India, US To Ink Cyber Framework Accord

Ushering in a new era of collaboration in the cybersphere, India and the US will sign a framework for the bilateral cyber relationship between the two countries within the next two months.

The announcement in this regard was made in a joint statement after the White House meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Barack Obama.

During the meeting the two leaders emphasized that cyberspace enables economic growth and development, and reaffirmed their commitment to an open, interoperable, secure, and reliable Internet, underpinned by the multi stakeholder model of Internet governance.

"They committed to deepen cooperation on cybersecurity and welcomed the understanding reached to finalize the Framework for the US-India Cyber Relationship in the near term," the joint statement said.

A fact sheet issued by the White House said the framework would be signed within 60 days.

During the meeting PM Modi and President Obama committed to enhance cyber collaboration on critical infrastructure, cybercrime, and malicious cyber activity by state and non-state actors, capacity building, and cybersecurity research and development, and to continue discussions on all aspects of trade in technology and related services, including market access.

They have committed to continue dialogue and engagement in Internet governance fora, including in ICANN, IGF and other venues, and to support active participation by all stakeholders of the two countries in these fora.

President Obama and PM Modi committed to promote stability in cyberspace based on the applicability of international law including the United Nations Charter, the promotion of voluntary norms of responsible state behaviour during peacetime, and the development and implementation of practical confidence building measures between states.

According to the White House fact sheet, cooperation on cyber issues is a key component of the bilateral relationship between India and the United States.

The two countries have a strategic cyber relationship that reflects their shared values, common vision, and shared principles for cyberspace.

Both sides recognize the value of enhancing and further institutionalizing their broad-based cooperation on cyber issues, and in that respect, intend to complete a framework based on the following shared principles and intended forms of cooperation, it said.

The fact sheet said the two countries committed to voluntary norms under which a state should not conduct or knowingly support online activity that intentionally damages critical infrastructure or otherwise impairs the use of critical infrastructure to provide services to the public.

"A state should not conduct or knowingly support activity intended to prevent national Computer Security Incident Response Teams (CSIRTs) from responding to cyber incidents.

States should also not use CSIRTs to enable online activity that is intended to do harm," the fact sheet said.

Source: http://www.ndtv.com

'Proud To Be Modi Chamcha,' Says Censor Chief Pahlaj Nihalani

No apology, no resignation, said Censor Board chief Pahlaj Nihalani today, as he fielded multiple attacks for having alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party funded Anurag Kashyap's film Udta Punjab.

Mr Nihalani said he cannot substantiate his allegation but, "I won't apolgise, I said what I heard."

Top filmmakers today said they stand with Mr Kashyap, who says that the Censor Board has ordered the removal of all references to Punjab and elections, imposing 89 cuts in his film, which deals with drug abuse in Punjab. They described Mr Nihalani's allegation as an "insult to the entire industry" and have demanded not just an apology from him, but also his resignation, alleging a "conspiracy" to stall the film.

AAP too has strongly supported the team of Udta Punjab, and party chief Arvind Kejriwal tweeted, "Pahlaj Nihlani's statement makes it amply clear that he has stopped the film on the BJP's instructions." Theparty has linked the board's action with elections due in Punjab by early next year. In their campaign, AAP and the Congress have attacked the Akali Dal-BJP government in Punjab over the drug menace.

Mr Nihalani has denied any political influence in the censor board's decision on Udta saying, "The Centre never interferes with the censor board, there was no political influence."

But he did say, "Yes, I am a chamcha of Narendra Modi as Anurag Kashyap said. I am proud to be, a Modi Chamcha (acolyte). Should I be a chamcha of the Italian Prime Minister instead?"

The Censor Board chief has also denied that he has asked the makers of the film to edit out "Punjab" from the film's name, though he would not say what cuts he has ordered. He stands by them though saying, "only if one sees the entire film can one understand why 'Punjab' was deleted."

What is stopping Aishwarya Rai Bachchan from wearing 'a white shirt and jeans' at Cannes?

It has been 15 years at Cannes for Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. And almost every outing, and outfit, has made news — good, bad and ugly.

