‘Business interests may tilt Trump’s foreign policy’

Donald Trump’s interests in real estate in India has surfaced as a new controversy in the U.S presidential campaign after a Newsweek reportage detailed the Republican candidate’s overseas ventures and questioned his ability to hold American national interest above his business interests.The Trump Organisation, which has a business model of licencing its brand to real estate developers around the world, has at least three projects in progress in India – In Pune, Mumbai and Gurgaon. According to the Newsweek report, the candidate’s son Donald Trump. Jr met former Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithivraj Chavan for regulatory relaxations in the Pune project in 2011. “….the powerful politician refused to make an exception for the Trump Organization. It would be extremely difficult for a foreign politician to make that call if he were speaking to the son of the president of the United States.”

The report then goes on to ask: “….if Trump takes a hard line with Pakistan, will it be for America’s strategic interests or to appease Indian government officials who might jeopardize his profits from Trump Towers Pune?.”Seizing the opportunity, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton tweeted a series of questions on how Mr. Trump’s business interests may prevent him from being truthful to his office if elected President. “With business ties to politically-connected Indian developers, how can you conduct foreign policy that puts the U.S. above your profits?” she asked.The 22-floor Trump Towers Pune is licenced to Panchshil Realty. The Chordia family that owns Panchshil is close to Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Sharad Pawar, the report said. Indian authorities have launched an investigation into the project for discrepancies in the land records possessed by the company.The Mumbai project is run by Lodha Group, while the latest one in Gurgaon is run by Irea. A group 500 investors are involved in the project, which is headed by Madhukar Tulsi. The report also names BJP leader Sudhanashu Mittal as having links with the group, but that is not proven.Russia, UAE, Ukraine, Turkey and South Korea are among the countries that Mr. Trump has business links. During the primary debates, Mr. Trump had faced questions regarding conflict of interest if elected. While he has said he will have nothing to do with his businesses if elected President, it may not be sufficient.

Keywords: Donald Trump, Trump's business interests in India, Newsweek report on Trump's business interests

‘Business interests may tilt Trump’s foreign policy’

Unknown Thursday 15 September 2016

French Defence Minister arriving to ink Rafale deal

French Defence Minister Jean Yves Le Drian is likely to visit India next week to conclude the Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) between India and France for the purchase of 36 Rafale fighter jets, bringing to an end the 17-month-long negotiations.Mr. Drian is expected in Delhi on September 23 to conclude the IGA, official sources said on Thursday.Official sources had earlier said that the draft of the IGA was being finalised after which it would go to the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) for a formal clearance.

Tough negotiations

India and France held several rounds of tough negotiations after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the decision for direct purchase of as many as 36 Rafale jets in fly away condition in April 2014.The final deal is expected to cost about Euro 7.87 billion translating to over Rs. 55,000 crore depending on the currency fixation in the contract.The aircraft will be slightly customised as per the requirements of the Indian Air Force (IAF) and deliveries will begin in 2019 with sovereign guarantee by French government.Rafale was originally selected under the Medium Multi-Role combat Aircraft (MMRCA) contest for 126 aircraft but the tender was subsequently withdrawn with no resolution in sight.

Keywords: Jean Yves Le Drian, Rafale deal, India-France ties, defence

French Defence Minister arriving to ink Rafale deal

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Cauvery row: day-long bandh begins in Tamil Nadu

A dawn-to-dusk bandh called by several farmers and traders bodies over the raging Cauvery dispute began today across Tamil Nadu amid tight security with Opposition parties, including the DMK, supporting it.As those who had given the bandh call have said a series of protests, including “road and rail roko”, will be held, thousands of police personnel have been deployed across the state to maintain law and order.Police said tight vigil was being maintained and no attempts to mar public peace or disruption of free movement of transportation — on road or rail — would be allowed.The bandh has been called in protest against the violence targeting Tamils in Karnataka and also to seek Cauvery water for the state.Barring the ruling AIADMK, its allies and trade unions affiliated, all other Opposition parties, including the DMK, Tamil Nadu Congress, DMDK, MDMK, Left parties and the PMK, are supporting the bandh.Protection was being provided for Karnataka-related business establishments, schools, institutions and areas where Kannada speaking people live, including Krishnagiri district.

