US starts accepting employment applications of H-4visa holders

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WASHINGTON: US authorities have started accepting employment authorization applications for H-4 visa holders, who are spouses of H-1B nonimmigrant workers and were not allowed to work so far in the country.

 

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) yesterday started accepting the applications for H-4 visas.

 

Issuing employment authorization card (EAD) to certain category of spouses of H-1B visas is one of the legislative measures taken by President Barack Obama to fix the immigration system of the country.

 

As a result, about 1,80,000 would be eligible to work in the US.

 

According to the DHS, it will issue EAD within 90 days of receiving the application.

Under existing regulations, DHS does not extend employment authorisation to dependents (also known as H-4 nonimmigrants) of H-1B nonimmigrant workers.

 

The new rules allow H-4 dependent spouses of certain H-1B nonimmigrant workers to request employment authorisation, as long as the H-1B worker has already started the process of seeking lawful permanent residence through employment.

Four of family killed in road mishap in TN

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THANJAVUR (TN): Four persons of a family, including a four-year-old boy, were killed and 11 others injured today when the van in which they were travelling collided with a lorry near here, police said.

The incident occurred at 3.45 am when 14 members of a family were returning to their native place at Porayar in Nagapattinam district after visiting Kanyakumari, they said.

Four persons travelling in the van died on the spot, police said.

The injured, including the driver of the lorry, have been admitted to a hospital

CBSE class 10 results declared with pass percentage at 97.32

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NEW DELHI: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Thursday declared the results for class X examination, with 97.32 per cent students passing the exam and girls outshining the boys.

The pass percentage for girls stood at 97.82 per cent as compared to 96.98 per cent for the boys.

The overall pass percentage was marginally lower than last year where 98. 87 per cent students had passed the exam as against 97.32 per cent this year.

As many as 8,000 students scored a 10 CGPA in Delhi.

The overall percentage of candidates qualifying for admission in higher classes in Thiruvananthapuram region is 99.77, which is the highest across the country.

A total of 13,73,853 candidates were registered for class X examination this year.

This amounts for an increase of about 3. 37 per cent candidates over that of last year.

The website for checking one's results are cbse.nic. in or cbseresults. nic.in.

Students will have to enter their roll numbers in the slot provided on the web page to get their results.

The 2015 CBSE Class 10 exams were conducted from March 2 to 26.

The CBSE class 10 results were initially to be declared yesterday but were postponed without giving any reason for the delay.

The class 10 results were earlier scheduled to be declared on May 21 but were postponed to Wednesday (May 27).

Finally, they were announced today.

The class 12 board exam results were declared on May 25.

Baba Ramdev's brother sent to 14 days judicial custody

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HARIDWAR: A local court in Haridwar on Thursday rejected the bail plea of yoga guru Baba Ramdev's brother Ram Bharat and sent him to 14 days judicial custody in connection with a clash between Patanjali Food and Herbal Park's staff and members of a transport union, which had led to the death of one person.

Haridwar Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Sweety Singh said that Ram Bharat has been booked under various sections of the IPC, adding that more arrests are likely to be made in the case.

"He has been booked under sections 302, 307, 147, 148, 149, 504, 506 and 120 B of the IPC.

The others accused in the case will also be arrested.

We are conducting a fair investigation.

Some more facts have also come to light that they were trying to concealing the evidence.

Those behind concealing the evidence will also be arrested," she said.

Ram Bharat was arrested by the Uttar Pradesh Police on Wednesday after a trucker was allegedly killed by gunshot wounds during a clash between security guards of the food park run by Patanjali and members of a transport union in Haridwar.

The clash had reportedly erupted after the local transporters gathered outside the food park's gate in protest against the firm engaging truck operators from outside of Haridwar for transporting products to market.

Avoided choosing "populist course": Modi

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Tags: Narendra Modi, populist course
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that he has consciously avoided choosing a "populist course" and had instead opted for a "more difficult path" of correcting the defective government machinery. Looking back at his one year in office, Modi, when asked if there was something which he could have done differently, said that he had two options. "One option was to do things methodically to mobilise the government machinery, correct the many defects and ills which had crept into the system, so as to provide long term benefits to the country in the form of clean, efficient and fair governance. "The other option was to use the mandate to announce new populist schemes and bombard the media with announcements to keep the people fooled. The latter course is easier and people are used to it. "However, I did not choose this and instead chose the more difficult path of correcting the defective government machinery in a quiet and methodical way. If I had chosen the populist course, it would have been a breach of the trust placed in me by the people," Modi said. Asked to enumerate steps that he had taken to change the way the government works, he said, "we have tried to remind government servants that they are servants of the public and have restored discipline in Central government officers. "I have done a small thing, one that appears small from outside. I regularly interact with officers over tea; it is part of my working style.

