Daily News (In Short)-31-July-2015

#* Four Indians kidnapped in Libya, confirms govt; Islamic State hand suspected

New Delhi: Four Indian nationals have been kidnapped in Libya, allegedly by the Islamic State, reports said on Friday.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Vikas Swarup confirmed the news at a press conference and said the abductions took place on July 29 at around 11 pm.

The four Indians were abducted from a checkpoint some 50 kilometres from the city of Sirte, Swarup told a press briefing. They have now been taken to Sirte, he added.

According to the spokesperson, three of the four Indians are faculty at the University of Sirte while the fourth one works at the varsity.

While two of them hail from Hyderabad, the other two are from Karnataka, including one from Bangalore.

“The MEA through the head of mission in Tripoli is ascertaining details,” Swarup said.

“The ministry is in regular touch with the families concerned and all efforts are on to ensure well-being and secure the release of all four Indian nationals,” he added.

While Swarup did not say anything on who kidnapped the Indians, TV reports have claimed that the ISIS is most likely behind the kidnappings.

The Indian nationals were kidnapped from an area which is under the control of the ISIS, as per reports.

The government had last year issued an advisory asking Indian citizens to leave conflict-hit Libya.

#* Modi govt is firm on rooting out terrorism from India: Rajnath Singh speaks on Gurdaspur attack

New Delhi: Linking the Gurdaspur attack to Pakistan, Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said the three terrorists had infiltrated from there to carry out the strike and asserted that the government will do everything possible to prevent cross-border terrorism.
Making a statement in Rajya Sabha on Monday's attack in Punjab, he said "any effort by the enemies of our nation to undermine India's territorial integrity and security or imperil the safety and security of our citizens will meet an effective and forceful response from our security forces."
Rajnath Singh. ReutersRajnath Singh. Reuters
The government "has been and will remain resolute in this regard", he said.
Singh made the statement amid din created by Congress members which was strongly disapproved of by Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien, who said it was "not politics" but a "statement on a terrorist attack" that concerns the security of the country.
However, as the unrelenting Congress members continued to shout slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Singh said, "I take this opportunity to assure the House that the government is firmly to root out terrorism from India."
The Home Minister also assured the House that "the government will do everything possible to prevent cross-border terrorism aimed against India."
Giving details of the attack in Punjab, he said, "preliminary analyses of GPS data indicates that the terrorists had infiltrated from Pakistan through the area near Tash in Gurdaspur district, where the Ravi river enters Pakistan."
It is also suspected, he said, that the same terrorists had planted five IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices) on the railway track near Talwandi village between Dinanagar and Jhakoladi which were subsequently defused by the bomb disposal squad. A night vision device was also recovered from the spot.

#* Those who sought leniency for Yakub Memon are nation’s enemies: Shiv Sena

Lashing out at those who sought leniency for Yakub Memon, the Shiv Sena today demanded they should be “tried for being enemies of the country” and also asked the government to ensure that the 1993 serial blasts convict does not become a martyr in the eyes of people.
The souls of all those affected by the 1993 bombings will be at peace only when its main conspirators and mastermind – Tiger Memon and Dawood Ibrahim – are brought back to the country and sent to the gallows, the Sena said.
“Around 50 people had written letters asking for mercy to be shown towards Yakub Memon. These people had not lost anyone in the Mumbai attacks and were thus pleading for leniency. But, the President and the Supreme Court did not listen to them and dismissed their petitions keeping the sentiments of the country in mind,” the Sena said in an editorial in party mouthpiece ‘Saamana’.
“All those who asked for mercy to be shown towards Memon should be tried for being enemies of the country,” it asserted.
“Memon has been hanged, and now government should take firm steps to ensure that no efforts are made to project him as innocent or martyr before the people,” the Sena demanded.
The Mumbai serial blasts was an attack on the country by Pakistan, the Sena said and added that the neighbouring country has long been planning terror strikes against India.
“Dawood and Tiger are in Pakistan. Yakub too ran away to Pakistan and returned later. What is the point in showing mercy just because he came back to India? There was strong proof against him and his lawyer tried his best to save him,” the editorial said.
The ruling alliance partner also suggested a debate on the fate of the killers of ex-Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh still living despite being awarded death sentence.
“One point which (Asaduddin) Owaisi made is worth thinking about. The killers of former PM Rajiv Gandhi and ex-CM Beant Singh are living after being given death sentences because the respective state governments are against their killing,” it said.
“There can be a discussion on this and legal battle can also be fought. But only on these grounds mercy cannot be granted to someone responsible for hundreds of deaths in the Mumbai bomb blasts,” the Sena said.

