Politics

Bombay HC Quashes Quota for Marathas, Keeps Reservation for Muslims only in Education

Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has said that he would take the case to the Supreme Court.

Nov 14, 2014

Ram Shankar Katheria accused of forging graduation marksheet, alleges political conspiracy by BSP

Agra, Nov 14 (ANI): Minister of State for HRD Ministry Ram Shankar Katheria, who was accused of forging graduation marksheet, on Friday said that he is innocent in the case. He said that the same is a conspiracy against him by the BSP leader Kunwar Chand who earlier got defeated to Katheria. The HRD junior minister said that Chand registered fake FIR against him but the same was rejected by the registrar of university. Katheria further said that the Governor, CM, Education Minister, Commissioner and DM Agra have done the investigation but nothing has been found against him and that the whole episode is political conspiracy by BSP Chief Mayawati.

Nov 14, 2014

President Mukherjee and top Congress leadership reach Shanti Van to commemorate Nehru's 125th birth

New Delhi, Nov 14 (ANI): President Pranab Mukherjee and Congress President Sonia Gandhi reached Jawaharlal Nehru's Samadhi at Shanti Van on Friday, to commemorate the 125th birth anniversary of the country's first prime minister. Along with Congress president were party Vice-President Rahul Gandhi and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. A similar function has also been organised at the Teen Murti Bhavan in the evening. Later in the day, President Mukherjee will give away awards to children for their achievements. An international conference, being held to commemorate the 125th birth anniversary of Nehru is also to take place from November 17-18 and will be attended by leaders of various political parties from India and abroad. However, the Congress has not invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the conference. Meanwhile, PM Modi also paid his respect to Nehru.

Nov 14, 2014

Saradha scam: Suspended Trinamool MP Kunal Ghosh attempts suicide in jail

Kolkata, Nov 14 (ANI): Suspended Trinamool MP Kunal Ghosh, an accused in the Saradha chit fund scam, attempted suicide late last night, said police official. He has been in Kolkata's Presidency Jail since he was arrested in November last year. The police say Ghosh took 58 sleeping pills and then informed jail officials that he had taken them. His stomach has reportedly been washed and he is out of danger but in a serious state. Ghosh was the chief of Saradha Group's media operations. State Prison Minister HA Safi said in a statement that Kunal Ghosh has access to 2-3 pills as his regular prescription and that he said he took pills at 2:30 am. Presently, he is undergoing treatment in SSKM Hospital.

Nov 14, 2014

Parents of 43 missing in protest tour of Mexico

The anguished parents of 43 missing students begins a protest tour of Mexico, rejecting claims their sons were slaughtered in a crime that has rattled the nation and its leaders. Duration:01:04

Nov 14, 2014

Bangladesh tribunal sentences Khokon Razakar to death for 1971 war crimes

Dhaka, Nov 14 (ANI): The International Crimes Tribunal sentenced Zahid Hossain, better known as Khokon Razakar, to death in absentia for crimes during the 1971 Bangladesh liberation war. The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), headed by Justice M Enayetur Rahim found him guilty of many charges such as genocide, murder, rape, loot and forcibly converting Hindus at Faridpur's Nagarkanda. He has awarded death for six charges and various prison terms. Defence Lawyer Abdus Sukur Khan said that they would appeal against the verdict in the higher court. Bangladesh's security agencies are clueless about where he is hiding but Bangladeshis living in Sweden said the man was living with his elder son and daughter there. This is the tribunal's third verdict for absconding individuals.

Nov 14, 2014

French Navy Chief on six-day India visit to strengthen strategic ties

New Delhi, Nov 14 (ANI): The French Navy Chief Admiral Bernard Rogel arrived in India on a six-day visit during which he will tour naval facilities in Goa and Mumbai, besides seeing the Mazagon Dock which is building six Scorpene submarines with the help of a French firm. Admiral Bernard Rogel told mediapersons that he was happy to be in India, a strategic partner for years. The Admiral was received at the South Block lawns by Navy Chief Admiral RK Dhowan and accorded a ceremonial guard of honour. The first Scorpene submarine is expected to be launched in September 2015.

Nov 14, 2014

Stunted children pose a demographic risk to India: World Bank

New Delhi, Nov 14 (ANI): Presenting a World Bank report on Nutrition at a Conference in New Delhi, Country Director in India, Onno Ruhl said that stunted children pose a demographic risk to the nation. Adequate feeding, health care and environmental health are three parameters which, if provided properly, can help bring down the number of stunted children. The problem, he said, exists not only among children from the poorest strata of society, but rich as well. Half of the children in India, he added, are unable to contribute their potential and hence, mother and child care is extremely important. Meanwhile, Senior Nutrition Specialist, World Bank, Ashi Kathuria said awareness among women can be a solution to the problem.

