Politics

Protest in Miami against US-Cuba rapprochement

Waving US and Cuban flags, about 200 people - many from dissident Cuban organizations - gathered Saturday in Little Havana, Miami, to protest against US President Barack Obama's announcement of a rapprochement with Cuba.

Dec 21, 2014

Tunisians vote for post-revolution president

Tunisians voted Sunday in the runoff of the first free presidential election in the country's history, the final leg of a four-year transition from dictatorship.

Dec 21, 2014

Sony Hack not an act of war, says Barack Obama

The attack had prompted the Hollywood studio owned by the Japanese firm to withdraw a comedy

Dec 21, 2014

Tulsi Gabbard meets Indian techies to boost cyber security cooperation

Bengaluru, Dec 21 (ANI): Tulsi Gabbard, who is the sole Hindu member of the US Congress, on Sunday (December 21) discussed about various collaborations between India and US in IT hub of Bengaluru. Gabbard met chairman of National Association of Software and Services Companies (Nasscom) product council Ravi Gururaj and interacted with pioneers of IT sector and entrepreneurs. The Congresswoman said that US had more defence ties with India than any other country. She added that a country should have stability for strong national defence, which is also important for economic development. Lauding Modi's efforts for Yoga day, Gabbard said it was a great thing for India.

Dec 21, 2014

Kolkata holds peace walk to commemorate victims of Pakistan school attack

Kolkata, Dec 21 (ANI): Various non-governmental organisations and schools participated in 'Walk for Peace' in Kolkata on Sunday (December 21) to commemorate the victims of Taliban attack on a school in Pakistani city of Peshawar. At least 132 students and nine staff members were killed on December 16 when Taliban gunmen broke into the school and opened fire, in the bloodiest massacre the country has seen for years. After the attack, the Taliban had declared that all of those children deserved to die because they were part of the military establishment. The incident has given rise to an unprecedented outpouring of grief, anger and tribute paying ceremonies across the country. The attack on a military-run high school, struck at the heart of Pakistan's military establishment, an assault certain to enrage the country's powerful army.

Dec 21, 2014

Pakistanis pray, resolve to return to stricken school

Thousands of Pakistanis flock to a school in the northwestern city of Peshawar on Sunday to mourn the 149 people -- mainly children -- massacred by the Taliban and demand action against militants.

Dec 21, 2014

Saudi minister 'confident' oil prices will improve

Saudi Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi said Sunday he was confident world prices would improve after a slide he blamed partly on "lack of cooperation" by producers outside the OPEC cartel.

Dec 21, 2014

Punjab CM defends state Revenue Minister after ED summons him in drug racket case

Amritsar/ New Delhi, Dec 21 (ANI): In a major jolt to Shiromani Akali Dal, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned Punjab Revenue Minister Bikram Singh Majithia in a drug racket case. Majithia's name first surfaced in the Rs 6,000 crore international synthetic drug case when Jagdish Singh Bhola, who is a dismissed Deputy Superintendent of Police, claimed that the youth Akali leader had assisted him in procuring synthetic chemicals and precursors from owners of pharmaceutical units in Punjab. While politicos from rival parties slammed the minister, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal defended him saying summon does not mean he is a culprit in the case.

Dec 21, 2014

Marathon runners defy gravity in nation's tallest run 'Skyscraper Dash' in Mumbai

Mumbai, Dec 21 (ANI): Enthusiasts of tower climbing raced up 52 storeys as they participated in a marathon to conquer skyscraper in Mumbai on Sunday. Several participants, irrespective of their age, took part in the vertical marathon called 'Skyscraper Dash'. The marathon took place at India's tallest commercial tower Kohinoor Square. The building has 1250 stairs. The Kohinoor Square building is 203 metres high, and 43 ascents and 42 descents to the top is equivalent in height to climbing up Mount Everest and coming back down. Children were also seen taking part in the event enthusiastically. A child participant, Saimansa enjoyed the run. Cash prizes were arranged for the top three participants of each of the challenge of the race. Food and beverages, music and festivities were also part of the event.

