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Sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik condemns murder of US journalist in Iraq

Bhubaneswar, Aug 22 (ANI): Condemning the killing of American journalist James Foley by ISIS militants in Iraq, noted Indian sand artist, Sudarsan Pattnaik, created a sculpture on the beach of Puri city in Odisha. The sculpture depicting face of the journalist with a message “Don’t kill innocents” drew sizeable crowd on the beach. Four tonnes of sand was used in making the sculpture. Pattnaik said the assassination in Iraq was one of the most heinous crimes in the world. Foley was beheaded by the Islamist militant group Islamic State, an act shown in a video released on August 22 in which the group called for the United States to end its air strikes in Iraq. US President Barack Obama responded that Washington would be relentless in fighting the organization despite the killing.

Aug 22, 2014

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President Pranab Mukherjee meets IIT heads

New Delhi, Aug 22 (ANI): President Pranab Mukherjee met authorities from all 16 IITs on Friday in New Delhi. Mukherjee, accompanied by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Education Minister Smriti Irani, addressed a Conference of Chairmen of Boards of Governors, and Directors of all 16 IITs at Rashtrapati Bhawan, the president’s official residence. The meet was focused on how IITs can implement the vision of ‘Make in India’, a vision that Modi had spoke about in his speech on Independence Day. They stressed on the need for all IITs to work together to help India become a global leader and a provider of skilled manpower. The discussion also revolved around creating a ‘Skilled India’ where there would be an integration of skill initiatives and skill development.

Aug 22, 2014

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SC gives Centre a month to explain why there is no LoP, politicos react

New Delhi, Aug 22 (ANI): The Supreme Court on Friday asked the NDA Government at the Centre to explain why there is no Leader of Opposition in Parliament, and gave the former a month's time to come up with an answer on how it proposes to select Lokpal members, if such a post remains vacant or does not exist. The committee to select the nine members of the Lokpal is meant to include the Leader of the Opposition along with the Prime Minister and others. The apex court pointed out that the make-up of the committee is part of the law passed by Parliament that brings the Lokpal into existence. The Congress had claimed that as the single largest opposition party, its floor leader in the Lok Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, should be recognized as Leader of the Opposition. But Speaker Sumitra Mahajan ruled that out, citing rules that a party must have at least 55 members in the House to claim the post. The Congress has 44 seats. While politicos from rival parties gave mixed reaction on the matter, the BJP said that it would give an appropriate reply as was asked by the court.

Aug 22, 2014

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Congress delegation meets LG over inflated power bills

New Delhi, Aug 22 (ANI): Members of Congress party on Friday met the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, Najeeb Jung, demanding solution to high electricity bills. A delegation-led by Congress party leader, Arvinder Singh Lovely, on Thursday (August 21) had also released a chargesheet against BJP and AAP, holding them responsible for plight of the people. Lovely had accused both the parties of discontinuing various schemes started during Congress party’s regime in the national capital. He said people were fed up paying inflated electricity bills and demanded Jung’s intervention in the matter. Meanwhile, Spokesperson of DPCC Mukesh Sharma highlighted the entire agenda.

Aug 22, 2014

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13-year-old in government shelter home in Bangalore

Bangalore, Aug 22 (ANI): In yet another shocking crime against children, a 13 year old boy was brutally beaten up in a government shelter home in Bangalore. The child has received serious wounds on his body and is being treated. DIG of Bangalore Central, Sandip Patil, said that a complaint has been filed against the accused and strict action shall be taken.

Aug 22, 2014

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Security personnel bust militant hideouts, recover huge cache of arms in Kashmir

Handwara, Aug 22 (ANI): In a joint operation, police and paramilitary personnel busted two militant hideouts in Handwara town of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday and recovered huge cache of weapons from the sites. The joint operation was successful in exposing the hideouts located in Hafruda forests of Kupwara district. The arms haul is considered as a big achievement by the authorities. The team also seized anti aircraft gun stand, hand grenade, wireless set, wireless antenna, map and compass.

Aug 22, 2014

SC Suggests Changes in Lokpal Bill's LoP Provision, Says Opposition Leader Important

Supreme Court has agreed to interpret the LoP provision in Lokpall Bill and suggested the Centre to allow leader of largest Opposition party to be one of its committee members.

Aug 22, 2014

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Irom Sharmila arrested again by police in Manipur on charges of attempting suicide

Manipur, Aug 22 (ANI): A struggling and screaming Irom Sharmila was dragged away from a tin shack by a team of police women on Friday morning. Sharmila, who was released from police custody on Thursday evening, was planning to observe a fast at the venue over a demand for the withdrawal of the Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA). She has been arrested again on charges of attempting suicide. Earlier, the police women were quoted by media, as saying that they were taking her for a medical check-up. When she resisted, they forcibly took a hold of her hands and legs and carried her to a police jeep and drove her away. Forty-two-year-old Sharmila has said that she is continuing with her 14-year fast in protest against "army atrocities" in Manipur. The activist was released after a court decided she cannot be charged with attempted suicide for refusing food and water.

Aug 22, 2014

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High Court dismisses PIL challenging UPSC format

New Delhi, Aug 22 (ANI): The Delhi High Court on Thursday dismissed the PIL challenging the UPSC format in which the government made changes at a very short notice prior to the exam. The Lawyer said that High Court has dismissed the petition and they are now preparing a petition to approach CAT that such changes should not be made at such a short notice before exams.

Aug 22, 2014

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Sri Lankas Tamil leaders meet Sushma Swaraj

New Delhi, Aug 22 (ANI): A delegation of Sri Lanka’s Tamil National Alliance (TNA) met on Friday (August 22) India’s foreign minister Sushma Swaraj and they would urge New Delhi to ensure devolution of power to provinces in their country. TNA leaders would push their case for full implementation of the thirteenth amendment to the Constitution. They are also expected to call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The 13A amendment came into existence due to India -Sri Lanka accord signed in 1987 between then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and then Sri Lankan President JR Jayewardene. It stipulates devolution of powers to the provinces which was centre of ethnic conflict.

Aug 22, 2014

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SC asks government to explain stand on LoP

New Delhi, Aug 22 (ANI): The Supreme Court has asked the BJP government to explain its stand on the Leader of Opposition post after the Speaker rejected Congress’ bid for the post. Congress leader Manish Tewari said that Opposition is the essence of democracy and if the government is ignoring, it is an assault. He added that the government should explain its stand if the Supreme Court has asked thus.

Aug 22, 2014

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Politicos condemn Fresh ceasefire violation by Pakistan in Jammus RS Pura sector

New Delhi, Aug 22 (ANI): Political leaders on Friday condemned the fresh ceasefire violation by the Pakistani forces. The Pakistani forces despite repeated warnings, resorted to fresh round of unprovoked firing at the Indian forward posts in the RS Pura sector of Jammu and Kahsmir. One civilian has been injured after a shell hit his home near the LoC. No casualties have been reported. Meanwhile, the opposition targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said that the government should take strict action.

Aug 22, 2014