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Fri, 25 September 2015
Live! Security Council should be reformed to maintain credibility: PM Modi
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23:17 Security Council should be reformed to maintain credibility: PM Modi
Here are highlights of Prime Minister Narendra speech at the United Nations on sustainable development goals:
* We are working towards making agriculture more productive and helping farmers suffering from natural adversities.
* World talks of public and private sector. We are looking at the personal sector. This means individual enterprise, innovation.
* We are working on financial inclusion in a very big way.
*Since we attained freedom, we have focussed on ending poverty.
* Education and skill development are priorities for us.
*The world must be freedom and development must be sustainable.
Photograph: Paresh Gandhi/Rediff.com
22:25 Volkswagen appoints Matthias Muller as new CEO
Volkswagen has appointed Matthias Muller, head of Porsche, as chief executive to lead the troubled carmaker out of the worst scandal in its history.
The supervisory board meeting chose Muller to replace Martin Winterkorn, who resigned in the wake of a widening scandal over diesel emissions after eight years at the helm of the group.
62-year-old Muller, a plain-speaking VW veteran who had emerged as the frontrunner for the post in recent days, is close to the Porsche and Piech families, who together control a majority of VWs voting shares. Born in the former East Germany, he began his career at the groups Audi subsidiary in the 1970s and has headed Porsche since 2010, adding new models and increasing sales.
The scandal exploded when the US Environmental Protection Agency revealed a week ago that VW had rigged its diesel cars to pass emissions tests , an announcement followed by the launch of a US Department of Justice criminal investigation.
The EPA initially said 482,000 vehicles sold to the US since 2008 were affected, a figure now eclipsed by over 2.8m vehicles in Germany.
20:38 PM Modi meets World Bank president
Kicking off his Friday morning engagements in New York, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met World Bank President Jim Yong Kim during which the two leaders discussed issues related to sustainable development, clean energy and climate change.
Meeting with the World Bank President was one of the first official appointments Modi had today, a day which the Ministry of External Affairs spokesman Vikas Swrup said is dedicated to development.
20:35 US House Speaker Boehner to resign in October
US House of Represetative Speaker John A Boehner (R-Ohio), faced with a constant conservative rebellion, told Republicans Friday morning that he will resign at the end of October, according to aides and lawmakers in a closed-door meeting.
The resignation will end a nearly five-year reign as speaker, allowing House Republicans to approve a short-term government funding bill that will avert a shutdown of federal agencies.
Boehner's hold on the speaker's gavel had grown increasingly unsteady amid threats from more than 30 Republicans that they would force a no-confidence vote in his speaker's position, which would have forced him to rely on Democratic votes in order to remain in charge.
It's unclear whether Boehner is just resigning the speakership next month or also abandoning his House seat.
The shocking move, first reported by The New York Times, means theres unlikely to be a government shutdown next week.
Read more HERE
20:35 Fifa President Sepp Blatter facing criminal action; being quizzed by Swiss officials
Fifa President Sepp Blatter is currently being questioned by representatives of the Swiss attorney general, the BBC understands.
In a statement, the attorney general's office said it had opened "criminal proceedings" against Blatter.
It said he was being investigated "on suspicion of criminal mismanagement as well as -- alternatively -- on suspicion of misappropriation".
Earlier, Fifa cancelled a press conference at its Zurich headquarters.
The Swiss attorney general's office said the investigation surrounds a TV rights deal Blatter signed with former Caribbean football chief Jack Warner in 2005.
Blatter is also suspected of "a disloyal payment" in 2011 to UEFA president Michel Platini, the statement said.
19:57 Pope calls for ending social exclusion, recaliming environment @ UNGA
The Pope further says:
* The baneful consequences of an irresponsible mismanagement of the global economy, guided only by ambition for wealth and power, must serve as a summons to a forthright reflection on man: man is not only a freedom which he creates for himself. Man does not create himself. He is spirit and will, but also nature.
* Creation is compromised where we ourselves have the final word... The misuse of creation begins when we no longer recognize any instance above ourselves, when we see nothing else but ourselves.
* Concrete steps and immediate measures for preserving and improving the natural environment and thus putting an end as quickly as possible to the phenomenon of social and economic exclusion, with its baneful consequences: human trafficking, the marketing of human organs and tissues, the sexual exploitation of boys and girls, slave labour, including prostitution, the drug and weapons trade, terrorism and international organized crime
* We can rest content with the bureaucratic exercise of drawing up long lists of good proposals -- goals, objectives and statistical indicators -- or we can think that a single theoretical and aprioristic solution will provide an answer to all the challenges.
