UN Secy Gen Ban condemns Uri terror attack

United Nations, Sep 19 (PTI) Condemning the militant attack on an army camp in North Kashmir's Uri town that killed 17 soldiers, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon hoped the perpetrators of the crime will be brought to justice and all involved will work for the re-establishment of stability and prevent further loss of life.

"The United Nations is following developments closely and shares the concerns of people living in the region for peace," a statement issued by Ban's spokesperson here said.

Ban expressed hope that the perpetrators of the attack will be brought to justice and all stakeholders will meet their responsibilities to maintain peace and stability.

"The Secretary-General hopes that the perpetrators of this crime will be identified and brought to justice," it said.

He "hopes that all involved will prioritise the re-establishment of stability and prevent any further loss of life. The Secretary-General encourages all stakeholders to meet their respective responsibilities to maintain peace and stability," the statement said.

Condemning the "militant attack", Ban expressed his "deepest sympathy and condolences" to the families of the soldiers who lost their lives and to the government of India and wished a speedy recovery to those injured in the attack.

Meanwhile, Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro, who succeeded Iranian President Hassan Rouhani as the head of the Non-Aligned Movement, also expressed solidarity with the people of India "who have suffered a terrorist attack." 

"We are committed along with our brotherly people of the world to get into the depth of this problem that has generated proliferation of terrorist movements, which doesn't respect life and the need for coexistence of people," he said at a press conference after the summit in Margarita Island yesterday.

In one of the deadliest attacks on the Army in recent years, 17 soldiers were killed and 19 others injured as heavily armed militants stormed a battalion headquarters of the force in North Kashmir's Uri town early yesterday.

Four militants involved in the terror strike were killed by the Army.

The attack comes two years after militants had carried out a similar type of attack at Mohra in the same area. Ten security personnel were killed in the attack that took place on December 5, 2014.

Thirteen Nations Come Together to Discuss Biotechnology, Environmental Risk Assessment and Biosafety Regulation

South Asia Biosafety Conference Inaugurated at Hyderabad

Thirteen nations are participating in the South Asia Biosafety Conference (SABC) at Hyderabad, to share international experience amongst scientists and regulators in biotechnology, environmental risk assessment and biosafety regulation in South Asia.   The three-day annual event will cover wide-ranging topics being covered in biotechnology R&D and biosafety.

In her opening address, Additional Secretary, MoEF&CC and Chairperson, Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC), Dr. Amita Prasad, said that India has a robust regulatory framework for ensuring biosafety of all types of genetically engineered organisms under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.  She pointed out that these regulations are supported by a series of guidelines to deal with various aspects. Dr. Prasad emphasized that capacity-building and sharing of experience has to be a continuous activity to ensure effective implementation of the biosafety regulations. Such activities also help in increasing awareness and creating an environment of understanding among various stakeholders. Appreciating the research efforts in biotechnology, she commended the research institutions for their R&D initiativestowards developing newer products relevant to the national needs.

In his keynote address, Vice President, National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS), Dr. Anupam Verma, emphasized that the modern world is facing enormous challenges to achieve food security. In the backdrop of increasing demand for food, dwindling natural resources and increasing biotic and abiotic stresses as a result of intensification of agriculture and climate change, the world has no option, but to accelerate utilization of the available and emerging technologies for improving world food production. He stressed that agriculture biotechnology is a powerful tool for addressing the emerging challenges, as already demonstrated by the fast adoption of such technologies in dealing with biotic and abiotic stresses. He advocated better coordination among various ministries including agriculture, health and environment.

More than two hundred participants from Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Iran, Japan, Kenya, Philippines, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Tajikistan, and USA are participating in the Conference.   The inaugural session also witnessed the release of Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) guidance documents, recently adopted by the Indian regulatory authorities to strengthen the ERA process.  This is the fourth Conference, with the first three Conferences being held in New Delhi, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.  SABC is organized on an annual basis in the South Asian region by ILSI Research Foundation, and Biotech Consortium India Limited (BCIL) under the South Asia Biosafety Programme.

