Politics

Indian states gear up preparations to welcome harvest festival

Surat/ Varanasi, Jan 13 (ANI): Kites with portraits of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Barack Obama hit local markets in western India as nation gears up to celebrate harvest festival of Makar Sankranti falling on Wednesday (January 14). The festival of 'Makar Sankranti' marks the northward journey of the Sun as it enters the Capricorn zodiac. Many states in northern and western India celebrate the festival by distributing sweets among loved ones. Kite flying is a hit among youngsters and elderly alike during the festival. Shops in Gujarat have a new attraction for their customers as, with Obama's India visit scheduled for later this month, kites with portraits of him and Modi are being sold out in large numbers in the state.

Jan 13, 2015

Three Maoists killed in an encounter in Jharkhand

Hazaribagh, Jan 13 (ANI): Security personnel killed three Maoists in an encounter in Jharkhand. Following a tip-off, the district police coordinated the entire operation with paramilitary Central Police Reserve Force (CRPF) and Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA). Kumar also urged the Maoists to give up arms and join the mainstream by surrendering under government's rehabilitation schemes. Police also recovered a 303 gun, an AK-47 from the slain Maoists. The Maoists, also known as Naxals have operated for decades across a wide swath of central and eastern India, and grew in strength during recent times.

Jan 13, 2015

US military's Twitter and YouTube account hacked by ISIS

New Delhi, Jan 13 (ANI): The Twitter and YouTube accounts for the US military command that oversees operations in the Middle East were hacked by people claiming to be sympathetic toward the Islamic State militant group. In an apparent propaganda coup, the hackers replaced CentCom's usual logo with the image of a hooded fighter and the words "CyberCaliphate" and "I love you ISIS. American soldiers, we are coming, watch your back, ISIS," the hackers posted on the US Central Command Twitter feed. "In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, the CyberCaliphate continues its CyberJihad," the Centcom Twitter feed further said. Subsequent posts on the Centcom twitter account read, "Pentagon Networks Hacked! China Scenarios" and "Pentagon Networks Hacked.Korean Scenarios."

Jan 13, 2015

Huge cache of ammunition recovered from police constable in Assam

Guwahati, Jan 13 (ANI): Police recovered huge cache of ammunition, including a grenade, from a police constable in Guwahati city of Assam. The constable was detained at Guwahati railway station while trying to transport the ammunition to neighbouring state of Bihar. Police officer, Sisir Bhatta said that the arrested constable is a cadre of the Meghalaya Police. Rai, in his defence said that he did not intend to give the bullets to anyone. Reportedly, Guwahati police has sought help from Meghalaya Police in order to proceed with the investigation. Police is interrogating Rai to find out the origin of the pilfered ammunitions recovered from him.

Jan 13, 2015

CPI-M Women Tear their Own Clothes and Cry Assault: TMC Leader Swapan Debnath

CPM politburo member Brinda Karat said that TMC is defending the culprits instead of punishing them.

Jan 13, 2015

Haven't received any showcause notice from BJP: Sakshi Maharaj

New Delhi, Jan 16 (ANI): BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj on Tuesday denied receiving any showcause notice from the party over his controversial statement wherein he said that Hindu woman must give birth to at least four children to protect the religion. Sakhshi Maharaj rubbished media reports in this regard as untrue. According to reports, the notice has been sent on the direction of BJP President Amit Shah and Sakshi has been asked to respond within 10 days his position on why he continued to make "controversial statements which go against the party line despite having been warned."

Jan 13, 2015

Politicos react as EC announces date of Delhi assembly polls as Feb 07

New Delhi, Jan 13 (ANI): Political leaders on Tuesday react as Election commission announced dates for Delhi Assembly Polls as February 07. BJP leader Prabhat Jha expressed confidence on the party and said that BJP will come out victorious in Delhi too. Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi said that the media and others should stop speculating and that the party is lead by the working committee. AAP leader Manish Sisodia also said that the party is ready for the polls. Meanwhile, NCP leader Tariq Anwar said that the election will be tough as all the three parties are standing strong. Former Samajwadi Party Leader Shahid Siddiqui also drew varied speculations on the political scenario in the national capital.

