The India-Malaysia bilateral trade dwindled to a little over $10 billion in the last fiscal and it is to reverse this fall that Prime Minister Najib Razak is in India, a Malaysian Minister said on Monday.

Razak is leading the largest ever delegation with 11 ministers, Malaysia's Minister of International Trade and Industry Mustapa Mohamed said.

Bilateral trade with Malaysia, which was worth $16.9 billion in 2014-15 and $12.8 billion in 2015-16, fell to $10.8 billion in 2016-17, Mohamed said.

"One third of the Malaysian cabinet is here, that is 11 ministers, led by the Prime Minister who is making the longest visit to India by a Malaysian PM," Mohamed said.

The Minister was addressing the 'India Malaysia Business Forum' organised jointly by industry chambers Ficci, Assocham and CII along with the Malaysian Investment Development Authority.

"The Prime Ministers have expressed their aspiration to see this trade increase to $15 billion in the immediate future," he added.

The Malaysian delegation also included a number of corporate leaders. 

The India-Malaysia CEO's Forum on Saturday called for a balanced Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and its conclusion at an early date.

The Malaysian leader is on a five-day visit to India.

The India-Malaysia bilateral trade dwindled to a little over $10 billion in the last fiscal and it is to reverse this fall that Prime Minister Najib Razak is in India, a Malaysian Minister said on Monday.

Razak is leading the largest ever delegation with 11 ministers, Malaysia's Minister of International Trade and Industry Mustapa Mohamed said.

Bilateral trade with Malaysia, which was worth $16.9 billion in 2014-15 and $12.8 billion in 2015-16, fell to $10.8 billion in 2016-17, Mohamed said.

"One third of the Malaysian cabinet is here, that is 11 ministers, led by the Prime Minister who is making the longest visit to India by a Malaysian PM," Mohamed said.

The Minister was addressing the 'India Malaysia Business Forum' organised jointly by industry chambers Ficci, Assocham and CII along with the Malaysian Investment Development Authority.

"The Prime Ministers have expressed their aspiration to see this trade increase to $15 billion in the immediate future," he added.

The Malaysian delegation also included a number of corporate leaders. 

The India-Malaysia CEO's Forum on Saturday called for a balanced Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and its conclusion at an early date.

The Malaysian leader is on a five-day visit to India.

Udupi District Deputy Commissioner Priyanka Mary Francis and Assistant Commissioner Shilpa Nag were allegedly assaulted by a group of sand miners during a raid at Kandlur, police said.

Francis has filed a complaint with police stating that illegal sand miners in the area made an attempt on her life and that of Nag during the late night raid on April 2.

Francis said she, along with Nag, had raided an illegal sand extraction place at Halnad and took six persons into custody.

Later around 11.30 PM they raided another illegal sand extraction site at Kandlur when some people attacked the DCs gunman, village accountant Kantharaju and two drivers.

In the complaint, Francis said she had to run along with Nag to escape from the attackers. Kantharaju was later rescued by police.

Besides the six persons held from Halnad, eight others had also been arrested from Kandlur.

The Deputy Commissionerand Assistant Commissioner had kept the raid a closely guardedsecret and police was not informed before the raid,official sources said.

Udupi District Deputy Commissioner Priyanka Mary Francis and Assistant Commissioner Shilpa Nag were allegedly assaulted by a group of sand miners during a raid at Kandlur, police said.

Francis has filed a complaint with police stating that illegal sand miners in the area made an attempt on her life and that of Nag during the late night raid on April 2.

Francis said she, along with Nag, had raided an illegal sand extraction place at Halnad and took six persons into custody.

Later around 11.30 PM they raided another illegal sand extraction site at Kandlur when some people attacked the DCs gunman, village accountant Kantharaju and two drivers.

In the complaint, Francis said she had to run along with Nag to escape from the attackers. Kantharaju was later rescued by police.

Besides the six persons held from Halnad, eight others had also been arrested from Kandlur.

