Politics

Natwar Singh talks about his controversial book, says no bitterness with anybody

New Delhi, Aug 01 (ANI): Talking about his book _One Life is Not Enough: An Autobiography_, Former Senior Bureaucrat Natwar Singh said that he has no bitterness for Congress or anybody else. He said that he started with the book in 2011 and it naturally takes time for a book to get completed. He said that the UPA had no foreign policy during its rule and that the prime minister did not visit any neighbouring countries. He also replied to Sonia Gandhi_s answer wherein she said that she will write a book too, and said that he is waiting for Gandhi_s book to come out. Further, he also said that the Gandhis came to him to stop him from writing certain facts.

Aug 1, 2014

Devotees offer milk to snakes to mark Nag Panchmi

Uttar Pradesh/ Madhya Pradesh, Aug 01 (ANI): Devotees thronged temples, offered and poured milk on snakes to celebrate Hindu festival, _Nag Panchami_ to honour serpent god on Friday. Devout Hindus in Allahabad city of Uttar Pradesh flocked temples of Hindu Lord Shiva and offered milk, water, flowers and fruits to serpents as a unique expression of devotion on the auspicious occasion. The festival is believed to bring prosperity and happiness, eradicating evil and hardships from people_s lives. Snake charmers lined the streets and attracted devotees to offer milk to snakes. Followers of Lord Shiva in Madhya Pradesh province also celebrated the festival with religious pageantry.

Aug 1, 2014

72-hour humanitarian truce by Israel and Hamas begins in Gaza

New York, Aug 01 (ANI): The unconditional 72-hour humanitarian ceasefire by Israel and Hamas has begun in Gaza. Israel and Hamas agreed to the ceasefire, with talks on a permanent truce set to begin in Cairo, according to a statement released by the United Nations (UN) and United States. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry released a joint statement on Thursday announcing the ceasefire and calling for all parties to _act with restraint until this humanitarian ceasefire begins, and to fully abide by their commitments during the ceasefire._ As the crisis in Gaza continues unabated, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Valerie Amos on Thursday urged the parties to protect civilians from the conflict that has resulted in thousands of casualties and caused widespread displacement and destruction.

Aug 1, 2014

John Kerry meets Narendra Modi

New Delhi, Aug 1 (ANI): US Secretary of State John Kerry on Friday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Prime Minister's House, 7, Race Course Road. The visiting US Secretary of State discussed bilateral issues with Prime Minister Modi. Kerry's meeting with Modi comes a day after he met External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj for the 5th India-US Strategic Dialogue. Earlier on Thursday, Kerry, in his speech had said that the US was keen to partner the Modi government in its vision of "Sabka saath sabka vikas". The meeting was held in prelude to the summit meeting between the Indian Prime Minister and US President Barack Obama in Washington in September.

Aug 1, 2014

Chinese army admits 2013 incursion at Depsang Valley, politicos react

New Delhi, Aug 01 (ANI): Political leaders on Friday reacted over 2013 incursion at Depsang Valley. The Chinese army has acknowledged last year's incursion at the Depsang Valley in Ladakh region and said such incidents occurred due to different perception about the Line of Actual Control.

Aug 1, 2014

KCR Plans Hollywood-Style Film City in Hyderabad

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Thursday, 31 July, asked his officials to prepare a plan to build "Cinema City" or film city in 2,000 acres in and around Hyderabad city on the lines of Hollywood.

Aug 1, 2014

BJP delegation meets Najeeb Jung over e-rickshaw, says services will soon re-start

New Delhi, Aug 01 (ANI): A delegation of BJP on Friday met Lt Governor Najeeb Jung to discuss the ongoing issue over e-rickshaws in New Delhi. BJP's Delhi Unit President Satish Upadhyay said that e-rickshaws will soon resume their services once the duration of ban ends. He added that e-rickshaws contribute towards a non-polluting way of commuting for short distances and thus help in keeping the city clean. Upadhyay further said that some political parties are playing politics over the issue just to create a wrong impact of government on people.

Aug 1, 2014

War of books to reveal 'truth' draws reaction from politicos

New Delhi/Jaipur, Aug 01 (ANI): Political leaders on Friday reacted over Congress President Sonia Gandhi's statement that she will write her own book and 'reveal the truth', in a reaction to former external affairs minister Natwar Singh's claims.

Aug 1, 2014

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