Japan economy shrinks in second quarter in setback for ‘Abenomics’

BY LEIKA KIHARA AND TETSUSHI KAJIMOTO

Tokyo: Japan’s economy shrank at an annualized pace of 1.6 percent in April-June as exports slumped and consumers cut back spending, adding pressure on Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to step up his policy drive to lift the economy out of decades of deflation.

China’s economic slowdown and its impact on its Asian neighbors has also heightened the chance that any rebound in growth in July-September will be modest, analysts say.

The gloomy data adds to signs that Japan’s economy is at a standstill and heightens pressure on policymakers to offer additional monetary or fiscal stimulus later this year.

The contraction in gross domestic product (GDP) compared with a median market forecast of a 1.9 percent fall and followed a revised expansion of 4.5 percent in the first quarter, Cabinet Office data showed on Monday.

Read more » Reuters
Learn more » http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/08/17/us-japan-economy-gdp-idUSKCN0QL0VK20150817

As it happened: PM Modi’s UAE visit

PM Modi on Monday addressed a packed house at the Dubai Cricket Stadium, sending out a strong message on terror and reaching out to Indians across the globe.

Key Highlights

We have undertaken an extensive infrastructure development programme on the eastern coast of India.10:21 PM
Our government is visible everywhere and all the time.10:09 PM
Good Taliban and bad Taliban, good terrorism and bad terrorism won’t work any more. People have to decide if they are with humanity or with terrorism.10:01 PM
The reason why the world looks at India differently today is the will-power of 1.25 crore Indians.09:52 PM
A clear indication against terrorism has been given in a united voice from UAE.09:48 PM
The UAE Crown Prince has agreed to invest Rs 4.5 lakh crores in India.09:44 PM
People who are associated with Abu Dhabi know how big a decision it is to give land for a temple here. The Crown Prince deserves a standing ovation for it.09:40 PM
People from Kerala are there in large numbers. And I am specially talking about them due to the New Year festival today.

News courtesy: The Times of India
Read more » http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/PM-Modi’s-UAE-visit/liveblog/48507741.cms

UAE supports India’s candidature for permanent seat in UN Security Council

Prime Minister thanked UAE for its support for India’s candidature for permanent membership of a reformed United Nations Security Council.

By: PTI | Abu Dhabi – The UAE on Monday extended support to India’s candidature for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council as the two countries called for an expeditious reform of the UN body. The assurance came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s talks with the UAE leadership, including Crown Prince Mohamed Bin Zayad Al Nahyan. “The 70th anniversary of the United Nations is an occasion to press for early reforms of the United Nations, and that the Inter-Governmental Negotiations on the reforms of the UN Security Council should be concluded expeditiously,” a joint statement issued after the talks said. Prime Minister thanked UAE for its support for India’s candidature for permanent membership of a reformed United Nations Security Council.

News courtesy: The Indian Express
Read more » http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/uae-supports-indias-candidature-for-permanent-seat-in-unsc/- See more at: http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/uae-supports-indias-candidature-for-permanent-seat-in-unsc/#sthash.4qJSYlvi.dpuf

Bernie Sanders laid the smack-down on Alan Greenspan in 2003, five years before the Great Recession of 2008.

Watch Bernie Sanders tell Alan Greenspan, in 2003, that Americans are not living the way that Mr. Greenspan imagines they are. Then just 5 years later Alan Greenspan, former Chairman of the Federal Reserve, admits that there is a flaw in his ideology model..

Courtesy: Bernie Sanders Via Social media (Facebook)

G. M. SYED’s Quotes (January 17, 1904 – April 25, 1995)

“In politics some principles are important to make and follow in life. Those who cannot maintain their character may not be expected to do the politics on principle stand.” ~ G. M. Syed

“To differ politically is justified but personal criticism must be avoided.” ~ G. M. Syed

“The most important thing in politics is a character, we have bad character people so politics has been tarnished, our leaders should make character exemplary as people can follow them.” ~ G. M. Syed

“We believe in political criticism but not in personal attacks.” ~ G M Syed

“In human beings there are some weaknesses and these weaknesses are always visible in politics and not in other activities.”
~ G. M. Syed

“If you want to own your motherland, then you should have political character and wisdom.” ~ G. M. Syed

Courtesy: Social media

Sindh waits for Islamabad’s nod to launch drive against banned outfits

BY HASAN MANSOOR

KARACHI: The provincial government is waiting for guidelines from the federal government to launch action against banned organisations, which are working with new names in Sindh, it emerged on Sunday.

“The Ministry of Interior (MoI) has been requested to provide a list of the religious outfits, which are banned but reemerging under the changed nomenclature,” said a senior official in the provincial home department while speaking to Dawn.

He said the MoI was to send policy guidelines. However, till the specific directives arrived, he added, the hierarchy of the Pakistan Rangers, Sindh, and the inspector general of police, Sindh, had been requested to take action against the outlawed outfits.

“Such organisations should not be allowed to hold public gatherings and meetings but they are openly active across the province,” admitted the official.