ഇ-കൊമേഴ്‌സ് സ്ഥാപനങ്ങള്‍ ഒരു കോടി രൂപ ശമ്പളത്തില്‍ 500 പേരെ നിയമിക്കുന്നു

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മുംബൈ: പ്രതിവര്‍ഷം ഒരു കോടി രൂപ വാഗ്ദാനം ചെയ്ത് ഇ-കൊമേഴ്‌സ് കമ്പനികള്‍ 500ഓളം പേരെ നിയമിക്കുന്നു. ഫ് ളിപ്കാര്‍ട്ട്, ആമസോണ്‍, സ്‌നാപ്ഡീല്‍, ഒല, ഉബര്‍, ക്വിക്കര്‍, കോമണ്‍ഫ്ലോര്‍, യെപ്മി, ഒഎല്‍എക്‌സ്, ജംഗ്ലി, ഫാഷന്‍ആന്റ് യു, ഹങ്കാമ, ബുക്ക്‌മൈഷോ, ജബോങ്, ക്ലിയര്‍ട്രിപ്പ്, ലെന്‍സ്‌കാര്‍ട്ട് തുടങ്ങിയ കമ്പനികളാണ് ഒരു കോടി രൂപ വാഗ്ദാനംചെയ്ത് ജീവനക്കാരെ തേടുന്നത്. 

പ്രധാനമായും പ്രൊഡക്ട് മാനേജുമെന്റ്, ടെക്‌നോളജി വിഭാഗങ്ങളിലാണ് നിയമനം. ആര്‍ജിഎഫ് എക്‌സിക്യുട്ടീവ് സര്‍ച്ച്, ലോങ്ഹൗസ് കണ്‍സള്‍ട്ടിങ്, എബിസി കണ്‍സള്‍ട്ടന്റ്‌സ് തുടങ്ങിയ സ്ഥാപനങ്ങളാണ് ഇ-കൊമേഴ്‌സ് ഭീമന്മാര്‍ക്കുവേണ്ടി ഉദ്യോഗാര്‍ത്ഥികളെ പരതുന്നത്. 

നിക്ഷേപമായെത്തുന്ന കോടിക്കണക്കിന് രൂപ ചെലവഴിക്കാന്‍ മാര്‍ഗങ്ങളന്വേഷിക്കുകയാണ്. ഇ-കൊമേഴ്‌സ് സ്ഥാപനങ്ങള്‍. മികച്ച ഉദ്യോഗാര്‍ഥികളെ നിയമിക്കുക, അടിസ്ഥാന സൗകര്യങ്ങള്‍ വികസിപ്പിക്കുക-ഇവ രണ്ടുമാണ് ഈ സ്ഥാപനങ്ങള്‍ക്കുമുന്നിലുള്ളത്. ഈ സാഹചര്യത്തില്‍ എത്ര ശമ്പളം നല്‍കിയാലും മികച്ചവരെതന്നെ നിയമിക്കുകയെന്നതന്ത്രമാണ് സ്വീകരിക്കുന്നതെന്ന് ഇ-കൊമേഴ്‌സ് സ്ഥാപനങ്ങളിലെ ഹ്യുമണ്‍ റിസോഴ്‌സസ് വിഭാഗം ഉദ്യോഗസ്ഥര്‍ പറയുന്നു.

Yash Birla among seven Indian names made public for Swiss a/c

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Berne/New Delhi: Industrialist Yash Birla and son-in-law of late realty and liquor baron Ponty Chadha are among seven Indians with Swiss bank accounts whose names have been made public in Switzerland's official gazette with regard to ongoing tax probes against them in India.

Two Mumbai-based individuals named in the famous City Limousines scam, a Delhi-based businesswoman Ritika Sharma and two others -- Sneh Lata Sawhney and Sangita Sawhney-- are the other Indians whose names have been made public.

The names of these seven 'Indian nationals' have been published in Switzerland's Federal Gazette with regard to details sought about them by the Indian authorities.

Among these, some details have already been shared by the Swiss Federal Tax Administration (FTA) with India, including about Birla and Sharma of Blessings Apparel, as per the gazette notifications.

In case of Sayed Mohamed Masood, being probed for a major ponzi scheme run from Mumbai through City Limousines, some
details were shared by Swiss authorities in the past. His accounts were also frozen a few years ago following a request
from the Enforcement Directorate.

