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The road infrastructure of PoK deteriorating day by day

Muzaffarabad, PoK, February 24, 2015:- The Pakistani government has failed to develop state-of-the art infrastructure in Pakistan occupied Kashmir. The roads in the region are in dismal condition, and using of sub-standard material, by the authorities, in its construction causes frequent landslides, putting the lives of the people at risk. The Muzafafrabad-Srinagar Highway, which is the vial trade link between the two sides of Kashmir, is in a dismal state, with damages and landslides, caused by the September 2014 floods, at many places. However, despite passing of several months, the authorities have failed to rebuild this connectivity and alleviate the damages. The highway was constructed after the 2005 earthquake by National Highways Authority (NHA) of Pakistan. However, using the substandard material in its construction, the road, which is a hilly terrain, often faces landslides. The Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, which is in illegal occupation of Pakistan, has been the victim of government’s apathy since 1947, and the authorities have failed to improve the standard of living in the region.

Feb 24, 2015

Former Jatiya Party lawmaker gets life imprisonment for war crimes in Bangladesh

Dhaka, Feb 24 (ANI): The war crimes tribunal in Bangladesh on Tuesday sentenced former Jatiya Party lawmaker Abdul Jabbar to life imprisonment for crimes committed during the Liberation War in 1971. Apart from genocide, the charges against him include killing of 36 people, forced conversion of 200 Hindus, looting 557 houses and arson during the 1971 Liberation War. The 83-year-old leader has also been fined Tk 10 lakhs in absentia. If he fails to submit the fine, the jail tenure would be extended by two years, the court said. Considering the convict’s age, Chairman of International Crimes Tribunal-1, Justice M Enayetur Rahim, announced jail until death instead of capital punishment. Jabbar was elected a law maker in 1964.

Feb 24, 2015

Sushma Swaraj meets Father Alexis Prem Kumar

New Delhi, Feb 24 (ANI): Union Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj on Tuesday met Jesuit priest Father Alexis Prem Kumar, who was released eight months after being held captive in Afghanistan. He was accompanied by his family as they sat with Swaraj and exchanged pleasantries. The 47-year-old Jesuit priest was kidnapped by unknown gunmen from Herat in June last year and was being held as a captive. He arrived in New Delhi on February 22 after the Indian government managed to secure his release. He had thanked the government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the support. The Indian foreign ministry had said it was a difficult eight month period and India had pursued the matter quite relentlessly and thanked everybody involved in the process.

Feb 24, 2015

Kejriwal shares stage with Anna in protest against Land Acquisition Bill

New Delhi, Feb 24 (ANI): Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday shared stage with Social activist Anna Hazare who is protesting against the amended land acquisition bill being presented by the BJP government in Lok Sabha. Kejriwal said that the new bill is against the interest of the farmers and if it gets passed the Central Government would be behaving like a property dealer for the rich and corporate. He assured to the people of Delhi that no illegal land acquisition shall be promoted in the Capital. Further, praising Anna, Kejriwal said that Hazare is like a ‘father figure’ to him and he holds due respect for Anna. He also requested Hazare to visit the Delhi Secretariat for a while some day to ‘purify’ it with his presence.

Feb 24, 2015

BJP, PDP announce coalition in J&K; govt to be formed soon

New Delhi, Feb 24 (ANI): Months after polls in Jammu and Kashmir resulted in equal majority to BJP and PDP, the two parties have announced coalition in the state. The Chiefs of both the parties met in New Delhi on Tuesday and announced coalition and promised to form government together soon. BJP President Amit Shah said that Jammu and Kashmir will soon get a government of a popular BJP-PDP alliance. Meanwhile, PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti said that keeping in mind the interests and welfare of the people of J&K, the two parties have decided to form a peaceful government together.

