Politics

Children's TV star Rolf Harris jailed for sex assaults

Veteran entertainer Rolf Harris, a household name in Britain and Australia for decades, was on Friday jailed for five years and nine months by a judge in London for a string of sexual assaults against girls and young women. Duration: 01:09

Jul 4, 2014

France bolsters airport security at US request

Security has been bolstered at French airports, in line with a US request to enhance screening for direct US flights. Duration: 00:38

Jul 4, 2014

MEA on Iraq crisis

New Delhi, July 04 (ANI): The Ministry of External Affairs on Friday reassured that as many as 116 Indians including 46 nurses from Kerala will reach India on Saturday morning. MEA spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said that an Air India aircraft has flown from New Delhi and is expected to reach Erbil, Iraq, late on Friday. Assuring that the government was putting in all efforts in ensuring the safety of Indian nationals, MEA said that a joint secretary level officer will co-ordinate with authorities in Iraq for the safety of Indians there. Even as process is underway to bring back as many as 116 Indians from the war-torn country, 39 Indian nationals continue to be held captive in Mosul. The MEA said that the resources that went into freeing the nurses would be used in the case of others too.

Jul 4, 2014

DY Patil takes additional charge of West Bengal as acting Governor

Kolkata, July 04 (ANI): Bihar Governor DY Patil on Friday took additional charge of West Bengal as the acting Governor following MK Narayanan's resignation. A release from the Rashtrapati Bhawan said that until regular arrangements for the office of Governor of West Bengal were made, Patil would be in charge. Patil was sworn in as the Governor during a grand ceremony in the presence of state Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and other eminent leaders.

Jul 4, 2014

Tension, clashes in Moradabad after BJP leaders detained, politicos react

New Delhi/Lucknow, July 04 (ANI): Political leaders on Friday criticized the violence in Moradabad which broke out following clash between protesters and police. The protesters were protesting against the denial of holding a 'mahapanchayat' by the BJP leaders. Muzaffarnagar riot accused BJP MLA Sangeet Som was earlier detained near Moradabad along with several leaders and party workers for heading to Moradabad to hold a Mahapanchayat even as the local administration had denied them permission. According to reports the UP administration had denied permission to the BJP to hold a mahapanchayat fearing that it could flare up communal tension in the area. The BJP had decided to hold a mahapanchayat after the UP administration restricted the use of loud speakers at a religious place, which led to some trouble in the area in the month of June. In order to protest against the move, the BJP had called for a mahapanchayat today, where several party leaders were also expected to be present. The district magistrate of Moradabad was seriously injured in the incident.

Jul 4, 2014

Indian nurses returning from Iraq, thankful to GoI for active involvement: Oommen Chandy

New Delhi, July 04 (ANI): Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Friday announced that Indian nurses in Iraq are safely returning back to the country. Chandy said that he is thankful to the Government of India for their active involvement to carry on the operations for safe return of the stranded Indian nurses in Iraq.

Jul 4, 2014

Protesters clash with Police in Moradabad, BJP says no support to violence

Moradabad/Lucknow, July 04 (ANI): Violence broke out in Moradabad following clash between protesters and police. The protesters were protesting against the denial of holding a Mahapanchayat by the BJP leaders. Muzaffarnagar riot accused BJP MLA Sangeet Som was earlier detained near Moradabad along with several leaders and party workers for heading to Moradabad to hold a Mahapanchayat even as the local administration had denied them permission. BJP___s UP Unit President Laxmikant Bajpai said that BJP does not support such violence but added that the SP government is responsible for whatever chaos is happening in the city.

Jul 4, 2014

Brinda Karat targets BJP govt over MNREGA scheme

New Delhi, July 4 (ANI): CPI (M) leader Brinda Karat on Friday assailed the BJP government for allegedly trying to tamper with the MNREGA scheme that gives employment to thousands of people. Karat said that it was unfortunate that a party that ran its campaign on issues like unemployment in the country is now engaging in such act.