Fresh details about him and about Chaud Kauser Mohamed Masood have been sought by the Indian authorities, as per the notifications published in Switzerland's official gazette.

While asking the named persons to appeal within 30 days, the notifications mention the names and date of birth of all the seven, including Gurjit Singh Kochar, who is married into the Chadha family and is said to be outside India now.

The notifications for Birla and Sharma also mention their Mumbai and Delhi addresses, respectively.

Welcoming the Swiss government's move, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said this should serve as a 'sufficient indicator' to those with unaccounted wealth abroad about the action to follow.

Speaking to reporters in Ahmedabad, he said the era of tax haven has come to an end and it's no longer safe to keep the assets abroad illegally.

The Yash Birla group later said in an emailed statement that he had 'no individual bank account in his name or under his control' and this position has already been communicated to the Indian tax authorities.

Repeated calls to Sharma did not elicit any response, while a family representative declined to comment on the notification issued about Kochar, who is believed to be outside India. He is facing probe by the Income Tax Department and other agencies for quite some time.

No contact details were available for comments from Sawhneys. Despite repeated attempts Masoods could not be contacted

The names being made public in this manner could include some big names, as those whose names have been published in
the latest gazette includes Francisco Jose Ortiz von Bismarck.

As per German media reports, he is a descendant of the first Chancellor of German empire Otto von Bismarck. Officials said some names have been made public through the gazette notifications in the past also, but those were of the persons that banks were unable to locate.

Also, the numbers have gone up in a big way because of a quantum leap in the number of requests being received by the Swiss tax department from the foreign governments for mutual assistance procedure.

Besides, a new law has done away with the mandatory requirement of a bank customer being informed first before any sharing of information about them by the Swiss authorities. The officials also said that the main purpose of the names being published in the gazette is providing the concerned persons an opportunity to explore legal remedies.

the Swiss FTA has asked those being named to file an appeal within 30 days before the Federal Administrative Court if they do not want their details to be shared with the Indian authorities under their 'mutual assistance' treaty.

In case of Birla and Ritika Sharma, whose details have been already shared by the Swiss authorities, the notifications also mention their addresses in India, but the information given to India has been withheld from the gazette.

No further details -- other than their names and date of birth -- were made public for other 'Indian nationals'. Similar is the case for other foreign nationals including the British, Spanish and Russians.

In case of American and Israeli citizens, their full names have been withheld and they have been identified by their initials and dates of birth.

At least 40 such 'final notices' have been published in the Swiss Federal Gazette so far this month, while more such names are expected to be published going forward.

The alleged stashing of wealth by Indians in Swiss banks has been a matter of great debate in India.

The Indian government has been pushing the Swiss authorities for a long time to share information on the suspected tax evaders, while Switzerland has shared some details in cases where India has been able to provide some independent evidence of suspected tax evasion by Indian clients of Swiss banks.

While there was no reply to queries mailed to the FTA spokesperson in this regard, these names are being published in the Swiss Federal Gazette in the backdrop of the Swiss government being flooded with requests on suspected black money hoarders in Swiss banks from various countries including India.

Through these gazette notices, the Swiss FTA is also looking to give the concerned persons an opportunity to resort to legal remedies. These are the persons about whom foreign governments are requesting information.

Committing full support to India's fight against the black money menace, Switzerland last week had said its Parliament would soon consider changes in laws to look into the possibility of sharing information in cases being probed on the basis of stolen data of Swiss bank accounts.

Switzerland's Economic Affairs Minister Johann Schneider Ammann during his India visit on May 15 said that the Swiss government was sensitive to the fact that the issue of black money was very important for India and needed to be resolved.

'Switzerland has decided to follow international standards, including those framed by OECD, in sharing information and providing assistance to foreign countries probing such cases, but we have to ask our Parliament to make changes in our laws,' he said.

Indian Parliament has recently passed a new black money law under which those found to be stashing illicit funds in foreign locations, including Swiss banks, would face strict penal action, including up to ten years in jail and a penalty of 90 per cent of funds in addition to 30 per cent tax levy.

However, a one-time 'compliance window' will be provided before the law comes into force and this would let the persons with foreign assets to come clean by payment of 30 per cent tax and 30 per cent penalty. 

PTI

Beef row: Rijiju says there cannot be restrictions on food habits

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ZCZC
PRI GEN NAT
New Delhi: Amidst a row over eating beef, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday said no restrictions can be put on food habits in a secular country like India but the sentiments of the majority should be respected in Hindu-majority as well as Christian and Muslim-majority states.