#* Leaked Hangouts 4.0 For Android Shows Support For Android Wear Voice Commands

The Hangouts 4.0 update is soon to hit Android devices, bringing with it a feature that will be exclusively available to Google's own OS.

The update, which arrived in iOS a few weeks ago, delivers a design overhaul and emojis known as "Stickers," which appear to be super-inflated. Users can now send multiple photos at the same time while taking advantage of the free photo and video backup from Google Photos.

Android users have yet to see the new version on their devices but they should be able to get the same new features now being enjoyed by iOS users. The delay may cause disappointment to some but the reason behind it could make the wait worthwhile.

Reports say that users will soon be able to begin a Hangouts chat using their Android smartwatch. The feature is said to revolutionize the way people send and reply to messages in Hangouts through a wearable device.

At the moment, users can reply to messages sent using various chat apps through a wrist-worn wearable. Messages are sent either by using one's voice or by drawing an emoji.

With the new update, users can begin a Hangouts message thread by simply giving out the command: "OK Google, send a Hangouts message to [name]." The user will then see the word "Message" on the screen with options such as "Speak Now" or "Draw emoji" indicated right underneath.

After dictating one's message, the screen will then scroll past the email account of the recipient then scroll next to the message and to the user's own email account. Finally, the user receives a confirmation message on the screen, which indicates the message is on its way to the recipient.

Google may also have realized the rising popularity of emojis and included the feature of drawing emoji instead of speaking one's message in the update.

Users can also opt to cancel the sending of the message if they feel like retracting.

The app is still in beta and is being tested internally. This means that bugs could still be discovered in its early stage. There's no word yet on when it will go live, although it shouldn't take that long since it has been announced to launch shortly after landing on iOS.

#* Lok Sabha: Speaker rejects adjournment motion of Congress

The Congress party on Friday gave adjournment notice in the Lok Sabha over former IPL chief Lalit Modi issue and the Vyapam scam.

However, the speaker rejected the adjournment motion. Currently the house is working despite vehement protest by the opposition.  Meanwhile, the Government will  convene an all-party meeting to discuss the ways to break logjam in the Parliament over Lalit Modi controversy and the Vayapam scam.

Leader of Congress in the Lok Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge had said that Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh hinted that the government would try to call a meeting to resolve the issue.
Both the Houses of Parliament have not been able to function with the opposition parties reiterating their demand for External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj's resignation over her alleged help to Lalit Modi.Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Rajiv Pratap Rudy on Friday accused the Congress Party, and particularly its vice president, Rahul Gandhi, of shying away from having a debate in Parliament.
Rudy asked, "The first and the foremost thing that the vice president of the Congress Party should adhere to is to come to parliament and talk. Why is the Congress Party shying away from the idea of debating things in parliament? Why is Congress not ready to come for a debate on all these issues? Even for an issue (FTII) for which he is going to Pune," he added.

Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to meet Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) students in connection with their protest against the appointment of Gajendra Chauhan as its chairman. According to reports, some students had approached Rahul Gandhi to intervene in the matter.

