afp-looks-back-at-2014s-top-news-stories

AFP looks back at 2014's top news stories

From the Ebola epidemic to the Hong Kong democracy protests, conflicts around the world to George Clooney's Venice wedding, AFP looks back at the top stories of 2014. Dec 15, 2014
tirupati-mla-m-venkataramana-passes-away-in-chennai

Tirupati MLA M Venkataramana passes away in Chennai

Chennai, Dec 15 (ANI): Tirupati MLA and Telugu Desam Party leader M Venkataramana passed away on Monday morning while undergoing treatment at Apollo hospital in Chennai. Venkataramana was admitted to Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences in Tirupati after suffering a stroke on November 15. After undergoing treatment for over a fortnight, the Venkataramana who was discharged from SVIMS was shifted to Apollo hospital at Chennai where he underwent a bypass surgery. However the MLA's condition started deteriorating and he passed away on Monday morning at around 7.30 am. He is survived by his wife and two daughters. Dec 15, 2014
one-indian-among-hostages-inside-lindt-cafe-eam-in-touch-with-the-embassy-says-venkaiah-naidu

One Indian among hostages inside Lindt cafe, EAM in touch with the embassy, says Venkaiah Naidu

New Delhi, Dec 15 (ANI): Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu on Monday said that some information has come that there is one Indian among the hostages inside the Lindt cafe in Sydney. He added that External Affairs Ministry is keeping in touch with the Indian embassy as well as that of the counterparts. Earlier in the day, an armed man took an undisclosed number of people hostage at the Martin Place Cafe in Sydney and displayed a black flag with Arabic script in the window, sparking a security alert in Australia. Authorities in Australia have reportedly sealed off surrounding streets in Sydney, evacuated people from buildings, and suspended rail services following the incident. Dec 15, 2014
tmc-protest-against-madan-mitras-arrest-in-saradha-chit-fund-scam-case

TMC protest against Madan Mitra's arrest in Saradha chit fund scam case

New Delhi, Dec 15 (ANI): Leaders of Trinamool Congress (TMC) party on Monday protested against the arrest of state minister in connection with Saradha chit fund scam, shouting slogans against the Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested transport minister of West Bengal Madan Mitra, on Friday for his role in the scam. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has refuted allegations against her minister and has alleged political vendetta by the BJP. TMC leader Kalyan Banerjee said CBI was working on the orders of the BJP. Meanwhile, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said that everyone in West Bengal is aware of TMC's fraud and the arrest of their leaders have come as berserker for the party, hence it is using the protest tool to protect them, which is not going to help in anyway. Dec 15, 2014
security-experts-raise-concerns-of-terrorist-involvement-in-sydney-cafe-hostage

Security Experts raise concerns of terrorist involvement in Sydney Cafe Hostage

New Delhi, Dec 15 (ANI): Reacting on hostage of unknown number of people in Sydney cafe, Security experts on Monday said that this raises concern of terrorist involvement in the mater. Praful Bakshi said that the world need to look at the threat completely as people belonging to same religion of ISIS are following them at massive scale. Uday Bhaskar said that said that the incident poses threat to civil society. Meanwhile, Major General (retd.) SR Sinho said terrorists through the Sydney hostage crisis are sending out a message to important nations of the world that this is what they can do. Sinho said Australia until now was peaceful and the terrorists have by this activity sent a message that now they can go out anywhere in the world. He said the attack is a threat to India also as it is the most vulnerable country. Dec 15, 2014
pm-narendra-modi-addresses-rally-in-dumka

PM Narendra Modi addresses rally in Dumka

Dumka, Dec 15 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing a rally in Dumka, Jharkhand, attacked his rival parties. Modi accused the Congress and the JMM of looting public money. He urged voters to vote for his party to ensure development in their state. Dec 15, 2014
dgp-who-arrested-isis-twitter-operator-in-bengaluru-being-threatened-reactions-flow

DGP who arrested ISIS Twitter operator in Bengaluru being threatened, Reactions flow

New Delhi, Dec 15 (ANI): Reactions flowed on Monday as the DGP of Bengaluru is being threatened after he arrested the pro-ISIS Twitter operator from the city. NCP leader Majid Memon and BJP leader Subramanian Swamy said that officials involved in anti-terrorist operations are prone to get threat calls but they are well trained to deal with such situations. Meanwhile, Security Expert Uday Bhaskar said that the threat to the DGP is not to be ignored and social networking should be taken in his context. Dec 15, 2014

DGP who arrested ISIS Twitter operator in Bengaluru being threatened, Reactions flow

New Delhi, Dec 15 (ANI): Reactions flowed on Monday as the DGP of Bengaluru is being threatened after he arrested the pro-ISIS Twitter operator from the city. NCP leader Majid Memon and BJP leader Subramanian Swamy said that officials involved in anti-terrorist operations are prone to get threat calls but they are well trained to deal with such situations. Meanwhile, Security Expert Uday Bhaskar said that the threat to the DGP is not to be ignored and social networking should be taken in his context. Dec 15, 2014
bjp-on-yogi-adityanaths-religion-conversion-statement

BJP on Yogi Adityanath's religion conversion statement

New Delhi, Dec 15 (ANI): BJP leaders reacted on Monday as Yogi Adityanath still held his opinion for religion conversion. BJP leader GVL Narasimha Rao said that Adityanath is a religious leader too so his opinion does not hold for the party. BJP's Subramanian Swamy said that the Babri mosque issue should be solved by discussion among the Hindu and Muslim religious leaders. Dec 15, 2014
politicos-react-as-yogi-adityanath-says-religion-conversion-should-continue

Politicos react as Yogi Adityanath says religion conversion should continue

New Delhi, Dec 15 (ANI): Political leaders reacted on Monday after BJP leader Yogi Adityanath still held his opinion for religion conversion. NCP leader Majid Memon said that such issues should not be given much importance because they tend to raise communal disharmony. BSP Chief Mayawati said that UP government should take note of the situation. JD (U) Chief Sharad Yadav said that BJP only tries to spread communal tension. JD (U) leader Ali Anwar said that Central government should make strict laws regarding religion conversion. Dec 15, 2014
shows-congress-opportunistic-politics-bjp-on-rahul-to-meet-tmc-leaders

Shows Congress' opportunistic politics: BJP on Rahul to meet TMC leaders

New Delhi, Dec 15 (ANI): Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi will be meeting TMC leaders from West Bengal to discuss political strategy. BJP leader GVL Narasimha Rao said that Gandhi meeting TMC leaders shows Congress' opportunistic political nature as this is the time when Congress may decide upon an ally in West Bengal. Dec 15, 2014
bjp-welcomes-decision-to-celebrate-dec-25-as-good-governance-day-jd-u-condemns-decision

BJP welcomes decision to celebrate Dec 25 as 'good governance day'; JD (U) condemns decision

New Delhi, Dec 15 (ANI): BJP leaders on Monday welcomed the Central Government's decision to celebrate December 25 as 'good governance day'. MoS Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said that no one should raise any objection on celebration of 'good governance day'. BJP leader GVL Narasimha Rao said that it will be a good way to celebrate former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's birthday. However, JD (U) leader Ali Anwar criticized the government for making December 25 'good governance day'. Earlier this month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced that national 'Good Governance Day' will be observed each year on the birthday of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Dec 15, 2014