Politics

China Detains Canadian Couple Near North Korean Border for 'Stealing State Secrets'

China said it was investigating a Canadian couple for suspected theft of military and intelligence information.

Aug 5, 2014

HC rejects petition over ban on e-rickshaws, says regulations be brought soon

New Delhi, Aug 05 (ANI): The Delhi High Court on Tuesday rejected the review petition over the ban on e-rickshaws and said that the regulations should be brought up soon by the government in this sphere. The court said that the plying of the e-rickshaws without any regulatory measures are not possible. The lawyer in the case said that the rickshaw is source of income for many and that it could not be scrapped fully and that the government of India will frame regulations for the same.

Aug 5, 2014

Israeli soldiers leave Gaza as Egyptian ceasefire takes effect

Israel-Gaza Border, Aug 05 (ANI): Israeli soldiers on Tuesday withdrew from the Gaza Strip as an Egyptian-mediated ceasefire began at 0500 GMT. Israel is implementing the Egyptian-brokered truce, which came into effect Tuesday morning, from "defensive positions" outside of Gaza, the Israel Defense Forces spokesman said. Israeli officials had already indicated they were winding down their ground operation in Gaza, which was aimed at demolishing Hamas' network of tunnels that extends under the border. Some of the last soldiers to leave the bombarded enclave held Israeli flags as they were crossing the border back into Israel.

Aug 5, 2014

UPSC Row: Debate continues over CSAT

New Delhi, Aug 5 (ANI): Even as the government agreed not to test candidates for English skills in the civil services preliminary examination scheduled for August 24, it faced ire from the protesting civil-service aspirants. Politicos also took the opportunity to attack the Modi government over the matter. The Arvind Verma committee report submitted to the government has recommended that no change should be made in the CSAT as it is a scientifically formed exam and shouldn't be tinkered with. However, protestors are vowing to continue their almost month-long stir to demand scrapping of the CSAT.

Aug 5, 2014

Jaitley says National Herald Case can end if Congress returns loan, politicos react

New Delhi, Aug 5 (ANI): Finance minister Arun Jaitley's remark over the National Herald case that the Congress could simply return the loan and the matter could end drew reactions from politicos. While the Congress said that reacted sharply to Finance Minister Arun Jaitley's comment, other parties said that the matter should be solved in the court. The case involving a tax inquiry against Sonia and Rahul Gandhi - which the Congress describes as a witch-hunt by the BJP government - will be taken up in a Delhi court today.

Aug 5, 2014

Lawyers fume as judge quits accusing sexual harassment by senior

New Delhi, Aug 5 (ANI): Lawyers and activists united to demand justice after an additional judge resigned alleging sexual harassment by a senior judge of Madhya Pradesh High Court in Gwalior city of the state. In her complaint to the Chief Justice of India, R.M. Lodha and other Supreme Court Justices as well as the state HC chief justice, she said the administrative judge sent her a message through the district registrar to "perform dance on an item song" at a function in his residence but she excused herself saying it was her daughter's birthday. Several lawyers joined hands to file a petition against the accused judge and demanded him to step down from his post till an inquiry was completed. Women’s rights groups also came up to support the victim and demanded immediate inquiry and action against the HC judge.

Aug 5, 2014

43 Indian nurses reach Kochi from strife-torn Libya

Kochi, Aug 05 (ANI): Forty-three Indian nurses who were stranded in strife-torn Libya, arrived in Kerala Tuesday morning. This is the second group of nurses who crossed over to Tunisia from Tripoli on Monday. CEO of Non-Resident Keralite Affairs department (NoRKA) P Sudeep said that the nurses, working in various hospitals in Libya, had reached Tunisia, from where they traveled to Dubai to take the scheduled Emirates flight to Kochi. He also said that the state government will give a cash assistance of Rs. 2,000 each to these nurses for their onward journey from Kochi. One of the nurses talk about her stay in Libya during the ongoing offensive.

Aug 5, 2014

Obama Grants Additional $225M for Israel's Iron Dome Defense System

US President Barack Obama has signed a bill authorizing an additional $225 million for Israel's Iron Dome missile system.

Aug 5, 2014

Malaysian shamans brave Islam's ill winds

Many in northern Malaysia opt for shamans over doctors -- a tradition they say helps improve their spiritual and emotional health. Duration: 02:34

Aug 5, 2014

Two die as heavy rains wreak havoc in Odisha

Bhubaneswar, Aug 05 (ANI): Two persons have died as heavy rains wreaked havoc in Bhubaneswar city of Odisha, compelling authorities to take urgent measures to evacuate people living in low areas. The incessant rains clogged city roads, creating huge potholes in them. The rainwater gushed through the streets, making it difficult for people to commute or even step out of their houses. People said that local municipal body workers had not been able to do much to drain the water. According to the Special Relief Commissioner, Pradipta Mohapatra, two people have been killed in the heavy rains and people are being evacuated as a precaution.

Aug 5, 2014

Bihar suspends forceful evacuation as flood threat recedes

Patna/ Purnia, Aug 05 (ANI): Bihar has suspended the forceful evacuation of people from four districts as threats of impending floods from neighbouring Nepal receded. More than 400,000 people in the state faced the risk of flooding after a landslide in neighbouring Nepal created a mud dam blocking the Sunkoshi River, which runs into Bihar as the river Kosi. Thousands have been evacuated to safer places till now. Nepal has decided not blast the dam till Saturday and release regulated water through two holes created in the dam across densely populated Bihar. Meanwhile, Indian government deployed C-17 Globemaster plane to airlift a medical team and equipments to set up a make-shift hospital in Punia district to meet any requirement.

Aug 5, 2014

UPSC stand-off: Aspirants, politicos fumes despite government's announcement

New Delhi, Aug 05 (ANI): Even as the government agreed not to test candidates for English skills in the civil services preliminary examination scheduled for August 24, protesting civil-service aspirants fumed and vowed to continue their almost month-long stir to demand scrapping of the civil services aptitude test (CSAT). The Arvind Verma committee report submitted to the government has recommended that no change should be made in the CSAT as it is a scientifically formed exam and shouldn't be tinkered with. However, politicos from rival parties also stepped up attack on the government over the issue. The government however claimed that it is making serious efforts to resolve the matter.

Aug 5, 2014