Meanwhile, the government will today convene an all-party meeting to discuss the ways to break logjam in the Parliament over former IPL chief Lalit Modi controversy and the Vyapam scam. Parliament has not been able to function with the opposition demanding External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj's resignation over her alleged help to Modi.

#* Bihar polls: Modi takes charge in bid to crush Nitish in his own den

At a rally held last week in Muzaffarpur, a northern town known as the ‘political capital’ of Bihar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared a "war" on his principal rival, Nitish Kumar. Modi now seems to be pumping in his all energies to win the battle in this key eastern Indian state. A victory in Bihar will indeed come as a morale booster for the saffron camp ahead of the assembly polls in West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh. West Bengal goes to polls next year (2016) whereas the elections in politically more significant UP are scheduled to be held in 2017. This explains why the BJP wants a victory in Bihar at all costs.
The popular response it was able to get during one such rally held last week has only inspired the top BJP leadership to go for more action. Enthused by the impressive crowd which filled every inch of the sprawling Chakkar Maidan in Muzaffarpur and then climbed on trees and bamboo poles to hear Modi, the BJP has now planned three more rallies of him in Bihar in a bid to charge up the voters before the dates of assembly polls are announced by the Election Commission. The idea is to retain its old pockets of influence and then concentrate on weaker areas, especially the north-eastern region having significant presence of Muslims and Yadavs who are considered traditional voters of Lalu Prasad. It was with this mission that Modi rallies have been strategically planned for Bihar.
Image courtesy- PTIImage courtesy- PTI
The first town chosen for a Modi rally was Muzaffarpur whereas his subsequent rallies are scheduled to be held in Gaya on August 9, Saharsa on August 19 and Bhagalpur on August 30. The selection of the rally venues assumes much significance since all these venues are located in four different corners of the state having great political significance. While Muzaffarpur located in the northern region of the state is known for the kind of rare political consciousness among voters, southern town Gaya is a prominent Hindu pilgrimage city where millions of pilgrims descend every year during the fortnight-long “Pitripaksha Mela” to ensure salvation to the departed souls of their ancestors. The BJP thinks this could be the ideal place for the party rally.
These are the two regions where the BJP-led NDA had made huge gains during the last LS polls—making a virtual clean sweep in reality. This can be underlined from the fact that of the total 31 seats won by the NDA, 28 came from these two regions alone. While the NDA bagged all the 18 seats in north Bihar, it emerged victorious on 10 seats falling under the south-central Bihar. It was only Nalanda which went to the JD-U kitty. During the last 2010 assembly elections as well, the NDA had given a terrific performance in the region. Especially in north Bihar, the NDA which then comprised JD-U and the BJP had clinched victory over 91 of the total 109 seats. While the JD-U had won 49 seats, BJP emerged victorious on 42 seats. It’s obvious now the pressures are on the BJP to retain its hold in the coming assembly elections as well. A repeat of the past performance will only give a walkover to the NDA in the polls.
Similarly, Saharsa, the other place selected for another rally of Modi is located in the north. It’s a part of the Kosi belt where two caste chieftains, Pappu Yadav and Anand Mohan, a Rajput leader now serving life term in DM G Krishnaiah murder case, rule the roost. While Pappu Yadav has already proved his hold over the voters by winning two seats in the family during the last LS polls (Pappu won Madhepura seat by defeating JD-U president Sharad Yadav, his wife Ranjita Ranjan won from Supaul seat), Anand Mohan has lost his political clout over the years due to his long incarceration.
The Kosi region comprises four LS seats but the NDA could win only one seat from there. Faced with the challenges, the BJP is now trying hard to woo Pappu Yadav although it does not want to include his outfit, Jan Adhikar Party, in the NDA due to the latter’s alleged criminal background. But the lure for Yadav votes is forcing the BJP to go near him while keeping a “respectable” distance. The Narendra Modi government’s move to provide “Y” category security to Pappu is being seen in this direction. The BJP obviously stands to gain if Pappu works for the NDA.
Likewise, Anand Modhan’s wife Lovely Anand, a former MP, too has now joined the NDA camp much to the BJP's glee. She has got the membership of Jitan Ram Manjhi’s Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM), a NDA constituent recognized by the Election Commission only on Tuesday. Her induction too is likely to consolidate the NDA position in the upcoming polls. Since Anand Mohan’s disappearance from the political scene, Rajput voters had been divided over whom to support but his family’s entry to the NDA, they are likely to rally round her afresh.
The eastern Bihar town of Bhagalpur is another place which will see Modi making a war cry. This place too holds importance in BJP’s scheme of things. A BJP stronghold for the past 15 years, BJP lost the seat to the RJD in the last LS polls despite strong Modi wave. The ‘silk city’ as Bhagalpur is known falls near the several Muslim-dominated districts in the border region, such as Purnia, Araria, Kishanganj and Katihar. These areas have been traditionally voting for the RJD or the Congress with a few exceptions to the BJP but now party wants to woo Lalu’s votes by questioning latter company with Nitish.
Also, Modi is now going more aggressive towards Nitish. The way he questioned his DNA at his earlier rally in Muzaffarpur amply indicates how he has now gone ruthless towards his arch-rival. More such attacks are likely to be seen in the coming days. The reason why Modi has gone so harsh on his rival is the calculation that the NDA may get the support of the masses unhappy with the functioning of Nitish. On earlier occasions, Modi seemed to maintain restraint in his criticisms towards Nitish but this time he does not look to be in a mood to spare him.
“Narendra Modi still remains a very big factor and the huge crowd at his Muzaffarpur proves how popular he is among the masses. His presence on the scene will indeed bring a huge political change in BIhar. No one should have doubts over it,” said former minister Prem Kumar, one of the BJP leaders who is in the race for chief minister.
He said that the people of Bihar want change, and that’s why they see in Modi a “harbinger of hope”.