The Deputy Commissionerand Assistant Commissioner had kept the raid a closely guardedsecret and police was not informed before the raid,official sources said.

Actor Arjun Kapoor, who is busy shooting for his next film Mubarakan with Ileana De Cruz, did a really adorable thing for his fan who was waiting to meet him with a baby.
 
"One evening Arjun and Ileana were shooting in the crowded area of Oxford Street in London. As expected, tourists gathered there which and mobbed both the actors. But the security present didn’t allow anyone to come close to them. At one point, Arjun noticed a lady with a baby in her hand waiting to say hello to him," a source close to him revealed.

"The crowd was getting too much by then. He called out to her and asked his security to let her in. She was from the Middle East and was a huge fan of the actor. Arjun then spoke to her for a while and clicked pictures with her and her baby. She also mentioned that he should be visiting Middle East as there are many fans of him" the source added.

Mubarakan is all set to release on July 28.

Actor Arjun Kapoor, who is busy shooting for his next film Mubarakan with Ileana De Cruz, did a really adorable thing for his fan who was waiting to meet him with a baby.
 
"One evening Arjun and Ileana were shooting in the crowded area of Oxford Street in London. As expected, tourists gathered there which and mobbed both the actors. But the security present didn’t allow anyone to come close to them. At one point, Arjun noticed a lady with a baby in her hand waiting to say hello to him," a source close to him revealed.

"The crowd was getting too much by then. He called out to her and asked his security to let her in. She was from the Middle East and was a huge fan of the actor. Arjun then spoke to her for a while and clicked pictures with her and her baby. She also mentioned that he should be visiting Middle East as there are many fans of him" the source added.

Mubarakan is all set to release on July 28.

Minister of State for External Affairs General VK Singh will inaugurate two India-funded welfare projects during his visit to South Africa this week. Singh will be in South Africa from April 7 to 10 on an official visit.
On Saturday, he will inaugurate the two projects funded by India in Durban, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced for the welfare of the local community in July last year.
A grant of one million rand was provided to establish a kitchen and dining hall at Abalindi, a non-profit organisation which supports the poor, aged people, the terminally ill, AIDS or HIV patients and has facilities including a creche for poor children, an orphanage and a skills development centre for youth.
The project in Inanda, near where Mahatma Gandhi had set up the Phoenix Settlement from where he ran his community projects and led his fight against discrimination, is now complete and will be officially opened for the use of the community.
After this, at the nearby Gandhi Settlement, Singh will inaugurate the Mahatma Gandhi Centre for Information Technology.
A grant of over one million rand was provided by the Indian government for setting up the facility, which is equipped with latest computers and other IT equipment.
Modi had directed the donation on behalf of the people of India after his visit to the Phoenix Settlement last year as an important step to provide education and skill development to the youth of the area.
A day later, Singh will be in Johannesburg to visit the Satyagraha House, a living museum-hotel converted from a house in which Gandhi lived as a lawyer at the turn of the last century.
He will also visit the Constitutional Hill, once the site of the Old Fort Prison where Gandhi, and later Nelson Mandela, were once imprisoned.
The visit will conclude with a concert in Pretoria to mark the 20th anniversary of the Red Fort Declaration, signed by Mandela and then-Indian Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda in New Delhi.
The agreement set the tone for the development of relations in all areas between the two countries after Mandela was installed as the country's first democratic president following decades of international isolation.

