Germany spied on Turkey

17082014

Germany’s foreign intelligence agency eavesdropped at least one telephone conversation of US Secretary of State John Kerry and spied on NATO ally Turkey since 2009, Der Spiegel newspaper revealed on Saturday.

Germany’s Federal Intelligence Service (BND) picked up the phone call “by accident” in 2013, the weekly newspaper reported in a pre-publication citing unnamed sources. Kerry was discussing the Middle East tensions between Israelis, Palestinians and Arab states in a satellite link, according to Der Spiegel.

The new revelation comes after German media – Daily newspaper Sueddeutsche Zeitung (SZ) and regional public broadcasters NDR and WDR – reported on Friday that BND intercepted at least one phone call made by former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. The date of the call was not given and the media said that it was also picked up“by accident”.

The German media retrieved the information of the hacking from documents that were passed to the CIA by one of its moles inside the BND.

On Saturday Der Spiegel reported that Clinton’s call recorded was intercepted in 2012. Clinton was in talks with former UN chief Kofi Annan, who had just returned from negotiations in Syria and wanted to brief the former Secretary of State.

The NDR added on Friday that Clinton wasn’t the only one spied on as “apparently, phone calls by US politicians and from other friendly nations have been repeatedly recorded and submitted to the respective BND President as instructed”.

“The fact that the recording wasn’t deleted immediately was called ‘idiocy’ by a member of the government in Berlin,” NDR reported.

Edit : Edit
Comments : Leave a Comment »

Categories : Uncategorized

Assam flood situation turns grim

17082014

Rain havoc in Assam, 37 revenue circles of 14 districts have been inundated in flood waters. Official sources in Guwahati said that 3 lakh 70 thousand people of around 800 villages are reeling under the fury of flood. The Brahmaputra is flowing above the danger level in Dibrugarh, Jorhat and Tezpur. Plying of boat and ferry services on Brahmaputra in Guwahati has temporarily suspended.>

Edit : Edit
Comments : Leave a Comment »

Categories : CSR, Environment

VP, PM greets Happy Janmashtami;

17082014

Vice President Greets Citizens on Janmashtami;

The Vice President of India Shri M. Hamid Ansari has conveyed his warm greetings and good wishes to the citizens of our country on the joyous occasion of Janmashtami, marking the birthday of Lord Krishna. In his message, he has said that Lord Krishna’s message of performing our duties with sincerity and devotion, without attachment to the results of our actions, remains a pertinent principle for salvation of humanity.

Following is the text of the Vice President’s message :

“I convey my warm greetings and good wishes to the citizens of our country on the joyous occasion of Janmashtami, marking the birthday of Lord Krishna.

Lord Krishna’s message of performing our duties with sincerity and devotion, without attachment to the results of our actions, remains a pertinent principle for salvation of humanity.

On this auspicious day, let us resolve to rededicate ourselves to the teachings of Lord Krishna in order to build a peaceful, enlightened and just society.”

PM greets the people on Janmashtami
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, has greeted the people on the auspicious occasion of Janmashtami.
“Greetings on Janmashtami! May Lord Krishna bless our lives with peace, prosperity and happiness,” the Prime Minister said.

Edit : Edit
Comments : Leave a Comment »

Categories : Uncategorized

BJP President Amit inducts Virender

17082014

Edit : Edit
Comments : Leave a Comment »

Categories : Media, Politics, Uncategorized

Reserve the Rivers, Reverse the Sewers- An opinion

17082014

A dialogue began on exploitation of faith

New Delhi,

A demonstration was organized on 30^th July 2014 to protest against the Government for utilizing the pollution issue of the river Ganga just to secure the vote bank. The dharna under the aegis of Dr. R. C. Sharma Memorial Research & Welfare Institute, the pioneer of Yamuna MuktiAandolan, simultaneously was also against the negative report submitted by the experts to Lieughtenant Governor, Delhi Nazib Jung on Sabarmati model likely to be adopted for Yamuna at the instructions of the prime minister. said the founder president Dr. S. C. Sharma.

Dr. Sharma criticized that Yamuna in Delhi has imposed serious questions towards the pollution therefore prime minister has also shifted hisattention from Yamuna and focussed on Ganga to eulogize the masses of the nation. As a matter of fact, pollution challenges in Ganga are of more complex in nature than Yamuna. And it happened so particularly after the formation of Uttarakhand in Himalayan region. Now the people in the mountains hardly visit the forest for toilets. Most of them have become modernized and flush toilets are used in abundance right from China border upto Devprayag, the beginingsource of holy river Ganga. As a result confluence of Mandakini and Alaknanda turns into a sewage canal from Devprayag itself. Ofcourse, it is the unpolluted water of Bhagirathi that dilutes the pollution of Alaknanda and Mandakini. And thus the devotees consume the Ganga nector at Rishikesh and Hardwar.