Jul 4, 2014

Instead of answering questions, MP CM is using emotions to defend self: Digvijaya Singh on Vyapam Sc

New Delhi, July 4 (ANI): Congress leader Digvijay Singh on Friday alleged that Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is using emotions to defend himself in the Vyapam Scam. He added that the CM is evading questions based on facts.

Jul 4, 2014

AAP_s petition for fresh elections in Delhi referred to Constitution bench: SC

New Delhi, July 04 (ANI): The Supreme Court on Friday referred AAP_s petition seeking dissolution of Delhi assembly to a Constitution bench. The apex court, however, made it clear that pendency of the AAP petition would not preclude the LG from taking appropriate steps if he thinks it fit. AAP had filed a petition in the Supreme Court to direct the Central government and lieutenant governor to dissolve the Delhi assembly, and order fresh elections in the capital. The SC_s decision came a day after former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal accompanied by AAP legislators met President Pranab Mukherjee to demand immediate dissolution of the Assembly and fresh elections in Delhi.

Jul 4, 2014

Jabalpur_s NSCB Medical College dean found dead under mysterious circumstances

Jabalpur, July 4 (ANI): The Dean of Jabalpur_s Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Medical College who was also a member of Vyapam Scam investigation committee was found dead under mysterious circumstances at his home. A doctor of the medical college Dr Ruplekha Chouhan said that the dean was burnt to quite an extent so he could not be saved. SP of Jabalpur H Mishra said that investigations are going on and although a suicide note was not found it seemed to be a suicide case. He added that the dean had used kerosene oil to burn himself.

Jul 4, 2014

Chandrababu Naidu Seeks Singapore's Expertise to Transform AP into Developed State

Andhra Pradesh has sought Singapore government's technical expertise and knowledge to develop a series of ports on its coast, smart cities and a petro-chemical corridor in the state, from which Telangana was carved out last month.

Jul 4, 2014

Riot accused BJP MLA Sangeet Som detained for holding 'mahapanchayat'

Moradabad, July 4 (ANI): Muzaffarnagar riot accused BJP MLA Sangeet Som was detained near Moradabad by the Uttar Pradesh police while he was on his way to attend a mahapanchayat along with his party workers on Friday. Som and other leaders detained by the UP police have been shifted to police lines. Party MPs Satyapal Singh and Nepal Singh have also been detained enroute to Moradabad. The BJP had decided to hold a mahapanchayat after the UP administration restricted the use of loud speakers at a religious place, which led to some trouble in the area in the month of June. Som had been charged with circulating a fake video on social media inciting violence in Muzaffarnagar.

Jul 4, 2014

Politicos react on reports of Hafiz Saeed visiting Pak villages near Rajasthan border

New Delhi, July 04 (ANI): Mumbai 26/11 terror attacks master mind and JuD Chief Hafiz Saeed was spotted visiting Pak villages near Rajasthan border which has invited political reactions. BJP leader Subramanian Swamy said that Hafiz Saeed should be arrested because there is no use of raising a hue and cry over his moving from one place to another. JD (U) leader Ali Anwar said that it is a serious issue which concerns national security. SP leader Naresh Agarwal questioned government's inaction on such serious issues.

Jul 4, 2014

Iraq Crisis: Family of a nurse urges govt to ensure her safe return

Kannur, Kerala July 4 (ANI): Family of a nurse stranded in strife-torn Iraq urged Indian government to ensure the safe and early return of their daughter on Thursday. Tintu is one among the 46 nurses, who were stranded in Tikrit and now have been moved to an unknown destination. Tintu’s father, M. Thankan, appealed the governments to take adequate steps for early return of his daughter. Tintu's mother Thankan said her daughter had told her over the telephone that she was safe and shifted to a different place. MEA spokesperson, Syed Akbaruddin, said on Thursday that the government was in touch with the nurses and their well-being was their top priority.

Jul 4, 2014