Global News Post

US: China's Currency 'Significantly Undervalued'

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The United States Treasury criticized China for "significantly" undervaluing its currency, but again refrained from labeling Beijing a currency manipulator.

In its twice-yearly report, the Treasury acknowledged that China's currency has appreciated. But it said the increase is too slow and has not gone far enough.

Beijing announced last month it would allow the value of the yuan to fluctuate more against the dollar -- a move welcomed by Washington.

However, the Treasury expressed concern about recent reports of Beijing's "heavy intervention" to keep the value of the currency low to gain trade advantages.

A weaker yuan makes Chinese goods cheaper for Americans and makes U.S. goods more expensive for Chinese, giving an advantage to Chinese exporters.

While the U.S. has consistently raised currency complains with China for years, it has not labeled China a currency manipulator since 1994.

The label could lead to trade sanctions and would provoke an angry response from Beijing.---VOA News</div>

US: China's Currency 'Significantly Undervalued'

The United States Treasury criticized China for "significantly" undervaluing its currency, but again refrained from labeling Beij...

MH370: Indian Ocean Proves Too Deep for Robotic Sub

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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">By
VOA News<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The
hunt for the missing Malaysian jetliner was further complicated Tuesday, after
the part of the southern Indian Ocean being searched proved too deep for a
miniature robotic submarine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Australian
officials said the Bluefin-21 submarine "exceeded its operating depth
limit of 4,500 meters and its built-in safety feature returned it to the
surface" following a six-hour mission.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Malaysian
Defense Minister Hishammuddin Hussein later said authorities are in the process
of extracting and analyzing the data gathered by the underwater vehicle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">"The
Bluefin-21 AUV (autonomous underwater vehicle) has been deployed and 16 hours
has been done to search and photograph the seabed, and photographs are being
analyzed at the moment," said Hussein.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The
Joint Agency Coordination Center (JACC), which is coordinating the search, said
the vehicle will be redeployed later Tuesday if weather conditions improve.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The
submarine was sent down Monday - nearly a week after sound locating equipment
last heard signals that are believed to be from the missing jet's black boxes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Locator
beacons on the plane's flight recorder boxes emit signals so they can be more
easily found, but their batteries only last about a month. It has been nearly
40 days since the jet went missing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Without
locating more signals, it is difficult to further narrow the area where the
plane may have crashed. On Tuesday, the JACC said the visual search area was
over 62,000 square kilometers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Search
crews also are investigating an oil slick found in the search area. Crews have
collected samples that have been sent for testing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Australian
Prime Minister Tony Abbott continues to sound notes of caution, stressing that
trying to find anything nearly five kilometers below the surface of the Indian
Ocean, 1,000 kilometers from land, is a huge task that will not likely end
anytime soon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The
small robotic sub is using sonar to chart any debris in the search for the
plane's flight recorders on the sea floor. Officials say it will take 24 hours
to complete each mission in which the sub will chart approximately 40 square
kilometers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The
sub is not able to transmit live data as it searches the floor, so officials
must bring it to the surface and analyze the data following each mission.
Officials have warned the process could take months.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The
Boeing 777 with 239 people on board disappeared March 8 during a scheduled
flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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MH370: Indian Ocean Proves Too Deep for Robotic Sub

By VOA News The hunt for the missing Malaysian jetliner was further complicated Tuesday, after the part of the southern Indian Ocea...