The International society of biosafety research (ISBR) has supported a poster session and a lighting round for young researchers with awards for best posters in biosafety. 37 posters by participants from various countries have been put up for display.

17 soldiers killed in terror attack in Uri

Uri(J&K): (PTI) In the worst attack on the Army in many years, heavily armed militants suspected to be from Pakistan-based JeM stormed an army base in Uri in Kashmir killing 17 jawans early today, prompting Prime Minister Narendra Modi to assert that those responsible "will not go "unpunished. Located barely a few kilometres from the Line of Control (LoC) and some 70 km from Srinagar, the base was subjected to the brazen attack by four terrorists at around 5.30 AM, causing heavy casualties in the Dogra regiment which lost 17 of its men. 20 more army personnel were injured, some critically, and were airlifted to the army base hospital in Srinagar.

India to submit concept note on TFA in services at WTO

New Delhi, Sep 18 (PTI) India will soon move a detailed concept note at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to start discussions on trade facilitation agreement in services.

The note would seek suggestions and views of the WTO members countries.

"We will soon put the concept note in the multi-lateral body and it will be discussed in the working group of services in Geneva," a senior commerce ministry official said.

India is pushing for a trade facilitation agreement (TFA) on services to promote trade in this sector along with goods.

The WTO has already concluded a similar pact for merchandise.

The TFA in goods will come into force once two-thirds of members have completed their ratification process. It contains provisions for expediting the movement, release and clearance of goods, including goods in transit.

It also sets out measures for effective cooperation between customs and other appropriate authorities on trade facilitation and compliance issues.

On similar lines, India has asked for an agreement to promote services trade as the sector contributes about 60 per cent in India's economy and 28 per cent in the total employment.

Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had raised the issue during an informal meeting with key members of WTO on the sidelines of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) ministerial council meeting in Paris.

WTO Director General Roberto Azevedo had welcomed it and asked India to submit the proposal for discussion.

The official said that unlike goods, there is a total absence of collective recognition of services sector as part of trade in the WTO.

"Trade is no longer just in finished goods. In fact, world economy today depends more on trade in services. There is a need to recognise that services is a tradeable item," another official said.

TFA in services means liberalised visa regime such as multiple entry visas, visa-free travel for foreign tourists and long term visas for business community among other things.

The move also assumes significance as about a dozen countries are already negotiating Trade in Services Agreement (TISA) in the WTO. India is not part of TISA.

Modi takes blessings of mother on 66th birthday/ President Greets PM

नरेन्द्र मोदी ने अपने 66वें जन्मदिन पर मां का आशीर्वाद लिया — पीटीआई फोटो                                                 

Gandhinagar, Sep 17 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi today visited his mother Hiraba here and took her blessings on his 66th birthday.

Modi reached the residence of his brother Pankaj Modi in Raysan area of state capital here, where his 97-year-old mother is staying.

The Prime Minister sought her blessings and spend around 25 minutes with her. He later drove off to Raj Bhavan where he is put up during his visit.

Born on September 17, 1950, Modi turned 66 today. He is here to spend his birthday between tribal and Divyangs (differently abled).

He will travel to Limkheda of Dahod and inaugurate many schemes for development of this tribal district later in the day.

Later in the afternoon he would go to Navsari where he is scheduled to take part in a function where aid would be distributed to the differently-abled persons.

President greets Prime Minister on his birthday

The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee has conveyed his greetings and good wishes to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on his birthday.

In his message, the President has said, “Please accept my warm greetings and good wishes on your birthday.

Let this day be the beginning of a year of greater achievements in your and our nation’s life.

May the Almighty bless you with good health, happiness and many more years of dedicated service to the nation”. 

India pitches for an 'accommodating' Constitution in Nepal

 New Delhi, Sep 16 (PTI) As Nepal undergoes a political transition, India today pitched for implementing the country's Constitution by accommodating aspirations of all sections and assured it of all possible support amid China's efforts to gain ground in the Himalayan nation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held an "extensive and productive dialogue" with his Nepalese counterpart Pushpa Kamal Dahal popularly known as Prachanda after which the two sides inked three pacts including one on India extending USD 750 million for Nepal's post earthquake reconstruction.

