Press Trust of India

Press Trust of India (PTI) is India’s premier news agency, having a reach as vast as the Indian Railways. It employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.

India, Russia, China urge restraint in Middle East

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Foreign ministers of India, Russia and China Monday urged Israel and Palestine to show restraint to prevent the situation in the Middle East from worsening.

“The ministers discussed settlement of the conflict between Israel and Palestine. They stressed that further escalation may affect both the peace process and the general situation in the Middle East,” said a joint statement issued here after a meeting between India’s External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Russia’s Sergey Lavrov and China’s Wang Yi.

Muslim quota meet in Pune refused use of ground

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Police Monday refused permission to a proposed Muslim conference on reservations, scheduled here Feb 4, on technical grounds and after objections from the Pune Cantonment Board and the local Shiv Sena.

In a written communication, Vanavdi police station head Bapurao Kale informed the organizers that the CEO of Pune Cantonment Board had objected to the Golibar Maidan being allotted for the public conference, titled “Muslim Arakshan Parishad”, scheduled to be addressed by AIMIM president and MP Asaduddin Owaisi.

MP youth commits suicide over humiliation

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A Class 12 student Monday shot himself dead with a country-made revolver in Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh, said police.

He died on the spot.

The reason behind his taking the extreme step was not immediately clear. A few days ago, Sandeep Sen, who lived in Kotwali area, was thrashed by some people in public. Someone from the crowd recorded the incident on a mobile phone and released the video on social media where it went viral.

It is believed that unable to cope with his public humiliation, he committed suicide.

(IANS)

Modi writes to Japanese PM condemning killings

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday wrote to his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe condemning the killing of two Japanese nationals by the Islamic State (IS) militants.

“The news of the savage killing of Japanese citizens Kenji Goto and Haruna Yakuwa by the terrorist group IS, has deeply pained and shocked me and the people of India. Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families and the people of Japan,” an official statement issued here quoted the prime minister as writing in the letter.

HC notice to Kejriwal on Walia’s plea questioning candidature

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The Delhi High Court Monday issued notice to AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal on a plea filed by Congress leader Kiran Walia, questioning the legality of his candidature from the New Delhi constituency as he is a resident of Uttar Pradesh.

Justice Vibhu Bakhru posted the matter for Feb 4 and sought response from Kejriwal, the Election Commission and Delhi’s Chief Electoral Officer.

Walia, who is contesting against Kejriwal from New Delhi, moved the high court saying the Aam Aadmi Party chief gave a wrong residential address because he wished to become an elector from Delhi.

MHA seeks report from police on Delhi church attack

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The home ministry has sought a report from Delhi Police on the status of security at religious places following the ransacking-cum-theft incident in a Delhi church Monday.

The ministry has also asked the police to send a report about the action taken in earlier cases of attacks on four other Delhi churches.

The Delhi Police have also been directed to ensure the security of religious places, especially of minority communities.

Kiran Bedi’s office vandalised, three BJP workers injured

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The office of BJP’s chief ministerial candidate Kiran Bedi in her Delhi assembly constituency Krishna Nagar was Monday allegedly vandalised by a group of lawyers. Two BJP workers were reportedly injured in the incident.

“My BJP constituency office in Krishna Nagar am informed has been attacked. Informed some injured too. Cutting short Rallies, rushing back,” Bedi tweeted.

A Bharatiya Janata Party leader said the reason behind the attack was not immediately known.

SC relief to Ramdev in new ‘honeymooon remark’ cases

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The Supreme Court Monday stayed another set of criminal proceedings initiated against yoga guru Ramdev on complaints against his alleged controversial remarks on “honeymoon” directed at Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi for his visits to Dalit homes.

Extending its earlier May 9, 2014 order staying criminal proceedings against Ramdev, a bench of Chief Justice H.L.Dattu and Justice A.K.Sikri said: “Our earlier interim order shall continue in other matters also.”

Afghan forces kill 14 Taliban militants

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Afghan national army units in coordination with the police have killed at least 14 Taliban militants and injured eight others in the past two days, an army spokesperson said Monday.

