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Pakistan frees 172 Indian fishermen as 'goodwill gesture'

Karachi, Feb 16 (ANI): Pakistan released 172 Indian prisoners, all of them fishermen, as a "goodwill gesture. The Indian prisoners were freed from Malir jail in the port city of Karachi. All the released inmates were sent to Lahore by train. They will be handed over to Indian authorities at the land Wagah border on Monday. The fishermen had been arrested for illegal fishing in Pakistani waters. Pakistan and India routinely detain fishermen for entering each other's waters for fishing. They mistakenly enter other's waters as there is no demarcation of maritime boundaries.

Feb 16, 2015

Bihar deadlock: Manjhi meets Rajnath in Delhi

New Delhi, Feb 16 (ANI): Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, who is under sharp criticism from the Janata Dal (United) for being defiant, met Home Minister Rajnath Singh. Manjhi's meeting with Singh assumes significance as the JD (U) has alleged that the former is working at the behest of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Manjhi is presently in the national capital to attend the wedding reception of BJP president Amit Shah's son. Senior JD (U) leader and former Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar had earlier accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP of 'attempting to throttle democracy'.

Feb 16, 2015

DYFI protests 'victimisation' of Teesta Setalvad in Mumbai

Mumbai, Feb 16 (ANI): Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) staged protest in Mumbai for filing of misappropriation case against social activist Teesta Setalvad. In January 2014, police had registered a case against Setalvad, her husband Javed Anand and others for allegedly usurping rupees 15 million collected by them in form of donations to turn the 2002 riots hit colony into a riots museum. But the Supreme Court of India has stayed the arrest of Setalvad, her husband Javed Anand and others named in the case, till February 19. The slogan-shouting members of the DYFI claimed that Setalvad was being framed. The Gujarat High Court had rejected Setalvad's anticipatory bail plea in a criminal case of embezzlement of funds collected on behalf of 2002 riot victims of Gujarat.

Feb 16, 2015

PM Modi congratulates Team India for stunning win against Pak

New Delhi, Feb 16 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the Indian cricket team for their stunning performance against arch-rivals Pakistan in the World Cup opener match at the Adelaide Oval in Australia. "Congrats Team India. Well played. We are all very proud of you," Prime Minister Modi tweeted. Meanwhile, President Pranab Mukherjee also took to twitter and wished the Indian team good luck for the remaining matches of the tournament. "Congratulations Indian Team on victory in ICC World Cup's first match; wish you continued success in coming matches," President Mukherjee tweeted. Earlier, India kicked off their World Cup campaign by beating Misbah-ul Haq-led side by 76 runs to keep their record of never losing to Pakistan in a World Cup tournament intact. Man of the Match Virat Kohli's splendid ton helped India put up a 301-run target for Pakistan.

Feb 16, 2015

Sri Lankan President arrives in New Delhi on first state visit

New Delhi, Feb 16 (ANI): Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena arrived in India on his first state visit abroad, as a part of efforts to repair relations with New Delhi which soured under the previous government. Sirisena earlier pledged to pursue a more global foreign policy in a break from his predecessor Mahinda Rajapaksa's pursuit of close ties with China, a key supporter of Sri Lanka's economy since its 26-year civil war ended in 2009. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had tweeted that he was looking forward "to welcoming President Sirisena later this month." Modi is scheduled to make a reciprocal trip in the second week of March, according to Sri Lankan government officials. Sirisena will return on Wednesday.

Feb 16, 2015

Cricketers' families relish India's win over Pakistan in World Cup

Nagpur/Moradabad/Jammu, Feb 16 (ANI): As Indian cricket team defeated Pakistan in its opening match in World Cup 2015, family members of Indian cricketers celebrated the emphatic win with great zeal. Indian cricketer Virat Kohli scored an imperious century to steer India to an imposing 300 for seven against Pakistan in a frenzied atmosphere at the Adelaide Oval stadium. Miles away in Moradabad city, bowler Mohammed Shami's family was rejoiced with the victory. It was a proud moment for them as they watched Shami take four wickets against the rival Pakistan team. Cricketer Umesh Yadav's family and friends were basking in his success in Nagpur.

Feb 16, 2015

Egypt: Military Bombards Isis Bases in Libya to Avenge Beheading of 21 Egyptians in Gruesome Video

The dreaded Islamic State militants have released a video purportedly showing the beheading of 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians.

Feb 16, 2015

Kashmiris throng markets to buy dry vegetables or 'Hokshuns'

Srinagar, Feb 16 (ANI): People in Srinagar city of Jammu and Kashmir thronged markets on Sunday to buy dry vegetables, which are available only during winter season. Locally known as 'Hokshuns', meaning dry vegetables, the indigenously dried and preserved vegetables are part of diet of the people of Kashmir valley during winters. These dry vegetables are in high demand as due to heavy snowfall, roads get blocked and the residents do not get vegetables on regular basis. Vegetables which are dried in summer prove beneficial for the locals during the winters. Some of the vegetables include tomatoes, aubergine, mushroom, garlic, chillies, pumpkins and turnips. A customer Nazir Ahmad said that these vegetables kept people warm.

Feb 16, 2015