Feb 24, 2015

PDP, BJP to Form Coalition Government in J&K; Mufti Mohammad to Become CM

The point of conclusion was reached this evening in a meeting between PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti and BJP president Amit Shah in Delhi

Feb 24, 2015

Vivienne Westwood urges Britons to vote Green

ROUGH CUT (NO REPORTER NARRATION) Britain's grand dame of fashion Vivienne Westwood urged the nation to vote for the environmentalist Green Party on Sunday (February 22) ahead of the general election

Feb 24, 2015

Controversial 'holy pig' festival draws thousands in Taiwan

Thousands of worshippers gathered for a "holy pig" festival in Taiwan which sees the carcasses of giant force-fed swine displayed as local owners compete to show the largest, a custom deplored by animal rights campaigners. Duration: 01:07

Feb 24, 2015

France vows stiffer penalties for hate speech

French President Francois Hollande vows to introduce tougher penalties for "racist, anti-semitic or homophobic" remarks following the January attacks in Paris. Duration: 01:22

Feb 24, 2015

Lima under pressure over chaotic public transport

Local authorities in Lima are under fire for failing to reform the city's outdated and dysfunctional transport system. Duration: 01:19

Feb 24, 2015

BJP to hold parliamentary meet over Land Acquisition Ordinance

New Delhi, Feb 24 (ANI): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will hold a parliamentary board meeting for the second time on Tuesday (February 24) over the land acquisition ordinance. The first meeting earlier in the day, before the parliament session began, was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the presence of veteran BJP leader Lal Krishna Advani. Minister of State for parliamentary affairs, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, told media the leaders of BJP and National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will meet in the evening to deliberate on the issues on how to make the land acquisition bill more effective for the farmers. Earlier in the day the government introduced in the lower house of the parliament the controversial Land Acquisition Amendment Bill 2015 amid vociferous protests by the opposition. The government said it will hold discussions one more time to bring all parties on board with its plan. Rudy also informed that at the first meeting the ministry of coal and petroleum and oil made their presentations on coal block allocations and direct cash transfer scheme.

Feb 24, 2015

BSF & BGB play friendly match in Indo-Bangladesh border

South Dinajpur, Feb 24 (ANI): As a part of confidence-building exercise between security forces along the porous Indo-Bangladesh border, a friendly volleyball match was played between the two countries in West Bengal. The match was organised to celebrate the 50th Raising Day of Indian paramilitary, Border Security Force (BSF) with an aim to enhance better border management work between the neighbours. The friendly match was played between 25th BSF battalion and 40th Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) battalion. Enthusiastic residents of border villages flocked to the venue in South Dinajpur district to watch the match. India and Bangladesh have been working together to reduce crimes and illegal activities along the 4,096 km long border. Special emphasis is also being given to develop cross-border trade, especially via the northeastern region that shares a 1,880-km-long border with Bangladesh. BSF won the match by scoring 2-1 against its Bangladeshi counterpart.

Feb 24, 2015

Corporate Espionage Case: Another arrest made of charges on conspiracy, says Bassi

New Delhi, Feb 24 (ANI): Delhi Police Commissioner BS Bassi said on Tuesday that another person has been arrested on charges of being involved in the conspiracy of leaking important documents from the Petroleum Ministry. Bassi said that a casual employee named Virender Kumar who was found to be a part of the conspiracy was arrested and investigation is underway.

Feb 24, 2015

Vyapam Scam: STF registers FIR against MP Governor

New Delhi, Feb 24 (ANI): In an update in probe of the Vyapam Scam in Madhya Pradesh, an FIR has been filed against the state Governor Ram Naresh Yadav. Senior Lawyer KTS Tulsi said on Tuesday that this is a part of conspiracy by the Chief Minister only to divert attention from him. Tusli added that there should be investigation against his wife too.

Feb 24, 2015

Politicos react after Land Acquisition Bill gets tabled in Lok Sabha

New Delhi, Feb 24 (ANI): Political leaders reacted on Tuesday after Land Acquisition Bill got tabled in the Lok Sabha amid chaos in Rajya Sabha as discussion was being held. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that they will meet a delegation of farmers and listen to their pleas. Samajwadi Party Chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, RJD leader JP Yadav, NCP leader DP Tripathi said that they are with Opposition on Land Acquisition Bill. Meanwhile, BJP leader Kalraj Mishra said that there should be a dialogue over the process.

Feb 24, 2015