“Units of national army in coordination with police have killed 14 Taliban rebels including three foreign nationals in Qaisar district over the past two days,” Xinhua quoted army spokesperson Mohammad Reza Rezai as saying.

The anti-terrorist operations took place in Faryab province. Two of the three foreigners were from Uzbekistan and another one from Chechen, Rezai added.

15 civilians killed in Ukraine

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At least 15 civilians have been killed and 42 injured over the past several days by Ukrainian artillery fire in separatist-controlled Donetsk, city officials said Monday.

According to a city council statement posted on its website, the shelling continued early Monday with explosions being heard in the city.

The command of the pro-Russian separatist militias in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic, DPR, reported that government forces shelled areas in the vicinity of Debaltsevo, a strategic city controlled by Ukrainian troops.

91 juveniles escape from reform centre in UP

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Ninety one juvenile inmates escaped from the Meerut Reform Centre late Sunday, said police.

Thirty five of these inmates were detained again Monday from various places in the city while 56 continue to be at large, police said.

The state government has suspended two police constables for dereliction of duty.

The juveniles had scaled the high peripheral walls of the building and escaped late Sunday though the incident was discovered only Monday morning.

Bengal youth beaten up for protesting women’s harassment dies

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A 20-year-old college student, who slipped into coma after being beaten up for protesting harassment of women during an idol immersion procession in West Bengal’s Howrah district, succumbed to his injuries Monday, police said.

The incident led to a fresh outcry by opposition parties against the Mamata Banerjee government over its law and order record and “patronage of criminals”.

Battling for his life for last few days, 20-year-old Arup Bhandari who had been comatose since being attacked Jan 28, died at a nursing home in the morning.

Sonia Gandhi greets nation on eve of Guru Ravidas Jayanti

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Congress president Sonia Gandhi Monday greeted the people of India on the eve of Guru Ravidas Jayanti, saying the Bhakti movement saint’s “life was his message”.

“Guru Ravidas’ life was his message – a life of simplicity and piety; of an untiring crusade for social equality and justice; and of solace and succour for the most vulnerable sections of society,” Gandhi said in a message.

“In an age of growing materialism, intolerance and bigotry, his noble words and deeds are all the more relevant today. They must continue to guide and inspire us.”

Global CEOs meet Modi, express intent to invest more

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A group of CEOs of various companies Monday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and expressed their intention to increase investments in India, an official statement said.

“A group of CEOs including Anshu Jain of Deutsche Bank AG, Dieter Zetsche of Daimler AG, Kurt Bock of BASF, Heinrich Biersinger of Thyssen Krupp, Yngve Slyngstad of Norgos, and Feffrey Jaensubhakiji of GIC AM called on Prime Minister, Narendra Modi today,” the statement said.

Cloudy Monday, rain likely Tuesday

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It was an overcast start to the week Monday with the maximum temperature recorded at a warmish 24 degrees Celsius — two notches above the season’s average. Tuesday is likely to see light showers, the Met office said.

The minimum temperature was two notches below the season’s average at 6.2 degrees Celsius.

Tuesday might see spells of very light rain, said an official of the India Meteorological Department.

Tuesday’s maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to hover around 21 and 9 degrees Celsius, respectively.

(IANS)

BJP slams AAP for taking donation from ‘shell companies’

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The BJP Monday slammed the AAP for allegedly taking donations from “shell companies”, after a group of former AAP volunteers alleged malpractice in donations received by the Arvind Kejriwal-led party.

“Four fake companies, with same directors, and made within a period of 10-11 days, donated Rs.50 Lakh each to the AAP on the same day,” BJP leader Piyush Goyal said.

“These companies did not have any profit. According to laws, a company can donate only 7.5 percent of their average annual profit plus tax for three years as political donation,” he said.

Striker Kane signs new contract with Tottenham

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Harry Kane has signed a new five-and-a-half-year contract with English football club Tottenham Hotspur, the team announced Monday.

The new deal keeps one of England’s top young strikers at the north London club until 2020, reports Xinhua.

The 21-year-old Kane has scored 20 goals in all competitions in his breakthrough season at Tottenham and has eight goals from 10 games for England’s Under-21 side.