Dr. Sharma raised the question that pollution in Himalayan region neither invited the attention of state government nor the central to find a solution for existing problems but in newspapers and television time to time both Ganga and Yamuna are declared pollution free.

Dr. Sharma said that Yamuna pollution has rapidly become a national issue in order that not even a single river of the nation can be differentiated from the fidgeting condition of the river Yamuna. It has been the reason that on 8th June 2014 at the occasion of Ganga Dussehra a nationwide compaign ‘NadiyaanChhoro Sewer Joro’ began at VishramGhat in Mathura. The slogan carried a message that the population settled around the rivers of our nation considers the river water as pious and pure as Ganga and Yamuna are. Hence the degree of the people’s faith extended towards the river of the region gives them equal religious importance like Ganga and Yamuna. Notwithstanding equal religious importance of the rivers if Ganga and Yamuna are given priority, it shows the politics of vote bank only.

Dr. Sharma told the reporters that all the chief ministers of the different states have been intimated after launching of the campaign but except two or three states no response could be received on the issue by the caretaker of the states.

Dr. Sharma expressed his agony that Yamuna had been a subject of priority for national capital since 1911 but no mega project parallel to metro or commonwealth materialized to revive the grandeur past of the river. Even during the commonwealth games in 2011 a budget estimate of 800 crores of rupees was allotted for cleaning Yamuna in Delhi. And with this allocation of the budget all 18 highly contaminated drains of Delhi were likely to be taped from falling into Yamuna. But what to say of the corruption the budget for Commonwealth Games multiplied seven times (from 11,500 crores to 77,000 crores of rupees) but Yamuna could not claim even 8 rupees out of 800 crores of allotted budget for cleaning.

Dr. Sharma criticized the Government’s plan to connect the rivers without finding a solution for the sewers opened into the rivers. He emphasized that a long ago when the idea to inter connect the rivers was coined, they were not as much contaminated as they are at present. But now the situation has worsened and the capacity of fresh water available in the rivers has been reduced in comparison to waste water to be diluted. In this situation if sewers are not reversed from the rivers all the rivers will turn into sewers a day or so. And a day may come when entire population of the nation may be wiped out just merely by consuming poisoned air, water and the food.

For example the holy river in Mathura supposed to be one of the prime queens of Lord Krishna contains no fresh water from Yamunotri. The water in Yamuna between Delhi to Mathura is provided through 18 highly contaminated drains which may cause cancer if touched by hand. Then what to say of the Ministry of Health which has not yet issued any direction prohibiting Yamuna water being consumes by the devotees visiting Mathura for pilgrimage.Thus third Yamuna begins from Okhla whereas the first one ends at Tajewala 172 kms from Yamunotri followed by the second one at Wazirabad (496 kms) in Delhi.

Dr. Sharma in brief has requested the Government to reserve the rivers as they are and reverse the sewers by diverting them for agricultural usages,power generation and waste water applications. Thus aprosperous India may emerge even under adverse circumstances. And it needs a national policy to control the natural resources and human population as well.

Edit : Edit
Comments : Leave a Comment »

Categories : CSR, culture, Education

Hamas rejects offers made in Cairo

17082014

Hamas has rejected offers made to Palestinian negotiators in Cairo seeking to end Israel’s offensive in the Gaza Strip and raised the possibility of renewed fighting when the current truce expires. Israel said it had also not yet accepted any proposals made in the Egyptian mediated talks but would continue attending them today. The current ceasefire is due to end on Monday night.

Gaza’s dominant Islamist group, Hamas wants an Israeli-Egyptian blockade on the coastal enclave lifted, as well as the establishment of a seaport and airport, as part of any enduring cessation of hostilities with Israel. The Israelis want Gaza to be disarmed under any long-term deal which Hamas rules out.

Edit : Edit
Comments : Leave a Comment »

Categories : world News

US airstrikes on ISIS part of operation to retake Mosul dam

17082014

 Kurdish Peshmerga forces backed by US air strikes have launched assault to retake the strategic Mosul dam from the Islamic State militants. Kurdish Major General Abdelrahman Korini said they have seized control of the eastern side of the dam complex and several jihadists have been killed.

