Politics

Irom Sharmila arrested again by police in Manipur on charges of attempting suicide

Manipur, Aug 22 (ANI): A struggling and screaming Irom Sharmila was dragged away from a tin shack by a team of police women on Friday morning. Sharmila, who was released from police custody on Thursday evening, was planning to observe a fast at the venue over a demand for the withdrawal of the Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA). She has been arrested again on charges of attempting suicide. Earlier, the police women were quoted by media, as saying that they were taking her for a medical check-up. When she resisted, they forcibly took a hold of her hands and legs and carried her to a police jeep and drove her away. Forty-two-year-old Sharmila has said that she is continuing with her 14-year fast in protest against "army atrocities" in Manipur. The activist was released after a court decided she cannot be charged with attempted suicide for refusing food and water.

Aug 22, 2014

High Court dismisses PIL challenging UPSC format

New Delhi, Aug 22 (ANI): The Delhi High Court on Thursday dismissed the PIL challenging the UPSC format in which the government made changes at a very short notice prior to the exam. The Lawyer said that High Court has dismissed the petition and they are now preparing a petition to approach CAT that such changes should not be made at such a short notice before exams.

Aug 22, 2014

Sri Lankas Tamil leaders meet Sushma Swaraj

New Delhi, Aug 22 (ANI): A delegation of Sri Lanka’s Tamil National Alliance (TNA) met on Friday (August 22) India’s foreign minister Sushma Swaraj and they would urge New Delhi to ensure devolution of power to provinces in their country. TNA leaders would push their case for full implementation of the thirteenth amendment to the Constitution. They are also expected to call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The 13A amendment came into existence due to India -Sri Lanka accord signed in 1987 between then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and then Sri Lankan President JR Jayewardene. It stipulates devolution of powers to the provinces which was centre of ethnic conflict.

Aug 22, 2014

SC asks government to explain stand on LoP

New Delhi, Aug 22 (ANI): The Supreme Court has asked the BJP government to explain its stand on the Leader of Opposition post after the Speaker rejected Congress’ bid for the post. Congress leader Manish Tewari said that Opposition is the essence of democracy and if the government is ignoring, it is an assault. He added that the government should explain its stand if the Supreme Court has asked thus.

Aug 22, 2014

Politicos condemn Fresh ceasefire violation by Pakistan in Jammus RS Pura sector

New Delhi, Aug 22 (ANI): Political leaders on Friday condemned the fresh ceasefire violation by the Pakistani forces. The Pakistani forces despite repeated warnings, resorted to fresh round of unprovoked firing at the Indian forward posts in the RS Pura sector of Jammu and Kahsmir. One civilian has been injured after a shell hit his home near the LoC. No casualties have been reported. Meanwhile, the opposition targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said that the government should take strict action.

Aug 22, 2014

Is Kurdistan Ready for Independence from Iraq? Not Any Time Soon

Kurdistan Region President Massoud Barzani himself has said that the new government would be the last chance for a united Iraq.

Aug 22, 2014

Delhi gangrape victims parents condemn Jaitleys remark on rape affecting tourism

New Delhi, Aug 22 (ANI): Delhi Gangrape victim’s parents on Friday condemned Finance Minister Arun Jaitley’s remark that Delhi gangrape case has affected tourism in the state. Victim’s father said that Jaitley’s remark is condemnable as he thinks the case to be affecting an industry but does not do anything to solve it. He added that Jaitley should change policies of economy and security in the country in order to attract tourists, not play politics over rape cases. The victim’s mother also condemned Jaitley’s remark saying that if he considers that rape has caused loss to tourism, he should also realize the loss which the incident caused to the family who lost their daughter. She also said that Jaitley should work upon improving the condition in the nation, and not hurt the sentiments of parents who lost their daughters in similar incidents.