Israel Minister Warns U.S. Secretary Of State Over 'Surrender' To Iran

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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">JERUSALEM
(NNN-MA'AN) - Israel's intelligence minister slammed as unacceptable, comments
by US Secretary of State John Kerry, on negotiations with Iran over its nuclear
programme, which he said, indicated a "surrender" to Tehran.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">"The
things Kerry said in Congress are worrying, they are surprising and they are
unacceptable," Yuval Steinitz, who is also strategic affairs minister, told
public radio.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">"We
watch the negotiations with concern. We are not opposed to a diplomatic
solution, but we are against a solution which is entirely a surrender to Iran
and which leaves it a threshold nuclear state," Steinitz said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">In
remarks to US lawmakers last week, Kerry warned that the Islamic republic was
two months away from breakout capability to produce enough nuclear material for
a bomb, should they resume their mothballed enrichment process.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Responding
to reports that international negotiations with Iran should focus on extending
the time it would take for Iran to produce nuclear weapons to between six and
12 months, Kerry said, the ultimate goal was assurance that Iran never build an
atomic bomb, but slowing the process would be an improvement on the current
situation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">"I
think it is fair to say, I think it is public knowledge today, that we are
operating with a time period for a so-called breakout of about two
months," Kerry said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">"So
six months to 12 months is -- I'm not saying that's what we'd settle for -- but
even that is significantly more," he added.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Steinitz
insisted that Israel would not allow such a scenario.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">"We
will not be able to adopt and accept any agreement, which leaves Iran months or
a year from a nuclear weapon," he insisted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Israel,
like the United States, has refused to rule out military action, to prevent
Tehran from acquiring nuclear arms.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Under
an interim agreement reached last year that expires on July 20, Iran froze key
parts of its nuclear programme, in return for limited sanctions relief and a
promise of no new sanctions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Talks
on a permanent agreement are under way between Iran and UN Security Council
permanent members, Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States, along
with Germany.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">After
a session in Vienna last week, the powers' chief negotiator, EU foreign policy
chief, Catherine Ashton said, the next round from May 13 would see negotiations
"move to the next phase." <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The
West and Israel have long suspected Iran of using its nuclear energy programme
as a cover for developing atomic weapons, a charge denied by the Islamic
republic.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Israel
is widely believed to be the only nuclear-armed state in the region, though it
has never officially confirmed or denied having such an arsenal.-- NNN-MA'AN<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>

Israel Minister Warns U.S. Secretary Of State Over 'Surrender' To Iran

JERUSALEM (NNN-MA'AN) - Israel's intelligence minister slammed as unacceptable, comments by US Secretary of State John Kerry,...

INDIA: BJP Says Not to Alter India's No First Use Nuclear Weapons Policy If It Comes To Power

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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">NEW
DELHI (NNN-Xinhua) -- India's main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has
made it clear that it will not alter the country's "no first use"
nuclear weapons policy if it comes to power after the ongoing general
elections.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">"The
no first use policy for nuclear weapons was a well thought out stand. We don't
intend to reverse it," BJP chief Rajnath Singh said in an interview to a
local newspaper published Monday.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The
BJP President's remarks came in the wake of its poll manifesto released on
April 7 in which the party said that it would "revise and update"
India's nuclear policy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">India
adopted its nuclear policy after conducting a series of nuclear tests in 1998
during the last BJP-led government's rule from 1998 to 2004.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">The results of the general elections, which
began on April 7, are due on May 16, after the nine-phase polling ends on May
12. And, the BJP is projected to form the next government. –NNN-XINHUA</span></div>

INDIA: BJP Says Not to Alter India's No First Use Nuclear Weapons Policy If It Comes To Power

NEW DELHI (NNN-Xinhua) -- India's main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has made it clear that it will not alter the country&#...

