WhatsApp data sharing with Facebook: The official blog post that shows why people are so angry at messaging app

It was a quotation that WhatsApp’s creators probably regret. Sat at the top of a blog post from 2012, and taken from Fight Club, it read: “Advertising has us chasing cars and clothes, working jobs we hate so we can buy shit we don’t need”.

Until this week, it had been a vital way of understanding WhatsApp’s approach to ads: it just didn’t have them, and committed never to do so. Then it announced the news its users had feared since it was bought by Facebook: those ads were on their way.

Not only would WhatsApp start showing marketing within the app itself, it also said that it would begin handing over data to Facebook, which would be used to decide what ads would be shown on the social network. All of that would necessitate a change to the app’s terms, and it was those changes that kicked off a week of controversy.

Source:-independent
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In waning days of Barack Obama’s time in office, a final ignominy: Will Congress override the president?

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate will vote on Wednesday on whether to override President Barack Obama’s veto of a bill allowing relatives of victims in the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks to sue Saudi Arabia.

Obama on Friday vetoed the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act, which would allow courts to waive claims to foreign sovereign immunity in cases involving terrorist attacks on U.S. soil, arguing it would set a dangerous precedent.

Known as JASTA, the legislation passed the Senate and House in reaction to long-running suspicions — denied by Saudi Arabia — that hijackers of the four U.S. jetliners that attacked the United States in 2001 were backed by the Saudi government.


Source:-Nationalpost
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The Morning Wrap: Karnataka Defers Release Of Cauvery Water; Decomposed Foetus Found By Dog In Ghaziabad

A day after British forensic agency Jason Payne-James said in its findings that Jiah Khan's suicide was staged, prime accused in the case, actor Sooraj Pancholi, who was dating the actress at the time leading to her death, has said that he, too, deserves a fair trial so that he can move on with his life. The actor, who was launched by Salman Khan last year in Nikhil Advani's Hero, also accused the media for 'targeting' him and stalling the progress of his Bollywood career.

A woman in Chhattisgarh, whose eight-month-old foetus had died, reportedly became a victim of doctors' apathy after several hospitals refused to operate on her without advance payment of fees. She died on Monday night after infection spread in her body.

The portrayal of women chased and harassed by spurned lovers in south Indian films has made stalking a "cool, romantic thing to do" activists are insisting, urging the film industry to stop glorifying a crime that has resulted in violent deaths. In the last few months, Tamil Nadu has reported half a dozen cases of women being murdered in their homes, classrooms and in public spaces for rejecting men who have stalked them.


Source:-huffingtonpost
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New York bombings suspect portrayed as jihadist who praised Laden

Federal prosecutors on Tuesday charged the Afghan-born man suspected of weekend bombings in New York and New Jersey with 10 counts including use of weapons of mass destruction, portraying him as a jihadist who begged for martyrdom and praised Osama bin Laden.

The suspect, Ahmad Khan Rahami, bought bomb components on eBay, made a video of himself testing out homemade explosives, and kept a journal expressing outrage at the US ‘slaughter’ of mujahideen in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and Palestine, federal officials allege.

“Inshallah (God willing), the sounds of bombs will be heard in the streets. Gun shots to your police. Death to your oppression,” Rahami, who came to the United States at age 7, wrote in a journal he was carrying when arrested.


Source:-indianexpress
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SC notice to Mohammad Shahabuddin on plea seeking cancellation of bail

The Supreme Court on Monday issued a notice to criminal-turned-politician Mohammad Shahabuddin on a plea challenging grant of bail to him in a murder case.

The bench of Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose and Justice Amitava Roy also issued notice on a plea seeking stay of the Patna High Court order granting bail to Shahabuddin.

While asking the Bihar government to serve notice on him, the bench directed the next hearing on the matter for the coming Monday, September 26.


The court order came on a plea by Chandrakeshwar Prasad, whose three sons were allegedly killed by a henchman of Shahabuddin, and the Bihar government challenging the High Court order granting bail.


Source:-business-standard
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Brahamdagh Bugti to appeal for political asylum in India

Baloch Republican Party (BRP) founder Brahamdagh Bugti on Monday announced that he would appeal for a political asylum in India.

Bugti said that the decision was taken in his party's central committee meeting.


