‘MACRON’S WATERGATE’ IS ALEXANDRE BENALLA

French President Emmanuel Macron has decided to take the hit for the unfolding Alexandre Benalla affair, saying he’s responsible for all the actions of his violent aide, who was filmed beating demonstrators during a May Day rally.

“If they are looking for the one responsible, the only one responsible is me and me alone,”Macron told fellow parliamentary party lawmakers on Tuesday, as quoted by BFM TV. “If they want the one responsible, he’s in front of you. Let them come and get me. I answer to the French people.”

Emmanuel Macron’s presidency is being battered by its worst scandal so far and at the center of it is the protester-beating bodyguard Alexandre Benalla, a young man with a surprisingly successful career On May 1, a man wearing a police helmet was filmed roughing up unarmed protesters at an anti-Macron rally in Paris. In mid-July, he was identified as Macron’s bodyguard Benalla. This has given rise to a scandal that could swell up to what the opposition called& with French politicians baffled by the lengths to which Macron’s team has gone to protect the bodyguard.

Macron on Tuesday called the scandalous May 1 events a “betrayal,” adding that he had “trusted” Benalla. The French president at the same time stressed that he was also the one who authorized a “sanction” against the rogue aide, adding that none of his staff was above the law.

The said sanction, however, had seemingly only taken effect when the affair went public, which forced the presidential administration to sack Benalla.
Immediately after the incident, Benalla got away with only a two-week suspension without pay. The violent aide was later spotted overseeing the security of the French football team’s bus during their triumphant return from the 2018 World Cup.

China to invest $14bn in S. Africa

Many agreements were signed between China and South Africa during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit. This includes nearly $15 billion in investment for the African country. The two countries also vowed to strengthen economic ties.

China and South African relations have developed into a comprehensive, strategic partnership. The two countries have witnessed increasing political mutual trust, practical cooperation, people-to-people exchanges and strategic coordination. They’ve now pledged to draw a new blueprint for further developing bilateral relations.

“We have full confidence in the bright prospects of our cooperation and friendship going forward. The president and I both believe that our two parties and countries are good friends, good partners, good brothers and good comrades,” Xi said.

“We must continue to view our bilateral relationship from a strategic height and to continue to push forward our collaboration with the long term perspective.”

China is South Africa’s largest trading partner, while South Africa is China’s largest trading partner in Africa. Both presidents emphasized the need to ensure that citizens from both countries should directly benefit from the relations.

The two leaders have also pledged to build cultural centers in both countries. President Ramaphosa is expected to pay a state visit to China later this year. He will also attend the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Summit in Beijing later this year.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Tuesday that China would invest $14 billion in the country. The statement came after Ramaphosa held talks with President Xi Jinping in Pretoria on the eve of a multilateral summit, AFP reported. Ramaphosa came to power in February pledging to revive the economy and attract investors after Jacob Zuma was ousted from office at the end of a nine-year reign dominated by graft scandals and low economic growth. “We have signed several agreements and memorandums of understanding that are intended to further deepen our relations, including investment commitments to the value of $14 billion,” Ramaphosa said. Among the deals signed on Tuesday was a $2.5 billion loan to South Africa’s state-run power company Eskom, which is burdened by massive debts.

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NATO Military structure,Finland & Sweden

NATO wants to integrate Sweden & Finland into their Military Structures

NATO wants to integrate Sweden & Finland into their Military Structures

The Baltic Sea in Transition. Among the topics: US military presence in the region, NATOs decision to place multinational battle groups in the Baltic States and Poland, EU defence policy, Finland & Sweden and NATO’s new force structure.

Russia is concerned about recent NATO moves aimed at involving Finland and Sweden in the alliance’s activities and structures, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said Tuesday. A treaty was signed in May that provides for the two states’ full participation in the exercises of the alliance and the possibility of using its command-and-control systems for troops and weapons, he said at a meeting of the Defense Ministry’s board.“In exchange, NATO received unrestricted access to the airspace and territorial waters of these countries,” he added. According to the minister, “such steps by Western colleagues lead to the destruction of the existing system of global security and generate even greater mistrust, forcing us to take response measures.”

 “Cheat India” shoots today in Lucknow

The shoot of the keenly awaited Emraan Hashmi-starrer “Cheat India” commences today in Lucknow
The makers of “Hindi Medium”, “Neerja” and “Tumhari Sulu”, have collaborated again, this time to produce “Cheat India”, a never-seen-before peek into the vagaries of the Indian education system
Clearly aimed at Indian students, this edge-of-the-seat Emraan Hashmi-starrer rolls in Lucknow today.

More than 75 actors from UP, including real students from various colleges and universities, have been cast.

The makers released a teaser video of Emraan playing with the alphabets of ‘Teach’, which incidentally, are the same as those of ‘Cheat’. Hashmi’s naughty wink at the end leaves you wondering whether he’s the hunter or the villain!

BHUSHAN KUMAR, TANUJ GARG, ATUL KASBEKAR AND EMRAAN HASHMI ARE PRODUCING THE FILM, SET FOR A JANUARY 25, 2019 RELEASE.

