Politics

Expectations high from the upcoming budget: Market Experts

New Delhi/ Mumbai, Feb 28 (ANI): Market experts feel that the budget for the fiscal year 2015-16 will be in line with the expectations of the common man and will change India's growth trajectory. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's stomach for free-market economics faces a major test on Saturday (February 28), in a budget India's top economic advisor has warned could wreck the leader's promises of "good days" if there's no roadmap to reform. Market expert, Akash Jindal, said on Saturday that the annual budget should help reduce the deficit in the common man's household budget. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), Ashish Chauhan said that a pro-industry budget was the need of the hour, which creates jobs.

Feb 28, 2015

PM Modi hails dedication of scientists on National Science Day

New Delhi, Feb 28 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday hailed the dedication, determination and untiring efforts of scientists on National Science Day. Prime Minister Modi took to Twitter for sharing his message. "National Science Day is an occasion to remember the dedication, determination and untiring efforts of our scientists. They are India's pride. Science and technology will determine India's future, just as it has played a crucial role in bringing our Nation to where we are today. The Government is fully committed to encouraging research, innovation and excellence in science, particularly among our young minds," Prime Minister Modi tweeted. He also saluted the brilliance and long-lasting contribution of Sir CV Raman to the field of science. "On National Science Day we salute the brilliance and long-lasting contribution of Sir CV Raman to the field of science," he said in a series of tweets.

Feb 28, 2015

Bridge collapses due to flooding in Bolivia

A bridge collapsed in Bolivia after heavy rain caused massive flooding. The bridge in Bolivia's Chapare province collapsed early in the morning. A truck and another vehicle carrying children and

Feb 28, 2015

Politicos react as Modi govt is all set to present its first annual budget

New Delhi, Feb 28 (ANI): Politicos on Saturday hoped that the Union Budget for fiscal 2015-16 will be a progressive one. Arun Jaitley is presenting his first full-year budget in Parliament today, seeking to put the country on a path of 7-8 percent growth over the next two years. The 2015-16 Budget is being billed as a 'make-or-break' event for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's eight-month-old government. It is expected to give a big push to Prime Minister Modi's 'Make in India' campaign, with tax breaks and other incentives for several sectors.

Feb 28, 2015

'Star Trek' actor Leonard Nimoy passes away at 83 after suffering lung disease

Los Angeles, Feb 28 (ANI): Leonard Nimoy, best known for his portrayal of logic-bound Mr. Spock in the "Star Trek" science fiction television series and movies, died at age 83 after a battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. At the star he received on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his contribution to television and film, flowers were placed and passersby reacted to his death. With the death of Nimoy, some were mourning as much the loss of the character he was so identified with, perhaps attributing the characteristics of Spock to his mortal portrayer. Meanwhile, Nimoy's granddaughter used the same Twitter account to confirm the death of the American actor saying that Nimoy was an extraordinarily talented man but he was also a very decent human being. George Takei, who played Hikaru Sulu in 'Star Trek' and was a friend of Nimoy's, paid tribute to the actor saying that the word extraordinary was often overused but it was really appropriate for Nimoy.

Feb 28, 2015

Philip Hammond, Jihadi John, Mohammed Emwazi, British Government, ISIS

Maharashtra/ Madhya Pradesh/ Kerala, Feb 28 (ANI): Citizens across India hope that Narendra Modi government comes up with a pro-people budget as it prepares to present its first full-fledged annual budget in Parliament for the fiscal year 2015-16. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's target for free-market economics faces a major test on Saturday (February 28), in a budget India's top economic advisor has warned could wreck the leader's promises of "good days"if there's no roadmap to reform. Reaping the benefits of low global prices for oil, India's main import, Modi's government sees itself in a sweet spot with spare cash to modernize ageing roads and railways without busting fiscal deficit and inflation targets. However, analysts warn that Indian stocks are overvalued and that equity markets could see a sell off of 6-8 percent if the pro-growth measures in the budget, to be unveiled by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley at 11.00 a.m. (0530 GMT), fall short of expectations

Feb 28, 2015

British government refuses to comment on 'Jihadi John' investigation

Budapest, Feb 28 (ANI): British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond declined to confirm the identity of 'Jihadi John' during a visit to Budapest. According to reports, the 'Jihadi John' masked fighter who has appeared in a series of Islamic State beheading videos, is Mohammed Emwazi, a Kuwaiti-born Briton from a prosperous family who grew up in London and graduated with a computer programming degree. British government sources and the police have so far refused to confirm or deny the report, citing a live anti-terrorism investigation. In videos released by Islamic State, the black-clad militant brandishing a knife and speaking with an English accent appears to have decapitated hostages including Americans, Britons and Syrians.