"The meeting of our central committee ended today. And in the meeting the members of the central committee have decided with majority that I will appeal for a political asylum in India," Bugti told ANI.

Bugti said that the he would seek an appointment with the Indian embassy in Geneva.

Source:-business-standard
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Fourth attack on Israelis in uptick in violence

 A Palestinian stabbed an Israeli soldier on Saturday in the flashpoint West Bank city of Hebron before he was shot dead, the army said, in the fourth attack on Israelis in less than 24 hours.

A military statement said the attacker drew a knife during a routine security check in Hebron's Tel Rumeida neighbourhood, wounding the soldier.

"In response to the immediate threat, forces at the scene shot the assailant, resulting in his death," the statement said.


Source:-business-standard
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WFI refers Narsingh dope case to CBI

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) on Friday referred the alleged dope case of grappler Narsingh Yadav to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a detailed probe.

WFI President Brijbhushan Sharan Singh, who met officials at the Prime Minister's Office, requested that the probe be carried out by the country's premier investigating agency.


"The President, Wrestling Federation of India, met PMO after arriving from Rio (de Janeiro) and requested the case of Narsingh Yadav may please be forwarded to CBI for further investigation," a WFI statement read.

"Today, Brijbhushan Sharan Singh, MP, President, WFI, has confirmed that the case of Narsingh Yadav has been referred to CBI for further investigation," the statement added.

Source:-business-standard
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Kashmir: Shutting major mosques, shrines on Eid will have huge backlash, says Omar Abdullah

Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said that the government’s decision to “close all major mosques and shrines in Kashmir on Eid” has “never happened in our history” and “will have a huge backlash”.

“People are saying that it is the rule of Jan Sangh and that’s why the doors of every major mosque and shrine have been locked by this government. People who had gone to offer prayers at Sayid sahib (shrine) in my neighbourhood were shocked to see it locked. People are very angry,” Abdullah told The Indian Express over phone from Srinagar. “We didn’t have such a situation ever in our history. They have closed all the major mosques and shrines and have disallowed people to offer Eid prayers there. They have disallowed prayers at Eidgah, Hazratbal, Maqhdoom sahib, Jamia masjid, even the Sayid sahib shrine in my neighbourhood. It is going to have a huge backlash.”

Source:-indianexpress
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China, Russia launch major naval drill in SCS

Chinaand Russiatoday launched a major naval exercise in the South ChinaSea, firming up their growing strategic alliance apparently to counter military push by the US into the region amidst muscle-flexing by the PLA into the disputed waters.

The eight-day "Joint Sea 2016" drill will feature the highest ever level of standardisation, combat and digitalisation in recent China-Russiadrills, Chinese Navy spokesperson Liang Yang said.

Source:-business-standard
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Obama warns N. Korea of 'serious consequences' after N-tests

US President Barack Obamatoday warned North Korea of "serious consequences" as he consulted leaders of South Koreaand Japanafter Pyongyang conducted its fifth nuclear test - believed to be its most powerful ever.

"The president indicated he would continue to consult our allies and partners in the days ahead to ensure provocative actions from North Korea are Metwith serious consequences," White Housepress secretary Josh Earnest said.

Source:-business-standard
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US rejects Hafiz Saeed's remarks charging India, America against CPEC

The United States has completely denied the statement made by Hafiz Saeed, founder of the banned terrorist group Lashkar-e-taiba(LeT), that the new pact between Indiaand America against the ChinaPakistanEconomic Corridor (CPEC), is "against the Muslim Worldand bulwark Pakistan".

Speaking to media during the daily press briefing, the United States State Department Deputy Spokesperson, Mark C. Toner said, "I mean, I would dismiss it outright. We have a strong bilateral relationship with Pakistan, but one that is premised on counterterrorism cooperation and as - as part of that conversation, or that dialogue and that cooperation that we have on counterterrorism issues."

Toner reiterated that Washingtonhas made it clear to Islamabadthat it has to go after terrorist groups who seek to harm neighbours.

"We made it very clear that Pakistancan't pick and choose which terrorist groups it goes after, and it has to go after those groups that seek to do harm to its neighbours and may seek refuge on Pakistani soil," he added.