Meanwhile, US air strikes close to the dam have killed 11 IS militants and injured six . Jihadist militants seized control of Iraq’s largest dam north of their hub of Mosul earlier this month from Peshmerga forces.The dam on the Tigris provides electricity to large parts of northern Iraq and is crucial for irrigation in vast farming areas in Nineveh province. Control of the dam could give the jihadist militants the ability to flood major cities. The recapture of Mosul dam would be one of the most significant achievements in a fight back that is also getting international support.

Germany’s foreign minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier met top Iraqi leaders in Baghdad and the Kurdish leaders in Erbil. He said in Baghdad that Germany will provide humanitarian aid worth 24 million dollar for the displaced persons in northern Iraq. The visit comes a day after the European Union decided to step up humanitarian and arms aid for the Kurdish troops fighting against the jihadist militants. Canada is sending two cargo planes to move military supplies into northern Iraq as part of the international effort to bolster Kurdish forces against Islamic militants. US and France are already sending weapons, while Britain has indicated it is also prepared to help arm the Kurdish forces fighting jihadist militants from the Islamic State.

Edit : Edit
Comments : Leave a Comment »

Categories : Uncategorized

INVITATION – DISCUSSION SERIES AT IHC

17082014

From: Mahesh Gaur <maheshgaur@gmail.com>

To: Geetam Tiwari <geetamt@gmail.com>

You may be aware that in collaboration with India Habitat Centre, TRIPP, IIT Delhi is organising Transport Discussion Series in the last week of every month since May 2014.  In continuation of these series of discussions, you are invited for the next workshop as per following:

Title:  Safety, Sustainability and Future Urban Transport

Day & Date: Friday, 29th August 2014

Time: 7:00pm to 9:00pm

Place:  Gulmohar Hall, India Habitat Centre

There will be a panel discussion and launch of the book on “Safety, Sustainability & Future Urban Transport” Edited by Dinesh Mohan followed by Reception.

We would be obliged if you make it convenient and join the reception after the event.

We take this liberty to request you for forwarding the invitation to the interested/concerned professional/person you may think fit.

Attached herewith the e-invitation containing the details of the workshop for your advance information.

Looking forward your active participation.

Best regards,

​Geetam Tiwari

Coordinator, TRIPP​

Edit : Edit
Comments : Leave a comment

Categories : CSR, culture, Education, Transport

Pak forces violate ceasefire again in Jammu district

17082014

Pakistan forces have again violated the ceasefire by targeting BSF Border Outposts along International Border in Jammu district late last night. Sources said that 12 Chenab Rangers of Pakistan stationed across International Border, started unprovoked firing on Pittal Post Border Outpost (BoP) at around 2:45 A.M. in Arnia sub sector in RS Pura Sector in Jammu.

Later around 3 A.M., the Pakistan Rangers again started firing on Tent Guard Border Outpost (BoP) which lasted till 5:30 this morning. The Pakistani forces also resorted to heavy shelling while targeting Abdullian, Kutala-Khurd and Tubewell-5 posts with small and large weapons, which triggered befitting retaliation from the Indian forces with equal caliber weapons. No loss of life, injury or damage to any property on Indian side has been reported till last reports came in. Details are awaited.

Four persons, two civilians and two BSF personnel were injured in Pakistani firing in Arnia sub sector in Jammu district on the 11th of this month.

Edit : Edit
Comments : Leave a comment

Categories : world News

India, Singapore identify five areas for deepening co-operation

17082014

India and Singapore have identified five areas for deepening co-operation and underscored the need for second review of their comprehensive economic cooperation agreement signed in 2005 to boost bilateral ties. The areas for expending cooperation are trade and investment, connectivity, smart cities with focus on urban development and water management, skill development and economic ties with Indian states. A joint statement issued in Singapore after the talks the External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had with Foreign Minister K Shanmugam hoped that negotiations between the two countries for the second review of their comprehensive economic cooperation agreement would be completed expeditiously to send a positive signal to business community. The two ministers jointly inaugurated the Year of India in Singapore to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations. Speaking on the occasion Mrs.Swaraj said the year-long celebrations would be used as an opportunity to find and develop new areas to deepen their engagement. She said the occasion will also be used to advance economic, defence and security cooperation and people to people contacts. She said it will be mutually beneficial to launch direct air connectivity between Singapore and the North East in India, particularly, Guwahati.