* It must never be forgotten that political and economic activity is only effective when it is understood as a prudential activity, guided by a perennial concept of justice and that does not lose sight of the fact that, above and beyond our plans and programs, we are dealing with real men and women who live, struggle and suffer, and are often forced to live in great poverty, deprived of all rights.
* To enable these real men and women to escape from extreme poverty, we must allow them to be dignified agents of their own destiny. Integral human development and the full exercise of human dignity cannot be imposed.
* Government leaders must do everything possible to ensure that all can have the minimum spiritual and material means needed to live in dignity and to create and support a family, which is the primary cell of any social development.
* In practical terms, this absolute minimum has three names: lodging, labour, and land; and one spiritual name: spiritual freedom, which includes religious freedom, the right to education and other civil rights.
19:51 Pope Francis addresses UN General Assembly
Pope Francis has a busy day in New York, and it kicks off with a much-anticipated speech in front of a global audience.
As he's done in front of Congress and in speeches throughout Washington, Francis is expected to address climate change and the migrant crisis in Europe.
Here are highlights of his speech:
* The poorest are those who suffer most from economic and social exclusion, for three grave reasons: they are cast off by society, at the same time forced to live off what is discarded and suffer unjustly from the abuse of the environment. These phenomena are part of todays widespread and quietly growing 'culture of waste'.
* In effect, a selfish and boundless thirst for power and material prosperity leads both to the misuse of available natural resources and to the exclusion of the weak and disadvantaged, either because they are handicapped, or because they lack adequate information and technical expertise, or are incapable of decisive political action.
* The limitation of power is an idea implicit in the concept of law itself.
* We live in communion with the environment, since the latter itself entails ethical limits which human actions must acknowledge and respect.
* The classic definition of justice means that no human individual or group can consider itself absolute, permitted to bypass the dignity and the rights of other individuals or social groups.
* Reform and adaptation to the times is always necessary in the pursuit of the ultimate goal of granting all countries, without exception, a share in, and a genuine and equitable influence on, decision-making processes.
* The international financial agencies should care for the sustainable development of countries, and should ensure that they are not subjected to oppressive lending systems which, far from promoting progress, subject people to mechanisms which generate greater poverty, exclusion and dependence.
18:43 Unable to trace Somnath Bharti, Delhi cops pick up his dog again
The Delhi police has been unable to trace AAP MLA and former Delhi minister Somnath Bharti, wanted in a case of domestic violence and attempt to murder, by his wife.
According to ANI, the cops have again picked up Bharti's dog Don instead. Bharti had absconded after a non-bailable warrant had been issued against him.
In her complaint to police, Bhartis wife Lipika Mitra had accused him of unleashing the dog on her while she was pregnant and subjecting her to severe verbal, mental and physical torture.
Though Bharti has now approached the Supreme Court, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has openly asked his MLA to surrender. On Wednesday, Kejriwal said Bharti had become an embarrassment to the party.
Photograph:@ANI/Twitter
According to ANI, the cops have again picked up Bharti's dog Don instead. Bharti had absconded after a non-bailable warrant had been issued against him.
In her complaint to police, Bhartis wife Lipika Mitra had accused him of unleashing the dog on her while she was pregnant and subjecting her to severe verbal, mental and physical torture.
Though Bharti has now approached the Supreme Court, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has openly asked his MLA to surrender. On Wednesday, Kejriwal said Bharti had become an embarrassment to the party.
Photograph:@ANI/Twitter
18:32 Congress allleges Rs 45,5000 cr mines scam in Rajasthan
Congress today alleged a scam of Rs 45,000 crore in the allocation of mines in Rajasthan and demanded the immediate resignation of Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje along with a Supreme Court-monitored CBI probe into the matter.
Months after the party led a clamour for her sacking over the Lalit Modi row, the Congress held Raje "guilty" for the allocation of as many as 653 mines in alleged contravention of Centre's policy.
The opposition party also questioned the continued silence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in this regard despite his assertion that he would neither take bribe and nor allow anybody to practise corruption.
At a joint press conference at AICC headquarters, PCC chief Sachin Pilot, Rajasthan CLP leader Rameshwar Dudi and chief Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala alleged that the trail in the alleged scam reaches the doorstep of the chief minister, though only a top official has been arrested in the case.
Pilot and Dudi said that the arrest of Principal Secretary (Mines) Ashok Singhvi was significant given that he had held the same position during Raje's previous term. They accused Raje of causing a loss of Rs 45,000 crore to the state exchequer by allocating 653 mines in Rajasthan on"first-come-first-served" basis without following transparent procedure and by not auctioning them.