Share this:

Pak NA 272 votes for a new PM

Polling stations are open in Pakistan for a general election, which promises to be a close-run affair, between cricket player turned anti-corruption crusader Imran Khan and the party of jailed former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. The vote was marred by allegations of army meddling in the campaign to boost Khan’s chances.

Women cast their votes for the first time in the history of Upper Dir as polls opened across the country Wednesday. Queues of women could be seen outside the polling stations in constituencies NA-5 and PK-12. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had earlier said that any area where women are stopped from or face hindrances in voting could face the election in its constituency becoming invalid.

They ECP said the results of any constituency would be declared invalid should the female turnout be lower than 10 per cent. Any person found involved in or facilitating such a deal may face up to three years in prison.

 A PTI worker is shot dead after ANP and PTI workers clash in Swabi’s PK-47 constituency. At least two persons — wounded in the incident — were shifted to the hospital, District Police Officer Syed Khalid Hamdani said.

PTI leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi spoke to the media after casting his vote in Multan. The politician said that the political climate that developed by last night suggests that PTI will clean sweep all six seats from Multan. “The pattern I have seen so far, the camps, the deployed army, and the discipline, it all looks on point,” he observed, adding that the Election Commission ‘has acted responsibly.’

Pakistan’s nearly 106 million registered voters have a chance to choose their representatives in the national and provincial assemblies — as well as their next prime minister — as the country goes for its 11th General Election on July 25.

Polling began at 8AM and will conclude, without any break, at 6PM across the country’s 85,307 polling stations, of which 17,007 have been declared “highly sensitive”, results will be announced within 24 hours.

As many as 12,570 candidates are contesting for a total of 849 seats of national and provincial assemblies in the general election.According to the Election Commission of Pakistan, 3,459 candidates are contesting for 272 general seats of the National Assembly, while 8,396 candidates are running for 577 general seats of the four provincial assemblies – Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

More than 30 political parties have fielded their candidates for the elections. The opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, led by cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan, is looking to unseat the incumbent Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), which was formally led by the now jailed ex-prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), led by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, is also in the race. Shahbaz Sharif, the president of the PML-N who is hoping to become the next prime minister of Pakistan, was among the first people to cast his vote in Lahore.

“Just cast my vote. High time that all of you came out to vote for Pakistan’s progress and prosperity. May this election be a source of peace and stability for the nation!,” he tweeted after casting his vote.

For a smooth polling process, the ECP has deployed around 1.6 million staff at polling stations across the country. About 449,465 policemen and over 370,000 military personnel have been deployed for security. In a special message yesterday, Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Sardar Raza Khan urged voters to fulfil their national duty of casting the ballot.

A public holiday has been declared across the country on Wednesday in order to facilitate the voting process. Pakistan’s National Assembly comprises a total of 342 members, of which 272 will be directly elected today whereas the rest — 60 seats reserved for women and 10 for religious minorities — are selected later through proportional representation among parties with more than five per cent of the vote.

A party can only form the government if it manages to clinch 172 seats in total. The run up to the elections have seen a massive crackdown on the media and allegations that the military has secretly backed the campaign of Khan while targeting his political opponents.

‘SAHEB, BIWI AUR GANGSTER 3’

PRESS INVITATION

You are cordially invited to attend the Press Conference of an upcoming Indian action thriller film.l

‘SAHEB, BIWI AUR GANGSTER 3’

(The master, the wife and the gangster 3. An upcoming film directed by Tigmanshu Dhulia. It is the third instalment in Tigmanshu Dhulia’s series of films started by Rahul Mittra Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster. The scheduled release date of the movie is 27th July 2018. Sanjay Dutt, Jimmy Shergill, Mahi Gill, Chitrangada & Soha Ali Khan will play the lead roles in the film..)

To be addressed by:

• Sanjay Dutt 
• Jimmy Shergill 
• Chitrangda (Desi Boyz & Yeh Saali Zindagi fame)
• Mahie Gill (Dev D fame)
• Rahul Mittra (Producer)
• Tigmanshu Dhulia (Director)

Time: 4:30 PM

Date: 25th July 2018 (Wednesday)

Venue: PVR, Audi 5, Mall of India, Noida

You are requested to send correspondents/ photographers/ camera crew for the Press Conference.

CAIT :No WALMART FLIPKART DEAL

CAIT CONCLAVE DEMANDED THE GOVT TO STOP WALMART FLIPKART DEAL

Pls See: http://dipp.nic.in/sites/default/files/pn3_2016_0.pdf … 1. no FDI is allowed in eCommerce 2. Amazon & Flipkart are flaunting rules 3. Deal exposes India to Walmart, –the company admitted bribery charges in US for Indian subsidiary’s works. 4. 8% of Flpkart is marketplace 5. it kills 45% job roles

At second day of three days National Trade Conclave being held at New Delhi under the umbrella of the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), the trade leaders of the Country in a one voice today strongly demanded the Union Government to stop the Walmart-Flipkart Deal as it will greatly hamper the domestic trade. The trade leaders also resolved that come what may, the trading community of the Country will stoutly oppose the deal and if need arises, the CAIT will not mind in seeking legal recourse The Conclave also decided to launch a nationwide movement against the deal and to sensitise e commerce business of India. About 1500 trade leaders from all over the Country are attending the Conclave,

The trade leaders at the Conclave said that  it is certain that the Walmart-Flipkart deal is nothing but in long run a clear attempt to control & dominate the much potential retail trade of India by Walmart through e commerce which is only a bridge to reach out to offline retail market of India. The key issues of the matter is whoever controls the platform control data and digital intelligence. Owner can squeeze and dictate anything. It is much more difficult for the Govt to control & regulate foreign owned platforms and all indigenous players will have no value if a foreign company runs the platform.