Source:-Business-standard
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Afghan security forces kill last gunman in Kabul attack

 Afghan security forces have killed the last surviving gunman holding out more than 10 hours after a complex attack that began with a car bomb in central Kabul, Interior Ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqqi said on Tuesday.

In a message posted on Twitter, he said Afghan special forces had killed all those involved in Monday night's attack in the Share Naw area of Kabul.

Earlier in the day, Afghan security forces sealed off the centre of Kabul as they battled gunmen who barricaded themselves inside the offices of an international aid group.

The attack in a prosperous business and residential area of the capital took place just hours after a Taliban suicide attack near the Defence Ministry killed at least 24 people, including a number of senior security officials.

“We have rescued several families from the area,” Fraidoon Obaidi, chief of the Kabul police Criminal Investigation Department, said.

The attacks highlighted the precarious security climate in the capital just a month before a conference in Brussels where international donors are expected to pledge continued financial support to Afghanistan.

After several hours of quiet overnight, sporadic gunfire and explosions could be heard as day broke. Security officials evacuated terrified civilians from their offices and homes near the explosion site.

An Interior Ministry official said initial reports indicated one person had been killed and six wounded in the attack, with 31 people rescued from the area.

Kabul traffic was blocked in several parts of the city and schools in the area were closed.

On Monday, 24 people were killed and 91 wounded when twin blasts in quick succession tore through an afternoon crowd in a bustling area of the city close to the Defence Ministry.

The Taliban immediately claimed responsibility for that attack, in which a suicide bomber caught security forces personnel and civilians who rushed to help victims of the first explosion.

“When the first explosion happened people crowded to the site and then the second blast occurred, which was really powerful and killed lots of people,” said Samiullah Safi, who witnessed the attack.

An Army General and two senior police commanders were among the dead, a Defence Ministry official said. Another official said the deputy head of President Ashraf Ghani's personal protection force had also been killed.

The double bombing came less than two weeks after gunmen attacked the American University in Kabul, killing 13 people.

It was the deadliest attack in Kabul since at least 80 people were killed by a suicide bomber who targeted a demonstration on July 23. That assault was claimed by Islamic State.

The Taliban's ability to conduct coordinated high profile attacks in Kabul has piled pressure on the Western-backed government, which has struggled to reassure a war-weary population that it can guarantee security.

Afghanistan's foreign partners, concerned about the ability of the security forces to withstand Taliban violence, are expected to pledge support over coming years at the Brussels conference, three months after NATO members reaffirmed their commitment at a meeting in Warsaw.

Outside Kabul, the insurgents have stepped up their military campaign, threatening Lashkar Gah, capital of the strategic southern province of Helmand, as well as Kunduz, the northern city they briefly took last year.


Source:-thehindu
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Modi raises black money, tax evasion at G20 (Economy Roundup)

Indian Prime Minister NarendraModion Monday raised the issues of black money and tax evasion at the G20 Summit here, urging member countries to act against financial corruption.

On the second day of the Summit here, Modi said: "Fighting corruption, black money and tax evasion were central to effective financial governance."

Modi urged the grouping to show full commitment to action against financial corruption and said effective financial governance required action against the corrupt and elimination of safe havens for economic offenders.

"We need to act to eliminate safe havens for economic offenders, track down and unconditionally extradite money launderers and break down the web of complex international regulations and excessive banking secrecy that hide the corrupt and their deeds," Modi said in his address at the G20.

Representing 85 per cent of the world's GDP, the G20 is composed of Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the UK, the US and the European Union.

Making his intervention in the discussion on 'More Effective and Efficient Global Economic and Financial Governance at the G-20 summit', Modi called for further strengthening the global financial safety net.

"We need a regular dialogue between the IMF, Regional Financial Arrangements and Bilateral Swap Arrangements. Important mechanisms like financial stability board should stick to their core mandate."

On tax evasion, Modi reiterated India's support for Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) recommendations and calls on countries to commit to the timeline of 2017-18.

"PM professes India's support for BEPS recommendations and calls on countries to commit to the timeline of 2017-18," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted citing the Prime Minister.

India had earlier declared its commitment to implementing BEPS, which advocates avoidance of stateless income and plugging loopholes by which entities avoid tax in operating across borders.

The Paris-based think-tank of developed nations, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development's (OECD) Base Erosion and Profit Sharing deliverables advocate consistent tax rules throughout the world.

