Politics

Singapore defence minister holds talks with Sushma Swaraj to bolster ties

New Delhi, Aug 19 (ANI): Singapore's Defence Minister, Ng Eng Hen, held talks with Indian Foreign Minister, Sushma Swaraj, in New Delhi on Tuesday, to enhance bilateral defence ties. The two Southeast Asian countries enjoy strong defence ties, apart from powerful political and trade relations. There are regular military exercises between India and Singapore. Bolstering foreign ties forms an important part of Narendra Modi and his ruling Bharatiya Janata Party's agenda.

Aug 19, 2014

Amar Singh meets Mulayam, denies joining SP

Lucknow, Aug 19 (ANI): After holding a meeting with his former mentor and Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, Rajya Sabha MP Amar Singh today denied reports of him joining the party from which he was expelled in 2010. The former SP leader said that it was an informal, cordial meet and he is not joining the Samajwadi Party.

Aug 19, 2014

Decision to scrap foreign secretary level talks childish: Geelani

Srinagar, Aug 19 (ANI): Separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani on Tuesday described as "childish and undemocratic" the Indian Government's decision to call off of foreign secretary-level talks between India and Pakistan. Geelani is also scheduled to meet Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit in New Delhi today. The Hurriyat leader informed that the separatist leaders will go to Delhi to meet the Pakistan High commissioner.

Aug 19, 2014

BCCI sidelines Fletcher, appoints Shastri as Director for England-India ODI series

New Delhi, Aug 19 (ANI): Following India's 3-1 Test series loss to England, the BCCI cracked the whip on Tuesday by sidelining team coach Duncan Fletcher and asking the bowling and fielding coaches to go on leave. It asked former Test cricketer and now commentator Ravi Shastri to assume charge of the team as director for the five match ODI series. The five-match ODI series against England will get underway in Bristol from August 25. The BCCI has relieved bowling coach Joe Dawes and fielding coach Trevor Penney off their duties for the one-day series and appointed Sanjay Bangar, former Indian all-rounder, and former India fast bowler Bharat Arun as assistant coaches of the team. R Sridhar will join the support team as the fielding coach of India for the one-day series.

Aug 19, 2014

SC rejects Asaram bail plea, constitutes medical board to examine health

New Delhi, Aug 19 (ANI): The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected Asaram’s interim bail plea which was filed in consideration of his ill health. Lawyer PC Solanki said that the interim bail filed by Asaram was rejected and the Supreme Court has given orders to constitute a medical board in order to examine his health and the report of which should be provided by September 23. He added that the next hearing will take place on 23rd September and would be based on the medical report.

Aug 19, 2014

Politicos react as Chinese troops enter 25 km deep into Indian territory in Ladakh

New Delhi/ Lucknow, Aug 19 (ANI): Even as India-Pakistan relations hit a new low with the Narendra Modi government calling off secretary-level talks, relations with another neighbor – China - also seemed to plunge with reports emerging of Chinese troops blatantly entering more than 25 kilometers into Indian territory in Ladakh and claiming it as theirs. Reacting over this, politicos demanded a strict action against China.

Aug 19, 2014

Mixed reactions flow over cancellation of Indo Pak meet by Govt

New Delhi, Aug 19 (ANI): Mixed political reactions flowed on Tuesday after the Government of India cancelled the meeting between Foreign Secretaries of India and Pakistan which was scheduled for August 25. Congress leader Manish Tewari said that the BJP has showed dual face regarding relations with Pakistan and added that the meeting was called off only after the Opposition started creating pressure on the government. CPI leader Atul Anjan said that the government should have tried to stop the meeting of Separatist leaders with Pak envoy and should have acted earlier on the issue. NCP leaders Majid Memon and Tariq Anwar welcomed the government’s decision saying that it would send a strong message to Pakistan that talks should be held between governments not leaders.

Aug 19, 2014

Kashmiri separatist leaders to meet Pakistan envoy, Politicos react

New Delhi, Aug 19 (ANI): Politicos on Tuesday reacted over Kashmiri separatist leaders, who will meet Pakistan envoy even after cancellation of Indo-Pak meet by Indian Government. India on Monday cancelled the talks scheduled to be held in Islamabad on August 25, raising strong objections to consultations held with separatist Hurriyat leaders by Pakistan High Commissioner.

Aug 19, 2014

Strains Worsen as Pak Envoy Meets Kashmir Separatist Leader Geelani Despite India's Protest

India-Pakistan relations plumbs new depths as Delhi cancels talks and as Pak envoy meets more separatist leaders.

Aug 19, 2014

Express train rams into vehicle in Bihar, several feared dead

Motihari, Aug 19 (ANI): A speeding express train rammed into a vehicle at a railway crossing in Bihar province due to which several people are feared dead. More than a dozen people were killed when a packed tempo ferrying people was hit by Rapti Ganga Express train at a manned crossing in the state. The district magistrate, Abhay Kumar Singh, said the toll might rise as rescue operation was underway.

Aug 19, 2014

Situation tense at Assam-Nagaland border, toll touches nine

Nagaland/Guwahati, Aug 19 (ANI): Situation in Assam-Nagaland border areas remained tense as death toll touched nine, said a senior police official. The affected areas remain tense due to killings in Merapani and Uriamghat of Golaghat district of Assam. Director General of Police (DGP) of Assam Police, Khagen Sharma said that nine dead bodies have been recovered so far. Sharma also inaugurated the Guwahati City police websites to help the public in order to minimize crime and also for lodging immediate complaints. Chief Minister of Assam Tarun Gogoi visited the affected areas on Monday. Meanwhile, a scuffle erupted between people and police at Merapani's district near Nagaland border opposing the visit of Gogoi.

Aug 19, 2014

EAM assures families of stranded Indian workers in Iraq of their safe return

New Delhi, Aug 19 (ANI): External Affairs Minister, Sushma Swaraj, assured families of Indian nationals, who have been abducted by the ISIS in Mosul city of Iraq, of their safe return. Swaraj, after meeting the families, assured them that reports of killing of their relatives and children working in Iraq were untrue and do not have any official confirming for the same. She assured the families that nothing unfortunate had happened, and said that the government of India would leave "no stone unturned" to bring back their loved ones safely.

Aug 19, 2014

Trend of luxury housing

New Delhi, Aug 19 (ANI): Indians are fast developing a taste for the good life. Fancy lifestyle and luxurious brand names, real estate properties and ultra-luxurious amenities have created a demanding place for luxury housing in the country. To lure buyers, developers are also now trying out variety of new products in luxury housing segment. With this change in real estate trend, India has become one of the fastest growing countries with high net worth individuals, leading the investment portfolio totals upto 40% in the realty market.

Aug 19, 2014

Floods in UP render at least ninety thousand homeless

Sitapur, Aug 19 (ANI): Floods triggered by heavy rains in the Sitapur district of Uttar Pradesh have rendered at least 90,000 people homeless. Monsoon floods hit various districts of northern India and wrecked havoc disrupting normal life, while forecast for more rain has prompted fresh flood warning. The situation is highly chaotic in Sitapur district of the state, where heavy monsoon rains since August 15 has brought normal life to a standstill. The area has been put on high alert as major security measures have been initiated including two helicopter operation to rescue victims. District level officer, Sarvesh Dikshit, said flood waters have rendered thousands homeless in Sitapur district, which has caused panic.

Aug 19, 2014

Green power blooms as Japan unveils 'hydrangea solar cell'

A solar cell that resembles a flower is offering a new take on green energy in Japan, where one scientist is searching for renewables that look good. Duration: 01:29

Aug 19, 2014