It is Prachanda's first visit to India after becoming Prime Minister for the second time. KP Sharma Oli quit the top post in July following fresh political turmoil due to protest of Madheshi community against the new Constitution.

The two countries also decided to continue cooperation in areas of defence and security.

In a statement to media following the talks, Modi said India hoped Nepal will be successful in implementing the Constitution through inclusive dialogue accommodating aspirations of all sections of its diverse society.

"As immediate neighbours and close friendly nations, peace, stability and economic prosperity (Shanti, Sthirta aur Samrudhi) of Nepal is our shared objective," the Prime Minister said in the presence of Prachanda.

On his part, the Nepalese Prime Minister said his country has nothing but "goodwill" for India and that destinies of both the countries are "interlinked".

The Prime Minister said India has been privileged to be Nepal's partner at "every step" of the country development journey and economic progress. "Our friendship is time-tested & unique. We share our burden during difficult times, just as we celebrate each other's achievements." 

Modi said both sides have agreed to focus on "close monitoring" and time bound completion of all development projects being implemented by India in Nepal. He said speedy and successful implementation of ongoing hydropower projects will be ensured.

Showering praise on Prachanda for his efforts to bring stability to Nepal, Modi said, "I am confident that under your leadership Nepal will be successful in implementing the Constitution through inclusive dialogue accommodating aspirations of all sections of the diverse society." 

"I conveyed to Prachanda that India stands ready and prepared to strengthen the development partnership with Nepal and we will do so as per priorities of people and government of Nepal," Modi said.

About the political transformation in Nepal, Prachanda said his government was making sincere efforts in taking every section of the society onboard while implementing the provisions of the Constitution.

"I shared with Modiji that promulgation of the Constitution last year by the popularly elected Constituent assembly was a historic achievement for people of Nepal. You are aware that my government has made serious efforts to bring everyone on board as we enter the phase of implementation of the Constitution," he said. .

Priyanka Chopra among world's highest paid TV actresses

Los Angeles, Sep 15 (PTI) Priyanka Chopra has become the first Indian star to enter the Forbes list of highest paid television actresses in the world, after starring on American series "Quantico".

Priyanka ranks eighth in the coveted list, which has retained American actress Sofia Vergara at the first position fifth year in a row.

The 44-year-old Colombian-American actress brought home a whooping USD 43 million before management fees and taxes, but not all came from her hit TV show "Modern Family".

Vergara has an impressive array of endorsement deals as well as her line of products.

Priyanka, meanwhile, has earned USD 11 million. She made her international acting debut last year with ABC's "Quantico" and now is gearing up for its second season.

Back home, the 34-year-old actress has starred in two Bollywood films in the past one year -- "Bajirao Mastani" and "Jai Gangaajal"-- and will make her Hollywood film debut with "Baywatch" alongside Hollywood heavy-hitters including Dwayne Johnson, the world's highest-paid actor.

But like most television actresses (and actresses, in general), her millions are not made from screen time alone.

Priyanka is one of India's top picks for advertisers, reported Forbes magazine.

"The Big Bang Theory" actress Kaley Cuoco is at the second position, with an earning of USD 24.5 million.

Mindy Kaling came up third with USD 15 million, followed by a tie for fourth place between Ellen Pompeo and Mariska Hargitay, who both made USD 14.5 million.

"Castle" star Stana Katric, who like Priyanka makes a debut on the list, is placed at seventh position. Another newcomer on the rankings is Julia Louis-Dreyfus ('The Good Wife').

Kerry Washington of "Scandal" fame finds herself at sixth position, with USD 13.5 million earnings. The list comprises 15 highest paid actresses.

Before Priyanka, Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone also made the country proud by entering the 2016 Forbes list of world's highest paid actresses.

The list, which saw Jennifer Lawrence sitting at the top, placed Deepika at the 10th position. Deepika, who shared screen space with Priyanka in "Bajirao Mastani", is like the "Quantico" star, set for her Hollywood debut next year.

