one kilo of gold, which is valued at Rs 45 lac from the arrested persons.

The saga started in 2011

Brothers and sons of an astrologer, Shiv, who failed in grade eight and Shankar, who is a Bcom graduate, looted Santosh Jewellers of Ramamurthynagar in 2011 as their first act of robbery. Subsequently, they continued their looting spree and burgled eight kilograms of gold from the Peenya and Subramanyanagar showrooms of Chemmannur Jewellers.

On July 1, 2017, they stabbed the security guard, snatched his rifle and looted 600 grams of golden ornaments from the Chemmannur Jewellers showroom at Chikballapur and made good their escape.

Inspiration from Hollywood movies

The preparation made by the gang for looting the jewellery showrooms and the expertise shown by the police to catch them is not less than any Hollywood thriller. Shivu, who was a grade eight dropout, suddenly thought of making money bigtime and dacoity was the only way that came to his mind at that time. He built a high-tech gang for this purpose. He continuously watched Hollywood movies having stories of robbery and dacoity and continued his act unabated for six years.

This gang looted eight kilograms of gold in 2011-12 in three different robberies. They had a lavish lifestyle and enjoyed to the core. Only when they ran out of money of that loot, they got down to dacoity once again in 2017 and accordingly attempted to rob Chemmannur Jewellery on February 19, 2018.

Three Bengalureans in the gang

Except for Jagadish, who is from Sangli, all others of the four-member gang are natives of Bengaluru. Jagadish was dealing in gold and silver in Chennai. Samrat Shiv used to go to Sri Lanka in order to sell the looted gold. He got in touch with Jagadish during one of the visits to Sri Lanka. He joined Shiv’s gang assuring of getting the looted gold sold in Chennai itself.

Nivesh Kumar was a facility manager with HP Inc company at Whitefield. He got fascinated by the methodology used by the brothers in looting the jewellery shops and joined the gang after resigning from his job.

Bulletproof jacket from China

Brothers Shiv and Shankar, who carried out dacoity continuously for three years, took a break of four years. However, they did not stop studying about methods and techniques employed in dacoity. They also collected information about the technology and equipment used in high-tech dacoity.

They learnt about replacing their techniques, which they used till 2012 in conducting dacoity. They learnt about using petrol bomb in place of pepper spray, country rifle in place of the iron rod and using bulletproof jacket instead of a leather jerkin. They also learnt to manufacture petrol bombs from the internet.

The gang procured country-made guns from Uttar Pradesh. They bought local bulletproof jackets that are manufactured in Maharashtra. Shankar went to China to buy bulletproof jackets. He had booked three bulletproof jackets saying that he is starting a security guard agency. The jackets reached them by courier.

Shankar wanted to be an IAS officer

Shankar, brother of Shiv dreamt of becoming an IAS officer. He had joined a reputed institute for coaching in order to write the UPSC examination. Shiv used to finance him for his studies. Once there was a skirmish between the brothers during which Shankar told Shiv that he will not cooperate in dacoity. This made Shiv take Jagadish and Nivesh in his gang

Sketch for robbery

Samrat Shiv alone used to make a study of the surroundings of the jewellery shop. He used to concentrate more on the escape routes during his study of the location. On the day of the dacoity, the gang used to park their car nearly two to three kilometers away from the showroom, where the CCTV surveillance is not there.

Then the accused used to wear helmet, jacket and gloves and approach the showroom in bikes stolen from other states. They used to park their bikes nearly 300 meters away from the showroom. The gang used to walk to the showroom and attack the security guards suddenly and loot as much gold as possible by hands. If anyone used to chase them, they threw petrol bombs on them.

As the public used to run due to the smoke and sound generated by the petrol bomb, the gang used to sit on bikes and reach the destination where they have parked their car and made good their escape.

Luxurious lifestyle

Samrat Shiv had the craze of living an extravagant lifestyle. He had bought Toyota Fortuner and Hyundai I 20 cars. He had opened a real estate business in the name of RS at Yelahanka. However, as the business did not yield intended returns, he decided to get back to dacoity.

Father of duo brothers involved?

Krishnappa, father of brothers Shiv and Shankar was an astrolger. He used to go to Sri Lanka also for his astrology related work. So the brothers got to know Sri Lanka right from their childhood. They used to wear permitted weight of gold on their body and used to sell the gold in Sri Lanka. Police are investigating whether the father is involved in the act of his sons.