Months after the party led a clamour for her sacking over the Lalit Modi row, the Congress held Raje "guilty" for the allocation of as many as 653 mines in alleged contravention of Centre's policy.
The opposition party also questioned the continued silence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in this regard despite his assertion that he would neither take bribe and nor allow anybody to practise corruption.
At a joint press conference at AICC headquarters, PCC chief Sachin Pilot, Rajasthan CLP leader Rameshwar Dudi and chief Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala alleged that the trail in the alleged scam reaches the doorstep of the chief minister, though only a top official has been arrested in the case.
Pilot and Dudi said that the arrest of Principal Secretary (Mines) Ashok Singhvi was significant given that he had held the same position during Raje's previous term. They accused Raje of causing a loss of Rs 45,000 crore to the state exchequer by allocating 653 mines in Rajasthan on"first-come-first-served" basis without following transparent procedure and by not auctioning them.
17:28 Govt asks for Volkswagen probe report by Sept 30
Days after the US ordered a probe into German car-maker Volkswagen for allegedly flouting emission norms, the heavy industries ministry has asked the Automotive Research Association of India to investigate any possible violations of norms and submit a report by September 30.
"We have asked ARAI to investigate the matter and submit a report by Wednesday (September 30)," Union Heavy Industries Minister Anant Geete told PTI.
He said the emission norms in the country are different compared with other countries. "We have asked ARAI to probe whether the company has flouted domestic emission standards and submit its report. If they are found guilty, we will take necessary action," he said.
ARAI, which is under the ministry of heavy industries, provides technical expertise in research and development, testing, certification, homologation and framing of vehicle regulations. The German car-maker is facing up to $18 billion in fine in the US over allegations of cheating pollution tests. The American probe came after the company recalled a whopping 11 million units sold since 2006.
"We have asked ARAI to investigate the matter and submit a report by Wednesday (September 30)," Union Heavy Industries Minister Anant Geete told PTI.
He said the emission norms in the country are different compared with other countries. "We have asked ARAI to probe whether the company has flouted domestic emission standards and submit its report. If they are found guilty, we will take necessary action," he said.
ARAI, which is under the ministry of heavy industries, provides technical expertise in research and development, testing, certification, homologation and framing of vehicle regulations. The German car-maker is facing up to $18 billion in fine in the US over allegations of cheating pollution tests. The American probe came after the company recalled a whopping 11 million units sold since 2006.
16:38 Blast at Kolkata factory, 1 dead
Just in: A blast in a premises of a factory in Kolkata has left one dead.
Police are finding out more details in the case.
Police are finding out more details in the case.
15:43 Is Rahul visiting an ailing relative in the US?
So why is Rahul Gandhi in the US?
Insiders believe that his grandmother, party chief Sonias Gandhi's mother, is serious and that is why he is in the US. Next week, Sonia too has plans to spend a week with her mother in US and Rahul is expected to be back in Delhi by then, reports a Delhi correspondent. However, there has been no confirmation from the party on the same.
The controversy around Rahul's latest visit to the US continued to simmer with BJP disputing the veracity of Congress' version that the party vice president had gone to attend a prestigious 'Weekend With Charlie Rose' conference.
Expressing doubts, BJP spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao said 'Weekend with Charlie Rose' was held between June 25 and July 4. "Is Rahul Gandhi traveling back in time?" he asked. He cited the schedule of the Aspen Institute to claim that its annual event 'Weekend with Charlie Rose' has always been held every year between June 25 and July 4.
But Congress insisted that Rahul had gone for the event.
Insiders believe that his grandmother, party chief Sonias Gandhi's mother, is serious and that is why he is in the US. Next week, Sonia too has plans to spend a week with her mother in US and Rahul is expected to be back in Delhi by then, reports a Delhi correspondent. However, there has been no confirmation from the party on the same.
The controversy around Rahul's latest visit to the US continued to simmer with BJP disputing the veracity of Congress' version that the party vice president had gone to attend a prestigious 'Weekend With Charlie Rose' conference.
Expressing doubts, BJP spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao said 'Weekend with Charlie Rose' was held between June 25 and July 4. "Is Rahul Gandhi traveling back in time?" he asked. He cited the schedule of the Aspen Institute to claim that its annual event 'Weekend with Charlie Rose' has always been held every year between June 25 and July 4.
But Congress insisted that Rahul had gone for the event.
14:42 50 bags of Rs 1 cr each recovered in IT raid in Kolkata
Just in: The income tax department has recovered 50 bags of Rs 1 crore each during a raid in Kolkata. The money seized was to sent aboard.