Aug 22, 2014

Curfew relaxed for few hours in violence-hit Assam

Golaghat, Aug 22 (ANI): Local administration relaxed curfew for six hours in violence-hit Golaghat district of Assam to allow residents to buy essential commodities on Friday. The latest wave of violence has left at least 20 dead and forced thousands to flee their homes. The situation aroused when two victims hailing from Golaghat district were hit by bullets fired by unidentified persons from Nagaland side while they were protesting against the kidnapping of two teenagers by suspected miscreants last week. A student union has withdrawn threat to block the national highway, connecting neighbouring state of Nagaland after recent spate of violence. Assam and neighbouring Nagaland are locked in a territorial dispute, claiming tracts of land along the state limits since the creation of Nagaland more than four decades ago.

Aug 22, 2014

Michael Chopra joins Tendulkar-owned team in new Indian soccer league

Mumbai, Aug 22 (ANI): Former Newcastle United striker Michael Chopra was picked by the Kerala Blasters, co-owned by cricketing great Sachin Tendulkar, in an international draft for the upcoming Indian Super League. A total of 49 foreign players were drafted during the session for the eight-franchise league, which is slated to run from October 12 to December 20. Seven players have been directly recruited by the teams. Chopra, who has also played for a host of other Premier League clubs, was the only English player in the draft, which was held at a Mumbai hotel overlooking the Arabian Sea. Addressing the media persons General Manager (GM) of Kerala Blasters, Viren Disilva expressed his happiness on having Chopra as part of their team.

Aug 22, 2014

No question of trivializing any particular incident, was talking in general about crimes: FM gives c

New Delhi, Aug 22 (ANI): Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has sparked a row after he made a controversial remark about rape. Jaitley was addressing a conference of state tourism ministers in the capital where he said that “a small incident of rape” in Delhi had caused a loss of “millions of dollars in tourism". Giving clarification over his remark, Jaitley said that his speech was misconstrued and he was not referring to any particular crime but crimes in general. Jaitley has come under severe criticism for his statement as many concluded that he spoke about the December 16 Delhi gang rape case.

Aug 22, 2014

Politicos react on Jaitleys remark over rape affecting tourism

New Delhi/ Lucknow, Aug 22 (ANI): Political reactions flowed on Friday after Finance Minister Arun Jaitley stated that a small incident of gang-rape in Delhi has affected tourism in the state. Congress leader Manish Tewari said that Jaitley is correct to have said so, because tourist do not like to take risk with their lives but also added that the government should assure safety in all places. NCP leader Majid Memon also said that the government should take immediate steps to ensure safety for tourists. Meanwhile, CPI leader Atul Anjan said that BJP and RSS do not respect women.

Aug 22, 2014

Islamic State with 'Apocalyptic Vision' Biggest Threat to US: Pentagon

The growing power of the militant group, Islamic State poses the greatest threat to the United States, said Pentagon.

Aug 22, 2014

Modi Government Blocks Film on Indira Gandhi's Assassination

The film is reported to 'glorify' former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's Sikh assassins.

Aug 22, 2014

Imran Khan Calls Himself Pak PM, Asks US not to Interfere in Internal Affairs

Political leader Imran Khan has asked the US not to interfere in Pakistan's internal affairs.

Aug 22, 2014

Uttar Pradesh gears up to prevent epidemic as flood situation remains grim

Bahraich/ Azamgarh, Aug 22 (ANI): The flood waters in Uttar Pradesh showed no sign of abatement causing fear of a possible epidemic once the water recede. The flood situation that inundated nearly 1,500 villages in the state, hasn’t improved and amidst all these there are fears of epidemics that might be caused once the water recede. Thousands were marooned in villages across nine districts of Uttar Pradesh, where the release of water from overflowing dams in neighbouring Nepal has added to the impact of the downpours. State revenue official of Bahraich, U S Upadhyay, said the administration was ready to take up the challenge, post floods. Stressing that the government is doing everything needful the state government’s irrigation minister Shivpal Yadav said his government won’t allow any hardship to be caused to people in the affected areas.

Aug 22, 2014