Politics

Work of US reporter James Foley, purportedly beheaded by IS

Islamic State on Tuesday purportedly released a video showing the beheading of US journalist James Foley. Foley was an experienced reporter who had covered numerous conflicts, contributing to Agence France-Presse and other outlets. Duration: 00:53

Aug 20, 2014

Separatist organisation protests in Kashmir, demands release of prisoners

Srinagar, Aug 20 (ANI): Separatist organisation, Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), staged a sit-in protest on Wednesday, as they demanded the release of political prisoners languishing in jails for the past several years. The JKLF members protested in Srinagar city against the apathy of the government towards their long pending demands. The protesters, holding photographs of the prisoners, hoped for early release of people who have been arrested for protesting in the valley. JKLF vice chairman, Bashir Ahmad Bhat, expressed his ire over atrocities committed against Kashmiri prisoners in jails.

Aug 20, 2014

Need peoples' mass support: Irom Sharmila after being released from custody

Imphal, Aug 20 (ANI): Human Rights Activist and Iron Lady of Manipur, Irom Sharmila was released from Custody on Wednesday after Court dropped suicide charges against her. Sharmila said that she needs mass support of the people. She also said that her battle against the removal of a draconian law will continue. She began her fast in November 2000 after 10 people were killed in a shooting at a bus stop near her home in Manipur, a remote state that borders Myanmar.

Aug 20, 2014

NHRC sends notice to Gujarat Govt. on kids swimming across bridgeless river to reach school

New Delhi, Aug 20 (ANI): The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report that in absence of a bridge, about 125 students of five villages in Chhota Udepur District in Gujarat have to swim across the Hiran River to go to their government school in Utavadi Village in Tilakwada Taluka of District Narmada. The villagers have been requesting for construction of a bridge over the river for a very long time but in vain. Accordingly, a notice has been forwarded to Gujarat's chief secretary to submit a report within a month.

Aug 20, 2014

There are only two stakeholders on JandK: MEA

New Delhi, Aug 20 (ANI): Pakistan's ambassador to New Delhi defended his decision to meet Kashmiri separatists earlier this week, a move that prompted India to call off planned high-level talks with the Pakistan government. He said that Kashmiri leaders are legitimate stakeholders in peaceful and viable resolution of the problem. Reacting over this, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said that after signing of the Simla Agreement there are only 2 "stakeholders" on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir - India and Pakistan.

Aug 20, 2014

Employees in Kashmir stage protest to demand better wages

Srinagar, Aug 20 (ANI): Over a hundred furious government employees staged a protest in Jammu and Kashmir to demand better wages and regularisation of jobs. Demanding better treatment, the employees under the banner of Employees Joint Action Committee (EJAC) shouted slogans against the State government in Srinagar on Wednesday and said the government has not fulfilled the terms of agreement yet. Reportedly, on August 17, a high level delegation of EJAC met Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s political secretary, Tanveer Sadiq, to discuss the issues. The police intervened during the protest and detained the protesting workers.

Aug 20, 2014

Defence Minister says Indian forces did not allow Chinese troops' encroachment

New Delhi, Aug 20 (ANI): Defence Minister Arun Jaitley on Wednesday said that Army Chief had already clarified that there was no incursion by Chinese troops. He added that there have been cases when Chinese patrols were getting into Indian territory but our forces took action and did not allow them to encroach in.

Aug 20, 2014

US closely monitoring Pak political situation: Reports

New Delhi, Aug 20 (ANI): The United States said on Tuesday that it was closely observing the political situation in Pakistan. State Department deputy spokesperson Marie Harf said that the US ambassador in Pakistan attended meetings with Pakistani political and religious leaders. Harf also said that the US embassy is sending all updates on political crisis to Secretary of State John Kerry. US wants India -Pakistan relations to improve and the countries to resume talks, said the US ambassador in Pakistan.

