khurshid-mahmud-kasuri-foreign-minister-pakistan-peace-narendra-modi

Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri, Foreign Minister, Pakistan, Peace, Narendra Modi

New Delhi, Jan 21 (ANI): A court has ordered the government to release blocked funds of Greenpeace India, the environmental group said, months after being accused of running campaigns that were hurting the country’s economy. India's intelligence service in June said Greenpeace and other lobby groups were damaging the country's economy by campaigning against power projects, mining and genetically modified food. While Greenpeace denied the allegations, India asked its central bank to tighten controls on moving funds from abroad into Greenpeace's Indian accounts. Greenpeace said the Indian government had "arbitrarily barred" it from receiving foreign funds from Greenpeace International and Climate Works Foundation in June 2014. The government's move to restrict the movement of funds had raised concerns that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's new government will be tough on foreign-funded activist groups. Jan 21, 2015

Former Pak Foreign minister roots for peace with India

Amritsar, Jan 21 (ANI): The former foreign minister of Pakistan, Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri rooted for peace between his country and India. Tensions have risen between the two countries since Prime Minister Narendra Modi called off peace talks with Pakistan in 2014 August. Sporadic rounds of heavy shelling have pounded villages along a previously peaceful stretch of border in Kashmir. Kasuri said that a peaceful environment was vital for development of the nuclear-armed nations. Referring to peace talks between India and Pakistan in 2003-04 when he was foreign minister, Kasuri said that resuming harmony between the two nations was not an impossible task. Jan 21, 2015

Govts banking for all scheme surpasses target: Jaitley

New Delhi, Jan 21 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s promise to end “financial untouchability” with a scheme to ensure majority of households in the country of nearly 1.3 billion people has a bank account has almost been fulfilled, according to Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. Jaitley announced that the scheme called Pradhanmantri Jan Dhan Yojna (PJDY) or Prime Minister’s National Mission on Financial Inclusion, has achieved its target well before the deadline. According to the ministry of finance, by January 17, 2015 a record number of 115 million bank accounts have been opened in the country. Jaitley acknowledged the role of bank employees in achieving this ambitious target. Jan 21, 2015

Lack of confidence in euro zone has been overcome, says German finance Minister in New Delhi

New Delhi, Jan 21 (ANI): German Finance Minister, Wolfgang Schauble, said the euro zone has overcome a lack of confidence and is working to boost growth, but emerging nations should take the lead in reviving the global economy, in a seminar at New Delhi. Schauble, who is on a two-day India visit, to enhance bilateral economic relations, addressed a seminar entitled "Europe and India in the face of Globalisation" hosted by the Indian business group Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FCCI) where he reassured India that the euro zone is not about to lurch into a fresh crisis. Asked about the impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Schaeuble said whole of Europe has faced a lot of problems with Russia, but the most problems are faced by Russia itself. Europe would "deliver its fair contribution" to global growth, Schauble also said, while calling on emerging economies like India to make a bigger contribution. Later in the day, Schauble held a bilateral meeting with Indian counterpart, Arun Jaitley, in the capital. On Monday (January 19) Schauble also met Indian Prime Minster, Narendra Modi. Jan 21, 2015
first-international-water-birds-census-begins-in-kashmir

First International water birds census begins in Kashmir

Srinagar, Jan 21 (ANI): An international water birds census began in all wetlands of Jammu and Kashmir. The wildlife department began counting of water birds, in a bid to attract tourism as well. The census is being organised for the first time in the valley to know the count of migratory birds. Kashmir, which is famous for its natural beauty and water bodies, attract thousands of migratory birds. A team was formed for the work, which used special binoculars and other gadgets. Meanwhile, wildlife warden of Hokersar wetland, Imtiyaz Ahmad Lone, said that the census will be carried out with the help of volunteers. Lone said that this was a chance to popularize the wetlands in the valley and the census would help create interest among people and attract bird lovers to the wetlands. More than 500, 000 migratory birds are in Hokersar wetland. Jan 21, 2015
writers-journalists-come-out-in-support-of-author-perumal-murugan-who-quits-writing

Writers, journalists come out in support of author Perumal Murugan who quits writing

Chennai, Jan 21 (ANI): Tamil writers, publishers and senior journalists held a protest in Chennai in support of author Perumal Murugan after he quit writing as his novel triggered controversy. Murugan's novel 'Madhorubhagan' came under attack by casteist and Hindu outfits for allegedly being offensive to the local dominant caste. His decision to stop writing came through a post from his Facebook page where he said that he is dead and not going to write anymore. 'Madhorubhagan' was first published in 2010 in Tamil and then in English in 2013 under the title 'One Part Woman'. The novel is a fictional story of a poor, childless couple and how the wife, who wants to conceive, takes part in an ancient Hindu chariot festival where, on one night, consensual sex between any man and woman is allowed. Murugan has also asked his publishers not to sell or reprint any of his books and promised to compensate the loss they incurred. Protestors shouted slogans and conducted a signature campaign in support of Murugan. Jan 21, 2015
lassana-proud-and-touched-to-become-french-citizen

Lassana "proud and touched" to become French citizen

The Muslim employee of the kosher supermarket attacked in Paris, Lassana Bathily, said Tuesday night he was "very proud and very touched" to have received French citizenship during a ceremony at the Ministry of the Interior. Duration: 01:00 Jan 21, 2015
malawi-flood-survivors-cry-out-for-aid

Malawi flood survivors cry out for aid

Frantic scenes greeted a military helicopter as it landed to deliver aid in a village after severe floods left 176 people dead and 200.000 homeless across Malawi. Duration: 00:30 Jan 21, 2015
the-sun-covers-them-up-ending-topless-tradition

The Sun covers them up, ending topless tradition

Phwoar no more: British tabloid The Sun has quietly ended a decades-old tradition of putting topless women on page 3 in a setback for schoolboy fantasies that was welcomed by women around the country. Duration: 00:54 Jan 21, 2015