In this connection, a Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) committee on taxation of e-commerce had earlier this year suggested an "Equalization Levy" of between 6-8 percent for business-to-business digital transactions.

This recommendation had formed the basis of Finance Minister Arun Jaitley's Budget 2016-17 proposal for an equalization levy of 6 percent in order to tax income accruing to foreign e-commerce companies from India.

The committee has suggested that the levy be imposed on the amount paid to a non-resident by an Indian resident for specified digital services.

The specified services would include online advertising or any services, rights or use of software for online advertising, including advertising on radio and TV, designing, hosting or maintenance of websites, digital space for website, e-mails, blogs, facility for online sale of goods or services or collecting online payments.

It would also include use or right to use or download online music, online movies, online games and online software applications accessed or downloaded through the Internet or telecommunication networks.


Source:-business-standard
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India's future incomplete without peaceful Kashmir: Rajnath Singh

 Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday made a passionate appeal for peace in the Kashmir Valley, saying India's future was incomplete without a peaceful Kashmir and announced that an all-party delegation will visit the state soon for talks on ending a protracted violent unrest that has killed nearly 70 people since July 9.

At a press conference towards the end of his two-day Kashmir tour, Rajnath Singh conceded a popular demand, saying that an alternative to the use of pellet guns as a tool to control unruly mobs would be found "in a few days".

During his stay in Srinagar, the Home Minister said he met some 300 people, including leaders of all political parties in the state, with whom he had "good talks".

"Everybody wants peace to be restored. We are extremely sad over the situation. We are pained over the loss of lives," the minister said with Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti by his side.

In an oblique reference to separatist leaders, the Home Minister said people should "not play with the future of Kashmiri youth".

"They (youth) should hold books, pens and laptops in their hands and not stones," he said. "We are linking the future of Kashmiri youth with the future of India. And I appeal to Kashmir people to identify those who are creating trouble."

India's future, he said, is intrinsically linked to the future of Kashmir.

He said leaders of all political parties will soon visit here for talks on finding ways to break the logjam in the valley. "I have asked the state government to make all preparations for that."

Asked if he invited separatist leaders — who have been spearheading the agitation — for talks, Rajnath Singh said the government was ready to hold talks with anyone who believed in "insaniyat, jamhooriyat and Kashmiriyat".

Notably, he didn't name Pakistan for stoking trouble in the valley and didn't repeat that talks over Kashmir will only be held under the realm of the Constitution of India — unlike previously.

It was the minister's second visit to the valley in a month since the unrest, the deadliest in six years, erupted after the July 8 killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani.

At least 67 civilians have been killed and thousands injured in firing by security forces at pro-freedom demonstrations. Most of the injuries have been caused by pellet guns that have left hundreds partially or fully blinded.

Mehbooba Mufti justified the killings by security forces saying those hit by bullets or pellets had not gone to fetch milk or toffees.

She was asked how she justified the alleged disproportionate use of force against Kashmiri protesters when as opposition leader she had criticised the government during a similar unrest in 2010 for civilian killings. The Chief Minister got angry and asked a reporter not to compare the two situations.

"You are wrong. What happened in 2010 had a reason. There was a fake encounter in Machil. Three civilians were killed. Today three militants were killed in an encounter and how is the government to be blamed for that," she said, referring to Wani's killing.

She said people had come out on the roads even though the government had imposed a strict curfew.

"Had a kid gone to buy a toffee from an army camp? A 15-year-old boy who attacked a police station (in south Kashmir), had he gone to buy milk?" she asked.

She added emphatically that poor Kashmiri youth were being used as shields by vested interests. " 95 per cent people killed are from poor families."

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader said only 5 per cent of Kashmiri people were resorting to violence and the rest "95 per cent percent people want peace...a dialogue to resolve the Kashmir issue".

Appearing irritated, Mehbooba abruptly ended the press conference saying "Thank you" and invited journalists for a cup of tea.

The Home Minister ended his valley visit during which he met leaders of all mainstream parties and officials of civil, security and intelligence agencies.

However, trade bodies in Kashmir refused to meet him in protest against the civilian killings in Kashmir.
Source:-businessstandard
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Iran executes nuclear scientist who returned from US

Iran has executed a nuclear scientist convicted of handing over "confidential and vital" information to the United States, a judicial spokesman said on Sunday.

