Politics

Gaza war resumes with deadly strikes, rocket fire

Israel-Gaza Border, Aug 20 (ANI): Israeli soldiers and tanks were stationed on Gaza border on Wednesday as fighting in the coastal enclave resumed after the collapse of truce talks a day earlier. Charging Israel had "opened a gateway to hell," Hamas's armed wing vowed to target Israel's Ben-Gurion International Airport with rocket fire, possibly to retaliate for what Hamas was quoted by Israeli media as saying was an Israeli attempt to assassinate its top militant leader, Mohammed Deif, in a Gaza City strike. In addition to the deaths, more than 50 people were wounded in the air strikes across Gaza, ordered after rockets were fired at Israel. Hamas initially denied firing any rockets, then claimed responsibility for shooting dozens as far as the Tel Aviv and Jerusalem areas. The violence shattered a 10-day period of calm since a first truce brokered by Egypt, about a month after the conflict flared on July 8.

Aug 20, 2014

World renowned yoga legend BKS Iyengar passes away, BJP offers condolences

New Delhi, Aug 20 (ANI): World-renowned yoga guru and founder of the Iyengar School of Yoga, BKS Iyengar passed away early Wednesday morning following illness. 96-year-old Iyengar had been ailing since some time and was admitted to a private hospital. He was put on dialysis after his condition worsened two days back. He breathed his last at 3.15 AM. Iyengar, honoured with Padma Vibhushan, is survived by a son and daughter.

Aug 20, 2014

Tahir ul-Qadri aims for dissolution of assemblies in Pakistan, protesters march on 'red zone'

Islamabad, Aug 20 (ANI): Populist cleric, Tahir ul-Qadri said early on Wednesday (August 20) that he wants to dissolve the assemblies and create a national democratic government in Pakistan. Tens of thousands protesters reached the Islamabad parliament building in the early hours of Wednesday morning in their bid to force the prime minister Nawaz Sharif to resign, but did not immediately go inside. The protesters were wearing hard hats and tough leather gloves using cranes and bolt cutters to move aside barricades of shipping containers and barbed wire. Tahir ul-Qadri said that he wants to do sit-in protest before the parliament building. Cleric Tahir ul-Qadri and opposition politician Imran Khan both want Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to resign.

Aug 20, 2014

Former Haryana MP Avtar Singh Bhadana joins INLD

New Delhi, Aug 20 (ANI): Former Lok Sabha member from Haryana Avtar Singh Bhadana, who had resigned from Congress earlier this week, on Wednesday joined Indian National Lok Dal (INLD). Talking to mediapersons in New Delhi, he expressed unhappiness over the way the party is functioning in the state. He also said that he had informed the party high command of the activities going on in Congress in Haryana. He also criticized Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda for his style of functioning.

Aug 20, 2014

PM Narendra Modi speaks at DRDO award function

New Delhi, Aug 20 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday addressed an awards function at DRDO. Speaking at the function, Modi said that our scientists work hard, sacrifice a lot and that is when they come out with something in interest of mankind.

Aug 20, 2014

Congress party pays homage to Rajiv Gandhi on his birth anniversary

New Delhi, Aug 20 (ANI): Leaders of Congress party paid floral tributes to former Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi, on his 70th birth anniversary in New Delhi on Wednesday. Congress party chief, Sonia Gandhi, party___s Vice-President, Rahul Gandhi, along with Priyanka Gandhi and husband Robert Vadra paid homage at Vir Bhumi, the memorial of Rajiv Gandhi. India___s President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice-President Mohammad Hamid Ansari, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and several other dignitaries visited the memorial and paid floral tributes to Rajiv Gandhi.

Aug 20, 2014

Heavy rainfall damages crops in Kashmir, farmers incur losses

Rajouri, Aug 20 (ANI): Heavy rainfall and strong winds caused huge damage to crops and vegetable farms in Kashmir, leaving farmers in distress over expected losses. The windy storms triggered by heavy rainfall have led to massive damage of crops, on which farmers depend for their livelihood. One of the farmers expressed their disappointment and said they have been incurring heavy losses due to incessant rains which have damaged their standing crops.

Aug 20, 2014

BSF initiates plantation drive promoting environmental awareness

North Dinajpur, Aug 20 (ANI): The soldiers of Border Security force (BSF) initiated a plantation drive by sowing saplings across Indo-Bangladesh border in order to promote environmental conversation as a part of ___Green Mission___. The troopers also exchanged plants with the Border Guards of Bangladesh (BGB) along the India-Bangladesh border as an effort to boost relationship within the two countries. One of the BSF soldiers, K Ganesh appreciated the initiative and said the exchange of friendship trees was organized in a bid to promote mutual cooperation with the counterparts.

Aug 20, 2014

KCR Reveals Early Results From Telangana Survey: New State Has 4 Crore People, 1.2 Crore in Hyderabad

An important fact that may have emerged from the survey is a bigger demographic figure in Telangana and in Hyderabad.

Aug 20, 2014

Pak Anti-government Protest: Imran Khan's Party Ready to Hold Talks with Government

Pakistani political leader Imran Khan has threatened to enter Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's official residence if he does not resign by Wednesday evening.

Aug 20, 2014

Concept of _pedaling for a green earth_ gains popularity in India

New Delhi, Aug 20 (ANI): Biking has gained popularity, as people from all walks of life are interested in using bicycles. With growing consciousness about health and environment, the concept of _pedaling for a green earth_ is fast gaining popularity. With an annual production of 15 million bicycles, India is the largest bicycle manufacturer in the world after China.

Aug 20, 2014

Eyewear market booms in India

New Delhi, Aug 20 (ANI): The neo-rich and fashion conscious urban Indians have provided a perfect opportunity to the eyewear market to establish themselves in India. The revenue of the industry has increased to USD 1,247 million at a CAGR of 27.4% during FY_2007-FY_2013. It is estimated to exceed USD 14,856 million by 2018 due to the major push from eyewear sales in the spectacle lens segment. The eyewear market in India has witnessed a steep incline in recent years on account of higher sales of eyewear across an array of segments. Eyewear market has come a long way and with people switching to modern techniques and brands, the sector is poised to grow in future as well.

Aug 20, 2014