(IANS)

Pacer Johnson ready to bowl first change in World Cup

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Australian left-arm pacer Mitchell Johnson Monday said he is open to the idea of bowling first change in the World Cup should the team demand that of him.

“We’ve got two left-armers and got to think about what’s best for our team – if it’s me coming on first change I’d be happy to do that,” Johnson was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

Johnson also added the decision would only be arrived upon after consultation with skipper George Bailey and Darren Lehman the head coach.

AAP, BJP to take ‘upadravi gotra’ issue to EC

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The row over Arvind Kejriwal being shown of “upadravi gotra” – or destructive subcaste – has led the AAP and the BJP locking horns, with both parties gearing up to lodge complaints against each other with the Election Commission.

Aam Aadmi Party chief Kejriwal said he, while following social activist Anna Hazare’s ideals that one must have the capacity to tolerate insult, ignored many insulting acts of the Bharatiya Janata Party but they “crossed limits” and his party will now approach the poll panel.

Disappointing to miss out on World Cup berth: Yuvraj, Gambhir

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Out-of-favour batsmen Yuvraj Singh and Gautam Gambhir, integral members of India’s 2011 World Cup-winning side, Monday said they were disappointed at being ignored for the team chosen for the 2015 edition of the tournament.

Indian selectors decided to favour youngsters while selecting the team at the expense of senior players Yuvraj, Harbhajan Singh, Virender Sehwag, Zaheer Khan, Gambhir, Ashish Nehra and Munaf Patel.

“It was disappointing not being picked for the World Cup. It’s a decision which you can’t help,” Yuvraj said at the News24 cricket conclave here.

Future belongs to digital media, says Jaitley

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The future of communication belongs to digital media due to its reach, variety and accessibility and officials dealing with information dissemination must package data and facts in line with contemporary trends and media requirements, Information and Broadcasting Minister Arun Jaitley said Monday.

Inaugurating a workshop here on ‘Streamlining government communication’, he said the present environment offered a tremendous opportunity to stakeholders within the government to disseminate credible, factual, relevant and reader-friendly information.

Kerala CPI-M leader in jail for 19 days

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Firebrand CPI-M leader M.V. Jayarajan was Monday evening lodged at the Central Jail here and would remain in jail for 19 days.

Jayarajan Monday surrendered to the Kerala High Court registrar who handed him over to the police.

The Supreme Court last Friday upheld his conviction for using unparliamentary language against state high court judges.

While the Kerala High Court had sentenced him to six months in jail, following his appeal, the apex court reduced it four weeks’ simple imprisonment.

Delhi Police constable hit by speeding vehicle

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A 50-year-old Delhi Police constable is battling for life at a private hospital after he along with a home guard was hit by a speeding car at a police picket here early Monday, police said.

The incident occurred around 1.50 a.m. in Ghazipur area of east Delhi.

Constable Ajmer Singh received multiple injuries while home guard Krishan Pal, 25, was discharged after first aid as he suffered minor injuries in the incident.

Singh and Pal were deployed at the police picket situated at the Uttar Pradesh-Delhi border when a white colour Fortuner vehicle coming from Uttar Pradesh hit them.

Uma Bharti praises Manjhi for ‘good work’

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Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi Monday found a new fan in central Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti, who described him as a ‘garibon ka Masiha’ (champion of the poor).

Uma Bharti praised Manjhi’s work as chief minister after she met him here to discuss the problems of flood and drought in Bihar.

“Manjhi is from humble background and is doing good work. He is a champion of the poorest of the poor,” she told the media here.

Uma Bharti said the central government would help Bihar in all possible ways to deal with floods and drought in the state.

Modi invites Chinese to visit India for boosting ties

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Monday that India and China share age-old ties and it is necessary for both countries to boost people-to-people links through tourism in order to know each other better.

In a video message on the occasion of launch of the “Visit India Year 2015” in China, the prime minister said that in 2016, India will celebrate ‘Visit China Year’.

Modi’s video message comes as External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj is in Beijing for bilateral talks to lay the groundwork for Modi’s visit in May.