The two ministers also reviewed the outcome of the 47th ASEAN Ministerial and Related Meetings held in Myanmar, as well as matters related to the upcoming series of major multilateral meetings, such as the Asia-Europe Meeting, East Asia Summit and G-20 Summit. The Ministers also reaffirmed the importance of the growing and wide-ranging cooperation between ASEAN and India. They looked forward to the signing of the Services and Investment Chapters of the ASEAN-India Free Trade Agreement by the end of this year, a step which would bring ASEAN and India closer to achieving its goal of 100 billion dollars worth of ASEAN-India trade by 2015, the statement said.

Edit : Edit
Comments : Leave a comment

Categories : Uncategorized

Session on “The Companies Act 2013: A Reality Now! ‏”

17082014

Thursday, 28 August 2014; 1345-1830 hrs: IHC, New Delhi
The recently enacted Companies Act, 2013 (‘the Act’) is a landmark legislation with far-reaching consequences on all companies incorporated in India. This is a landmark legislation that will have a wide ranging impact on corporate India. Corporate India continues to evolve at a fast pace leading to the emergence of a diverse set of stakeholders. The growth has led to a surge in consequences such as risk and default that seem to be visibly impacting the virtues of governance, which is precisely the area on which the Act promises to substantively raise the bar. The Act is also quite outward looking and in several areas attempts to harmonize with international requirements.

The Act in a comprehensive form purports to deal with various aspects of corporate India and Indian companies will have to closely examine these developments to develop a clear strategy at ensuring compliance per the new requirements.
To help decode the nuances and to get a better understanding of the New Act, the implications and the likely steps that companies will be required to take to address the new requirements and standards, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is organizing a session on “The Companies Act 2013: A Reality Now!‏” from 1345 – 1830 hrson 28^th August 2014 atIndia Habitat Centre (IHC), New Delhi.

Experts from KPMG in India and Amarchand & Mangaldas & Suresh A. Shroff & Co will make presentations covering the key changes around the following themes:

• Increased responsibility for the Board, Independent Directors, and Key Management Personnel
• Impact on reporting framework
• Higher auditor accountability
• Enhanced investor protection
• Corporate Social Responsibility
• Restructuring

I am writing to cordially invite you and your colleagues to join us at the session.

You are requested to kindly register your participation through the attached Reply Form.

We look forward to receiving your confirmation.

Regards,

Ankur

Edit : Edit
Comments : Leave a comment

Categories : Business, CSR, culture, Education

हरियाणा: कांग्रेस छोड़ #BSP में शामिल हुए अरविंद शर्मा

17082014

Punjab Kesari ‏@punjabkesari 1m

हरियाणा: कांग्रेस छोड़ #BSP में शामिल हुए अरविंद शर्मा http://www.punjabkesari.in/ #Congress #ArvindSharma pic.twitter.com/zFy0KhMb5G

Edit : Edit
Comments : Leave a comment

Categories : Media, Politics

Cameron : Country to halt ISIS advance,

17082014

Islamic State fighters sweeping across Syria and Iraq are a direct threat to Britain and the country must use all of its “military prowess” to halt their advance, Prime Minister David Cameron said Sunday.

But the Conservative Party leader said he did not think British troops should be deployed in Iraq, and that he would consider working with Iran to combat the jihadist threat.

Writing in the Sunday Telegraph, Cameron warned that the West faces a “generational struggle”.

“If we do not act to stem the onslaught of this exceptionally dangerous terrorist movement, it will only grow stronger until it can target us on the streets of Britain,” he said.

“I agree that we should avoid sending armies to fight or occupy, but we need to recognise that the brighter future we long for requires a long-term plan.

“Cameron argued that security could only be achieved “if we use all our resources — aid, diplomacy, our military prowess.

“He also said Britain needed to work with countries like Saudi Arabia and Qatar, Egypt, Turkey “and perhaps even with Iran”.

A high-ranking Anglican bishop on Sunday slammed Cameron´s Middle East policy in a letter that had the backing of Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby.

“We do not seem to have a coherent or comprehensive approach to Islamic extremism as it is developing across the globe,” the bishop of Leeds, Nicholas Baines, wrote in the letter, sent to the Observer newspaper.

Defence Minister Michael Fallon said on Saturday that Britain would keep up its surveillance flights over northern Iraq to try to stop more minority groups coming under jihadist attack.

Britain deployed Tornado fighter jets to Akrotiri earlier this month, which will now be joined by the Royal Air Force´s most modern surveillance aircraft, the Boeing RC-135 Rivet Joint.