The hawala money seized is believed to be proceeds of a lottery racket, reports NDTV.
Details awaited.
The hawala money seized is believed to be proceeds of a lottery racket, reports NDTV.
Details awaited.
14:07 South Africa are top side, but we won't take any backward step: Ravi Shastri
Indian Team Director Ravi Shastri today said that South Africa are still a formidable side despite the retirement of some big players recently, but his team will continue their aggressive brand of cricket in the upcoming series beginning on October 2.
"It is like asking me about Indian team without (Sachin) Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Anil Kumble -- players will come and go, but you got to respect the fact that SA are world number one side," Shastri said at a press conference when asked about the visiting side who are coming without the likes of retired Jacques Kallis.
"South Africa are a stiff opposition. They play well in overseas conditions better than any other side in world cricket. They travelled better than any other team and records will show that. And so we what we are up against. The respect is there but we will not take any backward steps," he told reporters at the National Cricket Academy where Indian team is holding a camp.
South Africa are coming to India for a more than two-month long tour which begins with a limited overs series. India and South Africa begin the series with a Twenty20 International at Dharamsala on October 2.
The former India all-rounder brushed aside any talk of Mahendra Singh's possible rustiness to lead the side against South Africa in the limited over matches. India last played an ODI in June in Bangladesh and Dhoni -- who has retired from Test, led the side.
"No problem at all. You are talking about a season campaigner, one of the legends, one of the all-time greats in world cricket and not only of Indian cricket, you know I am saying as a captain. He (Dhoni) takes over a job he has been doing and so it is nothing new," Shastri said.
"It is like asking me about Indian team without (Sachin) Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Anil Kumble -- players will come and go, but you got to respect the fact that SA are world number one side," Shastri said at a press conference when asked about the visiting side who are coming without the likes of retired Jacques Kallis.
"South Africa are a stiff opposition. They play well in overseas conditions better than any other side in world cricket. They travelled better than any other team and records will show that. And so we what we are up against. The respect is there but we will not take any backward steps," he told reporters at the National Cricket Academy where Indian team is holding a camp.
South Africa are coming to India for a more than two-month long tour which begins with a limited overs series. India and South Africa begin the series with a Twenty20 International at Dharamsala on October 2.
The former India all-rounder brushed aside any talk of Mahendra Singh's possible rustiness to lead the side against South Africa in the limited over matches. India last played an ODI in June in Bangladesh and Dhoni -- who has retired from Test, led the side.
"No problem at all. You are talking about a season campaigner, one of the legends, one of the all-time greats in world cricket and not only of Indian cricket, you know I am saying as a captain. He (Dhoni) takes over a job he has been doing and so it is nothing new," Shastri said.
14:04 Ramesh's praise for P V Narasimha Rao leaves Sonia upset
Congress chief Sonia Gandhi is upset with Jairam Ramesh for eulogising former prime minister P V Narasimha Rao in his latest book 'To the Brink and Back: India's 1991 Story'. Senior Congress leaders are now distancing themselves from Ramesh.
Sonia and Rao shared a frosty relationship; she was often hostile towards him.
In contrast, however, many from the Andhra Pradesh Congress leaders praised Jairam for recognising the services of 'Panditulu' Narasimha Rao. And what about Rahul? He believes Ramesh is entitled to his personal views and could be least bothered.
Sonia and Rao shared a frosty relationship; she was often hostile towards him.
In contrast, however, many from the Andhra Pradesh Congress leaders praised Jairam for recognising the services of 'Panditulu' Narasimha Rao. And what about Rahul? He believes Ramesh is entitled to his personal views and could be least bothered.
13:29 Sanjay Dutt claims he never pleaded to cancel jail term
Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt, who is currently serving his five year jail term after being convicted in the 1993 bomb blasts case, today made it clear that he had never filed for pardon with the Maharashtra governor nor had he requested anyone else to do so on his behalf.
Dutt's advocates Hitesh Jain and Subhash Jadhav, in a statement released today said the recent articles stating that the Maharashtra governor has turned down the actor's plea for pardon, are based on an application made by retired Supreme Court Justice Markandey Katju seeking pardon for Dutt and other convicts in the case.
"No such application for grant of pardon was ever made by Sanjay Dutt or his family members to the governor seeking pardon. Further, Sanjay Dutt or his family members never approached former Supreme Court Justice Katju for making an application for pardon on behalf of Dutt," the statement said.
"Justice Katju has suo moto made this application for pardon not only for Dutt but also for other convicts in thecase like Zaibunissa Kazi," it added.
