Press Trust of India A Supreme Court ruling overturning a Delhi High Court order decriminalising gay sex may have aggrieved members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, but the rainbow youth brigade looks forward to the April-May general elections, hoping young guns at the centre will bring about a positive change in law.
BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi Sunday said the decision on the party candidate from Varanasi constituency, which he currently holds, will be taken by the parliamentary board amid speculation that Narendra Modi could contest from the Uttar Pradesh city.
Asked if he would contest again from Varanasi, Joshi said: “This will be decided by the parliamentary board of the party. The meeting will take place on March 13 and Modi-ji will also be present.”
A 22-year-old woman committed suicide by hanging herself from a ceiling fan. She left a note blaming her husband and her younger sister for her death, police said Sunday.
The body of Kiran was found by a relative at her home in east Delhi’s Mayur Vihar area Saturday night.
A suicide note was written on the wall of the room that said her husband and her younger sister were responsible for her death.
Police said her husband Jitu, who works in a factory, and her sister were absconding.
Kiran and Jitu got married four years ago. They have a two-year-old daughter.
(IANS)
Bangladesh’s border guards have promised firm action against insurgents from India’s northeastern states taking shelter in that country, an Indian official said Sunday.
“We have handed over a list of 66 Indian insurgent camps to the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). They have assured us of taking firm action against the Indian insurgents operating from Bangladesh,” Inspector General of Border Security Force Sudhir Kumar Srivastava, in-charge Guwahati Frontier, told media.
Asserting that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will field eight to 10 candidates from West Bengal for the Lok Sabha polls, party leader Pankaj Gupta Sunday expressed regret over social activist Anna Hazare endorsing Mamata Banerjee and her Trinamool Congress.
“It is sad to see Anna Hazare endorsing Mamata Banerjee and campaigning for Trinamool, when it is the AAP which is carrying forward the fight against corruption. However, all the AAP leaders including Arvind Kejriwal have a deep respect for Anna,” he said here.
India’s Virat Kohli has reclaimed the No.1 position in the latest ICC rankings for One-Day International (ODI) batsmen released Sunday at the conclusion of the Asia Cup which was won by Sri Lanka.
Kohli had entered the Asia Cup, trailing No.1 ranked AB de Villiers by two points. Kohli’s tournament aggregate of 189 runs in three innings, with 136 against Bangladesh as his series best, earned him 12 points which has put him ahead of South Africa ODI captain by nine points.
Chennai’s Vishnu Prasad, who enjoyed a profitable season in 2013 with the JK Tyre Rotax Max National Karting (seniors) and JK Racing India series titles, was adjudged the “Most Promising Motorsport Man of the Year” at the annual awards gala of the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India here Saturday.
The FMSCI also presented the lifetime award to K. Krishnamurthy, one of country’s top technical experts in motorsports for his meritorious service as the Scrutineer since 1968.
Security has been tightened around major Tibetan refugee settlements in Nepal ahead of Monday’s Tibetan Uprising Day anniversary, officials said Sunday.
This would be the 55th anniversary of the uprising.
Police said hundreds of security personnel in uniform and plain clothes have been deployed in Kathmandu’s Boudha, Swoyambhunath and Jawlakhel areas where Tibetans have been living in camps since their exile.
Security has been tightened in and around the Chinese embassy and its consular office, and also in Pokhara city outside the capital, where a small refugee camp is located.
Reality TV star Khloe Kardashian’s curves drew people’s attention at the Rick Ross’ concert at Revolt Live in Hollywood.
The 29-year-old sported her fit body in tiny ripped jean shorts, which she paired with thigh-high black leather stiletto boots, reports eonline.com.
She teamed the dominatrix-esque ensemble with a formfitting black top, a black jacket, aviator shades, a gold cross pendant and a beige colour Chanel bag.
She wore her wavy honey long locks down and finished the look with peach glossy lips.
(IANS)
Congress’ high-profile candidate Nandan Nilekani, contesting from the prestigious Bangalore South parliamentary constituency, Sunday said it was time for his rival – BJP’s Ananth Kumar – to go.
“There are times in business or politics when one has to go. I think time has come for him to go,” Nilekani told reporters without taking Ananth Kumar’s name in response to queries about what he thought of his prospects over his rival who had been representing the seat since 1996, winning it five consecutive times.
India have been guaranteed they would retain their No.2 position in the ICC ODI team rankings at the April 1 cut-off date.
India finished with 113 points, just one ahead of third-ranked Sri Lanka, to walk away with a prize of $75,000. There was no other change in the table with all sides retaining their positions.
