News

India expresses concern over poll related violence in Bangladesh

New Delhi, Nov 30 (ANI): Union Foreign Minister, Salman Khurshid, said that India is worried over poll related violence in Bangladesh. The main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its allies have organised a nationwide protest, demanding postponement of poll dates till an agreement is reached with the government on the formation of a caretaker government. It has led to massive violence in the country and deaths of dozens of people. New Delhi has appealed to its neighbour to ensure peace and stability.

Nov 30, 2013

Sexual harassment at workplace matter of concern for society: NCW

New Delhi, Nov 30 (ANI): After Tehelka sexual assault case accused Tarun Tejpal presented himself at the Goa sessions court wherein the prosecutors sought his 14-day custody, NCW member Shamin Shafiq said that it is Tejpal's duty to cooperate with the police. He said that the increasing number of sexual harassment cases is a matter of great concern for the society and it is always women who are victimized in the whole process. Further, talking about BJP leader Meenakshi Lekhi who has allegedly exposed the last name of the victim, Shafiq said that strict action will be taken against any leader for their insensitivity towards the victim.

Nov 30, 2013

Subrata Roy challenges Indian regulators to prove legal lapses against group

Kolkata, Nov 30 (ANI): Chief of Sahara conglomerate, Subrata Roy has said that he is ready to face challenges posed by the entire country to come clean on the valuation of its properties or liabilities to government regulatory bodies. Addressing a conference in Kolkata, Roy said that he is ready to be hanged if anyone can prove the charges against his group. Often dubbed as a billionaire by the Indian media, the Sahara chief had earlier been locked in a battle with the market regulator, Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), over a bond scheme that the apex court deemed to be illegal, and was ordered by the regulator to provide details of his personal assets and two Sahara companies. Earlier this week, the apex court had barred Roy from leaving the country. His group had also been forbidden from selling any of its properties till the time the group would provide necessary documents to SEBI.

Nov 30, 2013

India not to compromise on food subsidy programme at WTO

New Delhi, Nov 30 (ANI): Commerce minister, Anand Sharma has stated that there will be no compromise on its Food Subsidy Programme at a WTO (World Trade Organisation) ministerial meeting next week that diplomats feel could be a stumbling block to the deal. Addressing a news conference in New Delhi, Sharma, who will lead the delegation to Indonesia, said a group of 33 countries was supporting India's stand on the food subsidy programme which he said was "sacrosanct, non- negotiable." The minister said public procurement could not be released for global trade.

Nov 30, 2013

Will cooperate with investigation: Tarun Tejpal outside Crime Branch office

Panaji, Nov 30 (ANI): Ahead of hearing on his bail petition, Tehelka's Founder-Editor Tarun Tejpal on Saturday visited the Crime Branch office in Goa. Tejpal, who has been accused by a journalist of rape, said he was cooperating in the investigation. The bail hearing of Tejpal, is set to being in a Goa court shortly. Mr Tejpal will be arrested if he does not get anticipatory bail by the court today.

Nov 30, 2013

Pro-Yanukovych protest in Kiev

Rival rallies were held in Kiev on Friday in support of and protest against Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych's decision to hold off signing an association agreement with the EU.

Nov 30, 2013

UN highlights traumas of Syrian refugee children

The UN High Commission for Refugees publishes a report on the plight of Syrian refugees, in particular the challenges facing children and young people in refugee camps in Iraq, Turkey and Jordan.

Nov 29, 2013

Acid attacks point to mounting religious tensions in Zanzibar

The families of two British teenage girls who had acid hurled in their faces in Zanzibar expressed frustration on Friday that no one has been charged almost four months later. The popular tourist island, off Tanzania, is facing rising concerns over the the spectre of radical Islam after a spate of church burnings, riots, acid attacks and assassinations.

Nov 29, 2013

Gold tiara worn by Victoria Beckham to be auctioned

A gold and diamond crown tiara worn by Victoria Adams when she married David Beckham, valued at £18,000-£25,000 and made by jewellery designer Slim Barrett, is to be sold by Bonhams on December 5 during their Fine Jewellery sale.

Nov 29, 2013

Mourners bury Egyptian student killed in Islamist demo

Egyptian mourners on Friday buried a student killed during an Islamist demonstration at Cairo University, as authorities continued their crackdown on supporters of ousted president Mohamed Morsi.

Nov 29, 2013

Thai protesters target army, ruling party headquarters

Defiant Thai opposition protesters storm the army headquarters and besiege Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's party offices, intensifying their fight to bring down her government.

Nov 29, 2013

Fears South Africa's treatment success could breed complacency

South Africa's free AIDS drugs programme has doubled over the last three years and now provides over two million patients with life-saving antiretrovirals. But some fear that this treatment success might make people less careful to avoid infection.

Nov 29, 2013

Georgia, Moldova agree deals with EU, Ukraine refuses

The European Union on Friday initialled association agreements with Georgia and Moldova but failed to draw Ukraine closer in its drive to boost ties with six ex-Soviet states on its eastern flank.

Nov 29, 2013

BJP confident of emerging victorious in Rajasthan polls

Jodhpur, Nov 29 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata party (BJP), leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Friday said he is confident that the BJP will win polls in Rajasthan. He also took a jibe at the Congress for using Twitter to slam BJP's prime ministerial candidate, Narendra Modi.

Nov 29, 2013

Bangladesh war crimes committee chief hopes trials will go on after elections

London, Nov 29 (ANI): Chairperson of Bangladesh War Crimes Fact Finding Committee, M. A. Hassan, has pinned his hopes on the tribunal and said that the perpetrators of the 1971 liberation war will be brought to books. In his book titled, 'Beyond Denial: The Evidence of Genocide, and its provenance', Hassan emphasised that the purpose is not for vengeance but for reconciliation, which cannot exist until justice is served and remorse is shown by the perpetrators. While talking to a reporter, Hassan said that he feared that the perpetrators might come to power and cancel the whole process of trials.A war crimes tribunal, which was set up in 2010, requires wrapping up investigations of all those who were accused, as the government aims to finish their trials before Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's five-year term ends. She took charge of office in early 2009. Commenting over the ongoing trials, Hassan said that there is no assurance as to whether the trials can be continued.

Nov 29, 2013