Dec 21, 2014

Village council in Bihar bans jeans, mobile phones for school girls

Gopalganj, Dec 21 (ANI): A village council in Bihar came up with a diktat banning girls from wearing jeans and using mobile phones in schools. In a meeting, a number of guardians proposed the girls should not sport anything 'indecent' like jeans, which seems to be 'exposing and inviting', in order to protect the social atmosphere. The council, taking notice of the plea, has unanimously decided to verbally request villagers to direct their ward not to wear jeans in schools. The council issued its diktat in various government schools asking the heads to declare the same.

Dec 21, 2014

Condemning reactions flow after Hafiz Saeed referred as 'Saheb' in a UN letter

New Delhi, Dec 21 (ANI): India went fuming on Sunday after United Nations referred to 26/11 Mumbai attack master-mind Hafiz Saeed as 'Saheb' in a letter by UN Security Council. Congress leaders Manish Tewari and Rashid Alvi condemned this saying that UN should recognize terrorists who attack one country can be international terrorists. CPI leader D Raja said that UN Security Council will have to explain their act. CPI (M) leader Sitaram Yechury said that Indian representatives in the UN should have raised objection to it. Security Expert Praful Bakshi said that it may be a typing error, but if it is not then such an act is against humanitarian laws.

Dec 21, 2014

Politicos slam Ashok Singhal over his 'Islamic terrorism' remark

New Delhi, Dec 21 (ANI): Political leaders on Sunday slammed VHP Leader Ashok Singhal over his 'Islamic terrorism' remark. Singhal had said that the danger of 'Islamic terrorism' can be seen in Europe and can wage a war in other parts of the world too. Referring to the BJP government, he said Hindus have come back to power in Delhi after Rajput King Prithviraj Chauhan lost it in the 12th century. Congress as well as CPI (M) slammed the VHP and the BJP government at the centre for communalizing the nation.

Dec 21, 2014

Will Quit as PM if You People Don't Behave: Modi to RSS Leaders

Modi told the top brass of RSS that the reputation of the government was getting sullied because of the callous remarks made by some their leaders

Dec 21, 2014

Northern India continues to shiver as cold wave intensifies

New Delhi/ Srinagar, Dec 21 (ANI): Northern India grappled with extreme cold as the mercury dipped further on Sunday. People in New Delhi sat around bonfire to keep them warm and sipped cups of tea. On the other hand, Chilai Kalan - the harshest 40-day period of winter - arrived in Jammu and Kashmir with upper reaches of the valley receiving fresh snowfall. The cold wave has added to the troubles of daily wage labourers like auto drivers and rickshaw pullers and homeless people as they have no alternative but to bear the chill and earn their living. The sudden dip in temperatures is said to have been caused by snowfall in the Himalayas and has adversely impacted the upper half of the country. Meanwhile, minimum temperatures in Jammu and Kashmir have dropped to sub-zero level. People are busy preparing and stocking up for Chilai Kalan. Reportedly, this year Chilai Kalan has arrived earlier than expected, sparking fears that temperatures may dip lower than the average.

Dec 21, 2014

Biting cold adds to woes of people of J and K rendered homeless during floods

Poonch, Dec 21 (ANI): Harsh winters in Jammu and Kashmir have added to the troubles of those who were rendered homeless by the deluge almost four months back and now continue to put up in makeshift tents. Hundreds of people were killed and thousands of villages were devastated by the worst flooding in decades in the Kashmir valley in September. Roads in state capital of Srinagar were transformed into stagnant canals strewn with wreckage, trash and dead animals. A flood victim, Imran Khan said around 82 families are still suffering and continue to live in tents while some are staying with their relatives. The victims also said the government had promised them to provide free food and water for six months but they have not received anything yet. The flood-hit victims are battling to survive despite going hungry, homeless and freezing in the cold weather.

Dec 21, 2014