Politics

South Asia Newsline - Aug 04, 2014

Aug 5, 2014

Centre Plans for 3 Inter-State River-Linking Projects

The Union government has taken up detailed project reports (DPRs) on three inter-state river-linking projects - Ken-Betwa in Madhya Pradesh, Damanganga-Pinjal in Maharashtra and Par-Tapi-Narmada in Gujarat.

Aug 5, 2014

Widows make sacred threads for PM Modi ahead of 'Rakhi' festival

Varanasi, Aug 4 (ANI): Inmates of a widow home in Uttar Pradesh made sacred threads, or 'rakhis', for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, ahead of 'Raksha Bandhan' and wished for his well being. Women in widow home in Durgakund area of Varanasi said Modi is like their brother and hoped that the PM would take steps for their upliftment and rights. 'Rakhi' is a symbolic holy thread, which a sister ties on her brother's wrist as a mark of bonding between them on 'Raksha Bandhan'.

Aug 5, 2014

Despite ban on music Kashmiri girls take part in talent hunt show

Srinagar, Aug 05 (ANI): Despite ban on music by separatists in Jammu and Kashmir, girls came out to participate in a talent hunt show and enthralled audience with their music. Young girls took part in a two-day musical talent hunt, 'Pa ma ga re sa 2014' in Srinagar city on Sunday and sang Bollywood and regional songs. Last year, all-girl Kashmiri band Pragaash stopped performing after receiving threats from Islamic militants who claimed that the band members allegedly broke the codes of Islam. In a region where the boom of guns and bombs has drowned out all sounds for almost 20 years, a cacophony of melodies from guitar, drums and electric keyboards is now sweeping Kashmir's war-weary youngsters with a message of love and peace.

Aug 5, 2014

Film industry of South India protests over Sri Lanka's derogatory article

Chennai, Aug 04 (ANI): Representatives of Tamil film industry staged a protest outside the Sri Lankan Consulate in Chennai on Monday over the release of an unethical article by the government of Sri Lanka last week. They demanded the closure of the consulate and the embassy in New Delhi. Actor and politician, Sarath Kumar, said the film industry condemns the article put up on Sri Lanka's defence website that stated Tamil Nadu provincial chief J Jayalalithaa wrote love letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Protesters said Jayalalithaa has been doing a lot for the welfare of the fishermen in Tamil Nadu and such 'scandalous article' won't be accepted.

Aug 5, 2014

Hyderabad HC issues notice to Mallika Sherawat, govt over 'obscene' poster

Hyderabad, Aug 4 (ANI): The Hyderabad High Court on Monday issued notices to Bollywood actress Mallika Sherawat and the government over a poster of the actress' upcoming film 'Dirty Politics' that shows her draped in the three colours of the national flag. The court has also asked them to reply to the notice in four weeks. Ms Sherawat, in the poster, is sitting on top of a car with a red beacon light, wearing the Indian tricolor. The public interest litigation alleges that this is "obscene use of the Indian Tricolour" and also that "the State Emblem of India has been used for cheap publicity." It alleges that the poster "is an insult to the nation's honour."

Aug 5, 2014

Yemenis angry over fuel price hike demand govt. ouster

Tens of thousands of supporters of Yemen's Shiite rebels took to Sanaa's streets on Monday demanding the government's ouster over its decision to hike fuel prices. Duration: 00:33

Aug 5, 2014

Dolphin therapy helps Cuban special needs children in Havana

As part of a rehabilitation project, dozens of Cuban children with special needs attend dolphin-assisted therapy at the National Aquarium in Havana. Duration: 01:11

Aug 5, 2014

Juncker: Fiscal discipline must continue throughout Europe

Europe must remain "vigilant" against new financial challenges as it struggles to overcome the lingering effects of the debt crisis, the European Commission's incoming head Jean-Claude Juncker said on Monday. Duration: 00:41

Aug 5, 2014

Italian navy rescues 2,700 migrants over weekend

The Italian navy said Monday it had rescued over 2,700 migrants from boats attempting to cross the Mediterranean from North Africa over the weekend, and recovered two bodies off the coast of Libya. Duration: 00:37

Aug 5, 2014

Israeli missiles hit Gaza during unilateral ceasefire

Israeli F16 fires missiles on building minutes into a unilateral ceasefire. Hundreds of burn victims and those wounded by Israeli shell fire are overwhelming Gaza's sole working operating theatre for plastic surgeons.

Aug 5, 2014

Earthquake in China's Yunnan province kills over 400

An intense rescue operation is under way in China after an earthquake kills at least 381 people and injures thousands more, leaving scenes of devastation across a mountainous area. Duration: 01:04

Aug 4, 2014

Iran denounces UN Security Council 'inaction' on Gaza

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani denounced Monday the "inaction" of the UN Security Council on Gaza, describing the conflict as a genocidal massacre of Palestinians by Israel. Duration: 00:49

Aug 4, 2014

India's Modi wraps up Nepal energy-trade trip

India's PM Narendra Modi concludes a visit to Nepal after securing support for closer trade and energy ties between the neighbouring nations. Duration: 00:54

Aug 4, 2014

Muslim Brotherhood leader awaits final ruling in Cairo

Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood leader Mohamed Badie awaits the final ruling on the June sentencing of him and 13 others, to death, over the killing of 10 people near a Cairo mosque last summer. Duration: 00:31

Aug 4, 2014