She will be seen alongside Vin Diesel in "xXx: Return of Xander Cage".

Website, app for AIR's Balochi service to be launched tomorrow

New Delhi, Sep 15 (PTI) Public Broadcaster Prasar Bharati will launch a website and mobile app tomorrow for All India Radio's Balochi service to reach out to the people who speak the language across the globe.

According to officials, the Balochi website and mobile app will be launched by Prasar Bharati Chairperson A Surya Prakash.

As part of its efforts to find additional platforms to supplement its existing shortwave transmissions for various language services, External Services Division of All India Radio (AIR) is launching a multimedia website and mobile app for the Balochi language service being broadcast since May, 1974, an official said.

"This technological upgradation will not only provide improved reception quality to the listeners in Afghanistan-Pakistan region, the original target of the service, but would also expand the reach of the service to Baloch Diaspora spread in different countries," the official said.

The move to start an AIR web service comes in the backdrop of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Independence Day speech in which he had brought up the issue of Pakistani atrocities on people of Balochistan and PoK.

It was for the first time that the disturbed areas under the control of Pakistan were mentioned by any Prime Minister during his Independence speech.

Earlier, DD News had also sent a team to Geneva to interview Brahumdagh Bugti, leader of Baloch Republican Party.

The External Services Division (ESD) of AIR, at present, broadcasts daily in 57 radio transmissions covering over 108 countries in 27 languages. Out of these, 15 are foreign languages, including Balochi.

CBDT clarifies unconfirmed reports speculating on the taxpayers’ response to the currently on-going Income Disclosure Scheme (IDS) 2016

Certain sections of the press have been speculating on the taxpayers’ response to the currently on-going Income Disclosure Scheme (IDS) 2016 over the last couple of days. The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) would like to clarify that these are not based on any statements issued by the Department
The Department has since the commencement of the scheme, set to rest, various concerns of the taxpayers through public meetings and through the issue of FAQs over the last 3-1/2 months. The benefits of the scheme have also been publicised through print and electronic media, in both national and regional languages. The scheme has generated a good interest and the response of the taxpayers has been steadily growing. The last few days remaining for filing of declarations are expected to give good results.
The CBDT has so far refrained from issuing any statement regarding number of declarations received, amounts declared or taxes paid under the Scheme in order to ensure complete confidentiality. The confidential handling of declarations made under the Scheme is of utmost importance to the Income Tax Department and the CBDT is aware of its responsibility towards fulfilling this crucial role.
A formal and confirmed press release on the above aspects will be issued from the CBDT after the Scheme closes on 30th September, 2016.

India pledges $1 billion in aid to Afghanistan before donor meeting

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Afghan President Ashraf Ghani (L) and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi pose for the media outside Hyderabad House in Delhi, India September 14, 2016

India promised $1 billion in aid to Afghanistan during a visit to New Delhi on Wednesday by President Ashraf Ghani, making a downpayment on stabilization and reform ahead of a major donor conference next month.

In a statement issued after meeting Ghani, Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledged the financial help to back India's "abiding support for a unified, sovereign, democratic, peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan".

Both leaders expressed "grave concern at continued use of terrorism and violence in the region for achieving political objectives" - a veiled reference to common neighbor Pakistan, which denies sponsoring terrorism.

As the United States scales back its military presence in Afghanistan, efforts are being ramped up to rebuild the country after decades of conflict dating back to the Soviet invasion of 1979 and a prolonged Taliban insurgency.

"Forty years of violence would have broken any other country," Ghani said in a speech to India's Institute for Defense Studies and Analysis, a government-funded think tank, declaring himself "delighted" with Modi's aid pledge.

The former World Bank official said that while armed conflict posed a great threat, it was also vital to build market institutions that could lift living standards in a nation where 70 percent of people live on less than $2 a day.

The European Union and Afghanistan will host a donor conference on Oct. 5 in Brussels attended by 70 states and 30 international organizations and agencies, to seek backing for reforms to stabilize and develop the Central Asian country.

(Reporting by Douglas Busvine and Manoj Kumar; editing by Andrew Roche)