"Shahram Amiri was hanged for revealing the country's top secrets to the enemy," Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejeie told reporters in Tehran.

Amiri disappeared in Saudi Arabia in June 2009 and resurfaced a year later in the United States.

Conflicting accounts said he had either been abducted or had defected at a time when international tensions over Iran's nuclear programme were at their peak.

In a surprise move, Amiri then returned to Tehran in July 2010, saying he had been kidnapped at gunpoint by two Farsi-speaking CIA agents in the Saudi city of Medina.

At first he was greeted as a hero, telling reporters as he stepped off the plane at Tehran airport that he had resisted pressure from his US captors to pretend he was a defector.

He denied he was a nuclear scientist and said US officials wanted him to tell the media he had "defected on his own and was carrying important documents and a laptop which contained classified secrets of Iran's military nuclear programme."

"But with God's will, I resisted," Amiri said as he was welcomed home by his tearful wife and young son.

However, it was soon clear that Iranian authorities had not accepted this version of events and Amiri dropped out of public view. He was probably arrested although it was never officially reported.

Iran's judicial spokesman said Sunday that the Iranian intelligence services had "outsmarted" the US.

"American intelligence services thought Iran has no knowledge of his transfer to Saudi Arabia and what he was doing but we knew all of it and were monitoring," Ejeie told reporters.

"This person, having access to confidential and highly confidential information of the regime, had established a connection to our number one enemy, America, and had provided the enemy with Iran's confidential and vital information," he added.

Tehran and Washington have had no diplomatic ties since 1980, when students stormed the US embassy following the 1979 Islamic revolution.

"Shahram Amiri was tried in accordance with law and in the presence of his lawyer. He appealed his death sentence based on judicial process. The Supreme Court... confirmed it after meticulous reviews," he added.

Iran last year signed a landmark deal with world powers, including the US, to place curbs on its controversial nuclear programme in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions.

Numerous media reports in recent years have supported the idea that Amiri was a defector with highly prized information on its nuclear programme.

"Shahram Amiri described to American intelligence officers details of how a university in Tehran became the covert headquarters for the country's nuclear efforts," the New York Times reported in July 2010, citing unnamed US officials.

"While still in Iran, he was also one of the sources for a much-disputed National Intelligence Estimate on Iran's suspected weapons programme, published in 2007," the report said.

Source;-telegraph
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AFSPA,Jammu and Kashmir,India , Kashmir unrest major setback for peace, says NYT, slams AFSPA

In a bid to facilitate increased cross-border trade, Bangladesh and India on Thursday inaugurated the newly-constructed modern Integrated Check Post at the Benapole-Petrapole point on the India-Bangladesh border.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi jointly inaugurated the facility through video conferencing.

"Economic development and connectivity are very closely linked to each other," PMO India tweeted.

After the Integrated Check Post along the Akhaura-Agartala point on the India-Bangladesh border, this is the second multi-purpose Integrated Check Post between the two countries.

The Akhaura-Agartala check post was opened in November 2013.

"Petrapole-Benapole is a key land border crossing for India-Bangladesh trade. Over 50% of India-Bangladesh trade passes through Petrapole," PMO India tweeted.

"The check post will boost trade between India and Bangladesh and make available various facilities for passengers and traders," said an official of the foreign ministry.

The check post will have customs and immigration facilities, weigh bridges, security and scanning equipment, currency exchange booths, internet facility, cargo inspection sheds, warehouse and cold storage.

Other facilities include banks, scanners, closed circuit televisions, cafeteria and hotels.

"Petrapole ICP (Integrated Check Post) will serve to foster more economic integration and connectivity between India & Bangladesh," PMO India said.

Trade through the Benapole (On the Bangladesh side) -Petrapole (on Indian side) point amounts to more than Taka 20,000 crore ($2.5 billion) a year.

Modi extended his deepest condolences on the recent terror attacks in Bangladesh.

On July 1 at an upscale cafe in Dhaka's diplomatic Gulshan enclave seven young terrorists killed 20 hostages, including 18 foreigners.

Another terror attack, on July 7, at the country's largest Eid congregation in Sholakia, Kishoreganj, claimed the lives of four people, including two policemen.
Source:-Buisness-standard
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