The statement said that Dutt has almost finished his imprisonment and shall be a free man soon.
Dutt's advocates Hitesh Jain and Subhash Jadhav, in a statement released today said the recent articles stating that the Maharashtra governor has turned down the actor's plea for pardon, are based on an application made by retired Supreme Court Justice Markandey Katju seeking pardon for Dutt and other convicts in the case.
"No such application for grant of pardon was ever made by Sanjay Dutt or his family members to the governor seeking pardon. Further, Sanjay Dutt or his family members never approached former Supreme Court Justice Katju for making an application for pardon on behalf of Dutt," the statement said.
"Justice Katju has suo moto made this application for pardon not only for Dutt but also for other convicts in thecase like Zaibunissa Kazi," it added.
The statement said that Dutt has almost finished his imprisonment and shall be a free man soon.
12:51 US media honchos pitch for faster 4G rollout, digitisation
American media and entertainment industry leaders have made a strong pitch for early expansion of 4G network and TV digitisation during a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi who told them that India offers "biggest opportunity and the biggest challenge for them".
The CEOs, who included News Corp's Rupert Murdoch, Sony Entertainment's Michael Lynton, and Discovery Communications' David Zaslav, also called for strengthening of the mobile infrastructure.
The focus was on the role that the media and entertainment industry can play in development and generation of employment opportunities in India. The CEOs -- representing 40 per cent of the world's entertainment industry -- appreciated Modi for "energetic and dynamic leadership" and expressed optimism about the future of India, an official statement said. They were enthusiastic about the digital transformation that is taking place in India through the 'Digital India' initiative, it said.
They said that the current strong trajectory of the Indian economy makes it at a unique moment to accelerate growth in this sector. Modi said the world is now in a technology-driven era, where growth of digital infrastructure is as important as growth of physical infrastructure. "He suggested to the CEOs that India represents both the biggest opportunity and the biggest challenge for them, and urged them to keep regional languages in mind, as they firm up investment plans for India," the statement said.
The CEOs, who included News Corp's Rupert Murdoch, Sony Entertainment's Michael Lynton, and Discovery Communications' David Zaslav, also called for strengthening of the mobile infrastructure.
The focus was on the role that the media and entertainment industry can play in development and generation of employment opportunities in India. The CEOs -- representing 40 per cent of the world's entertainment industry -- appreciated Modi for "energetic and dynamic leadership" and expressed optimism about the future of India, an official statement said. They were enthusiastic about the digital transformation that is taking place in India through the 'Digital India' initiative, it said.
They said that the current strong trajectory of the Indian economy makes it at a unique moment to accelerate growth in this sector. Modi said the world is now in a technology-driven era, where growth of digital infrastructure is as important as growth of physical infrastructure. "He suggested to the CEOs that India represents both the biggest opportunity and the biggest challenge for them, and urged them to keep regional languages in mind, as they firm up investment plans for India," the statement said.
12:46 Modi 'best leader' in most complex nation, tweets Rupert Murdoch
After meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New York, media tycoon Rupert Murdoch, tweeted that he had a "great hour" with the "best leader with best policies since independence."
"Great hour with Indian PM Modi. Best leader with best policies since independence, but massive task to achieve in most complex nation," said Murdoch on Twitter.
Murdoch was among the top CEOs the PM met at New York's iconic Waldorf Astoria hotel.
Photograph: @MEA/Twitter
"Great hour with Indian PM Modi. Best leader with best policies since independence, but massive task to achieve in most complex nation," said Murdoch on Twitter.
Murdoch was among the top CEOs the PM met at New York's iconic Waldorf Astoria hotel.
Photograph: @MEA/Twitter
12:09 Thandai chicken, Mizoram rice, investments on PM's menu for US Inc
The top 47 American CEOs, who were invited for dinner by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Waldorf Astoria in New York, relished foods based on various festivals of India.
The dinner, prepared by chef Vikas Khanna, included sandalwood saffron sherbet, pomegranate sangria With tandoori pineapple, paneer ravioli, thandai chicken, Mizoram black rice khichdi, saffron sheermal, mango-ginger soup and coconut rice creme brulee.
At the dinner with the CEOs, the PM held talks with them on business and investment in India.
Photograph: @TheVikasKhanna/Twitter
The dinner, prepared by chef Vikas Khanna, included sandalwood saffron sherbet, pomegranate sangria With tandoori pineapple, paneer ravioli, thandai chicken, Mizoram black rice khichdi, saffron sheermal, mango-ginger soup and coconut rice creme brulee.
At the dinner with the CEOs, the PM held talks with them on business and investment in India.