CAIT National President Mr. B.C.Bhartia & Secretary General Mr. Praveen Khandelwal  said that in absence of any e commerce policy and any Regulatory mechanism, the continuing predatory pricing & deep discounts practices in e commerce will be encouraged more. Digitally powered e-Walmart will certainly vitiate the e commerce and retail market.There will be an uneven level playing field to the disadvantage of retail traders. Only the venture capitalist, investors & promotors will be benefitted and not the Country.

The CAIT also raise a demand that Government should immediately frame a national policy for e commerce and constitute a Regulatory Authority to regulate and e commerce business in India and till such time, the deal should be put in abeyance by the Government and a close scrutiny should be held in the entire deal. The Conclave will continue till tomorrow. Union HRD Minister Shri Prakash Javedkar, Commerce Minister Shri Suresh Prabhu & Urban Development Minister Shri Hardeep Puri will attend the Conclave tomorrow.

‘Madrasas and the Making of Islamic Womanhood’

Invitation to the book launch of ‘Madrasas and the Making of Islamic Womanhood’

when: Saturday : 28 July 2018: 7 PM

where : India International centre, Kamladevi,

About the book

This in-depth ethnography looks at the everyday lives of Muslim students in a girls’ madrasa in India. Highlighting the ambiguities between the students’ espousal of madrasa norms and everyday practice, Borker illustrates how young Muslim girls tactically invoke the virtues of safety, modesty, and piety learnt in the madrasa to reconfigure normative social expectations around marriage, education, and employment.
Amongst the few ethnographies on girls’ madrasas in India, this volume focuses on unfolding of young women’s lives as they journey from their home to madrasa and beyond, and thereby problematizes the idealized and coherent notions of piety presented by anthropological literature on female participation in Islamic piety projects. The author uses ethnographic portraits to introduce us to an array of students, many of whom find their aspirational horizon expanded as a result of the madrasa experience. Such stories challenge the dominant media’s representations of madrasas as outmoded religious institutions. Further, the author illustrates how the processes of learning–unlearning and alternate visions of the future emerge as an unanticipated consequence of young women’s engagement with madrasa education.

About the author

Hem Borker is assistant professor at the Centre for the Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India.

 “Cheat India” shoots today in Lucknow

The shoot of the keenly awaited Emraan Hashmi-starrer “Cheat India” commences today in Lucknow
The makers of “Hindi Medium”, “Neerja” and “Tumhari Sulu”, have collaborated again, this time to produce “Cheat India”, a never-seen-before peek into the vagaries of the Indian education system
Clearly aimed at Indian students, this edge-of-the-seat Emraan Hashmi-starrer rolls in Lucknow today.

More than 75 actors from UP, including real students from various colleges and universities, have been cast.

The makers released a teaser video of Emraan playing with the alphabets of ‘Teach’, which incidentally, are the same as those of ‘Cheat’. Hashmi’s naughty wink at the end leaves you wondering whether he’s the hunter or the villain!

BHUSHAN KUMAR, TANUJ GARG, ATUL KASBEKAR AND EMRAAN HASHMI ARE PRODUCING THE FILM, SET FOR A JANUARY 25, 2019 RELEASE.

Share this:

Pak NA 272 votes for a new PM

Polling stations are open in Pakistan for a general election, which promises to be a close-run affair, between cricket player turned anti-corruption crusader Imran Khan and the party of jailed former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. The vote was marred by allegations of army meddling in the campaign to boost Khan’s chances.

Women cast their votes for the first time in the history of Upper Dir as polls opened across the country Wednesday. Queues of women could be seen outside the polling stations in constituencies NA-5 and PK-12. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had earlier said that any area where women are stopped from or face hindrances in voting could face the election in its constituency becoming invalid.

They ECP said the results of any constituency would be declared invalid should the female turnout be lower than 10 per cent. Any person found involved in or facilitating such a deal may face up to three years in prison.

 A PTI worker is shot dead after ANP and PTI workers clash in Swabi’s PK-47 constituency. At least two persons — wounded in the incident — were shifted to the hospital, District Police Officer Syed Khalid Hamdani said.

PTI leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi spoke to the media after casting his vote in Multan. The politician said that the political climate that developed by last night suggests that PTI will clean sweep all six seats from Multan. “The pattern I have seen so far, the camps, the deployed army, and the discipline, it all looks on point,” he observed, adding that the Election Commission ‘has acted responsibly.’