El Niño Returns

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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">By
Steve Baragona<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTtiDl82gj96nv72qr06qn40TstHV4mYwH2cWV1QDvf4p8wDPLeEkfh_RD7i5tZwajwCDurlqf9NCyg-P9FrCr8SV-6kGPOTFbs74LgLZydOzCL_fLoc2sLVRDudj2wFrGvSJIQ8li2iE/s1600/B193FE17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTtiDl82gj96nv72qr06qn40TstHV4mYwH2cWV1QDvf4p8wDPLeEkfh_RD7i5tZwajwCDurlqf9NCyg-P9FrCr8SV-6kGPOTFbs74LgLZydOzCL_fLoc2sLVRDudj2wFrGvSJIQ8li2iE/s1600/B193FE17.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 143.25pt; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Warm spots are beginning to appear<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 143.25pt; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">on the surface of the tropical Pacific<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 143.25pt; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Ocean near South America. More warm<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 143.25pt; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">water below the surface suggests El Niño<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 143.25pt; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">is probably on the way. Photo © VOA News<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The
climate phenomenon known as El Niño looks to be on its way back, forecasters
say, raising the odds of droughts in some places and floods in others.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">There
are early signs that this could develop into the biggest one on record.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">But
experts say they cannot know for sure yet, and local impacts are even harder to
predict.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Global impacts<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">El
Niño occurs every few years, when tropical waters off the Pacific coast of
South America turn warmer than normal. Warm air rises off those waters and
changes the path of the major wind currents that blow around the planet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">It
can weaken monsoons in South and Southeast Asia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Rainy seasons in southern Africa can turn
dry. Meanwhile, east Africa and South America can get soaked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The
latest official forecasts give about two-thirds odds that El Niño will develop
by the end of the year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Under the surface<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">But
what has really attracted attention is the huge body of warm water building up
below the surface of the tropical Pacific.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Meteorologists
say there is more energy stored up underwater now than at this point in 1997,
just before the strongest El Niño on record developed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The
1997-98 El Niño led to catastrophic floods in Peru, forest fires in Indonesia
and Malaysia and record-high global temperatures.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">If
those warm waters in the eastern Pacific make their way to the surface and stay
there, it could mean a major El Niño event, weather havoc worldwide and
possibly new high-temperature records.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">No guarantee<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">However,
“just having a lot of warm water below the surface now is not enough to
guarantee that we’re going to have a strong El Niño,” notes Tony Barnston,
chief forecaster Tony Barnston at Columbia University’s International Research
Institute for Climate and Society.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The
warm water could dissipate. It could come to the surface but not linger.
Barnston says El Niño is notoriously difficult to predict at this time of year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Plus,
the atmosphere has been in a cooler cycle for the past several years, which
many say does not favor a strong El Niño.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">And,
finally, a note of caution from Gary Eilerts,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> 
</span>who manages the Famine Early Warning System Network for the U.S. Agency
for International Development. Eilerts was in Africa for the 1997-98 El Niño.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“We
said this is going to be a big one,” he said. “This could be the mother of all
impacts on food insecurity in southern Africa.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The
rains came late, but when they came, “we had almost a normal season,” Eilerts
added. “And that was in the face of the largest El Niño ever recorded.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Future predictions<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Forecasters
should have a better picture of what El Niño has in store by August.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">What
the more distant future holds in a changing climate is even less clear.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“El
Niño goes back hundreds of thousands of years, so clearly, El Niño is not
related to climate change,” said Mike Halpert, head of the Climate Prediction
Center at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. “Now, the
question is, does climate change have an impact? And that’s still an open
question.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> ---VOA News </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>

El Niño Returns

By Steve Baragona Warm spots are beginning to appear on the surface of the tropical Pacific Ocean near South America. More warm...

Obama Nominates Burwell as New US Health Secretary

Obama Nominates Burwell as New US Health Secretary

By VOA News President Barack Obama has nominated his budget director, Sylvia Mathews Burwell, to succeed Kathleen Sebelius as Health ...

Airasia India's Flying Licence Stuck In Red Tape – Report

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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">NEW
DELHI (NNN-Bernama) -- AirAsia India's plan to start operations is now stuck in
red tape as the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is yet to hand
over the flying licence to the airline even after it has completed the final
route familiarisation tests in the country. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">A
Mail Today report quoted an unnamed top DGCA official as admitting that
although AirAsia has got all the mandatory approvals, it has still not been
given a flying permit. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">However,
he could not provide any specific reason as to why the flying permit was held
up, said the report. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The
DGCA had last month allowed the yet-to-start carrier to bring in its ferry
flight (without passengers) to India to complete the mandatory route
familiarisation process to get the flying permit despite stiff opposition from
Indian carriers on AirAsia's entry into the country. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Now,
with the process completed, the DGCA is yet to take a call on granting flying
permit to the carrier. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Domestic
carriers had lobbied to scuttle AirAsia's entry. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">A
political party leader, Subramanian Swamy, had also moved court to challenge
the clearance granted to the airline. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">By
now, AirAsia India was expected to get the flying permit, a top DGCA official
admitted, said the report. -- NNN-BERNAMA<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>

Airasia India's Flying Licence Stuck In Red Tape – Report

NEW DELHI (NNN-Bernama) -- AirAsia India's plan to start operations is now stuck in red tape as the Directorate General of Civil Avia...