Kurdish forces backed by US warplanes battled on Saturday to retake Iraq´s largest dam from jihadist fighters, a day after militants carried out a “massacre” of dozens of villagers.

Two months of violence have brought Iraq to the brink of breakup, and world powers relieved by the exit of long-time premier Nuri al-Maliki were sending aid to the displaced and arms to the Kurds. Kurdish forces attacked the Islamic State (IS) fighters who wrested the Mosul dam from them a week earlier

Edit : Edit
Comments : Leave a comment

Categories : Uncategorized

Mr. Teen India – 2014

17082014

Mr. Teen India – 2014 an I.Q. and Personality Contest Held at Talkatora Stadium, Delhi on 14^th August 2014, beautifully choreographed by Sambita, ended in a grand finale with ear shattering applause and lots of appreciation, the event specially designed and devoted towards the awareness of HIV / Aids has enabled club to achieve a new milestone in its chaquerd history.

This has not only transformed our efforts towards education and awareness about HIV / AIDS into a national campaign but strengthened us to declare all out war against the deadly virus and social evils. The Alee Club welcomed the guests. Who has inaugurated the event from Cine World – Mr. Sushant Singh, Mr. Ashmit Patel, Mr. Aman Verma and Mr. Mukul Dev , who appreciated and applauded the performance of the participants and made it memorable.

Mr. M. M.  Mehta, President Alee cub, announced the societies resolve to make Miss & Mr. Teen India an I.Q. and Personality Contest, hither to being confined to national capital region Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, UP, Uttarakhand, Bihar & Jharkhand to an All India Show to resister our presence worldwide and open an international chapter  on HIV/AIDS, and we are hopeful of a favorable response on the subject.

The uniquely designed 17th Miss. & Mr. Teen India -2014 An I.Q. and Personality Contest by Sambita, which culminated a grand success in disseminating the strong message of “Beware & Make Others Aware” on HIV / AIDS consisted of four rounds –

1. Introduction Round
2. Fashion Choreography Round
3. Judges Question Round
4. Written Common Question Round

The participants were enthusiastic teenagers of 13-19 years of age who were short listed through written test and interview in the previous rounds held at Hotel Radisson Blue (Paschim Vihar) and other state.

These short listed participants were then provided with an unique training session organized by Alee Club under the guidance of Choreographer Sambita Bose where they were trained and groomed on ramp walk, personality development, beauty tips by our honourable panel of training faculty who are experts of their respective fields –Miss. India Gladrags – Ms. Amanpreet Wahi, which motivated the enthusiastic youth to face the judges and audience confidentially and their tips will help them in their future assignments as well.

These participants showcased their confidence skills and polished talents acquired through training sessions beautifully just like professionals on Ramp.

In the final round “Written Common Question Round” the final participants 4 boys and 4 girls who were short listed from the previous 2 rounds, were asked a common question for which they were given 2 minutes. On the basis of their write ups they got Selected Miss Teen India Aakansha (Delhi) and Mr. Teen India Vishal Rathi (Noida).

In the event there were also exciting and entertaining dance performances by the students of the Alee Academy for Performing Arts which was customized under the expert guidance of choreographer Sambita.

The entire audience jumped out of their seats when they saw their favorite actor Sushant Singh, Ashmit Patel, Aman Verma & Mukul Dev on Stage.

All the contestants were very happy at the time of receiving award by the hands of main their ideal film stars and felt honoured and conveyed a big thanks to Alee Club Miss Teen -2014 Aakansha & Mr. Teen 2014 Vishal Rathi offer their all support to Alee Club in eradicating AIDS.

Miss Teen India 1^st Runner up Ms Stefy Patel (Jharkhand) & Mr. Teen India 1^st Runner up Pranshu Malik (Delhi)

Miss Teen India 2^nd Runner up Ms Advitya Verma (Kanpur) & Mr. Teen India 2^nd Runner up Sahil Soni (Delhi)

Edit : Edit
Comments : Leave a comment

Categories : Uncategorized

Imran: Sunday will be decisive day

17082014

 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman Imran Khan has said that Sunday will be decisive day in the history of Pakistan and final match will be played at 3:00 pm.

Addressing the participants of long march, he said that the PTI will celebrate the independence at 3:00 pm. He appealed to all the Pakistan to come to the venue of PTO long march.

He said that people will forget Tahrir Square of the Egypt after seeing people at the PTI Jalsa.

“We are not a party which has looted the country, come forward to accommodate the people who have travelled from far flung areas, Khan said. He told the long marchers that Sunday may be the final of World Cup.