Pakistan’s nearly 106 million registered voters have a chance to choose their representatives in the national and provincial assemblies — as well as their next prime minister — as the country goes for its 11th General Election on July 25.

Polling began at 8AM and will conclude, without any break, at 6PM across the country’s 85,307 polling stations, of which 17,007 have been declared “highly sensitive”, results will be announced within 24 hours.

As many as 12,570 candidates are contesting for a total of 849 seats of national and provincial assemblies in the general election.According to the Election Commission of Pakistan, 3,459 candidates are contesting for 272 general seats of the National Assembly, while 8,396 candidates are running for 577 general seats of the four provincial assemblies – Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

More than 30 political parties have fielded their candidates for the elections. The opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, led by cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan, is looking to unseat the incumbent Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), which was formally led by the now jailed ex-prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), led by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, is also in the race. Shahbaz Sharif, the president of the PML-N who is hoping to become the next prime minister of Pakistan, was among the first people to cast his vote in Lahore.

“Just cast my vote. High time that all of you came out to vote for Pakistan’s progress and prosperity. May this election be a source of peace and stability for the nation!,” he tweeted after casting his vote.

For a smooth polling process, the ECP has deployed around 1.6 million staff at polling stations across the country. About 449,465 policemen and over 370,000 military personnel have been deployed for security. In a special message yesterday, Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Sardar Raza Khan urged voters to fulfil their national duty of casting the ballot.

A public holiday has been declared across the country on Wednesday in order to facilitate the voting process. Pakistan’s National Assembly comprises a total of 342 members, of which 272 will be directly elected today whereas the rest — 60 seats reserved for women and 10 for religious minorities — are selected later through proportional representation among parties with more than five per cent of the vote.

A party can only form the government if it manages to clinch 172 seats in total. The run up to the elections have seen a massive crackdown on the media and allegations that the military has secretly backed the campaign of Khan while targeting his political opponents.

‘SAHEB, BIWI AUR GANGSTER 3’

PRESS INVITATION

You are cordially invited to attend the Press Conference of an upcoming Indian action thriller film.l

‘SAHEB, BIWI AUR GANGSTER 3’

(The master, the wife and the gangster 3. An upcoming film directed by Tigmanshu Dhulia. It is the third instalment in Tigmanshu Dhulia’s series of films started by Rahul Mittra Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster. The scheduled release date of the movie is 27th July 2018. Sanjay Dutt, Jimmy Shergill, Mahi Gill, Chitrangada & Soha Ali Khan will play the lead roles in the film..)

To be addressed by:

• Sanjay Dutt 
• Jimmy Shergill 
• Chitrangda (Desi Boyz & Yeh Saali Zindagi fame)
• Mahie Gill (Dev D fame)
• Rahul Mittra (Producer)
• Tigmanshu Dhulia (Director)

Time: 4:30 PM

Date: 25th July 2018 (Wednesday)

Venue: PVR, Audi 5, Mall of India, Noida

You are requested to send correspondents/ photographers/ camera crew for the Press Conference.

CAIT :No WALMART FLIPKART DEAL

CAIT CONCLAVE DEMANDED THE GOVT TO STOP WALMART FLIPKART DEAL

Pls See: http://dipp.nic.in/sites/default/files/pn3_2016_0.pdf … 1. no FDI is allowed in eCommerce 2. Amazon & Flipkart are flaunting rules 3. Deal exposes India to Walmart, –the company admitted bribery charges in US for Indian subsidiary’s works. 4. 8% of Flpkart is marketplace 5. it kills 45% job roles

At second day of three days National Trade Conclave being held at New Delhi under the umbrella of the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), the trade leaders of the Country in a one voice today strongly demanded the Union Government to stop the Walmart-Flipkart Deal as it will greatly hamper the domestic trade. The trade leaders also resolved that come what may, the trading community of the Country will stoutly oppose the deal and if need arises, the CAIT will not mind in seeking legal recourse The Conclave also decided to launch a nationwide movement against the deal and to sensitise e commerce business of India. About 1500 trade leaders from all over the Country are attending the Conclave,

The trade leaders at the Conclave said that  it is certain that the Walmart-Flipkart deal is nothing but in long run a clear attempt to control & dominate the much potential retail trade of India by Walmart through e commerce which is only a bridge to reach out to offline retail market of India. The key issues of the matter is whoever controls the platform control data and digital intelligence. Owner can squeeze and dictate anything. It is much more difficult for the Govt to control & regulate foreign owned platforms and all indigenous players will have no value if a foreign company runs the platform.

CAIT National President Mr. B.C.Bhartia & Secretary General Mr. Praveen Khandelwal  said that in absence of any e commerce policy and any Regulatory mechanism, the continuing predatory pricing & deep discounts practices in e commerce will be encouraged more. Digitally powered e-Walmart will certainly vitiate the e commerce and retail market.There will be an uneven level playing field to the disadvantage of retail traders. Only the venture capitalist, investors & promotors will be benefitted and not the Country.