'India is a secular country and food habits cannot be stopped,' he told PTI over phone from Aizawl against the backdrop of remarks by his Ministerial colleague Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi that those who want to eat beef should go to Pakistan.

At the same time, Rijiju said the Hindu faith and sentiments must be respected in a Hindu-majority state. 'I told them that when we visit Hindu-majority Maharashtra or Gujarat, we must respect the sentiments of the majority and should not do anything which would hurt the sentiments of the majority.

'Similarly, when someone visits a Christian-majority or Muslim-majority area, they should respect the sentiments of majority local people,' said the Union Minister of State for Home Affairs.

He said the Indian Constitution has given freedom to practice the faith anyone likes and there is no restriction on that.

On reports that he had said he eats beef and nobody can stop him, Rijiju said, 'I never said that I eat beef. I said that we must respect each other's faith, belief and food habit.'

He said in India, a new fashion has developed where a balanced view is disregarded and anybody who speaks against Hindus is treated as secular. 'Why do we need to say something against Hindus to become a secular. We should focus on development and communal harmony. The Prime Minister has a vision for 1.2 billion Indians and let's not divide it on communal line,' he said.

The junior Home Minister is currently visiting Northeastern states to highlight NDA government's achievements in the first year.

PTI

Government took away farmers' land for corporates: Rahul

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Thrissur (Kerala), May 27 (IANS) Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday again lashed out at the Narendra Modi government on the sensitive land issue, saying that it had 'taken away the land of the farmers, which is like a mother to them, and given the same to its friends and corporates'.

'Likewise, they (government) have taken away the sea from the fishermen now and is in the process of handing it over to the corporates who own big trawlers,' Gandhi said while addressing a well-attended rally of fisherfolks living near the Chavakkad beach.

'The reason they give is that the fishermen are not effective; so trawlers are needed. Today (Wednesday) morning, I visited a fisherfolks' colony before coming here. A colony resident told me that there are only two options for them: Commit suicide or fight back,' said the Congress leader.

'I assure you that I as well as the Congress are with you and in no way will allow your rights to be taken away,' Gandhi asserted while telling the audience that the Congress was getting ready to form a national organisation for fishermen.

'When I return (to Delhi), I will speak to Congress president Sonia Gandhi about the need for setting up a national organisation for the fisherfolks,' he promised the rallyists.

The Congress leader went around the fishermen's colony here before arriving for the meeting, and heard the grievances of its residents. He was accompanied by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and state Congress chief V.M. Sudheeran.

Speaking at the public meeting, Chandy said that when Gandhi was told about the woes of residents of the fishermen's colony, where he visited 52 families, the Congress vice president gave him (chief minister) a look.

'I knew what he meant when he looked at me. After speaking to the minister of state for fisheries, we decided to build new houses for those whose houses are in bad shape. Also, we have decided to give Rs.50,000 each to those whose homes need repairs. Also, we will take care of health needs of fisherfolks living in the colony,' said Chandy, drawing applause from the audience.

Gandhi arrived on a two-day visit to Kerala on Tuesday. After his return from Kochi later in the day, his last meeting would be with the representatives of farmers' organisations.

Meanwhile, the state Congress leadership is in a bouyant mood as the numbers of people present at Tuesday's Youth Congress rally were impressive.

Sources told IANS that the Gandhi family scion was expected to visit the state more frequently in times to come since Kerala is set for local bodies' elections this year and assembly elections next year.

IANS

If you're 28, it doesn't mean you've to get married: Kangana

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Mumbai: There's no 'right' age to get married, says actress Kangana Ranaut, who is currently enjoying the success of her latest hit 'Tanu Weds Manu Returns' and is in no mood to 'give away' her 'position' in the film industry as of now.

'Marriage is hard work. I have worked hard for ten years and I don't have time to build equations. I am in a place where I can secure my position and have a good future; I don't want to give it away,' the National Award winning actress said here.

'When love happens, it happens just like that. Just because you are 28 years old, it doesn't mean you have to get married and have kids,' she said.

Kangana, for whom 'Tanu Weds Manu Returns' has turned out to be a double whammy post 'Queen', says she feels that a new journey has started for her.

'There is a time when you struggle to prove yourself worthy of what you rightfully deserve, and then comes a time when that struggle is over. Then there is struggle to explore, transcend your limit and go to the next level. I am going to stage two now,' she said.

Produced by Eros International and Colour Yellow Productions, and directed by Anand L. Rai, 'Tanu Weds Manu Returns' is a sequel to the 2011 entertainer 'Tanu Weds Manu'. The film also features R. Madhavan.