News

Farhat Khan stopped from going to Makkah Masjid today, virtually under house arrest

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Police has virtually put Mr. Majeedullah Khan Farhat, MBT candidate from Yaqutpura Assembly constituency, under house arrest. Police served a notice to Mr. Majeedullah Khan Farhat, who had planned to offer Friday prayers at Makkah Masjid on April 25, requesting him not to head for Masjid to challenge political rivals; saying that as per the election code of conduct using religious places for electioneering is not allowed.

Law will take its own course against Prabhunath: EC

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The Election Commission (EC) today said “law will take its own course” in cases against RJD candidate from Maharajganj Lok Sabha constituency Prabhunath Singh.

“The non-bailable warrants are already there against him. The district administration is free to take action. The law will take its own course in the matter. We have nothing to do in it,” Bihar Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Ajay V Nayak said.

Ramdev’s trust moves HC against EC diktat on yoga camps

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Yoga guru Baba Ramdev’s trust today moved the Gujarat High Court against the Election Commission’s cancellation of permission to his yoga camps in Ahmedabad and Vadodara.

The HC sought replies from the state government, the Election Commission of India and the police to the two petitions filed by Ramdev’s Bharat Swabhiman Trust.

“Election commission has denied permission to conduct yoga shibirs (camps) citing the reason of violation of Model Code of Conduct,” the petitioners have said.

The camps were scheduled for April 26 (Vadodara) and April 27 (Ahmedabad).

Modi dares Sonia for public debate on Gujarat

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BJP’s Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi here today accused Congress president Sonia Gandhi of spreading lies about Gujarat and dared her for a public debate with him.

Modi also said if lying amounted to violation of the model code of conduct, the Election Commission should take action against the Congress president.

“Madam Sonia tried to mislead the people of Gujarat and the country, I challenge her for an open debate on this,” Modi, who is contesting from here as well as Varanasi, said at a public gathering.

France to cooperation with Palestinian unity government

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France was ready to work with the new Palestinian government which will include members from Hamas party, widely considered as a radical movement, the country’s foreign ministry said Thursday.

“France… has always supported the Palestinian reconciliation under the authority of President (Mahmoud) Abbas and the organisation of elections. It is ready to work with a government of the Palestinian Authority but it rejects the use of violence,” Xinhua quoted ministry spokesperson Romain Nadal as saying.

UN chief expresses concern over Ukraine crisis

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UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon Thursday voiced his deep concern about the continued violence in eastern Ukraine, which led to the loss of life and further instability, saying that “military action must be avoided at all costs”.

“The secretary general is deeply concerned about continued violence in eastern Ukraine, which has led to loss of life, further instability and which is contributing to a climate of fear and anxiety,” Xinhua quoted a spokesperson of Ban as saying in a statement.

Obama urges acknowledgement of massacre of Armenians

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US President Barack Obama Thursday called for “a full, frank and just acknowledgement of the facts” relating to the massacre of 1.5 million Armenians at the hands of Ottoman Turks starting in 1915.

Despite his past promise, the president shunned again the word “genocide” in his latest observance of what he called “one of the worst atrocities of the 20th century,” Xinhua reported.

Over 82 percent turnout in Bengal, polling mostly peaceful

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Braving the sweltering heat, voters turned up in huge numbers as over 82 percent polling was recorded in six Lok Sabha constituencies of West Bengal Thursday, amid stray incidents of violence.

The authorities described the polling process in the second phase of elections in the state – after four constituencies voted a week back – as “peaceful”, without any major incidents or complaints of booth capturing. Five arrests were made.

25 killed and 35 wounded in Iraq violence

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At least 25 people were killed and 35 others wounded in attacks across Iraq Thursday, police said.

The deadliest attack occurred near Iraq’s central province of Babil when a suicide bomber blew up his explosive-laden car at a police checkpoint just north of the provincial capital city of Hilla, leaving 10 people killed and 20 others wounded, Xinhua quoted a police source as saying.

Three police officers and five policemen were among the dead, the source added.

In Anbar province, two policemen were killed and three others injured in a roadside bomb attack near the city of Rutba.

Over 3,000 heavy vehicle drivers prosecuted in Delhi

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Over 3,000 heavy vehicle drivers were prosecuted for rash and dangerous driving in the city during the night hours, Delhi Police said Thursday.

A total of 3,265 commercial transport vehicle drivers were prosecuted, and of these 2,100 faced action for dangerous and rash driving during a six-day drive launched by Delhi Police from April 18.

Stress on women’s dignity at workplaces

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Need for a positive environment to respect dignity of women employees and prevent their sexual harassment at workplaces was stressed at a day-long seminar here Thursday.

“Sexual harassment not only hurts self-esteem of a victim, but also amounts to violating fundamental rights of an individual,” said Amita Prasad, principal secretary of Karnataka’s department of women and child development, at the seminar, organised by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham).