This year, it was her purple pout that created a stir.

Starting with a gold cape dress, she followed it with a red number designed by Naeem Khan. During the premiere of Sarabjit, Aishwarya took her Rami Kadi ensemble to an edgier level by sporting a lavender lip. 16 May was indeed a busy day for Twitter, what with assembly polls and Aishwarya's choice of lipstick.

The former beauty queen describes fashion as "art". Which it is. In its purest self, it's an expression of individualism and creativity. But fashion on the red carpet isn't art; it's business. The Guardian writes that Cannes' screenings are by invitation and the official dress code is explained to guests: men should show up in black tie-black shoes, and women in elegant dresses with smart footwear.

Perhaps, that's what stopping Aishwarya. And other celebrities. That the fact that they might represent a brand (Aishwarya is the brand ambassador for L'oreal Paris). Or they might represent various jewellery businesses and fashion designers, who will have the satisfaction of seeing their creations on the red carpet. Aishwarya, this Cannes season, sported looks by four different designers.

How much is the red carpet business worth? A report by The Cut estimates that a red carpet day rate for a celebrity stylist is anywhere between $1,500 and $10,000. It details in neat mathematics, a breakdown of Charlize Theron's 2012 Golden Globes outfit. Another report, by New York Magazine, details the appearance fee for different celebrities. While Business Insider confirmed that jewellery designers, shoe designers and even tampon companies pay the celebrities who endorse their products. It is all about the money.

Source: www.firstpost.com

Saudi Arabia denounces Iran over decision to not send Hajj pilgrims this year

Saudi Arabia has denounced Iran over its decision not to send its pilgrims to the annual Hajj and has also criticised Tehran's demand regarding right to organise demonstrations during the Hajj and to have privileges.

Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said this in a joint press briefing with his British counterpart Philip Hammond in Jeddah yesterday.

He termed the Tehran's demand as unacceptable as it would cause chaos during the annual event.

Jubeir said, Saudi Arabia annually signs a hajj memorandum of understanding with more than 70 countries to guarantee the security and safety of pilgrims.

However, Iran this year refused to sign the memorandum.

Earlier, Iran's Haj and Pilgrimage Organisation announced that the country's pilgrims would not attend pilgrimage.

Iran has blamed regional rival Saudi Arabia for sabotage and failing to guarantee the safety of its pilgrims. Relations between the two countries plummeted after hundreds of Iranians died in a crush during last year's Hajj.

Earlier, Iran had boycotted the Hajj for three years after 402 pilgrims, mostly Iranians, died in clashes with Saudi security forces in an anti-US and anti-Israel rally in Mecca in 1987.

Source: http://zeenews.india.com

Boat ran out of fuel, water came from everywhere: migrants recount horror

Survivor accounts have pushed to more than 700 the number of migrants feared dead in Mediterranean Sea shipwrecks over three days in the past week, even as rescue ships saved thousands of others.

The shipwrecks appear to account for the largest loss of life reported in the Mediterranean since April 2015, when a single ship sank with an estimated 800 people trapped inside. Humanitarian organisations say that many migrant boats sink without a trace, with the dead never found, and their fates only recounted by family members who report their failure to arrive in Europe.

“It really looks like that in the last period the situation is really worsening in the last week, if the news is confirmed,” said Giovanna Di Benedetto, a Save the Children spokeswoman in Italy.

Warmer waters and calmer weather of late have only increased the migrants’ attempts to reach Europe.

The largest number of missing and presumed dead was aboard a wooden fishing boat being towed by another smugglers’ boat from the Libyan port of Sabratha that sank Thursday. Estimates by police and humanitarian organisations, based on survivor accounts, range from around 400 to about 550 missing in that sinking alone.

Source: http://www.thehindu.com

Tanmay Bhat, Lata Mangeshkar and Sachin Tendulkar: Here's everything you don't need to know

Tanmay Bhat's parodies of Lata Mangeshkar and Sachin Tendulkar has, to use a technical millennial term, broke the internet.