Photograph: @TheVikasKhanna/Twitter
11:41 PM meets media honchos; promises protection to intellectual property
Presenting India as a technology-driven society, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today pledged protection to intellectual property rights, as he met top executives of major media and communication companies in New York.
"This is a technology driven era. We are a technology driven society," he said at a round table meeting with the top executives of companies like Comcast, Time Warner, Discovery, Sony, ESPN, News Corp, 21st Century Fox, Disney Industries, ABC television group.
The focus of the prime minister's meeting with over dozen media honchos was to understand about the trends in media and communication technologies and the opportunities for India. "We are committed to protecting IPR which is essential to fostering creativity," Modi told them at the roundtable on Media, Tech & Communications.
Image: Prime Minister Modi at the round table on 'Media, Technology & Communications -- Growth story for India", in New York. Photograph: PIB
"This is a technology driven era. We are a technology driven society," he said at a round table meeting with the top executives of companies like Comcast, Time Warner, Discovery, Sony, ESPN, News Corp, 21st Century Fox, Disney Industries, ABC television group.
The focus of the prime minister's meeting with over dozen media honchos was to understand about the trends in media and communication technologies and the opportunities for India. "We are committed to protecting IPR which is essential to fostering creativity," Modi told them at the roundtable on Media, Tech & Communications.
Image: Prime Minister Modi at the round table on 'Media, Technology & Communications -- Growth story for India", in New York. Photograph: PIB
11:37 Modi has undertaken reforms, needs to do more: Top US CEOs
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has carried out some significant economic and governance reforms after coming to power last year, but needs to do more, top American CEOs have said in New York after meeting him.
Kicking off his second visit to the US in one year with a meeting with eight of the top 10 financial entities in the US, including JP Morgan and Blackstone, Modi outlined efforts made during the last 15 months to increase investment in key areas like infrastructure.
Modi, who kicked off his second visit to the US in a year with a meeting with eight of the top 10 financial entities in America including JP Morgan and Blackstone, outlined efforts made during the last 15 months to increase investment in key areas like infrastructure.
Some of the CEOs, after the meeting, said that they were satisfied with the progress of the reform. "The government has already undertaken a massive amount of reforms. Key message from the US companies was keep doing what you are doing. I had a great meeting, there was a constructive dialogue in the spirit of collaboration. We are looking at India trying to get foreign direct investment," J P Morgan CEO James Dimon said.
"Our goal is to make sure that we are seeing enough change so that we feel we are comfortable in investing our capital. We would continue to watch and wait. For the amount of time he has been in office, there has been a lot of changes he has made. So clearly more to come, but as a potential investor, we are optimist," said Vicki Fuller of New York State Common Retirement Fund after her meeting with Modi.
When asked if she is satisfied with the pace of economic reforms in India, Fuller replied in positive, "Yes I am."
Black Stone CEO Stephen A Schwarzman said that he felt the PM was open to the suggestions the CEOs put before him to improve access to the country.
Kicking off his second visit to the US in one year with a meeting with eight of the top 10 financial entities in the US, including JP Morgan and Blackstone, Modi outlined efforts made during the last 15 months to increase investment in key areas like infrastructure.
Modi, who kicked off his second visit to the US in a year with a meeting with eight of the top 10 financial entities in America including JP Morgan and Blackstone, outlined efforts made during the last 15 months to increase investment in key areas like infrastructure.
Some of the CEOs, after the meeting, said that they were satisfied with the progress of the reform. "The government has already undertaken a massive amount of reforms. Key message from the US companies was keep doing what you are doing. I had a great meeting, there was a constructive dialogue in the spirit of collaboration. We are looking at India trying to get foreign direct investment," J P Morgan CEO James Dimon said.
"Our goal is to make sure that we are seeing enough change so that we feel we are comfortable in investing our capital. We would continue to watch and wait. For the amount of time he has been in office, there has been a lot of changes he has made. So clearly more to come, but as a potential investor, we are optimist," said Vicki Fuller of New York State Common Retirement Fund after her meeting with Modi.
When asked if she is satisfied with the pace of economic reforms in India, Fuller replied in positive, "Yes I am."
Black Stone CEO Stephen A Schwarzman said that he felt the PM was open to the suggestions the CEOs put before him to improve access to the country.
11:23 At dinner withh Fortune 500 CEOs, Modi pushes for 'Make in India'
Prime Minister Narendra Modi ended the day with a dinner with more than 40 executives of Fortune 500 companies at New York's Waldorf Astoria hotel, where he is staying.