Minister of State for External Affairs General VK Singh will inaugurate two India-funded welfare projects during his visit to South Africa this week. Singh will be in South Africa from April 7 to 10 on an official visit.
On Saturday, he will inaugurate the two projects funded by India in Durban, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced for the welfare of the local community in July last year.
A grant of one million rand was provided to establish a kitchen and dining hall at Abalindi, a non-profit organisation which supports the poor, aged people, the terminally ill, AIDS or HIV patients and has facilities including a creche for poor children, an orphanage and a skills development centre for youth.
The project in Inanda, near where Mahatma Gandhi had set up the Phoenix Settlement from where he ran his community projects and led his fight against discrimination, is now complete and will be officially opened for the use of the community.
After this, at the nearby Gandhi Settlement, Singh will inaugurate the Mahatma Gandhi Centre for Information Technology.
A grant of over one million rand was provided by the Indian government for setting up the facility, which is equipped with latest computers and other IT equipment.
Modi had directed the donation on behalf of the people of India after his visit to the Phoenix Settlement last year as an important step to provide education and skill development to the youth of the area.
A day later, Singh will be in Johannesburg to visit the Satyagraha House, a living museum-hotel converted from a house in which Gandhi lived as a lawyer at the turn of the last century.
He will also visit the Constitutional Hill, once the site of the Old Fort Prison where Gandhi, and later Nelson Mandela, were once imprisoned.
The visit will conclude with a concert in Pretoria to mark the 20th anniversary of the Red Fort Declaration, signed by Mandela and then-Indian Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda in New Delhi.
The agreement set the tone for the development of relations in all areas between the two countries after Mandela was installed as the country's first democratic president following decades of international isolation.

Denying Oracle-buying-Accenture rumours, computer technology giant Oracle Corporation has said that the company is not planning to acquire consultancy company Accenture.

The rumours were “completely untrue” and the company had “never even considered” buying Accenture, Oracle spokesperson said.

Last week, media reports had said that Oracle Corporation has hired global specialists to explore ideas that could be implemented to buy Accenture.

Oracle has a long history of acquiring firms as the technology giant recently had acquired NetSuite for around $9 billion.

Meanwhile, Accenture already has partnership with Oracle and the company was the first to qualify for Oracle's Diamond partner status.

Denying Oracle-buying-Accenture rumours, computer technology giant Oracle Corporation has said that the company is not planning to acquire consultancy company Accenture.

The rumours were “completely untrue” and the company had “never even considered” buying Accenture, Oracle spokesperson said.

Last week, media reports had said that Oracle Corporation has hired global specialists to explore ideas that could be implemented to buy Accenture.

Oracle has a long history of acquiring firms as the technology giant recently had acquired NetSuite for around $9 billion.

Meanwhile, Accenture already has partnership with Oracle and the company was the first to qualify for Oracle's Diamond partner status.

 Tripura's ruling CPI-M has alleged that BJP's central ministers were spreading misinformation about the Left Front government in the state in a bid to dislodge it.

"BJP's (Bharatiya Janata Party) central ministers visiting Tripura almost every week provide imaginary 'facts' (about) the Left Front government," Communist Party of India-Marxist leader Bijan Dhar said on April 2 evening.

"The central ministers' slandering is part of their efforts to dislodge the Left government unethically," Dhar told the media, adding there was an attempt "to build an economic blockade" against Tripura.

Dhar said the party's state committee decided on April 1 and April 2 to campaign against the central government's undemocratic steps over the coming months.

"After the victory in Uttar Pradesh, some leaders can dream that they can wash away Tripura's Left parties. This is a distant dream only," the CPI-M state Secretary said.

"When the CPI-M has been demanding 200 days of work in MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act), the BJP government is trying to scuttle the scheme."

He accused the BJP of trying to break other political parties.

The BJP, however, hit back.

"How the Left Front runs its government in Tripura through illegal means was proved by the judgement of the Supreme Court which cancelled the jobs of 10,323 government teachers," BJP state President Biplab Kumar Deb told reporters on Monday.

The BJP leader said central ministers including Radha Mohan Singh and J.P Nadda highlighted the failure of the state government in many sectors and non-utilization and misuse of central funds.

 Tripura's ruling CPI-M has alleged that BJP's central ministers were spreading misinformation about the Left Front government in the state in a bid to dislodge it.

"BJP's (Bharatiya Janata Party) central ministers visiting Tripura almost every week provide imaginary 'facts' (about) the Left Front government," Communist Party of India-Marxist leader Bijan Dhar said on April 2 evening.

"The central ministers' slandering is part of their efforts to dislodge the Left government unethically," Dhar told the media, adding there was an attempt "to build an economic blockade" against Tripura.