18 Saudi Firms Keen to Explore Malaysian Halal Market

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">KUALA
LUMPUR <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(NNN-Bernama) -- Some 18 Saudi
Arabian exhibitors participating in the Malaysian International Halal Showcase
2014 (Mihas 2014) are keen to enter the Malaysian market, said Saudi Export
Development Authority (Seda) Marketing and Public Relation Director, Feras Abal
Khail. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Feras,
who is also Seda's spokesperson in Malaysia, said 18 out of the total of 20
food and beverage (F&B) firms taking part in Mihas 2014 see Malaysia as a
potential market due to the Muslim population in the country, as well as the
Indonesian halal market. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Two
F&B companies are already exporting their products to Malaysia, he said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">"Due
to huge Muslim population here and in neighbouring Indonesia, we see some
potential for us to offer our high quality products and strengthen our presence
in the market," Feras told reporters at Mihas 2014 Friday. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The
11th Mihas is held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre here from April 9-12,
2014. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Feras
said by understanding the Malaysian market, it would allow the Saudi Arabian
companies to understand the market in the neighbouring countries as well as the
Asian market. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">He
also said Seda is looking forward to increase the participation of Saudi
Arabian companies in the exhibition next year. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">"We
are exploring the market this year, and our pavilion consists of 43 booths. For
next year, we might increase the number of booths," he added. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">"Mihas
is a strong pillar in the F&B sector, and I can say that we will definitely
be here again," Feras said, adding that Seda might bring more halal
products such as cosmetics next year. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Joining
Mihas for the first time this year, the Saudi Arabian companies perceived the
exhibition as a platform for them to outline strategy, understand the Malaysian
consumers' behaviour and to build a network of distributors before entering the
market. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Mihas
2014 has partnered with Saudi Arabia, through Seda, to further strengthen their
relationship and to create more opportunities for both countries to collaborate
and tap into the huge halal market within the Gulf Cooperation Council. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The
global halal market has been growing consistently over the last decade as an
increasing number of discerning customers seek halal products and services in
their everyday life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Saudi
Arabia's per capita food consumption is projected to expand by 31.24 per cent
this year, reflected by the emergence of a network of hypermarkets in the kingdom
where the number of imported goods is steadily rising. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The
number of Saudi Arabian exporters of halal products and services has also been
growing and they are ready to gain market share in the estimated US$2.3
trillion market.--NNN-BERNAMA<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>

18 Saudi Firms Keen to Explore Malaysian Halal Market

KUALA LUMPUR (NNN-Bernama) -- Some 18 Saudi Arabian exhibitors participating in the Malaysian International Halal Showcase 2014 (Mihas ...

INDIA: Justice Rajendra Mal Lodha, to be the New Chief Justice of India

INDIA: Justice Rajendra Mal Lodha, to be the New Chief Justice of India

NEW DELHI (PIB News): The President has appointed Justice Rajendra Mal Lodha, as the next Chief Justice of India. He will assume office...

2014-Parliamentary Elections direct contest between secular, communal forces: Omar