After his interaction, the PM tweeted, "My interaction with Fortune 500 CEOs was on investment opportunities in India & why they must come & @makeinindia!"
"Reform in governance is my No. 1 priority. We are for simplified procedures, speedy decision making, transparency and accountability," PM Modi said. Listing the sectors opened up for investment, he invited the CEOs to Make in India.
The event was coordinated by the Fortune magazine and the interactive session preceding the dinner moderated by its editor, Alan Murray.
The dinner was preceded by a series of one-on-one meetings between a group of top CEOs and PM Modi. Among them was Mike Bloomberg, business tycoon and former mayor of New York, Ajay Banga, CEO of Mastercard and the head of US-India Business Council and Marillyn Hewson, chairman of the aerospace and defence giant Lockheed Martin Corporation.
Photograph: @PMOIndia
After his interaction, the PM tweeted, "My interaction with Fortune 500 CEOs was on investment opportunities in India & why they must come & @makeinindia!"
"Reform in governance is my No. 1 priority. We are for simplified procedures, speedy decision making, transparency and accountability," PM Modi said. Listing the sectors opened up for investment, he invited the CEOs to Make in India.
The event was coordinated by the Fortune magazine and the interactive session preceding the dinner moderated by its editor, Alan Murray.
The dinner was preceded by a series of one-on-one meetings between a group of top CEOs and PM Modi. Among them was Mike Bloomberg, business tycoon and former mayor of New York, Ajay Banga, CEO of Mastercard and the head of US-India Business Council and Marillyn Hewson, chairman of the aerospace and defence giant Lockheed Martin Corporation.
Photograph: @PMOIndia
03:54 In major reshuffle, new envoys for UN, Pakistan, China
Key postings of Indian envoys to Pakistan, China, the United Kingdom and the United Nations have been done by the government in a major reshuffle at the top echelons of external affairs ministry.
While Navtej Sarna, presently secretary (west) in the ministry, will be next top envoy to London replacing Ranjan Mathai, Gautam Bambawale, India's ambassador to Bhutan, will take over as high commissioner to Pakistan from T C A Raghavan, who is retiring on December 3.
However, Sarna is expected to take over only after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the UK in mid-November.
Syed Akbaruddin, former high-profile spokesperson of MEA and Joint Secretary in the XP division and currently additional secretary in charge of Indo-Africa summit to be held in October, will be going as the next Permanent Representative of India to the UN, New York. He will replace Asoke Mukerji.
Vijay Gokhale, India's ambassador to Germany, will take over from Ashok Kantha in Beijing.
Other postings include that of Anil Wadhwa, secretary (east), as ambassador to Rome and Pankaj Saran, who will replace PS Raghavan in Moscow.
According to sources, most of these positions will be taken up by late December or early January.
02:37 Saudi's King Salman orders probe into Haj stampede
Saudi Arabia's King Salman has ordered a safety review for the Hajj pilgrimage after at least 717 people died in a stampede near the holy city of Mecca.
Another 863 people were injured in the incident at Mina, which occurred as two million pilgrims were taking part in the Hajj's last major rite.
It is the deadliest incident to occur during the pilgrimage in 25 years.
The king said there was a need "to improve the level of organisation and management of movement" of pilgrims.
Saudi Health Minister Khaled al-Falih said the crush occurred because many pilgrims moved "without respecting the timetables" established by authorities.
02:33 Modi meets Guyana's President David Granger
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Guyana's President David Arthur Granger in New York today.
"Connecting with an important partner in Latin America. PM @narendramodi meets Prez David Arthur Granger of Guyana," Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted.
"President Granger presents PM @narendramodi copies of two monographs written by him," he added.
India's relations with Guyana are warm and cordial with a high degree of understanding.
The interaction is structured through periodic joint commissions, foreign office consultations, cultural exchange programme and ITEC. Though structured bilateral visits are not very frequent, there are meetings of leaders at international conferences, either in India or abroad.
There is a small Indian community of approximately 300 working as doctors, nurses, lab technicians, small business, skilled workers and labourers in big companies in Guyana. The number of Indians is likely to increase with the construction of specialty hospital and participation of Indian companies in the field of Agriculture.
02:23 India acquires a Himalayan headache
A country that refuses to learn from past mistakes is fated to remain on the learning curve. This is Indias misfortune.
The Indian mistake today in being intrusive toward its tiny northern neighbour Nepal bears similarity with the disastrous policy failure it experienced vis-a-vis its small southern neighbour Sri Lanka...
Read more HERE
02:21 India will respond if Pakistan PM mentions Kashmir at UN
India has said that it will respond if Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif raises the Kashmir issue in his address at the UN general assembly.