The CAIT also raise a demand that Government should immediately frame a national policy for e commerce and constitute a Regulatory Authority to regulate and e commerce business in India and till such time, the deal should be put in abeyance by the Government and a close scrutiny should be held in the entire deal. The Conclave will continue till tomorrow. Union HRD Minister Shri Prakash Javedkar, Commerce Minister Shri Suresh Prabhu & Urban Development Minister Shri Hardeep Puri will attend the Conclave tomorrow.

‘Madrasas and the Making of Islamic Womanhood’

Invitation to the book launch of ‘Madrasas and the Making of Islamic Womanhood’

when: Saturday : 28 July 2018: 7 PM

where : India International centre, Kamladevi,

About the book

This in-depth ethnography looks at the everyday lives of Muslim students in a girls’ madrasa in India. Highlighting the ambiguities between the students’ espousal of madrasa norms and everyday practice, Borker illustrates how young Muslim girls tactically invoke the virtues of safety, modesty, and piety learnt in the madrasa to reconfigure normative social expectations around marriage, education, and employment.
Amongst the few ethnographies on girls’ madrasas in India, this volume focuses on unfolding of young women’s lives as they journey from their home to madrasa and beyond, and thereby problematizes the idealized and coherent notions of piety presented by anthropological literature on female participation in Islamic piety projects. The author uses ethnographic portraits to introduce us to an array of students, many of whom find their aspirational horizon expanded as a result of the madrasa experience. Such stories challenge the dominant media’s representations of madrasas as outmoded religious institutions. Further, the author illustrates how the processes of learning–unlearning and alternate visions of the future emerge as an unanticipated consequence of young women’s engagement with madrasa education.

About the author

Hem Borker is assistant professor at the Centre for the Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India.

 “Cheat India” shoots today in Lucknow

The shoot of the keenly awaited Emraan Hashmi-starrer “Cheat India” commences today in Lucknow
The makers of “Hindi Medium”, “Neerja” and “Tumhari Sulu”, have collaborated again, this time to produce “Cheat India”, a never-seen-before peek into the vagaries of the Indian education system
Clearly aimed at Indian students, this edge-of-the-seat Emraan Hashmi-starrer rolls in Lucknow today.

More than 75 actors from UP, including real students from various colleges and universities, have been cast.

The makers released a teaser video of Emraan playing with the alphabets of ‘Teach’, which incidentally, are the same as those of ‘Cheat’. Hashmi’s naughty wink at the end leaves you wondering whether he’s the hunter or the villain!

BHUSHAN KUMAR, TANUJ GARG, ATUL KASBEKAR AND EMRAAN HASHMI ARE PRODUCING THE FILM, SET FOR A JANUARY 25, 2019 RELEASE.

Share this:

Pak NA 272 votes for a new PM

Polling stations are open in Pakistan for a general election, which promises to be a close-run affair, between cricket player turned anti-corruption crusader Imran Khan and the party of jailed former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. The vote was marred by allegations of army meddling in the campaign to boost Khan’s chances.

Women cast their votes for the first time in the history of Upper Dir as polls opened across the country Wednesday. Queues of women could be seen outside the polling stations in constituencies NA-5 and PK-12. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had earlier said that any area where women are stopped from or face hindrances in voting could face the election in its constituency becoming invalid.

They ECP said the results of any constituency would be declared invalid should the female turnout be lower than 10 per cent. Any person found involved in or facilitating such a deal may face up to three years in prison.

 A PTI worker is shot dead after ANP and PTI workers clash in Swabi’s PK-47 constituency. At least two persons — wounded in the incident — were shifted to the hospital, District Police Officer Syed Khalid Hamdani said.

PTI leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi spoke to the media after casting his vote in Multan. The politician said that the political climate that developed by last night suggests that PTI will clean sweep all six seats from Multan. “The pattern I have seen so far, the camps, the deployed army, and the discipline, it all looks on point,” he observed, adding that the Election Commission ‘has acted responsibly.’

Pakistan’s nearly 106 million registered voters have a chance to choose their representatives in the national and provincial assemblies — as well as their next prime minister — as the country goes for its 11th General Election on July 25.

Polling began at 8AM and will conclude, without any break, at 6PM across the country’s 85,307 polling stations, of which 17,007 have been declared “highly sensitive”, results will be announced within 24 hours.

As many as 12,570 candidates are contesting for a total of 849 seats of national and provincial assemblies in the general election.According to the Election Commission of Pakistan, 3,459 candidates are contesting for 272 general seats of the National Assembly, while 8,396 candidates are running for 577 general seats of the four provincial assemblies – Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

More than 30 political parties have fielded their candidates for the elections. The opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, led by cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan, is looking to unseat the incumbent Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), which was formally led by the now jailed ex-prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), led by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, is also in the race. Shahbaz Sharif, the president of the PML-N who is hoping to become the next prime minister of Pakistan, was among the first people to cast his vote in Lahore.

“Just cast my vote. High time that all of you came out to vote for Pakistan’s progress and prosperity. May this election be a source of peace and stability for the nation!,” he tweeted after casting his vote.