Dhar said the party's state committee decided on April 1 and April 2 to campaign against the central government's undemocratic steps over the coming months.

"After the victory in Uttar Pradesh, some leaders can dream that they can wash away Tripura's Left parties. This is a distant dream only," the CPI-M state Secretary said.

"When the CPI-M has been demanding 200 days of work in MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act), the BJP government is trying to scuttle the scheme."

He accused the BJP of trying to break other political parties.

The BJP, however, hit back.

"How the Left Front runs its government in Tripura through illegal means was proved by the judgement of the Supreme Court which cancelled the jobs of 10,323 government teachers," BJP state President Biplab Kumar Deb told reporters on Monday.

The BJP leader said central ministers including Radha Mohan Singh and J.P Nadda highlighted the failure of the state government in many sectors and non-utilization and misuse of central funds.

Union minister Nitin Gadkari has said work on projects worth Rs.7,000 crore would be started by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in the next two years in Jammu and Kashmir.

“I want to assure you that in coming two years we will start works worth Rs.7,000 crore in the state,” he said at a rally on Sunday.

“I am happy that the Prime Minister has dedicated the biggest road tunnel to the nation,” he said after Modi inaugurated the Chenani-Nashri tunnel, which will reduce the travel time between Jammu and Srinagar by around two hours and the distance by 31 kilometres.

“We are working on 13 new projects in Jammu and Kashmir and I hope that it will further strengthen the road network and road communication for people,” the Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways said.

He said work on ring roads in Jammu and Srinagar would start in the next three months.

“I am happy to announce that the ring road in Jammu and Srinagar, costing around Rs 2,100 crore and Rs 2,200 crore respectively, are going to be constructed.

“Tenders have been floated for the Jammu ring road, while that for the Srinagar ring road will be floated in next two months and within three months, the work will start on both the projects,” he added.

The Centre will also float a tender for construction of the Zojila tunnel which will cost around Rs 6,000 crore in the next two months, Gadkari said, adding with the construction of the tunnel, the highway to Leh and Kargil districts of the Ladakh region will become an all-weather road.

“The Prime Minister had announced a package of Rs.24,160 crore for Jammu and Kashmir, out of which, I am happy to announce, projects worth Rs.4,463 crore have been implemented,” he said.

“I want to assure the people of Jammu and Kashmir that the Prime Minister's focus and vision is to make India a vibrant and strong country,” he said, adding “the PM wants to build best infrastructure in the country which will be no less than that of any other country.”

On the newly inaugurated tunnel, Gadkari said, “This tunnel will result into job creation, the state's hotels, motels and related businesses will get a boost and that will create new job opportunities for unemployed youths of Kashmir.”

“The Chenani-Nashri tunnel is a state-of-the-art project. It will boost tourism and increase employment potential and ensure supply of essential goods. It is a revolutionary step.

“It is a very proud moment for all of us. Sophisticated electronic arrangements of global standard were made,” the minister added.

Union minister Nitin Gadkari has said work on projects worth Rs.7,000 crore would be started by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in the next two years in Jammu and Kashmir.

“I want to assure you that in coming two years we will start works worth Rs.7,000 crore in the state,” he said at a rally on Sunday.

“I am happy that the Prime Minister has dedicated the biggest road tunnel to the nation,” he said after Modi inaugurated the Chenani-Nashri tunnel, which will reduce the travel time between Jammu and Srinagar by around two hours and the distance by 31 kilometres.

“We are working on 13 new projects in Jammu and Kashmir and I hope that it will further strengthen the road network and road communication for people,” the Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways said.

He said work on ring roads in Jammu and Srinagar would start in the next three months.

“I am happy to announce that the ring road in Jammu and Srinagar, costing around Rs 2,100 crore and Rs 2,200 crore respectively, are going to be constructed.

“Tenders have been floated for the Jammu ring road, while that for the Srinagar ring road will be floated in next two months and within three months, the work will start on both the projects,” he added.

