Author: Samikhsya Bureau

Former prime minister of Pakisthan, NawazShariff on Monday was sentenced for 7 years imprionment by an Accountabilityh courtA in Al-Azizia Steel Mills corruption reference, while acquitted him in the the Flagship Investments reference. The Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) leader was taken into custody after the verdict and will be transported to Adiala Jail. He was also fined Rs 1.5 billion in the Al-Azizia reference.

(UNI) With yoga gaining popularity in China as a healthy lifestyle choice, the China-India Yoga College in Kunming, capital of southwest China’s Yunnan Province, has decided to expand its training facilities beyond the the city.
A total of 50 branches will be set up in the future to boost yoga education and teacher training, according to
Nearly 100 yoga teaching and training centers will also be built to provide teacher training courses, yoga workshops and non-profit courses, said Chen Luyan, dean of the China-India Yoga College.
The China-India Yoga College, founded in June 2015 as part of a China-India cultural exchange programme, opened its first branch on Saturday at Yunnan University in the city of Lijiang as part of its nationwide partnership with universities in cultivating high-level yoga professionals, reports Xinhua.
The College recruits undergraduates and postgraduates at Yunnan Minzu University.

(UNI) Jharkhand Pradesh Congress Committee chief Dr Ajay Kumar today said that there was no confusion regarding Mahagathbandhan in the state however who would be the leader of the alliance is a decision which can not be taken alone by the Congress party as all the other allies including JVM(P), RJD and the Left Front will have make an unanimous choice over that.

Addressing a press conference at the JPCC headquarters here, he said there is no confusion over who would be contesting the 10 to 11 Lok Sabha seats and almost 70 seats of the Vidhan Sabha however there is a little confusion over 2 to 3 Lok Sabha seats and another 10 of the assembly over which talks would be held soon and the matter would be sorted out.

(UNI) In order to prevent misuse of social media and spreading of fake news, the Union Electronics and IT Ministry has prepared a draft of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines) Rules 2018 to replace the rules notified in 2011 and consultation process is underway.

The consultation process was initiated with Inter-Ministerial consultations and thereafter with other stakeholders, including major social media platforms, messaging services platforms like Facebook, Google, Twitter, Yahoo, WhatsApp and other associations like IAMAI, COAI and ISPAI representing intermediaries, the Ministry said in a statement on Monday.

The timeline of submission of comments is January 15, 2019, the statement said..

A research has revealed that Oneplus has come out to be the most preferred Android premium smartphone taking 21% of Apple customers shifting to Oneplus and additionally 90% of Oneplus buyers have revealed that their preferred choice is Oneplus as it offers better specifications. Which leaves Oneplus as becoming the brand with the second highest brand loyalty .

Delhi high court has ordered the immediate release of the Congress leader Sushil Sharma who was alleged to have killed his wife by burning inside a ‘tandoor’ hearth in 1995. The court has expressed anger why he was not released even after 20 years despite the apex court had found no evidence of chopping the wife’s body after the alleged murder.

Naseeruddin Shah’s alleged ill-conceived comparison over of value of the life of  a cow with policemen and his fear factor of self-safety tempted one leader of Uttar Pradesh Navanirman Samiti  , Amit Jani has booked one air ticket for Shah to Pakisthan for August 14 next so that ‘ India can be less one traitor ‘ .

(UNI) In the season of alliance making and serious efforts being launched to set up a front of regional parties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Odisha Chief Minister and BJD chief Naveen Patnaik on Monday shared stage for the release of a commemorative coin and a postage stamp in the memory of Paika Rebellion at a function in IIT Bhubaneswar.

This year marks the 200th anniversary of the 1817 Rebellion led by Buxi Jagabandhu of Khorda district against the Britishers.

This also came a day after BJD supremo Naveen Pataik held a crucial meeting with TRS chief and Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao.

The TRS chief is toying with the idea of a federal front which would keep ‘equi distance’ from both the Congress and and the BJP.

In his speech, Prime Minister did not attack BJD regime in the eastern India state bur rather said: “Centre is fully committed for all round development of Odisha”.

“From infrastructures uplift of the state and people’s development, multiple steps are being taken by the centre. I want to assure you that this work will continue unabated. We want Odisha to emerge as a vital engine for the growth and development of New India,” he said.

“Iske liye hum sabhi ko saath milkar agey barna hae, agey badenge (To achieve this, we all have to work together. And We will work together),” Prime Minister said.