Nov 14, 2014

Militants and security personnel engage in gunbattle in Kashmir

Kulgam, Nov 14 (ANI): A gun battle broke out between militants and security personnel in Jammu and Kashmir late Thursday evening. Acting on a tip-off, security forces launched a search operation at Chounigam village in Kulgam district to nab militants hiding in a house. The militants opened fire upon the approaching soldiers, who retaliated triggering a gunfight. So far, there was no report of any casualty on either side. Militants have been frequently attacking security bases in Kashmir since the 1990s, when there was a full-blown insurgency against Indian rule in a region over which India and Pakistan fought two of their three wars.

Nov 14, 2014

US official stresses on social unity for economically vibrant India

New Delhi, Nov 14 (ANI): United States Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy and Human Rights, Sarah Sewall stressed on the need for unity among every section of society if India hopes to become economically vibrant. Addressing a conference on "Human Rights: Challenges and Opportunities for the 21st Century" in New Delhi, Sewall, who is also a special coordinator for Tibet issues, said India should recognise openness in social inclusion which is central to the country’s future. Besides sustaining economic progress by investing in skill development and education sectors, and bringing in job opportunities, she added, there is a need to ensure equal protection to all under rule of law. Even societies with the best books on law, she added, can be undermined by the corrosive effects of corruption in upholding the rule of law. Corruption strips away protection of rights and access to justice that a democratic state is supposed to provide to its citizens. Discussing solution to these challenges, said Sewall, not only furthers participatory openness of every section of a society, but it further cements and strengthens the society.

Nov 14, 2014

PM Modi arrives in Brisbane to attend G-20 Summit

Brisbane, Nov 14 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Brisbane as part of the second leg of his three-nation tour, during which he will attend the G-20 Summit on Friday. PM Modi, who was in Myanmar capital Nay Pyi Taw, left for Brisbane, Australia after attending the ASEAN-India summit and the East Asia Summit on November 12-13. The Prime Minister was received by the Premier of Queensland Campbell Newman. It is the first time that an Indian Prime Minister is attending the event in 28 years. After attending the G-20 Summit in Brisbane, Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to travel to Sydney, where he will attend a community reception and address the Indian Diaspora. The Prime Minister will then travel to Canberra and address the special joint sitting of the Australian Parliament on November 18. He is also to address a community event in Melbourne.

Nov 14, 2014

Festival promotes cultural heritage of northeast region

Guwahati, Nov 14 (ANI): Be it the Wangla dance of Garos, warrior dance of Nagas or Bihu dance of Assam - the artists at "Discover Northeast Festival" presented the vibrant and varied culture of the Northeast region. Held under the aegis of North East Zone Cultural Centre (NEZCC), under the Union Ministry of Culture at Shilpgram in Guwahati, it showcased the culture of eight northeastern states and Rajasthan. One among the major attractions of the event was Dhol-Dholak Cholom and Thang-Ta, the martial arts from Manipur. Artists from Garo community of Meghalaya stole the show with their spectacular display of the Wangala dance. The Sho community of Arunachal Pradesh, Mizo dancers from Mizoram and the Chakma community of Tripura also performed their folk dances.

Nov 14, 2014

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani to visit Pakistan

Islamabad, Nov 14 (ANI): Pakistan announced that the newly sworn-in Afghan President Ashraf Ghani was coming to Islamabad on a two-days' official visit to Pakistan. Addressing a weekly briefing, Pakistan's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Tasneem Aslam confirmed Ghani's visit. Analysts say Ghani's visit marks a renewed effort by the two neighbours to warm up ties that have been fraught with mutual suspicions. She said issues pertaining to border security will also come under discussion during the 2-days visit. Ghani's visit comes shortly after a recent trip to Kabul by Pakistan's Army chief, General Raheel Sharif, during which he offered to train Afghan security forces. The visit was widely seen as an ice-breaker aimed at addressing deepening suspicion among Afghanistan's security establishment about Pakistan. The visit to Islamabad will be Ghani's third trip abroad since his inauguration in September. He has recently visited Saudi Arabia and China.

Nov 14, 2014

ESA: Probe on comet after safe landing, sending data

Robot probe Philae bounced twice after its historic comet landing, probably ending up with one leg dangling in space, in the shadow of a cliff that could prevent it fully charging its battery, ground control said Thursday. Duration: 01:01

Nov 14, 2014

Newly elected McConnell 'hopes' Obama will 'work' with him

Mitch McConnell, unanimously elected chief of the Senate Republicans and the chamber's majority leader for the upcoming Congress, says he's 'very disturbed' about how US President Obama 'has proceeded in the wake of the election.' Duration: 01:04

Nov 14, 2014