Politics

Uproar in RS over UPSC issue, opposition takes dig at govt

New Delhi, Aug 01 (ANI): Opposition parties on Friday created ruckus in Rajya Sabha over the issue of regional language aspirants having disadvantage in Civil Services examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) leading to two adjournments during Question Hour. Immediately after obituary reference to Pune landslide victims, opposition members including Congress, SP and JD (U) raised the issue of UPSC examination pattern. Minister of State for PMO, Jitendra Singh said that the report is prepared, however the government needs more time to study the same.Meanwhile, CPI (M) leader Sitaram Yechury and JD (U) Chief Sharad Yadav questioned Singh on the government's inability to give statement on the issue till the time given earlier.

Aug 1, 2014

Loom band craze fetches French couple $1 million

Loom bands -- colourful rubber bands woven together into bracelets -- are the latest craze in children's toys. And they've made one French couple a million dollar fortune. Duration: 01:44

Aug 1, 2014

US Seeks Eco-Friendly Power Pact with India

The "environment-friendly' power deal offered by the US to India, merely seems as an attempt to sabotage Russia's attempt to help set up Nuclear Power Plants in the country.

Aug 1, 2014

Security personnel intensify combing operation in Kashmir after encounter

Kupwara, Aug 01 (ANI): Security forces intensified a combing operation in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday to trace the militants hiding in a forest area. Two militants were killed in an encounter in Keran village of Kupwara district on Thursday evening. According to defence reports, Army's 7 Gadhwal launched a massive hunt to track down the militant groups who were hiding in the forests since the last couple of days.

Aug 1, 2014

UPSC row: Verma Committee to submit report in Parliament

New Delhi, Aug 01 (ANI): The Verma Committee will be presenting its report on the UPSC row in Parliament on Friday. Political leaders gave their mixed reactions on the issue which has lead to several protests across the nation. BJP leader Siddharth Nath Singh said that the report will be presented and action shall be taken after it is discussed in Parliament. SP leader Naresh Agarwal slammed the government saying that the issue will be raised in the Parliament as it concerns the future of thousands of students. JD (U) Chief Sharad Yadav said that the government had to take a discussion within seven days but the report is being produced so late and thus, action shall be delayed.

Aug 1, 2014

Kerry says PM Modi was denied visa by previous govt; politicos react

New Delhi, Aug 01 (ANI): Politicos on Friday took a dig at PM Narendra Modi over the visa row after the US Secretary of State John Kerry gave explanation of US denial of visa earlier. Kerry said that the decision was taken by a"different" government and the current government would welcome Prime Minister Modi.

Aug 1, 2014

Pune landslide: NDRF IG says rescue operations may be over within 48 hours

New Delhi, Aug 01 (ANI): NDRF IG Sandeep Rai Rathore on Friday said that rescue operations are underway in Pune after a landslide hit Malin village burying several people under the debris. Rathore said that nearly 60 bodies have been recovered on Friday and depending on weather conditions the rescue operations may be over within 48 hours.

Aug 1, 2014

Sushma Swaraj raises snooping issue with US; politicos react

New Delhi, Aug 01 (ANI): A day after External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj raised with US Secretary of State John Kerry the issue of American intelligence agencies allegedly snooping on BJP; politicos asked why the BJP was in constant denial of the fact till now. Swaraj on Thursday conveyed Kerry the 'public anger in India' over the issue.

Aug 1, 2014

Piyush Goyal meets US Commerce Secretary, says India, US to take clean energy dialogue forward

New Delhi, Aug 01 (ANI): Power Minister Piyush Goyal, discussed issue of clean energy with US Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker on Friday amid ties of the two countries mired by disputes over trade, intellectual property rights and climate change. Goyal said he was confident that meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Barack Obama would be substantive.

Aug 1, 2014

Political leaders react as ED registers preliminary enquiry to probe National Herald Case

New Delhi, Aug 01 (ANI): Political leaders gave mixed reaction as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) registered a preliminary enquiry in the National Herald case in which Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Vice President Rahul Gandhi have been accused by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy. Gandhis are accused of cheating and misappropriation of funds in acquiring ownership of now-defunct daily. Meanwhile, Congress party had also filed a petition in the High court in the case, the hearing to which will take place on Friday.

Aug 1, 2014

Snooping not Acceptable, India Tells US

India on Thursday, 31 July, curtly told the visiting US Secretary of State John Kerry that it (India) would not accept US agencies' snooping on the country.

Aug 1, 2014

Gas blasts kill 24, injure 271 in Taiwan

A series of powerful gas blasts kill at least 24 people and injure up to 271 in the southern Taiwanese city of Kaohsiung.Duration:01:13

Aug 1, 2014

Bodies of at least 20 drowned people recovered from Karachi beach

Karachi, Aug 01 (ANI): Bodies of at least 20 people, who had drowned while enjoying Eid al-Fitr, the festival marking the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, were recovered from two separate beaches in Pakistan's port city Karachi. Navy helicopters were brought in to assist in the rescue operation but had to be suspended at night when darkness set in. Twelve bodies were recovered from Clifton Beach before the rescue operation was suspended on Wednesday, whereas six bodies were recovered when the operation was re-started the next day. Two bodies were also recovered from Hawks Bay, another popular beach in Karachi.

Aug 1, 2014

SC appoints one member commission to enquire into 2006 Meerut fire tragedy

Meerut, Aug 01 (ANI): Supreme Court of India appointed a one-member commission for inquiry into a fire tragedy, which took place at a consumer fair in 2006 in Meerut city of Uttar Pradesh, killing at least 51. The Court bench has ordered that the commission will be headed by former Supreme Court judge SB Sinha. The court also approved a compensation of rupees five lakh for families of the deceased, two lakh for seriously injured and 75,000 for people with minor injuries to be given by the state government. The petitioner, Sanjay Gupta, said the next hearing of the case is scheduled for February 11, 2015.

Aug 1, 2014

Explosion at a factory kills five in Chhattisgarh

Abhanpur, Aug 01 (ANI): Explosion at a factory killed five in Chhattisgarh on Friday. The incident took place at the Navbharat Fuse Company situated in Chote Urla village in Abhanpur block, 40 kilometers away from the capital Raipur. Forensic officer, scene of crime unit-incharge, Shivji Singh, said the cause of the incident is yet to be determined. Earlier, a gas leak following an explosion at a steel plant in Chhattisgarh on June 12 left at least five people dead and over 30 unwell.

Aug 1, 2014