"When a statement comes from him (on Kashmir), then we will reply," external affairs ministry spokesman Vikas Swarup said here when asked whether India is taking note and will respond if Sharif raises the Kashmir issue at the UNGA.
Earlier, a senior Pakistani diplomat in Islamabad said Sharif is conscious about the importance of Kashmir and would raise the issue at the UNGA.
The diplomat said the Pakistan prime minister, however, would offer several steps to de-escalate the tension and establish peace along the Line of Control.
Sharif is scheduled to address the general assembly on September 30.
02:20 Pope delivers political message on immigration, tolerance to US Congress
Pope Francis has challenged America to embrace millions of undocumented immigrants and join a global campaign against climate change and poverty, wading undaunted into the nation's volatile politics in a historic address to Congress.
Francis also called for a fairer world economy, the abolition of the death penalty, the protection of ethnic and religious minorities, the outlawing of the global "blood" trade in arms and the protection of the family in a speech sure to please liberals.
The speech underscored the emergence of Pope Francis as a global political leader -- rather than a moral or spiritual voice alone. His boldness in staking out positions on the nation's most pressing issues could reverberate through Capitol Hill and the 2016 presidential race in the months to come.
Read more HERE
01:32 PM meets media honchos; promises protection to IPR
Presenting India as a technology-driven society, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today pledged protection to Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) as he met top executives of major media and communication companies in New York.
"This is a technology driven era. We are a technology driven society," he said at a roundtable meeting with the top executives of companies like Comcast, Time Warner, Discovery, Sony, ESPN, News Corp, 21st Century Fox, Disney Industries, ABC television group.
The focus of the Prime Minister's meeting with over dozen media honchos was to understand about the trends in media and communication technologies and the opportunities for India.
"We are committed to protecting IPR which is essential to fostering creativity," Modi told them at the roundtable on Media, Tech & Communications.
00:30 The importance of being Sourav Ganguly
Which modern day cricketer would make a perfect BCCI administrator? It's a speculative question that often gets asked during casual maidaan debates on the sidelines of a boring match, or by panelists participating in 'save the game' seminars.
Most times, the talking heads would agree on the name of Sourav Ganguly.
The country's most-influential cricketer and inspirational leader, never shied away from a fight, he took on every challenge and wasn't parochial; there wasn't much dirt on 'Ganguly, the captain'.
So late on Thursday, when West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee intervened to fill the massive void left by Jagmohan Dalmiyas death at Eden Gardens, she had it easy. (Should a CM appoint officials of an autonomous sports body, is a debate for another day).
Maybe, she was merely endorsing an overwhelming choice of the thousands around her.
Read more HERE
00:26 Volkswagen CEO who just resigned could be compensated up to $67 million
Former Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn could receive a golden parachute worth as much as 60 million euros (approximately $67 million) -- in addition to the continued use of a company car.
Winterkorn resigned from his position at the helm of the global auto giant Wednesday, after the company acknowledged having installed software on at least 11 million diesel cars that allowed them to cheat on emissions tests.
Should Volkswagen's board find the CEO had no knowledge of the software and left the company for no fault of his own, The Wall Street Journal reports, not only will he be entitled to his full pension (which exceeds 28.6 million euros), he'll also be eligible to receive "the equivalent of a maximum of two years of his total remuneration."
Per the company's 2014 annual report, Winterkorn brought home 15.8 million euros ($18 million) in compensation that year, meaning he could tack on an extra 31.6 euros to his pension.
00:25 Millions of fingerprints stolen in US government hack
Hackers who breached US government networks stole far more fingerprint records than first thought, officials have said.
In a statement, the White House said more than 5.6 million fingerprint records were stolen from the Office of Personnel Management.
An initial investigation suggested only 1.1 million were lost.
The OPM acts as the personnel office for the US government and keeps records on 21.5 million federal staff.
The OPM attack was uncovered in April this year and saw attackers make off with ID and security clearance information about US government staff.
Social security numbers, names, addresses, health, financial and biometric data were all taken.
Fingerprint records were also stolen and the continuing investigation into the breach has revealed that far more went missing than initially thought.
00:18 Facebook goes down yet again, sets social media buzzing
Facebook was briefly, widely reported to be down on Thursday after experiencing technical difficulties, the second time in two weeks for the social media platform.
The cause of the outage was not immediately available.
The company's mobile application was also reportedly operating with some interruptions.
Shares of Facebook stock are down 0.68 percent in midday trading, on a day that the market is broadly lower.
The website was back online in a couple of hours.
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