#* Maggi may undergo fresh tests following HC proposal

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Nestle India , the manufacturer of Maggi instant noodles,has agreed for an independent lab testing of the product provided the tests were carried out in the presence of a reputed scientist.

The division bench of Justices V M Kanade and B P Colabawala of the Bombay High Court, while hearing Nestle's petition against the June 5 order of Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) banning nine variants of Maggi, had asked whether the company was ready for fresh independent tests.
Nestle's lawyer Iqbal Chhagla said the company agreed to the tests but they should be conducted in the presence of a renowned scientist and the samples available with the company should be used.
Darius Khambata, appearing for Maharashtra Food and Drugs Administration and the FSSAI counsel sought time till tomorrow to take instructions from their clients. Khambata also contended that one of the samples must be from the lot collected by state FDA.
The judges earlier said they proposed to order independent testing of Maggi, and sought the parties' views.
The Nestle lawyer alleged that FSSAI and FDA had not followed the principles of natural Justice by not giving a hearing to the company before banning Maggi on the ground of lead content in it being beyond the permissible limit.
Also, though only three variants were tested, the regulators banned all nine variants of Maggi, Chhagla said, adding there was no substance in the allegation of FSSAI about the company destroying evidence by burning Maggi stock. "On the contrary, we have acted on the instructions of the food regulators by destroying Maggi product," he said.

#8 Windows 10 is up to 14 million installs already

Microsoft says its' new Windows 10 operating system is now running on more than 14 million computers, two days after the software was released as a free download.
That's a far cry from the company's goal of getting Windows 10 onto a billion devices within three years. Microsoft says it's releasing the software in waves to make sure downloads go smoothly.

In a blog post late Thursday, Microsoft said it has not yet delivered Windows 10 to everyone who requested a free upgrade for computers running older Windows versions. Microsoft says the 14 million includes some copies installed on new computers sold in stores.

Reaction has been mostly favorable, with reviewers calling the new Windows an improvement over the last version, known as Windows 8.

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