Politics

Was very much part of decision to appoint Jaishankar as Foreign Secretary: Sushma Swaraj

New Delhi, Jan 30 (ANI): External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said that she was aware of the plans to replace Sujatha Singh with S Jaishankar, but the swift decision of the Prime Minister's Office on Wednesday night to sack India's top diplomat has clearly taken her ministry by surprise. Swaraj said the abrupt appointment took place since the former was retiring on January 31. Swaraj tweeted, “I was very much a part of the decision to appoint Dr. Jaishankar as Foreign Secretary. Since Dr. Jaishankar was retiring on January 31, we had to issue orders of his appointment before that date. I told her that the Government wanted to appoint Dr.Jaishankar as Foreign Secretary,” Swaraj further added. However, Singh, in a letter written to her IFS colleagues, said she had sought early retirement from government service.

Jan 30, 2015

GNLF founder Subash Ghisingh passes away

New Delhi, Jan 30 (ANI): Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) founder Subash Ghisingh, who spearheaded the Gorkhaland movement in the 1980s, died at the age of 78. He was suffering from liver ailments and cancer and breathed his last at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. Ghisingh had founded GNLF in 1980 and was the chairman of the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council in West Bengal from 1988 to 2008. He had led the Gorkhaland movement to demand for a separate state for ethnic Gorkha people living in Darjeeling district of West Bengal.

Jan 30, 2015

Andhra Pradesh reports two swine flu deaths & at least 24 positive cases

Visakhapatnam, Jan 30 (ANI): Two swine flu deaths and 24 positive cases were reported from Andhra Pradesh, the state administration informed. Provincial Minister for Information and Public Relations (I& PR) Palle Raghunatha Reddy said that the government was monitoring the situation in port city Visakhapatnam. He added that government had taken various steps to check the spread of the virus and awareness campaign for the swine flu were increased. The minister said a state-level cabinet meeting of medical officials and doctors was held at King George Hospital of Visakhapatnam. Steps like arrangement for isolation rooms, providing adequate medicines and other materials are being taken. Swine flu is caused by H1N1 virus. H1N1 symptoms are similar to those produced by other influenza viruses - fever, cough, sore throat, body aches and respiratory problems.

Jan 30, 2015

Skeletons found inside police station in UPs Unnao district

Unnao, Jan 30 (ANI): A large number of human skeletons were found inside a police station campus in Unnao district of Uttar Pradesh. Police said the skeletons were body parts that were used for crime investigation and left in a room inside the police station premises, which was once store of a police hospital but was locked up for years. According to media reports, after seeing the condition of the bags and skeletons, it seems that it was kept there since a long time. Police said these are remains of bodies which undergo post-mortem and have been found inside gunny bags. Police is investigating the matter.

Jan 30, 2015

Arvind Kejriwal blames BJP for price rise

New Delhi, Jan 30 (ANI): Aam Aadmi Party Chief Arvind Kejriwal accused ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of rising prices of basic commodities. A huge crowd of his supporters wearing party’s signature caps and carrying party flags assembled to listen Kejriwal’s speech. Delhi goes to polls on February 7 for the second time in 14 months after Kejriwal pulled plugs on his government supported by Congress party barely 49 days into office last February. Kejriwal faces a tough challenge as the BJP has named former police officer and anti-graft activist Kiran Bedi, its chief ministerial candidate. Bedi joined the BJP last week. Meanwhile, the BJP has launched a blistering attack on main challenger, AAP and vowed to expose it by posing five questions to it daily till a day before people vote in Delhi.

Jan 30, 2015

Satguru Rampal Maharaj appears before court, case adjourned to March 10

Chandigarh, Jan 30 (ANI): Self styled religious leader Satguru Rampal Maharaj held on the charges of contempt of court, was produced before a court in Chandigarh. The case has been adjourned to March 10 and court has exempted the appearance of Rampal and his associates till further order. He had been wanted for ignoring more than 40 court summonses in connection with a murder case. Rampal, a former engineer had been charged with sedition and waging war against the state after a days-long siege of his sprawling compound ended in his arrest along with 450 hardcore followers on November 20 last year. Rampal heads a sect that worships the 15th-century poet and mystic Kabir, known for a message of tolerance that is followed by people of varied faiths.

Jan 30, 2015

Pakistan expresses concern over India-US nuclear deal

Wagah Border, Jan 30 (ANI): Pakistan ambassador to India, Abdul Basit expressed concern over India-US nuclear deal. Pakistan said that the deal, which was signed during President Barack Obama visit to New Delhi, would have a detrimental impact on deterrence stability in South Asia. Further, it termed the agreement a move for political and economic expediencies. Explaining his absence from New Delhi during Obama’s visit, Basit said he was on a private visit to Pakistan. Islamabad also opposed New Delhi’s bid for membership to the 48-member Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and a permanent seat in the UN Security Council. However, Basit added that Pakistan wanted good relations with India.

Jan 30, 2015

India does not qualify for UNSC permanent membership: Pak Foreign Ministry

Islamabad, Jan 30 (ANI): Pakistan said given its track record of human rights violation in Indian-administered Kashmir, India does not qualify for the permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). Reacting on US President Barack Obama’s approval for India bring permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, Pakistan Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Tasnim Aslam said the issue of Security Council Reform is of vital national importance for all the United Nations Member States. However, she said, a reformed Security Council should reflect interests of the wider UN membership, and in Pakistan’s view, “the idea of new permanent members creates new centers of power and privileges, and could make the UNSC even more undemocratic.” Aslam expressed concern over the continual rise of India’s defence budget, and its “massive acquisition of conventional weapons.”

Jan 30, 2015

Jayanthi Natarajan Quits Congress; Says the Moment is Heart-Breaking, Painful

Jayanthi Natarajan alleged that Ajay Maken forced her to attack Modi on the Snoopgate controversy ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

Jan 30, 2015

Four-day car rally in Siliguri attracts visitors

Siliguri, Jan 29 (ANI): People thronged the four-day state sponsored car rally which is being held in Siliguri district of West Bengal. The third National Time Speed Distance (TSD) Himalayan car rally organised by tyre manufacturer JK Tyre in association with West Bengal Tourism department is witnessing participants traversing a 700-kilometer stretch through the northern parts of the state. 27 cars with 54 participants are taking part in the motorsport. The route apart from touching main tourist spots will also go through smaller towns to showcase the natural beauty of the state. Participants said the drive was full of adventures and hoped people from other states would also join in. The rally ends at the outskirts of Siliguri city in West Bengal.

Jan 30, 2015

Documentary premiered in Dharamsala cautions Tibetans against China's cyber attacks

Dharamsala, Jan 30 (ANI): A Tibetan digital security group called Tibet Action Institute premiered a documentary in Dharamsala showing China's unrelenting cyber attacks against the exiled community. The documentary titled "Tibet: Frontline of the New Cyber War" unfolds the pain of Tibetans living in exile and the problems facing them in maintaining online contact with their family members. The film cautions Tibetans against China's cyber attacks and details measures to counter those threats. The documentary also features researchers from The Citizen Lab at the Munk School of Global Affairs, University of Toronto. A presentation was also made by Tibet Action Institute's Director of Technology and founder of the Guardian Project, Nathan Freitas to educate people about the Chinese mobile messaging app, WeChat.

Jan 30, 2015