The updates:

10.45 am: Former Minister and Nagercoil DMK MLA N. Suresh Rajan, Kanniyakumari DMK MLA S. Austin stage protest before Nagercoil Junction.

10.42 am: CPI leader C. Mahendran courts arrest at Thanjavur.

10.25 am: Farmers' leader P.R.Pandian with DMK cadres stages rail roko in Saidapet Railway Station.

10.20 am: Rail roko by opposition parties affects EMU train services in Chennai.

10.15 am: DMK leader and Rajya Sabha MP Kanimozhi courts arrest on Anna Salai in Chennai.

10.10 am: MDMK leader Vaiko arrested in Tiruchi after he along with party cadres attempted to stage rail roko at Tiruchi Junction.

10.01 am: Stalin and four DMK MLAs court arrest before Egmore Railway Station.

9.50 am: VCK Leader Thol.Thirumavalavan and the party cadres court arrest near Basin Bridge in Chennai.

9.42 am: Shops, commercial establishments and all petrol bunks remain closed in Cuddalore district. Government and private schools remained open. Government buses are plying as usual while private buses and autos stayed off the roads.

9.40 am: Leader of Opposition and DMK leader M.K.Stalin leads a party rally towards Egmore Railway Station. - R. Sivaraman reports

9.35 am: Karnataka has stationed additional force at Athibelli border. DMK cadres led by Thally MLA Y. Prakash court arrest attempting train blockade in Hosur - P.V. Srividya reports.

9.32 am: Our Reporter V.V. Subramaniam reports: In Kancheepuram, State Transport Corporation buses and private buses are running.

9.50 am: Following intervention from traders' associations, shops are being closed now in Tirunelveli district. After transacting business for about 3 hours, the shops are getting closed now.

9.40 am: Police officials assure security to IT companies, private colleges.

9.30 am: In Coimbatore, government buses are plying as usual. DMK MLA Karthik stages rail roko in Singanallur.

9.30 am: DMK cadres try to block train at Korukkupet in Chennai

9.10 am: Buses seems to be running as usual in Chennai's arterial roads.

9.00 am: Over 500 DMK men led by party MLA and former Chennai mayor M..Subramanian court arrest near Saidapet Railway station.

8.30 am: Heavy security beefed up in railway stations in Chennai.

7.30 am: Several local grocery shops, which usually open by daybreak, remained shut in view of the protests.

7.00 am: State transport corporation-run buses besides trains are being operated as usual though autos, taxis and commercial freight operators remained off the roads.

6.00 am: Thousands of police personnel, including armed reserve forces, have been deployed in Tamil Nadu and in Chennai over 15,000 policemen are on duty.

(With inputs from R. Sivaraman from Chennai, P.V. Srividya from Hosur, Sudhakar from Tirunelveli, V.V. Subramaniam from Kancheepuram, Kartik Madhavam from Coimbatore, R. Rajaram from Tiruchi, Prasad from Puducherry, S.P. Saravanan from Salem)

Keywords: Cauvery row, day-long bandh begins, Tamil Nadu

Cauvery row: day-long bandh begins in Tamil Nadu

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Chikungunya: symptoms, treatment and prevention

Chikungunya was first reported in 1952, during an outbreak in southern Tanzania. It has now been identified in 60 countries including those in Asia, Africa, Europe, America and others. Listed in the World Health Organization’s R&D Blueprint (2016), the recently established Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations has it on their agenda to develop a vaccine for Chikungunya, along with other diseases such as MERS, Ebola and others.

What are the symptoms?

Abrupt onset of fever and severe joint pain. There can be other symptoms such as muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue and rash – that is, small red spots all over the body. The joint pain can be severe and sometimes prolonged. The disease does not induce immunity by itself and can recur.The word Chikungunya, derived from the Kimakonde language which is spoken by the indigenous people of southern Tanzania, itself means that which is contorted. It refers to the contorted position taken by people when they are affected by joint pain.