Jan 13, 2015

Politicos call for adequate law & order in Delhi as police constable shot dead by Liquor Mafia

New Delhi, Jan 13 (ANI): Political leaders on Tuesday called for adequate law and order situation in Delhi as a Delhi Police constable was shot dead by an unidentified assailant and another died after a truck rammed a Police Control Room (PCR) Van in East Delhi's Mayur Vihar around midnight. AAP leader Manish Sisodia said that Delhi needs a stable government which takes care of the national capital, its police force and others. He said that the Delhi Police and their conditions need to be improved and that this can be done only once AAP comes to power. He also demanded compensation to family of the dead constable. NCP leader Tariq Anwar also said that there should be an operation launched in this regard and such elements should be removed.

Jan 13, 2015

Politicos welcome after SC gives nod to NRI voting

New Delhi, Jan 13 (ANI): Political leaders on Tuesday welcomed Supreme Courts decision to allow NRI voting in India. The plea had long been pending in the Supreme Court which finally gave positive results allowing NRIs to vote through e-voting. BJP Spokesperson Sambit Patra said that it was a welcome step and congratulated the Central government for this historic step. NCP leader Tariq Anwar said that this step would allow NRIs to actually exercise their rights as citizens of India. CPI leader Atul Anjan also welcomed the step and added that Central government should be quick in fulfilling its part of responsibilities.

Jan 13, 2015

Pak Media: Sharif to Raise India's 'Subversive Activities' in Talks with John Kerry

Kerry to discuss bilateral relations and regional security issues with Pak leadership.

Jan 13, 2015

Goa CM Says Sports Minister Ignorant; Homosexuality is 'Natural Gift'

Nakshatra Bagwe, known for his contribution to LGBTQ community, demanded Goa minister Ramesh Tawadkar resignation.

Jan 13, 2015

Pope Francis arrives in Sri Lanka

Pope Francis urges respect for human rights in Sri Lanka as he begins a two-nation Asia tour on the island, bearing a message of peace and reconciliation after a long civil war. Duration: 00:32

Jan 13, 2015

Defiant Charlie Hebdo returns with Prophet Muhammed on cover

Paris, Jan 13 (ANI): Up to 3 million copies of Charlie Hebdo could hit newsstands this week, dwarfing its usual print run of 60,000 in response to soaring demand for the first edition of the satirical weekly since last week's deadly attacks by Islamist militants. The French satirical magazine will come back with a bang defying the attackers by putting a cartoon of the Prophet Muhammed on its cover, as the government on Monday announced the deployment of 10,000 soldiers to boost security. Liberation newspaper, now temporarily housing Charlie Hebdo operations, revealed the front page of "survivors' issue" via Twitter late on Monday as the edition is due to be out by Wednesday. The cover page shows an image of the Prophet Mohammad holding a sign saying Je Suis Charlie which means I am Charlie below the headline All is forgiven.

Jan 13, 2015

Arvind Panagariya takes charge as NITI Aayog Vice Chairman

New Delhi, Jan 13 (ANI): Noted economist Arvind Panagariya took charge as the first Vice-Chairman of the newly-created NITI Aayog on Tuesday. The government had announced the appointment of Vice-Chairman, 2 full time members, 4 ex-officio members (Union ministers) and 3 special invitees for the Aayog on January 5. NITI Aayog has replaced the 65-year old Planning Commission, a vestige of the socialist era. As per the notification, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the Chairman of the body.

Jan 13, 2015

BJP issues show cause notice to Sakshi Maharaj, Politicos react

New Delhi, Jan 13 (ANI): The BJP has issued a show cause notice to Sakshi Maharaj in response to his recent controversial statements. The party has reportedly given him ten days to reply to the notice. BJP leader Nalin Kohli said that the party will take action if any of its leaders says something controversial on a personal basis. Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi said that Sakshi Maharaj is a symbol of communalism in the country. JD (U) leader KC Tyagi said that the notice to Sakshi Maharaj is a fake play by the party.

Jan 13, 2015