Aug 20, 2014

Police hold back on tear gas at Ferguson protest

Police lower their profile, and refrain from using tear gas, to allow a more orderly night of protests in this St Louis suburb 10 days after the police shooting of an unarmed black teenager. Duration: 00:43

Aug 20, 2014

BSE closes points 106.38 up on August 20

New Delhi, August 20 (ANI): Trading at the Bombay Stock Exchange today closed 106.38 points down to stand at 26,314.29. At the National Stock Exchange the Nifty closed 22.20 points down to stand at 7,875.30. SUN PHARMA and RANBAXY were among the top gainers of Group A with an increase of 4.88% and 4.84% along with CIPLA and JPINFRATEC with an increase of 3.79% and 3.61% respectively, while the top losers of Group A include DENA BANK and BHUSHAN STEEL with a decrease of 5.06% and 4.97% along with ORIENT BANK and MUTHOOT FINANCE with a decrease of 3.63% and 3.57% at the close of the markets. The Auto sector is down 94.75 points at 16,887.09 while the banking sector is down 51.94 points at 17,707.42 and the reality sector is up 9.73 points at 1,873.29. The Indian currency is up 0.02% at Rs 60.66 per dollar.

Aug 20, 2014

IB Ministry suspends Censor Board CEO

New Delhi, Aug 20 (ANI): The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has suspended the chief executive officer of the Central Board of Film Certification, Rakesh Kumar, who was arrested on Tuesday for allegedly accepting a bribe. Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Prakash Javadekar, said corruption will not be tolerated, and hence, Kumar has been suspended. According to sources, the CEO of the Childrens Film Society of India (CFSI), Sharavan Kumar, will assume additional charge as CEO of CBFC. Kumar was arrested in Mumbai on Tuesday for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs.70,000 for clearing a regional movie.

Aug 20, 2014

clashes on Assam-Nagaland border: Kiren Rijiju

New Delhi, Aug 20 (ANI): Minister of State for Home Affairs, Kiren Rijiju has defended the role of central government with regard to the clashes on the Assam and Nagaland border. He has said that central government will provide all the necessary assistance, but the onus is on the states to resolve the matter. About the firing issue he said that it is not right to blame the centre or Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) because law and order is a state subject. Centre sends forces, it is up to the state governments to regulate them.

Aug 20, 2014

Israel hits Gaza, suspends Cairo talks after rocket fire

Israel and Palestinian militants resume fighting across the Gaza border, ending a ceasefire, sparking panic across the war-torn enclave and halting truce talks. Duration: 00:58

Aug 20, 2014

I always believe in following my dreams: Aamir Khan

Mumbai, August 20 (ANI): Bollywood actor Aamir Khan, who attended the Young Inspirator's seminar, said that he has always believed in following his dreams. Point noted Aamir!!!

Aug 20, 2014

Bollywood Diva's open Lakme Fashion Week 2014

Mumbai, August 20 (ANI): The audiences were in for a visual treat as Bollywood divas Shilpa Shetty and Sushmita Sen walked the ramp in their sensuous outfits on the opening day of Lakme Fashion Week (LFW) in India's showbiz capital Mumbai. Former Miss Universe, Sen, looked stunning in a black gown with a transparent back as the showstopper for designer, Aman Aggarwal. Sen credited her exotic appearance to Aggarwal and said she felt sexy and eloquent in the dress. Aggarwal's collection portrayed tribal artifacts and incorporated ethnic weaving techniques, stripped tattoos and structured jewelry. On the other hand, Shilpa Shetty, looked elegant in a black slinky gown with huge prints and a draped dupatta. She grooved on the ramp with other models for fashion designer Masaba Gupta's collection themed 'wanderess'. The theme 'wanderess' is inspired by renowned poet Roman Payne's character Saskia. The line of garments was feisty, adventurous yet delicate and with a vintage feel. Lakme Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2014 will conclude on August 24.

Aug 20, 2014