The Centre will also float a tender for construction of the Zojila tunnel which will cost around Rs 6,000 crore in the next two months, Gadkari said, adding with the construction of the tunnel, the highway to Leh and Kargil districts of the Ladakh region will become an all-weather road.

“The Prime Minister had announced a package of Rs.24,160 crore for Jammu and Kashmir, out of which, I am happy to announce, projects worth Rs.4,463 crore have been implemented,” he said.

“I want to assure the people of Jammu and Kashmir that the Prime Minister's focus and vision is to make India a vibrant and strong country,” he said, adding “the PM wants to build best infrastructure in the country which will be no less than that of any other country.”

On the newly inaugurated tunnel, Gadkari said, “This tunnel will result into job creation, the state's hotels, motels and related businesses will get a boost and that will create new job opportunities for unemployed youths of Kashmir.”

“The Chenani-Nashri tunnel is a state-of-the-art project. It will boost tourism and increase employment potential and ensure supply of essential goods. It is a revolutionary step.

“It is a very proud moment for all of us. Sophisticated electronic arrangements of global standard were made,” the minister added.

Model Blac Chyna, whose real name is Angela Renee White, has been denied the rights to use the Kardashian surname.

In December last year, Chyna filed to trademark the name Angela Renee Kardashian, ahead of her marriage to TV personality Rob Kardashian.

However, she has now been denied the rights to the name following a battle with Rob's sisters Kim, Khloe and Kourtney Kardashian in the court, reports tmz.com.

Chyna, 28, has been blocked from using the name whether she marries Rob or not. 

Rob's sisters opposed Chyna in order to stop her from making profit from the family name.

Chyna's request has been denied in agreement with Kim, Khloe and Kourtney as her use of the moniker will "confuse matters in the marketplace". 

Model Blac Chyna, whose real name is Angela Renee White, has been denied the rights to use the Kardashian surname.

In December last year, Chyna filed to trademark the name Angela Renee Kardashian, ahead of her marriage to TV personality Rob Kardashian.

However, she has now been denied the rights to the name following a battle with Rob's sisters Kim, Khloe and Kourtney Kardashian in the court, reports tmz.com.

Chyna, 28, has been blocked from using the name whether she marries Rob or not. 

Rob's sisters opposed Chyna in order to stop her from making profit from the family name.

Chyna's request has been denied in agreement with Kim, Khloe and Kourtney as her use of the moniker will "confuse matters in the marketplace". 

The Delhi High Court on Monday rejected Yogendra Yadav-led Swaraj India's plea for allotting a common symbol to its candidates in the upcoming municipal elections.

A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Chander Shekhar said that allotting them a common symbol for this MCD election would tantamount to disturbing the ongoing election process.

“We are not inclined to issue any interim order for a common election symbol to applicant (Swaraj India) in the ensuing municipal elections,” the bench said, adding that the interim order is tentative and would not be considered as final opinion.

MCD elections will be held on April 23.

It said the matter required consideration whether the registered and unrecognised party should be given a common symbol or not.
The court has now listed the matter for further hearing on the pending writ petition on July 18.

The court's interim order came on Swaraj India party's interim application seeking common symbol for the MCD polls, for which Monday is the last date of filing nominations.

It said that granting interim relief would cripple the entire election process.

The bench also upheld its single-judge order which had found merit in the stand of the Delhi state election commission that Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) would carry photographs of candidates and the party would not have any disadvantage without a common symbol.

The single judge had on March 29 said since the plea was filed after the polling process was underway, it was very late in the day for the court to interfere.

The single judge's verdict had come on the party's plea challenging the Delhi poll panel's decision not to allot a common symbol to it to contest the MCD polls.

Swaraj India had sought quashing of the panel's March 14, 2017 notification and an April 2016 order which had said that the nominees of such parties would be treated as independent candidates for allotment of symbols.

Swaraj India was floated in October last year by Yadav and advocate Prashant Bhushan, who were expelled from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) after they questioned Arvind Kejriwal's leadership.