(UNI) Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik on Monday dedicated the much awaited Bhawan-Bhairon Ghati ropeway to Vaishno Devi pilgrims by e-inaugurating it here at the Raj Bhawan.
The Bhawan to Bhairon Ghati Passenger Ropeway project has been completed in a span of four years at the cost of 85 Crore.
The Governor said that the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board is providing all facilities to the pilgrims visiting to Vaishno Devi and this ropeway project is also a part of it.
“I am happy that all the security drills were taken care of and rescue operation is important,” he said and hoped that the facility will surely give further boost to the pilgrimage and benefit the pilgrims.
The ropeway cabins have a capacity of 45 passenger and completes the distance (3.5 kms) in 3 minutes.
The ticket will cost Rs100 per per passenger while the ticketing system has been introduced on the pattern of Delhi Metro stations.
Meanwhile an insurance cover of Rs 5 Lakh per passenger has also been kept for the passengers availing the facility.

(UNI) A show featuring the biggest stars of Hindi film industry in conversation with MasterChef Shipra Khanna will be aired on 9XM and 9X Jalwa from December 21.

Titled ‘9XM Startruck’, the show will feature the biggest stars of Hindi film industry in conversation with Master Chef Shipra Khanna.

The first episode of the show features the Badshah of Bollywood Shah Rukh Khan who will share some never-heard-before stories of his life centred around food with the show host.

9XM Startruck- the Shah Rukh Khan episode will be aired at 11 am on December 21on 9XM and at 12 noon on 9X Jalwa.

9XM Startruck will take the stars on a food journey with the stars talking about their favourite food and memories around it.

The show will also test the food quotient of the stars with interesting fun and games. MasterChef and show host Shipra Khanna will step inside her supercool foodtruck to serve-up some amazing delicacies with her unique twist.

Speaking about the show Amar Tidke, Chief Programming Officer 9X Media said “We at 9XM have always broken away from the clutter through our innovative content. Our research and the feedback we receive from our viewers through our engagements across the social platforms reveal that besides clubbing/partying, the youth bond over food in a big way. They are either meeting their friends at night clubs or making plans around a delicious eat-out. Hence we thought of combining food with Bollywood and creating this scrumptious show.”

(UNI) Yo Yo Honey Singh just released his comeback song ‘Makhna’ and the Indie pop singer has broken yet other records with it.

The song has become the fastest to reach 19 million views on YouTube.

With a touch of reggaeton beats from the Latin origin, the song is so peppy and electric chartbuster that it didn’t take much time to reach five lakh likes.

The song ‘Makhna’ has already crossed 19 million views and is still on the top trendings of Youtube. As there was immense anticipation among fans across the nation for the comeback song by the nation’s favourite Yo Yo Honey Singh.

The musician took to his social media and posted, “#Makhna has taken over !!! #1 on Trending in India.

#1 in the world Charts.Trending in 13 Countries.Fastest 2 Million Views.Fastest 500k Likes on Video.Fastest 1 crore views.’

The song instantly lifts your mood, forcing you to hit the dance floor.

Since the team wanted to get a carnival look to the video, they decided to shoot in a Latin country like Puerto Rico or Colombia. However, they finally selected Cuba.

Directed by Spanish Director Daniel Duran, ‘Makhna’ took seven months of creative planning before the shoot.

South Korean Transport Ministry said in a statement on Monday that it intended to impose a 11.2 billion won ($9.9 million) fine on German automaker BMW AG for its attempts to conceal problems with its cars’ exhaust systems that caused dozens of vehicles to catch fire earlier this year.
“The Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs of the Republic of Korea intends to submit the details of the BMW investigation to the prosecutor’s office on January 24 and impose a fine of 11.2 billion South Korean won based on the results of the investigation,” the statement read.
The ministry also considered that the company knew about the problem back in 2015 because in October that year, BMW had set up a special working group to study a defective element of the exhaust gas recirculation system, while the company itself claimed that it had not learned about the defects until July 2017.
Around 40 BMW cars have reportedly caught on fire in South Korea in 2018, with the largest number of incidents occurring during summer months. As a result, the company was forced to recall about 172,000 vehicles.(UNI)

(UNI) Amid protest from devotees, the two young women who began trekking from Pamba to Sannidanam to have darshan of Lord Ayyappa were stopped at Marakkuttam and sent back, on Monday.

The women, identified as Ms Bindu from Koilandy and Ms Kanga Durga from Angadippuram in Malappuram, were dropped their plan to visit the temple following stiff protection from devotees of other States including Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

According to various reports, Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) President A Padmakumar spoke to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and DGP Loknath Behra over telephone on the volatile situation prevailing in the hillock temple.

The TDB President called the Chief Minister and the DGP after reaching a conclusion that a police action against the devotees would lead to a serious law and order problem in the State.

Later, a direction from the Chief Minister’s office was given to the police to arrest the two women or ask them to leave the place. However, the two women who were adamant to visit the temple have been evacuated by the police forcefully.