Feb 28, 2015

Kashmiri traders demand compensation for losses incurred during floods

Srinagar, Feb 28 (ANI): Traders and Manufacturers Federation (KTMF) staged a protest in Jammu and Kashmir and demanded immediate release of funds as compensation for the losses caused due to floods in September last year. Hundreds of people were killed and thousands of villages were devastated by the worst flooding in decades in the Kashmir valley last year. Due to floods, many shops were damaged and businesses of traders were hampered last year. Protestors carrying placards and shouting slogans, 'We want justice', rallied in Srinagar streets. KTMF President Sadiq Baqal said that they did not receive any relief till date. He further requested the government to listen to their grievances as they have waited far too long for compensation. Besides, they also demanded tax concessions and rehabilitation to business community.

Feb 28, 2015

Russian opposition leader Nemtsov shot dead

A Russian opposition leader and fierce critic of President Vladmir Putin, Boris Nemtsov, is shot dead in central Moscow.

Feb 28, 2015

Atheist US blogger killed in machete attack in Bangladesh

Dhaka, Feb 28 (ANI): Social activists in Bangladesh took to streets to protest after machete-wielding assailants hacked to death a blogger in Dhaka, in the latest of a series of attacks on writers who support free thinking values in the Muslim-majority nation. Avijit Roy, a U.S. citizen of Bangladeshi origin, and his wife and fellow blogger, Rafida Ahmed, were attacked on February 26 while returning from a book fair. Ahmed was seriously injured. Spokesperson of a secular platform, Ganajagaran Mancha, Imran H. Sarkar demanded stringent punishment for the assailants. A social activist Khushi Kabir said that killing of Roy meant killing of freedom of thought. Police retrieved two machetes from the site, but have not yet identified any suspects.

Feb 28, 2015

The dress that broke the internet: The colour yet under question

London, Feb 28 (ANI): Cyberspace was being consumed by a debate over a picture of a dress that many claim is 'obviously' white and gold while others argue just as trenchantly that it is black and blue. The hashtag #TheDress led trends on Twitter worldwide, boosted by a stream of tweets from celebrities voicing support for either of the opposing camps. The picture of the dress was uploaded on image-sharing website Tumblr by a user named "swiked" on Wednesday and began as a debate between friends, but has since gone global. Musician Taylor Swift was gripped by ontological uncertainty. "I don't understand this odd dress debate and I feel like it's a trick somehow. I'm confused and scared. PS it's OBVIOUSLY BLUE AND BLACK," she tweeted. The white and gold camp was supported by the likes of actress Kat Dennings, New York Yankees center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury, and reality TV star Kim Kardashian West. "What color is that dress? I see white and gold, Kayne sees black and blue, who is color blind?" West tweeted. Actor David Duchovny added a different response to the fray tweeting 'The dress is teal'.

Feb 28, 2015

Mexico captures Knights Templar drug cartel leader

Mexican police arrest most-wanted drug lord Servando Gomez, a former schoolteacher whose Knights Templar cartel tormented western Michoacan state.

Feb 28, 2015

Bomb Explosion, Blast, Market Area, Hospital, Investigation

New Delhi, Feb 28 (ANI): Anti-graft crusader, Anna Hazare said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was allergic to him and added that the country would never progress under Modi's rule or that of Congress party vice-president Rahul Gandhi. When asked whether Hazare would meet Modi to express his concerns over the bill, the anti corruption activist said the prime minister was allergic to him. However, on Friday Modi said that the government was ready to make changes to the executive decree, while addressing lawmakers in the Lok Sabha. Meanwhile, Hazare suggested on taking agricultural lands on lease. Hazare said he would launch a three-month movement from Maharashtra to New Delhi and voice his concern over the land acquisition bill. He had held a two-day agitation at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi against the new land acquisition ordinance introduced by Indian government.

Feb 28, 2015

Blast in Birbhum kills one, injures three

Birbhum, Feb 28 (ANI): A crude bomb explosion has killed one and injured three in Birbhum district of West Bengal. As per reports, the blast occurred when one of the crude bombs, allegedly made by four workers, went off accidentally in a market area on Friday (February 27). The three injured were taken to a nearby hospital. Police is investigating the case.

Feb 28, 2015

India in sweet spot to achieve sustainable double-digit growth: Economic Adviser

New Delhi, Feb 28 (ANI): Chief Economic Adviser at the finance ministry, Arvind Subramanian, on Friday (February 27) said that India was in a sweet spot to achieve sustainable double-digit growth and the country was a recovering economy. The Economic Survey, the basis for Jaitley's budget for the fiscal year starting April 1, forecast growth of 8.1 percent to 8.5 percent under new calculations that make India the world's most dynamic big economy. The forecast marks an acceleration from growth of 7.4 percent in the current fiscal year. Other indicators of India's economy are not as rosy as Gross Domestic Product (GDP) data suggests. Earnings of the country's top 100 companies shrank by 6 percent in the last quarter, private investment and consumer demand are weak and merchandise exports are falling.

Feb 28, 2015