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhff9l8vtmXP2n-ToKPzo-Y19gQ_WDqB0TkP_Z9YiY2sbF6ZPNoFVLf8UxE38hz4mpJMDkuN1IDZ75fx1c2RTbBoS9KfUyD3kisBi7ls8J2ExP6u8RsBzxlTfJ3UHUESdl_PrdPRclD5Ao/s1600/l2014040953551.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhff9l8vtmXP2n-ToKPzo-Y19gQ_WDqB0TkP_Z9YiY2sbF6ZPNoFVLf8UxE38hz4mpJMDkuN1IDZ75fx1c2RTbBoS9KfUyD3kisBi7ls8J2ExP6u8RsBzxlTfJ3UHUESdl_PrdPRclD5Ao/s1600/l2014040953551.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">An
old couple showing mark of indelible ink after casting their votes,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">at
a polling booth, during the General Elections-2014, in Kiphire District<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Eastern
part of Nagaland on April 09, 2014. Photo© PIB </span></i><br /><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Ramsoo
(Ramban) (Scoop News)- Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, who is
also the Working President of National Conference, Wednesday said that current
Parliamentary elections have placed India on a crucial crossroad where the
people of the country have to decide between the two ideologies of communal
divide, represented by BJP and its Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi,
and the inclusiveness and harmony, symbolized by Rahul Gandhi.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Addressing
a mammoth election rally at Ramsoo and various welcome rallies at Tikri,
Udhampur, Chenani, Batote and Chanderkote en-route, the Chief Minister said
that every vote in favour of NC-Congress candidates in the State will
strengthen the roots of communal amity, brotherhood and ensure equal opportunities
of growth and development for all sections of the society, irrespective of any
consideration of religion, region, caste or colour.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Omar
Abdullah said that BJP is polarizing the society to nurture its ideology of
dividing the society for vote bank politics. He said Jammu and Kashmir is
‘Miniature India’ where people of different sections of the society and various
shades of faith co-exist in an environment of love and brotherhood since
centuries. “BJP, like always, is bent upon wedging apart the people and divide
them to grab power”, he said and maintained that people of Jammu and Kashmir
are wise enough to read between the lines and vote in large numbers in favour
of NC-Congress candidates.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“This
is all the more necessary for Jammu and Kashmir to preserve its rich
pluralistic ethos, communal harmony and ensure equitable and holistic
development in an atmosphere of inclusiveness and justice”, Omar Abdullah said
asking for wholehearted support in favour of NC-Congress candidate from
Udhampur-Doda Parliamentary Constituency, Ghulam Nabi Azad, describing him a
real friend of the people and torchbearer of secular democratic credentials of
the State and the country.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Omar
Abdullah said that a person like Mr. Modi who has not shown a courtesy to
apologise or even regret for the killings of innocents in Gujarat and is a
culprit in the eyes of public so far as Gujarat riots are concerned cannot suit
to be the Prime Minister of a great country like India, which is abode of
pluralistic ethos.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“As
against this, Rahul Gandhi symbolizes the unity and brotherhood of India and is
champion of inclusiveness and communal harmony. He possesses unblemished
characteristic and is true friend of the Country and its people. In Rahul
Gandhi Jammu and Kashmir has also found its sincere and trusty friend who has
always came forward to help the State to come out of difficulties and he is
determined to continue this trait”, Omar Abdullah said and added that Rahul
Gandhi will be the right choice for Prime Ministership of the Country. He asked
the people to vote in favour of Mr. Azad as it will pave the way to make Rahul
Gandhi Prime Minister of the Country.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The
Working President National Conference said that PDP like parties are fighting
the Election just to provide tactical support to Narendra Modi and BJP by
attempting to divide the voters. He said despite knowing its fate in the
Elections, PDP has fielded its candidates for helping Narendra Modi to exhibit
its friendship and loyalty with the BJP. He asked the people to understand this
nexus and foil the conspiracy hatched by the PDP and BJP to divide the society
for political gains.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Omar
Abdullah said that tactful fielding of candidates in Jammu-Poonch and
Udhampur-Doda Parliamentary Constituencies by the PDP to attempt at dividing votes
and help communal forces unveils the clandestine liaison and friendship between
BJP and PDP about which Narendra Modi has openly said that he has found new
friends (PDP leadership) in Jammu and Kashmir to help him in his mission.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The
Working President National Conference said that Pen-Inkpot Party can stoop low
to any extent and trade every interest of the State and its people for being in
limelight not to talk of power. He said this was the party which opposed tooth
and nail the historic decision of Ghulam Nabi Azad regarding creation of eight
new districts in the State. “PDP leadership tried their best to browbeat Mr.
Azad on this count and threatened to topple the government”, he said and
elaborated that Mr. Azad did not succumbed to their pressure and exhibited his
people-friendly and historic gesture.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Omar
Abdullah said that PDP also could not digest yet another decision taken by
NC-Congress coalition government in the State to create more than 650
administrative units and tried its best to mislead people about this
extra-ordinary measure. He said fooling people and flaring up emotions on
different issues and polarizing situation to get political benefits is the
trait of both the BJP and the PDP. He said the fact of the matter is that PDP
in the State acts as a State Unit of BJP as is evident by its acts to help Mr.
Modi and attempt at dividing voters in the State.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Omar
Abdullah said that Ghulam Nabi Azad as the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir
and as the Union Minister has shown his capacity and keenness to bring about
revolutionary changes in the development scenario and remained always at the
beck and call of people in the hour of need. He said Mr. Azad’s victory in the
election will be the victory of common masses and that of the State as a whole.
“Azad is the right person to highlight the issues of Jammu and Kashmir and help
the people particularly living in backward pockets for development and
socio-economic welfare”, he said and listed the measures Azad has taken in
various capacities to benefit Jammu and Kashmir and its people.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Omar
Abdullah referred to the all round development that has taken place in the
State during last five years and mentioned the unprecedented help provided by
Mr. Azad in upgrading the health sector in particular and strengthening other
social sectors in general in the State. He said no one can compete with the
competence, sincerity, honesty and keenness of Mr. Azad to deliver for the good
of the Country and the State.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Omar
Abdullah cautioned the people against the elements bent upon to disturb the
State’s communal harmony and create divide between various sections of people.
He asked them to be united to defeat such attempts by politicians with vested
interests.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The
elections rally was also addressed by NC-Congress joint candidate for
Udhampur-Doda Parliamentary Constituency Ghulam Nabi Azad and Provincial
President National Conference Jammu, Devender Singh Rana while various leaders
of the NC and Congress were present on the occasion.----Ground Report<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>

2014-Parliamentary Elections direct contest between secular, communal forces: Omar

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