How is it transmitted?

It is transferred from human to human by mosquitoes. The females of Aedes Aegyptii and Aedes albopictus are the main species of mosquito that spread the disease. These mosquitoes bite through the day.

How is it diagnosed? What are the tests that must be performed and how?

IgM titers – a way of measuring the rising level of, or concentration of, antibodies in the blood, which quantifies the body’s response to an active infection - are what are tested in the blood. More specifically, the blood test that doctors ask for is called the RT-PCR (Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction) but it may not be available, so doctors test the drop in the number of leucocytes in the blood because of the viral infection.The blood tests are repeated and a constant watch is kept on the blood count. If it drops, it is better to be under medical observation. At this stage, the doctors’ guidance is crucial.

What is the treatment?

There is no vaccine for chikungunya. Treatment is mainly symptomatic – such as giving painkillers to relieve the joint pain – using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs which are not asprin-based. Drugs are mainly analgesics and antipyretics. The patient is advised to take fluids.

Alternatives to Allopathy?

The Nilavembu decoction is suggested as a herbal treatment, and while many people believe in this, it has not yet been verified by studies. At present it is recommended to use this only in parallel with advice from a doctor.

Any preventive methods?

Avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes. Keep the surroundings clear of stagnant water or pools where mosquitoes can breed. Use mosquito nets and close windows in the evening to prevent mosquitoes from entering.

How does it differ from dengue?

Chikungunya can circulate with the help of monkeys, birds and cattle, but dengue spreads only through mosquitoes. While for dengue the symptoms subside in about 15 days, for Chikungunya the symptoms can prolong for 3-6 months. While Chikungunya’s main symptoms are high fever and excruciating joint pain, dengue manifests with high fever, drop in platelet count and rash.

Keywords: Chikungunya, mosquito-borne diseases

Chikungunya: symptoms, treatment and prevention

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Mind-reading technology allows monkeys to type...!

Scientists have developed a new technology that can read brain signals, allowing monkeys to type out English passages — an advance that may help people with movement disabilities easily communicate with others.

Earlier versions of the technology have already been tested successfully in people with paralysis, but the typing was slow and imprecise.

“Our results demonstrate that this interface may have great promise for use in people. It enables a typing rate sufficient for a meaningful conversation,” said postdoctoral fellow Paul Nuyujukian at Stanford University.

The technology, developed by researchers, including Stanford scientist Krishna Shenoy, directly reads brain signals to drive a cursor moving over a keyboard and allowed monkeys to transcribe passages at a rate of up to 12 words per minute.

Mind-reading technology allows monkeys to type...!

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80 million people use Groups every month in India: Facebook

India has about 80 million users of Facebook ‘Groups’, that people are using to collaborate, support or rally around a common interest.India, which is home to the second largest userbase for social networking giant Facebook, had 155 million monthly active users as of June 2016.“With Groups, we make it easy for you to build a space for important groups of people in your life — your family, your soccer team, your book club and bring like-minded people together to learn, support or rally around a common bond or interest,” Facebook Groups Products Manager Adit Vaidya has said.He added that more than one billion people use Facebook Groups every month.mr.Vaidya said ‘Groups’ is being used in interesting and meaningful ways.

He cited examples of Iceland’s “GSystir” (meaning Good Sister) that has about 50,000 members and focusses on positivity among women.In India, there are Groups like Mumbai Moms (69,000 plus mothers), Teachers Help Teachers (4,500 members) and Kai Thari (offers articles/discussions on handloom weaves from different regions of India and other countries like Indonesia, China, South America are discussed).“In India, over 80 million people use Groups each month to stay in touch with family, collaborate on projects, plan trips and offer support to friends. We work to keep Groups the best way for people to communicate, collaborate, and plan,” he said.Mr.Vaidya said the company has rolled out a Group discover feature in India with recommendations based on their friends, location and interests.

“India is the third market, after the US and the UK, where we are launching this feature,” he said, adding subjects like, parenting, schools and education, food and sports were the most popular for groups.

