Society News

Writers association in Chennai condemns attack on writer

Chennai, March 01 (ANI): A writers’ association in Tamil Nadu staged a protest, condemning an attack on writer Puliyur Murugesan by a particular community. Murugesan was attacked on Thursday by members of a particular community in the wake of his book ‘I am also known as Balachandran’. As per reports, a chapter in the book narrated the illicit affair between a man and his daughter-in-law in a family belonging to the community, which drew ire. Meanwhile, Murugesan, who is recovering in a hospital, said that he did not intend to hurt anyone with his writing and was willing to apologise. Murugesan’s wife was also attacked and both have been given police protection. The protesters urged the government to take action against the miscreants and safeguard writer’s freedom of expression in the state. Protesters also said that the attacks on the writers had increased in the recent past.

Mar 1, 2015

Crackdown on Bangkok street stalls as pedestrians vie for space

They sell everything from noodle soup to sex toys, but Bangkok's famed street hawkers are now facing a crackdown as authorities in the fast-growing metropolis struggle to make space for pedestrians on the crowded pavements. Duration: 01:48

Mar 1, 2015

Mufti Mohammad Sayeed takes oath as JandK Chief Minister

Jammu, Mar 01 (ANI): PDP leader Mufti Mohammed Sayeed on Sunday took oath as the state Chief Minister after coalition was announced by BJP and PDP. Sayeed was administered oath by state Governor NN Vohra at Zorawar Singh auditorium in Jammu in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Senior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi, PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti, BJP Chief Amit Shah among other eminent leaders. Sayeed will be holding the office of Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir for the next six years.

Mar 1, 2015

Women cadre of BSF set out on month-long Camel Safari

Bhuj, March 01 (ANI): In a laudable initiative, women cadre of paramilitary Border Security Force (BSF) have set out on a month-long camel safari to spread the message of women empowerment and raise awareness about the hardships faced by the force. BSF has tied up with Tata Steel Adventure Foundation (TSAF) for the expedition, which will be led by Bachendri Pal, the first Indian woman to climb Mount Everest. A total of 20 women are participating in the expedition, a part of BSF’s Golden Jubilee celebrations. The expedition was flagged off on Tuesday from Bhuj city of Gujarat and it will pass through various border villages of Rajasthan and Punjab. The expedition will conclude at Wagah border in Punjab on March 24. Speaking about the expedition, Pal said that it was a way to acknowledge the hard work put in by BSF officials in keeping the country safe. The women officials have been given 10 days of special training in the desert of Rann of Kutch and also in various other environments

Mar 1, 2015

Thousands of protesters march to denounce Houthi rule in Yemen

ROUGH CUT (NO REPORTER NARRATION) STORY: Thousands of protesters took to the streets in Yemen on Saturday (February 28) to denounce Houthi rule and in support of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi.

Mar 1, 2015

Netanyahu takes Iran campaign to Jerusalem holy site

ROUGH CUT (NO REPORTER NARRATION) STORY: Israeli Prime Benjamin Netanyahu took his campaign against a nuclear deal with Iran to Jerusalem's sacred Western Wall on Saturday (February 28), on the eve

Mar 1, 2015

Syrian Army says it has regained control of villages in south of country

Habbariah village in southern Syria. Government forces say they've regained control of this and many other villages in the south - wresting them back from rebel hands. A general made the

Mar 1, 2015

Bolivian military brings aid to flood victims

Floodwaters stretch as far as the eyes can see in Bolivia. Heavy rains that began in October have drenched the country, leaving more than 2,000 people homeless here along the Bolivian-Brazilian

Mar 1, 2015

Kurdish rebel leader in Turkey calls for disarmament congress

Turkish lawmakers in Istanbul read an historic statement... ... a letter from the jailed militant leader of the Kurdistan Worker's Party -- or PKK -- calling on his followers to lay down their arms.

Mar 1, 2015

Kentucky Senator Rand Paul wins straw poll in boost to 2016 presidential prospects

ROUGH CUT (NO REPORTER NARRATION) STORY: U.S Senator Rand Paul won a straw poll of conservative activists on Saturday (February 28), giving his potential bid for the Republican presidential

Mar 1, 2015

War in Donbass has come to Moscow with Nemtsov murder, analyst says

With Boris Nemtsov's murder, one analyst says Russia seems to be going down a path where violence is the answer. Nemtsov frequently criticized Russian leadership and even feared that President

Mar 1, 2015

Police in Germany's Bremen heighten security citing possible Islamist threat

German police are on the alert in the northern city of Bremen. They're warning of an unspecified potential danger from Islamist extremists and have stepped up their security measures. One resident

Mar 1, 2015

Congo army drives rebels from eastern hills in fierce fighting

ROUGH CUT (NO REPORTER NARRATION) STORY: Congolese government forces ousted rebels from hills in heavy fighting in North Kivu province on Friday (February 27), an army spokesman said, cranking up a

Mar 1, 2015

Iraq to track down antiquities after Islamic State museum rampage

+++VIDEO AS INCOMING+++ Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi reopens the National Museum in Baghdad. It's the first time the museum is fully open to visitors since the U.S.-led invasion of 2003.

Mar 1, 2015

Poroshenko: Nemtsov planned to reveal Russian links to Ukraine conflict

Outside the heavily guarded Russian embassy in Kiev, a sign of respect lies in peace. This sign here reads Ukraine mourns, as residents pay tribute to Russian opposition politician Boris Nemtsov.

Mar 1, 2015