For a smooth polling process, the ECP has deployed around 1.6 million staff at polling stations across the country. About 449,465 policemen and over 370,000 military personnel have been deployed for security. In a special message yesterday, Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Sardar Raza Khan urged voters to fulfil their national duty of casting the ballot.

A public holiday has been declared across the country on Wednesday in order to facilitate the voting process. Pakistan’s National Assembly comprises a total of 342 members, of which 272 will be directly elected today whereas the rest — 60 seats reserved for women and 10 for religious minorities — are selected later through proportional representation among parties with more than five per cent of the vote.

A party can only form the government if it manages to clinch 172 seats in total. The run up to the elections have seen a massive crackdown on the media and allegations that the military has secretly backed the campaign of Khan while targeting his political opponents.

‘SAHEB, BIWI AUR GANGSTER 3’

PRESS INVITATION

You are cordially invited to attend the Press Conference of an upcoming Indian action thriller film.l

‘SAHEB, BIWI AUR GANGSTER 3’

(The master, the wife and the gangster 3. An upcoming film directed by Tigmanshu Dhulia. It is the third instalment in Tigmanshu Dhulia’s series of films started by Rahul Mittra Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster. The scheduled release date of the movie is 27th July 2018. Sanjay Dutt, Jimmy Shergill, Mahi Gill, Chitrangada & Soha Ali Khan will play the lead roles in the film..)

To be addressed by:

• Sanjay Dutt 
• Jimmy Shergill 
• Chitrangda (Desi Boyz & Yeh Saali Zindagi fame)
• Mahie Gill (Dev D fame)
• Rahul Mittra (Producer)
• Tigmanshu Dhulia (Director)

Time: 4:30 PM

Date: 25th July 2018 (Wednesday)

Venue: PVR, Audi 5, Mall of India, Noida

You are requested to send correspondents/ photographers/ camera crew for the Press Conference.

CAIT :No WALMART FLIPKART DEAL

CAIT CONCLAVE DEMANDED THE GOVT TO STOP WALMART FLIPKART DEAL

Pls See: http://dipp.nic.in/sites/default/files/pn3_2016_0.pdf … 1. no FDI is allowed in eCommerce 2. Amazon & Flipkart are flaunting rules 3. Deal exposes India to Walmart, –the company admitted bribery charges in US for Indian subsidiary’s works. 4. 8% of Flpkart is marketplace 5. it kills 45% job roles

At second day of three days National Trade Conclave being held at New Delhi under the umbrella of the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), the trade leaders of the Country in a one voice today strongly demanded the Union Government to stop the Walmart-Flipkart Deal as it will greatly hamper the domestic trade. The trade leaders also resolved that come what may, the trading community of the Country will stoutly oppose the deal and if need arises, the CAIT will not mind in seeking legal recourse The Conclave also decided to launch a nationwide movement against the deal and to sensitise e commerce business of India. About 1500 trade leaders from all over the Country are attending the Conclave,

The trade leaders at the Conclave said that  it is certain that the Walmart-Flipkart deal is nothing but in long run a clear attempt to control & dominate the much potential retail trade of India by Walmart through e commerce which is only a bridge to reach out to offline retail market of India. The key issues of the matter is whoever controls the platform control data and digital intelligence. Owner can squeeze and dictate anything. It is much more difficult for the Govt to control & regulate foreign owned platforms and all indigenous players will have no value if a foreign company runs the platform.

CAIT National President Mr. B.C.Bhartia & Secretary General Mr. Praveen Khandelwal  said that in absence of any e commerce policy and any Regulatory mechanism, the continuing predatory pricing & deep discounts practices in e commerce will be encouraged more. Digitally powered e-Walmart will certainly vitiate the e commerce and retail market.There will be an uneven level playing field to the disadvantage of retail traders. Only the venture capitalist, investors & promotors will be benefitted and not the Country.

The CAIT also raise a demand that Government should immediately frame a national policy for e commerce and constitute a Regulatory Authority to regulate and e commerce business in India and till such time, the deal should be put in abeyance by the Government and a close scrutiny should be held in the entire deal. The Conclave will continue till tomorrow. Union HRD Minister Shri Prakash Javedkar, Commerce Minister Shri Suresh Prabhu & Urban Development Minister Shri Hardeep Puri will attend the Conclave tomorrow.

‘Madrasas and the Making of Islamic Womanhood’

Invitation to the book launch of ‘Madrasas and the Making of Islamic Womanhood’

when: Saturday : 28 July 2018: 7 PM

where : India International centre, Kamladevi,

About the book

This in-depth ethnography looks at the everyday lives of Muslim students in a girls’ madrasa in India. Highlighting the ambiguities between the students’ espousal of madrasa norms and everyday practice, Borker illustrates how young Muslim girls tactically invoke the virtues of safety, modesty, and piety learnt in the madrasa to reconfigure normative social expectations around marriage, education, and employment.
Amongst the few ethnographies on girls’ madrasas in India, this volume focuses on unfolding of young women’s lives as they journey from their home to madrasa and beyond, and thereby problematizes the idealized and coherent notions of piety presented by anthropological literature on female participation in Islamic piety projects. The author uses ethnographic portraits to introduce us to an array of students, many of whom find their aspirational horizon expanded as a result of the madrasa experience. Such stories challenge the dominant media’s representations of madrasas as outmoded religious institutions. Further, the author illustrates how the processes of learning–unlearning and alternate visions of the future emerge as an unanticipated consequence of young women’s engagement with madrasa education.