Highlighting the need for a safe engagement platform, Vaidya said Facebook ensures that control tools are available for group administrators and moderators.

He added that Facebook also removes content that does not adhere to its usage guidelines.

Keywords: Facebook, Users, Groups

80 million people use Groups every month in India: Facebook

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Clinton 'fit to serve,' doctor says ahead of campaign

Hillary Clinton on Wednesday looked to head off further questions about her health, releasing new medical records showing she is "fit to serve" as president and recovering from "mild" pneumonia as she prepares to resume her campaign.The disclosure came as her Republican rival Donald Trump – in a media-savvy move – released new health data of his own during the taping of a nationally televised medical chat show set to air Thursday.Both candidates, among the oldest ever to run for the White House, were under intense pressure to share more medical information after Clinton fell ill during a 9/11 ceremony in New York on Sunday and was forced to leave.Recent opinion polls have shown the gap between the two candidates narrowing, with less than two months to go before Election Day, and the presidential hopefuls disclosed fresh information in a bid to score points with undecided voters.In a detailed, two-page "summary update" on Ms. Clinton's health, her personal physician Lisa Bardack wrote that the 68-year-old was bouncing back after a diagnosis of "mild, non-contagious" pneumonia.

She "is recovering well with antibiotics and rest" after being laid low over the weekend, when she suffered from fatigue and a low-grade fever, although her vital signs remained normal, Ms. Bardack said.The Democratic White House nominee "continues to remain healthy and fit to serve as president of the United States," she wrote, noting she is in "excellent mental condition."After Ms. Clinton was seen stumbling limp-legged into her vehicle Sunday at Ground Zero, it took several hours for her personal physician to disclose she had been diagnosed with pneumonia two days earlier, drawing criticism of her campaign's transparency.Ms. Clinton was at home in Chappaqua, New York for a third straight day Wednesday, recovering from a health scare that has rocked her bid to become America's first woman president.News of Trump's appearance on "The Dr. Oz Show" -- though it appeared to reveal little detail -- had earlier flooded the US airwaves on Wednesday, upping the pressure on Clinton to share more health data before returning to the trail Thursday with appearances in North Carolina and Washington.

'I have it right here' -

So far the 70-year-old Trump had released only four, gushing paragraphs on his health, written by his doctor Harold Bornstein in December 2015.Following the revelation of Ms. Clinton's pneumonia, Mr. Trump vowed soon to release "very, very specific numbers" from a recent check-up with Bornstein.Team Trump had raised -- then dropped -- the possibility of releasing them during an appearance on "Dr. Oz".But during recording of the segment Wednesday morning, Trump finally did present its celebrity host with the results, according to a statement on the show's website.In a snippet teased on the site, Mehmet Oz -- who is also a professor of surgery at Columbia University in New York -- is seen asking Mr. Trump: "If your health is as strong as it seems... why not show your medical records?"Well, I have really no problem in doing it," Mr. Trump responds. "I have it right here. Should I do it? I don't care."The Republican nominee goes on to pull the documents from his pocket, to cheers and applause from the show audience.

'Slightly overweight' -

A statement from the medical chat show said their hour-long one-one-one interview touched on Trump's cardiovascular health, family medical history and history of cancer, among other topics.But the actual details revealed appeared to remain very generic.According to US media who attended the taping, Oz declared Mr. Trump "slightly overweight" at 120 kg for roughly six foot two inches.Audience member Kelly Platt – a pharmacist intern and Mr. Trump supporter – told CNN that Oz deemed Mr. Trump's cholesterol to have come down to a safe level, thanks to medication.Ms. Clinton campaign manager Robby Mook ridiculed Mr. Trump's TV appearance."His Doctor Oz charade is as completely unserious as his original joke of a letter written in five minutes," Mook said. "He continues to hide his taxes and business dealing behind fake excuses. And it begs the question: what is he trying to hide?"