EC finds 321 cases of paid news till date

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The Election Commission has confirmed 321 cases of paid news in the country in the Lok Sabha elections held for 349 parliamentary constituencies till date.

According to data released by the EC Thursday, notices have been served to parties concerned in 582 cases so far, of which 321 cases have been confirmed.

In Rajasthan, the EC has served notices in 168 cases, of which 115 have been found to be genuine. In Uttar Pradesh, all 61 cases in which notices have been served have been confirmed to be instances of paid news.

Eight polling staff killed in Maoist blast in Jharkhand

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Eight people – three polling staff and five policemen – were killed in Jharkhand’s Dumka district Thursday when Maoists detonated a landmine as they were on their way back from a polling station, a police official said.

“Five policemen and three poll personnel were killed in the incident,” Inspector General of Police Anurag Gupta told IANS, adding the incident occurred in Shikaripara.

Five people were injured in the attack which took place at around 5 p.m., he said.

Special Cell to probe two suspected terrorists’ case, NiA tells HC

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The National Investigation Agency (NIA) Thursday informed the Delhi High Court that it has agreed to pass on the responsibility of investigating the role of two suspected Indian Mujahideen operative, arrested for allegedly conspiring to carry out terror strikes in the capital, to Delhi Police’s Special Cell of Delhi police.

The NIA asked Justice V.P. Vaish to “discharge” it from the case.

“It is between two agencies (NIA and Special Cell) and we have resolved the issue. Delhi Police will continue with the investigation, not the NIA,” counsel appearing for NIA told the court.

BJP candidate charges AIADMK with rigging in Chennai South

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BJP leader and Chennai South parliamentary constituency contestant La. Ganesan Thursday charged Tamil Nadu’s ruling AIADMK with booth capturing and bogus voting.

In a statement issued here, Ganesan said polling was largely peaceful till 1 p.m. and after that the AIADMK cadre and leaders resorting to booth capturing and bogus voting in the constituency.

Meanwhile Bharatiya Janata Party’s state president Pon.Radhakrishnan in a statement praised police and election officials for conducting the polls in an efficient manner.

Knight Riders stun Royal Challengers, win by 2 runs

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A stunning catch by Australian Chris Lynn in the last over made the difference as Kolkata Knight Riders narrowly beat Royal Challengers Bangalore by two runs in an Indian Premier League (IPL) match at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium here Thursday.

Royal Challengers, looking for their third win on the trot, put Knight Riders into bat and they scored 150 for seven in 20 overs with Chris Lynn (45) and Jacques Kallis (43) doing the bulk of the scoring.

Re-polling ordered in nine Odisha booths on April 25

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Repolling will be held in nine booths spread over three Parliamentary constituencies in Odisha Friday.

Besides, six booths of Niali Assembly segment under Jagatsinghpur Lok Sabha seat, repolling would also be held in two other booths of Keonjhar and one booth in Kendrapara Lok Sabha seat.

Polling in these booths were held on April 17. But following allegations of massive rigging and other irregularities like EVM damages, the Election Commission had ordered repolling in these nine booths.

Traffic restrictions in City today

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The following traffic restrictions are likely to be imposed on April 25 from 1400 hours to 2200 hours in connection with a Public Meeting being held by Congress at L.B. Stadium.

I must be CM to develop AP state: Naidu

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TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu today made it clear that his becoming chief minister of Seemandhra was necessary for development of the region.
The former chief minister said, “There was a need to build the Seemandhra region right from the beginning and I should become chief minister of the region for all-round development. That is the reason why I am contesting for Assembly constituency”, Naidu said while speaking to the media at Nirmal in Adilabad district.

Modi will take care of T development: Swamy

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BJP senior leader Subramanyam Swamy today said development of Telangana would be taken care of by the BJP government under the leadership of Narendra Modi.
Speaking to mediapersons here, Swamy said Congress president Sonia Gandhi was expecting the top post. He also alleged that by buying National Herald newspaper for Rs five lakh, they usurped properties worth Rs 5,000 crore.
The BJP leader said Robert Vadra , son-in-law of Sonia Gandhi, bought government lands at throw-away prices. He demanded that Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi respond to the allegations against Robert Vadra. (NSS)

Ponnala, Raghuveera condole Shobha’s Death

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TPCC chief Ponnala Lakshmaiah and APCC chief N Raghuveera Reddy today condoled the sudden death of YSRCP MLA Shobha Nagi Reddy. She died this morning at a city hospital while undergoing treatment followed by a road accident at Kurnool.
Lakshmaiah and Raghuveera stated that Shobha was noted for her smooth talk and relentless services to poor. They extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.
Wife of Bhuma Nagi Reddy and daughter of former minister SV Subba Reddy, Shobha is survived by two daughters and a son. (NSS)

Why TDP leaders dying in mishaps?

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Many senior and prominent political leaders who met with untimely death in ghastly accidents were ironically associated with Telugu Desam Party either as members or former members of the party.