(UNI) External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Monday complimented Indian Mission in Bahrain and also thanked the Bahraini authorities for their ‘help’ in rescuing an Indian citizen who was allegedly ‘enslaved’.

“Alok – I am proud of you. Please convey my gratitude to Bahraini authorities for their help in rescuing an Indian citizen,” Ms Swaraj tweeted marking it to Indian ambassador to Bahrain Alok Kumar Sinha.

The Indian Embassy in Bahrain on Sunday evening announced her rescue on Twitter.

(UNI) “Build Ram Mandir, or Stay at Home” – is the new jibe from Shiv Sena to its ally BJP on the long pending Ram Temple issue at Ayodhya.

“Action lena padega, Mandir banana padega….. nahi toh ghar baithna padega (You will have to construct the Ram Temple or else you will be forced to stay at home),” Shiv Sena spokesman and MP Sanjay Raut told a private TV channel at Pandharpur in Maharashtra on Monday.

Shiv Sena is launching a mega campaign at Pandharpur for the early construction of Ram Temple at Ayodhya on Monday.

Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, who had visited Ayodhya in November, will address a congregation of religious leaders and the public there, on Monday afternoon.

To mount pressure on BJP, the Sena will also formally give a push to its slogan – “Paheley Mandir Phir Sarkar (First the temple and then the government)”.

The pressure tactics from Sena comes at a time when there is no final word yet on whether BJP and Sena will continue to be partners in next year’s Lok Sabha polls.

The state assembly polls in Maharashtra are also due by October 2019.

Amid tight security, Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Bhubaneswar today to launch a slew of projects worth Rs 14,523 crore related to various sectors. He was received  by Governor Ganeshi Lal, Chief Secretary AP Padhi, Union Ministers Dharmendra Pradhan and Jual Oram, State Finance Minister Sashi Bhusan Behera, Bhubaneswar Mayor Ananta Jena and other leaders .

Modi will  fly to IIT Bhubaneswar in a chopper to inaugurate the new campus in Aragul built at a cost of Rs 1660 crore, and then would lay foundation stone for Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) and unveil projects worth Rs 14,523 crore.

(UNI) Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Monday lashed out at the Congress for its continuous attack on the government over the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and said those who oppressed India with a 31 per cent indirect tax and “consistently belittled the GST, must seriously introspect”.

“Irresponsible politics and irresponsible economics is only a race to the bottom,” Mr Jaitley wrote in a blog piece, posted on Facebook.

Seeking to answer some of the questions on GST raised from time to time, prior to the GST regime, the Minister tweeted, “India had the worst indirect tax system anywhere in the world”.

“Both the Centre and the state government were entitled to levy a set of taxes. There were 17 taxes levied. An entrepreneur, therefore, faced 17 inspectors, 17 returns and 17 assessments. The rate of taxation were exorbitantly high,” he wrote.

He further said that on this backdrop, the assessees had only two options – either to pay a high rate of tax or evade it.

“Tax evasion was prevalent to a large extent. India comprised of multiple markets. Each state was a separate market because the rate of tax could be different. Interstate sales became inherently inefficient because trucks had to wait for hours and days at the state borders,” he said.

However, he said once the uniform taxation mechanism was introduced by the Modi government in 2017, the GST “changed the situation radically”.

(UNI) Continuing his attack on the Narendra Modi government on demonetisation, senior congress leader and former Finance Minister P Chidambaram has said demonetisation was a crime against the economy of the country

‘After Dr Gita Gopinath’s new report, what have the quacks who proposed or defended demonetisation got to say? Demonetisation was a crime against the economy of the country,’the former Finance Minister said in a tweet on Sunday night.

According to a research paper co-authored by eminent economist Gita Gopinath,’the government’s note ban decision shaved off economic growth by at least 2 percentage points for the October-December quarter of 2016 in which the Demonetization move was effected.’

The research paper by the India-born Harvard professor Gopinath, who is set to take charge as the chief economist at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) next month, said that districts experiencing more severe Demonetization had relative reductions in economic activity, faster adoption of alternative payment technologies and lower bank credit growth.

“Our results imply Demonetization lowered the growth rate of economic activity by at least 2 percentage points in the quarter of Demonetization,” said the research paper titled ‘Cash And The Economy: Evidence From India’s Demonetization’.

The paper is published by US-based National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) and its co-authors include economist Prachi Mishra, who had headed the strategic research unit at the RBI, Abhinav Narayanan, manager-research at RBI, and Harvard professor Gabriel Chodorow-Reich is the lead author.

According to the paper, note ban also led to a decline in nightlights-based economic activity and a 3 percentage points or more drop in employment generation in November and December of 2016 relative to