Politics

France backs down on truck 'ecotax' after protests

France's Socialist government bowed to public pressure on Tuesday by suspending plans for an environmental tax on trucks, in its latest climbdown on a controversial tax hike.

Oct 29, 2013

Palestinians in Gaza await release of 26 prisoners

Israel was preparing on Tuesday to release 26 long-serving Palestinian prisoners, the second batch of 104 inmates who are to be freed in line with commitments to US-brokered peace talks. Duration: 00:28

Oct 29, 2013

Maharashtra ATS nabs IM operative Afzal Usmani

Mumbai, Oct 28 (ANI): Maharashtra Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) chief Rakesh Maria on Monday confirmed the arrest of Indian Mujahideen (IM) terror accused Afzal Mutalib Usmani. He and his nephew Javed Khan were produced before a court today. Earlier on September 20, Usmani, who is accused in the 2008 Ahmedabad serial bomb blasts, had escaped from the special Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) court.

Oct 28, 2013

Political blame game erupts after attack on Oommen Chandy

Kerala, Oct 28 (ANI): Political blame game continued on Monday over the attack on Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy. Chandy arrived on Monday in Thiruvananthapuram after he was attacked on October 27 in Kannur Town. Kerala Home Minister T Radhakrishnan blamed the CPI (M) for the attack. However, the CPI (M) leader S Ramachandran Pillai denied any involvement of the party in the attack.

Oct 28, 2013

Religious differences fade away when Muslims recite Bhagvat Gita

Agra, Oct 28 (ANI): India is blessed with amazing diversity. But, this does not come in the way of good relations between people of different communities examples of which can be found in every nook and corner of the country. One such instance was witnessed recently in the north Indian city of Agra in Uttar Pradesh. Here, Muslims participated with equal enthusiasm in a Bhagvat Gita recitation organised by Hindus. On the occasion Muslims chanted shlokas as well. When a culture has so many differing elements, like India, it is important for the people to respect the differences.

Oct 28, 2013

Navratri Special: Hindu family displays miniature dolls to spread communal harmony

Kochi, Oct 28 (ANI): India is a land of multiple faiths, yet communal harmony has been a way of life here since centuries. And, there are many people who have kept alive this tradition of brotherhood and amity. One such example comes from Kochi in the southern Indian state of Kerala, where a Hindu family celebrates Bomakula or Toy festival a unique manner. On the occasion, the Sethu Raman family displays miniature dolls of various gods and goddesses, with an aim to spread message of communal harmony. This year the family celebrated the festival by displaying around 500 idols of gods and goddesses worshipped by different communities in an effort to spread communal harmony.

Oct 28, 2013

Meghalaya lifts U-17 boys' Subroto Cup

New Delhi, Oct 28 (ANI): The final match of Under-17 Subroto Cup was held at the Dr. Ambedkar Stadium in New Delhi on 21st October between teams from Meghalaya and Assam. The boys from Meghalaya won 4-0. This is the second time that a team from Meghalaya has won the U-17 Boys' title. Teams from all the northeastern states participated in the tournament and performed well. While a school from Mizoram lifted the under-14 boys' cup, a school from Manipur emerged the winner among girls. Although the Assam team failed to win the trophy, they said they were confident of doing better the next year. Such tournaments not only promote a spirit of sportsmanship among budding players, but also promote unity and integration.

Oct 28, 2013

Patna blasts a plan to kill Narendra Modi, alleges BJP

Patna, Oct 28 (ANI): The BJP, on Monday attacked the Nitish Kumar government in Bihar over its failure to avoid Sunday's blasts in Patna and said that it was a conspiracy to kill its PM candidate Narendra Modi. Addressing a press conference in Patna, state's former Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Sushil Modi attacked the Bihar government for ignoring the threats to Modi's life.

Oct 28, 2013

We are still living in a vulnerable security environment: Arun Jaitley on Patna blasts

New Delhi, Oct 28 (ANI): Senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley on Monday condemned the series of blasts in Patna on the occasion of BJP’s Hunkar Rally. Jaitley said that people of the country are still living in a vulnerable security environment. He also questioned the Nitish Kumar-led Bihar Government for not taking a tough stand despite having intelligence alerts.

Oct 28, 2013

There was no specific intelligence input: Patna police on serial blasts

Patna, Oct 28 (ANI): ADG Ravinder Kumar on Monday claimed that there was no specific intelligence input on the Patna serial blasts. He further added that the investigation is on the right track. Making headway in the Patna blasts case, police have reportedly arrested two suspected terrorists, including one possibly the mastermind.

Oct 28, 2013

Flash flood maroon thousands of villagers in Odisha

Bhubaneshwar, Oct 28 (ANI): Around 10,000 people were marooned after Cyclone Phailin, due to incessant rainfall in Odisha, triggering a rise in floodwaters, inundating houses, clogging roads and paralysing normal life. Non-stop rains in the cyclone-hit Gajapati district of the state have led to the increase in water levels of the rivers. An emergency officer, Basanta Kumar Hota said rescue operations were going on in 654 villages affected by floods and people were being shifted to safer destinations. The flash floods have made life miserable for the people in Gajapati district. A Resident, Dhanalaxmi said though the relief supplies were being distributed by the administration but still food had not reached many of the stranded families in the villages.

Oct 28, 2013

BJP demands CBI probe in Patna blasts case

Bangalore/New Delhi, Oct 28 (ANI): The BJP on Monday demanded a CBI investigation on the recent bomb blasts in Bihar. Explosions at the election rally of BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi killed 6 people and wounded over 80 in Patna on Sunday. BJP leader Giriraj Singh said CBI should investigate the matter and find out the hidden facts. Even though the BJP has alleged that the central and state governments are responsible for the incidents, Congress General Secretary Digvijay Singh passed the buck to the Bihar state government alone.

Oct 28, 2013

Patna Blasts: 5 victims critical, hospital administration shows unpreparedness

Patna, Oct 28 (ANI): Giving updates about the injured in the Patna serial blast case, doctor attending to the patients said that five injured were still critical and under observation, as kin of victims complained of chaos and confusion at the hospital. Explosions at an election rally killed about six people and wounded 83 on Sunday. The injured were rushed to Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH). Amarkant Jha, Medical Superintendent of PMCH said on Monday, that 38 injured persons were admitted out of which five were critical. Jharkhand police confirmed that that interrogation of a suspect arrested has revealed links to the militant group, the Indian Mujahideen

Oct 28, 2013

Central govt has given full security in Patna: Sushilkumar Shinde

New Delhi, Oct 28 (ANI): Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde post attending a Bollywood event in Mumbai, hours after Patna serial blasts, said that central government is giving full security in Patna and there is no security lapse as such. Shinde refused to give any detailed information on the same and said that it can infringe upon the ongoing investigation of the case. Shinde's presence at the ceremony brought about criticism from the opposition on Monday.

Oct 28, 2013

BJP slams Shinde for attending Rajjo's music launch on day of Patna blasts

New Delhi, Oct 28 (ANI): The opposition on Monday slammed Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde for enjoying the music launch of upcoming film 'Rajjo' in Mumbai on the day when Patna was rocked by serial blasts. Senior BJP Leader Venkaiah Naidu said that the entire country was shaken by the blast and the Home Minister seemed to be unmoved.

Oct 28, 2013