Police have recovered more than 500 movies of different languages which were based on stories of dacoity and robbery from the pen drive and laptops of the accused. The accused used to learn how to carry out the act and also escape from the security guarding the place.

Used to carry currency in Dollars

Samrat Shiv used to convert the currency into Dollars after selling the gold and thereby escaped the eagle eyes of the customs officials.

Once he was caught in Chennai airport for possessing Rs 20 lac in cash, which he got after selling the gold. He paid Rs 10 lac bribe to the custom officials and made good his escape.

Police team rewarded

Four teams were formed under the leadership of inspectors Mahendra Kumar and Jayanna Reddy. These teams made several plans and used numerous techniques and arrested the culprits near Devanahalli railway track. Police commissioner Sunil Kumar has declared reward for these teams.

A car drives past a building of the Polish embassy in Moscow [Maxim Shemetov/Reuters]

by Mariya Petkova,Al Jazeera

Poland, Latvia and Lithuania have recalled their ambassadors from Moscow, Russian news agency RIA Novosti reported, citing “unknown reasons” for the move.

More than 10 European Union countries – including Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Ireland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Estonia, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic and Denmark – are also expected to expel Russian diplomats this week in show of support for the UK in its diplomatic dispute with Russia over a spy poisoning case.

The decision was made last Friday during a meeting of EU leaders.

Also on Friday, Bloomberg reported that US President Donald Trump’s aides are also urging him to expel Russian diplomats in solidarity with the UK.

Brussels already recalled, Markus Ederer, head of the European Union Delegation in Russia, for consultations. The move came days after London expelled 23 Russian diplomats and Moscow responded with the same measure.

Dmitry Peskov, press secretary of the Russian presidency, told Russian media that Russia has not received any official notification from the US regarding expulsion of Russian diplomats and that Moscow is ready to respond in kind.

“Of course, in any such case [of expulsions], it is clear that the principal of reciprocity will be employed,” he said.

Tensions in UK-Russian relations escalated after UK Prime Minister Theresa May accused Russia of poisoning former double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia with a nerve agent.

On March 4, Skripal and his daughter were found unconscious on a bench near a shopping centre in the town of Salisbury, 120km southwest of London. They are both still in a critical condition at Salisbury Discrict Hospital.

Skripal is a former Russian military intelligence officer accused of spying for the UK. He was imprisoned in 2006 and later exchanged for Russian citizens accused of espionage in the US.

Russian state media denials
On the eve of the latest expulsions of Russian diplomats, Russian state media dedicated much time to appearances of officials and coverage of the Skripal case, claiming that Russia has been falsely accused of poisoning Skripal.

“What Britain is doing right now is black PR on an international scale,” said foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zaharova on state TV channel Rossiya 1.

She said that Britain is rushing in its investigation and sending “illiterate” responses to inquiries of the Russian embassy in London.

She also questioned the validity of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons investigation. Representatives of the OPCW collected samples on March 19 and their results are expected to be released in a week.

Earlier the same day, Peskov told Russian state channel NTV that the Britain’s behaviour “is bordering on banditry in international relations. What is behind this? Either internal problems in Britain or problems between Britain and its allies, or something else.”

Meanwhile, state TV channel Rossiya 24 aired an extensive report on the Skripal case claiming that May is “lying” because nerve gas agent “Novichok” does not exist.

The same day, a popular on Rossiya 1 late-night talk show with Vladimir Solovyev, a media personality thought to be close to Russian President Vladimir Putin, featured an interview with a Russia chemical weapons specialist who alleged that the US has also developed a substance like the one believed to have poisoned Skripal and his daughter.

According to Mark Galeotti, senior research fellow at the Institute of International Relations in Prague, the targeting of Skripal was meant to send a signal to the West.

“Presumably, if they decided to target Skripal […], they had two options – one, do it subtly, and two, do it demonstratively and they clearly made a choice,” Galeotti told Al Jazeera.

In his opinion, Russia will continue to employ similar provocative tactics with the West.

“[These tactics] keep Russia bubbling up in the news and in the attention of the West,” he said.

“Putin’s aim is to force the West into recognising Russia as a big power.”