About the author

Hem Borker is assistant professor at the Centre for the Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India.

Rafale deal, BJP hits back

Bofors was Congress downhill, will Rafel deal unexplained shall be of BJP downturn? Defence deal of national importance need public explanation which can be utterted in few words but the saffron is adamant not to speak on the issue, so was Former PM Rajiv Gandhi and had to pay bitterly with charges leveled by Mr VP Singh former PM.

BJP has hit back at Congress’ allegations against the Rafale deal accusing Rahul Gandhi of misleading the Parliament and the nation. It said the UPA’s Defence Ministers had also termed the deal as confidential and accused Rahul of not doing his homework on foreign policy and security issues.

The Congress on Monday showed no signs of relenting despite being cornered in every way over its baseless allegations over the Rafale deal. During the discussion on the no confidence motion, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had quashed Rahul Gandhi’s allegations and PM Modi had clearly stated that the deal was transparent and clean.

In a press Confeerence on Monday the Congress stated that the govt had misled parliamentarians regarding the deal. The BJP retaliated with a press conference saying that Rahul Gandhi had misled the house regarding the deal.

Union Minister Ravishankar Prasad said that since the deal was confidential its details could not be shared. He said that Congress Chief had dragged the French govt too into the issue causing the latter to issue a rebuttal. He questioned how the Congress could make such statements when UPA Defence ministers AK Anthony and Pranab Mukherjee had both refused to divulge details of the deal in the house during their tenure.

It is to be noted that after Rahul Gandhi’s claims alleging discrepancies in the Rafale deal, France had issued a statement refuting his allegations and stressed on its confidentiality. Despite this the Congress continues to politicise such a confidential matter.

Meanwhile, the delivery of 36 Rafale aircrafts in a fly way condition along with associated equipment and weapons will commence from September next year, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman informs Parliament. Indian Air force will not have to wait for long for the Rafale. The political allegations notwithstanding, Centre has said that the Rafale deal is on track and the delivery of the advanced planes will start in September 2019.

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has stated that the fighter jet deal with France will be completed by April 2022. Rafale will be the most modern fighter to augment the firepower capabilities of Indian Air Force and will prove to be a game changer and a force multiplier. Will her statement of Defense Minister can satisfy the Opposition parties?

North Korea begins dismantling nuclear and ballistic missile facilities

North Korea has begun dismantling key facilities at a site used to develop engines for ballistic missiles, according to an analysis of satellite imagery of the location, the first significant step towards denuclearisation following last month’s historic summit between Kim Jong-un and United States President Donald Trump.

The Sohae Satellite Launching Station has been the main site for North Korean satellite launches since 2012.

The testing facilities at the site are thought to play a role in the development of liquid-fuel engines that can also be used in North Korea’s ballistic missile programme.

The images published by 38 North, a US-based website focused on North Korea that is affiliated with the Stimson Center in Washington, were taken on July 20 and July 22, respectively.

New commercial satellite imagery of the Sohae station indicates that the North has begun dismantling key facilities, the 38 North said in a report.

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Iran FM to US, ‘Be cautious’

The barbs  on Twitter between Iran and United States President Donald Trump  unending, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Monday hit back at the latter, asking him to ‘be cautious’.

“COLOR US UNIMPRESSED: The world heard even harsher bluster a few months ago. And Iranians have heard them -albeit more civilized ones-for 40 yrs. We’ve been around for millennia & seen fall of empires, incl our own, which lasted more than the life of some countries. BE CAUTIOUS!” Zarif tweeted.

On Monday, Trump had cautioned Rouhani to not threaten the United States.”To Iranian President Rouhani: NEVER, EVER THREATEN THE UNITED STATES AGAIN OR YOU WILL SUFFER CONSEQUENCES THE LIKES OF WHICH FEW THROUGHOUT HISTORY HAVE EVER SUFFERED BEFORE. WE ARE NO LONGER A COUNTRY THAT WILL STAND FOR YOUR DEMENTED WORDS OF VIOLENCE & DEATH. BE CAUTIOUS!” he tweeted.

According to Iran’s state-run news agency IRNA, while addressing diplomats in Tehran on Sunday, Rouhani said, “Americans must understand that war with Iran is the mother of all wars,” reported CNN.
He, however, did not rule out the possibility of a peace agreement and said that “peace with Iran is the mother of all peace”.”Do not play with the lion’s tail, because you will regret it eternally,” Rouhani added.These comments came after Trump in May announced the US’ withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) or the Iran nuclear deal, which limited the country’s uranium enrichment in exchange for sanctions relief. — ANI

Jean-Claude Juncker will not arrive in the US

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker will not arrive in the US for talks with President Donald Trump with a specific trade offer, the Commission said on Monday. Juncker is expected to travel to Washington on Wednesday. The talks will focus on trade tensions after the US imposition of tariffs on EU steel and aluminum and Trump’s threats to extend those measures to European cars, Reuters said.