If like the rest of the world, you're wondering what the fuss is about, here's what really went down:

Bhat, a comedian, who had earlier posted a monologue on feminism, presented a short skit on Snapchat last week. Using the app's face-swap feature (you can unfortunately swap your face with anyone's or anything's), he mimicked Lata Mangeshkar and Sachin Tendulkar in a video titled Sachin v/s Lata Civil War. Starting with imitating Sachin, Bhat spouted lines such as "Virat is good with the bat, and the ladies”, and moves on to 'roasting' or as some people from the internet like to say, insulting Lata Mangeshkar (he says she is 5,000 years old). He also imitates Lata making fun of Sachin saying that her fans will mourn her by singing her songs at the singer's funeral. The video ends with a lot of jibes and insults in Marathi.

Bhat then took to Twitter to further voice his opinions.
But even before he posted the video, Bhat reportedly put out a disclaimer as saying that he loved both the icons.

As the controversy grew, the Shiv Sena and the BJP called for police action against Tanmay Bhat. Shiv Sena even asked the Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to take strict action against the comedy collective All India Bakc*** (AIB) and Bhat for allegedly seeking to vitiate social harmony through videos on Lata Mangeshkar and Sachin Tendulkar. The BJP's Mumbai chief Ashish Shelar also requested that a police complaint be filed against Tanmay Bhat and AIB.

The MNS meanwhile said that it will lodge an FIR against Tanmay Bhat and demanded that the video uploaded by him be removed immediately.

The Mumbai police has initiated a probe following the complaints. DCP (Operations) Sangramsingh Nishandar said the inquiry is being conducted by special branch of the city police. The inquiry was initiated after Shelar complained about the issue to city police chief Datta Padsalgikar.

Sachin's wife, Anjali Tendulkar also voiced her opinion on Twitter.

Source: http://www.firstpost.com

26/11: Pak court issues notices to accused, government over plea to examine boat

 A top Pakistani court on Monday issued notices to the seven Mumbai attack case accused, including 26/11 mastermind Zaki-ur Rehman Lakhvi, and the government over the prosecution’s plea to form a commission to examine the boat used by the 10 Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists to reach India.

“The Islamabad High Court has issued notices to the accused of Mumbai attack case and the government on the prosecution’s plea to form a commission to examine the boat at port city of Karachi,” a court official said. He said the court has also sought record of the case from the trial court — Anti-Terrorism Court Islamabad. The official said the date for hearing of the case will be fixed later.

Boat’s name: Al-Fauz

The prosecution had challenged the trial court’s decision to reject its plea to form a commission to examine the boat ‘Al-Fauz’ used by Mumbai attack terrorists so that the vessel could be made “case property.”

Al-Fauz is in the custody of the Pakistani authorities in Karachi, from where the 10 militants, armed with AK-47 assault rifles and hand grenades, had left for India to carry out the Mumbai attack in 2008.

Attackers used 3 boats

According to the Federal Investigation Agency, the attackers used three boats including Al-Fauz to reach Mumbai from Karachi.

It said the security agencies had also traced the shop and its owner from where the culprits bought the engine and the boat while a bank and a money exchange company were also traced which were used for the transaction of money.

Killer diary

The 10 LeT militants had left Karachi on the boat on November 23, 2008.

En route to their destination, they hijacked another boat, killing four of its crew. They allegedly forced the vessel’s captain to take them close to the Indian shores.

The captain was killed when the vessel reached Mumbai’s coast.

Inordinate delay, understandably

The Mumbai attack case is facing inordinate delay as no proceedings practically have been held for more than two months. The Mumbai case hearing is scheduled to be held once a week.

The lawyers associated with the case say as all Pakistani witnesses in the case have recorded their statements, it may further be delayed if India does not send 24 witnesses to Pakistan. They say Pakistan is awaiting India’s response on sending the witnesses here for recording the statements in the case.

Charges against accused

Mumbai attack mastermind Lakhvi, Abdul Wajid, Mazhar Iqbal, Hamad Amin Sadiq, Shahid Jameel Riaz,Jamil Ahmed and Younis Anjum are accused of abetment to murder, attempted murder, planning and executing the Mumbai attack.

Source: http://www.thehindu.com/