On the trail 

Mr. Trump continued his barnstorming of key battleground states Wednesday with stops in Michigan and Ohio. On Thursday, he is due to deliver a major economic speech.During a stop in Flint, Michigan on Wednesday, Mr. Trump was interrupted by the Methodist pastor at a church he was visiting when he launched into a critique of Ms. Clinton's foreign policy."Mr Trump, I invited you here to thank us for what we've done in Flint, not give a political speech," said the pastor, Faith Green Timmons.

Keywords: Hillary Clinton, Hillary health issue, U.S. Presidential polls

Clinton 'fit to serve,' doctor says ahead of campaign

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Paralympic Pele: Brazil hails blind soccer star

Born with glaucoma, Jeferson da Conceicao Goncalves, known as “Jefinho,” was completely blind by age 7, three years before he learned to play soccer. He had seen images of Pelş but never watched videos of the legendary Brazilian soccer player in action.Yet Jefinho, who could win a third consecutive Paralympic gold medal with Brazil’s soccer 5-a-side team this week, has been dubbed the “Paralympic Pele” for his success and playing style.“It’s an honor for me to be compared to an athlete like Pele,” said Jefinho, who, like others interviewed for this story, spoke through a translator.Edson Arantes do Nascimento, known globally as “Pele”, won three World Cup titles and was named the Athlete of the Century in 1999 by the International Olympic Committee.

“In the era that Pele played, he played really well,” Tiago da Silva, Jefinho’s teammate, said, “but if he puts the blindfold on, he’s not going to play well.”In soccer 5-a-side, each team competes with four blindfolded players and one goalie who is not visually impaired.The field is smaller than a traditional soccer pitch and walled in so the ball cannot go out of bounds, and there are two 25-minute halves.The ball makes a noise each time it moves. Coaches give their players verbal commands and clank metal against the goalposts in order to indicate which way their players need to go.“He’s a unique player who has already been considered to be the best player in the world,” Fabio Vasconcelos, Brazil’s soccer 5-a-side coach, said of Jefinho. “I did not see Pele play, but he was a phenomenal player. I don’t know if you can compare both of them, but for me, Jefinho is a phenomenal soccer player.”Vasconcelos agreed that Pele wouldn’t play as well with a blindfold on. However, Jefinho has faith in his counterpart.

“He gave us three World Cup titles. Even with just one leg, Pele would play really well,” said Jefinho, 26, who joined Brazil’s soccer 5-a-side team when he was 17.“He seems like he could actually see the ball and where the players are,” Brazilian fan Fabiana da Silva dos Santos said of Jefinho. “He passes the ball just as if he was seeing everything.”Of several fans interviewed, only one had witnessed Pelş in action- Jorge Germano da Silva, 65.“Pele is something else,” Da Silva said. “He played in a different level. You cannot make the comparison.”Said Vasconcelos- “They’re two big stars — it’s great that they were born in Brazil.”

Others watching Jefinho play this week at Olympic Park noted similarities in his playing style to globally renowned superstars.“From the way that Jefinho controls the ball, we can compare it to the way that Messi does,” said Rodrigo da Luz, 19. “He controls it really close to his feet and out-dribbles his opponents.”Jefinho is bringing his sport notoriety in Brazil.Neiva Ananias started watching soccer 5-a-side based on the suggestion of her 8-year-old son. She was so intrigued that she went on the team’s national website to see about future games and find out more information.“People would call him (Jefinho) Neymar,” Ananias, said in reference to fans’ reactions.Both Jefinho and Neymar, who connected on the penalty kick that gave Brazil the Olympic gold medal a month ago, have played for Brazil’s national team approximately the same amount of time. But Jefinho has two gold medals compared to Neymar’s one.Still, 6-year-old Bernardo da Silva, wearing a Neymar jersey, was not swayed.“They’re almost the same,” he said, “but Neymar is better.”This friendly debate is welcomed by Jefinho. However, he’s set on making his own history in 5-a-side.“This shows that people see me in a different way,” Jefinho said. “To be a role model for other people to follow a path in sports — I feel very proud about myself to do a job that gives this example to other people.”

Keywords: Rio Paralympics 2016, Paralympic Pele, Jeferson da Conceicao Goncalves

Paralympic Pele: Brazil hails blind soccer star

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