Trump’s top economic adviser, Larry Kudlow, had expected Juncker to come with a “significant” trade offer, but the Commission warned on Monday that would not happen.

Last week, European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker said Monday that he sees “no perspective in the short term” for EU-China talks on a free trade agreement. At an EU-China summit in Beijing, he said that “if China wishes to open up it can do so.” Juncker, with European Council president Donald Tusk, met Chinese prime minister Li Keqiang. They said they hope to conclude soon a bilateral investment agreement.

EU: How migrants can be distributed

Italy has agreed to allow 450 migrants, who were picked up from an overcrowded boat Saturday, to disembark in Sicily. The migrants were rescued by two vessels from the European Union’s (EU) Frontex mission. Only 57 women and children have been allowed to land in the Sicilian port of Pozzallo. Following an appeal, Italian authorities have said that France, Germany, Malta, Portugal and Spain all agreed to take 50 migrants each.

“In this context which always sees Italy in the frontline of saving lives at sea, I ask you for a clear sign on sharing the responsibility of managing the migrant issue,” Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said in letters sent to the governments of the 27 other EU member countries.

“This is the solidarity and responsibility that we have always asked of Europe and now, after the results obtained at the last European Council, they are beginning to become reality,” Conte posted to social media. “Let’s continue on this path with firmness and respect for human rights.”

“Germany and Italy have agreed that, in view of the ongoing talks on closer bilateral cooperation on asylum, Germany is ready to accept 50 people in this case,” a German Government spokeswoman said Sunday.

Italy’s Foreign Ministry has said Rome will allow migrants rescued by a European Union naval operation to land over the coming weeks while EU member states figure out how to divide up new arrivals, AP reported. Italy is seeking to renegotiate Operation Sophia’s mandate to prevent rescued migrants from being brought exclusively to Italy. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said on Monday that, over the next five weeks, EU countries will discuss how rescued migrants can be distributed in Europe. Sophia’s commander recently ordered participating ships to return to port. However, German officials said on Monday that a German ship participating in the operation had set out to sea again.

Media agencies

Tzipi Livni opposition leader of labor party

Zionist Union leader Avi Gabbay and Tzipi Livni announced Monday they have agreed for her to be appointed head of the opposition. Zionist Union is an alliance between Labor Party, headed by Gabbay, and Hatnua, led by Livni. As part of the deal, Livni promised to run jointly with Gabay in the next elections, though the terms of their alliance remain in murk. Gabbay cannot serve as opposition leader since he is not a lawmaker.

Israeli lawmaker and former minister Tzipi Livni was named leader of the opposition on Monday, according to a joint statement by her and the head of the Labor party. Once a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud, Livni quit the party in 2005. The 59-year-old politician will replaces as opposition leader former Labor chief Isaac Herzog, who resigned his seat in parliament, AFP reported. Herzog will become head of the Jewish Agency, the quasi-governmental body that deals with Jewish immigration to Israel. Labor is the largest single opposition party in the Knesset, the parliament. However, its chairman Avi Gabbay is barred from serving as opposition leader as he is not a lawmaker. Livni has served as foreign minister, justice minister, deputy premier and immigration minister.

Two Moroccan men arrested on plan to attack Rotterdam & Paris

At around 16:15 yesterday, Royal Gibraltar Police officers arrested two persons, believed to be Moroccan nationals, for immigration offences.

They had been seen landing off a vessel at the reclamation area between Eastern Beach and Catalan Bay by HM Customs officers and were initially detained by HM Customs officers at the southern end of Eastern Beach.

The two individuals, aged 26 and 22, were charged with the offence of being a non-Gibraltarian found in Gibraltar without a valid permit or certificate and appeared at the Magistrates’ Court this morning.

They both pleaded guilty to the offence, for which they were conditionally discharged. They were then remanded in custody pending their removal from Gibraltar.

Two Moroccan men have been arrested in the Netherlands after digital messages revealed their plans to carry out attacks in two cities, Rotterdam and Paris. The men were arrested on June 17 based on information provided by the Dutch General Intelligence and Security Service. The conversations between the two suspects revealed a potential plot against security services in the Netherlands and an attack in Paris following Ramadan. Police found no weapons or explosives while arresting the suspects.

Two men arrested for planning terror attacks in #Rotterdam #Netherlands – The suspects are 22 and 27 years old, and both of Moroccan nationality – One of the suspects wanted to commit an attack in #Paris after Ramadan – Police station in Rotterdam also targeted.

yourgibraltartv.com

Athens fires kills twenty injure 100

Greece fire  20 people have been killed by raging wildfires in Greece, government spokesman Dimitris Tzanakopoulos said, as cited by AP. He added at least 100 people have been taken to the hospital with injuries, many of them in serious condition.

The three huge fires fueled by powerful winds burned near the Greek capital, Athens.

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras earlier said the country’s firefighting services were not able to control the disaster. Greece has requested international assistance to deal with the calamity.