Australia were assured of the No.1 ranking in January after India lost their ODI series against New Zealand 0-4. They will receive the ODI shield as well as a cheque of $175,000.
The Asia Cup was the last ODI series before the deadline.
Sixty-four players including China’s Ding Junhui will compete in the 2014 World Snooker Haikou Open from March 10 to 16.
The season’s ninth ranking event also attracts Mark Selby, Judd Trump, Neil Robertson and Marco Fu as well as the other 10 Chinese players including Li Yan and Liang Wenbo, reports Xinhua.
In the event which offers a total prize of 478,000 pounds, Selby will open against Anthony Hamilton with defending champion Mark Allen versus Mike Dunn.
(IANS)
The following are the One-Day International (ODI) batsmen’s rankings released by the International Cricket Council (ICC) here Sunday:
1. Virat Kohli (India) 881 points
2. AB de Villiers (South Africa) 872
3. George Bailey (Australia) 856
4. Hashim Amla (South Africa) 840
5 Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) 833
6. Mahendra Singh Dhoni (India) 783
7. Jonathan Trott (England) 725
8. Shikhar Dhawan (India) 723
9. T Dilshan (Sri Lanka) 717
10. Misbah-ul-Haq (Pakistan) 715
(IANS)
Actress Drew Barrymore says the biggest mistake people make on their wedding day is that they overdo make-up and advises brides to go for the natural look.
“That day is so surreal and important and long-lasting for people, I think the biggest mistake you can make is to overdo it. Brides should look naturally beautiful on their wedding day,” people.com quoted her as saying.
Rio de Janeiro’s 2016 Olympic organising committee has played down concerns about pollution at the city’s sailing venue.
Guanabara Bay was last year described by British Sydney 2000 Olympic silver medallist Ian Barker as a “sewer” due to its high level of rubbish, dark hue and stench, reports Xinhua.
Rio 2016 officials have submitted a report to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) proving the area is safe for athletes.
Senior CPI-M legislator Anisur Rehman, facing flak for making allegedly derogatory comments about West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Sunday defended himself, noting he had not said anything wrong.
The ruling Trinamool Congress Sunday threatened to slap a privilege notice.
Besides making personal remarks against Banerjee, Rehman addressing a party rally in Birbhum district Saturday described her ministerial colleagues as “lambs who can’t even marry without permission”.
He also targeted actress Moon Moon Sen who is contesting the Lok Sabha polls as a Trinamool candidate.
BJP leaders in Bihar Sunday launched a campaign to woo voters by promising that the state will be accorded special category status if Narendra Modi becomes prime minister.
Modi, however, has himself remained silent over the demand so far.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders say it is an attempt to counter Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s ongoing “Sankalp Yatra” over the denial of special status to the state by the Congress-led union government.
A day ahead of Modi’s rally in Purnea district, BJP leaders Sunday said the special status demand will be fulfilled only by him.
All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja of India was the biggest mover in the One-Day International (ODI) bowlers’ rankings, jumping four places to fifth while Pakistani spinner Saeed Ajmal continues to lead the rankings released by the International Cricket Council (ICC) here Sunday.
1. Saeed Ajmal (Pakistan) 789 points
2. Dale Steyn (South Africa) 742
3. Sunil Narine (West Indies) 714
4. Steven Finn (England) 681
5. Ravindra Jadeja (India) 676
6. L Tsotsobe (South Africa) 674
7. Morne Morkel (South Africa) 673
8. James Anderson (England) 669
9. Clint McKay (Australia) 666
In an embarrassment to the Congress, its nominee for Bhind (Reserved) constituency in Madhya Pradesh Bhagirath Prasad Sunday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
“Happy to welcome Bhagirath Prasad in the BJP,” Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said on Twitter.
State BJP leader Hitesh Bajpai said Prasad joined the party in Bhopal.
The Congress Saturday named Prasad as its candidate for the Lok Sabha elections from Bhind constituency.
Prasad contested the last Lok Sabha elections from Bhind on a Congress ticket but lost.
(IANS)
Soundarya, daughter of superstar Rajinikanth, Sunday said that her directorial debut “Kochadaiiyaan” is a tribute to her father.
In a touching speech at the audio launch of the film, Soundarya thanked her father for giving her the opportunity to direct him.
“Dad, thank you a million times for being so patient, supportive and encouraging. You were the rock I needed by my side. The film has come to life because of you. We are all here only for you. This film is my tribute to your illustrious career,” Soundarya told reporters here.
Assam’s Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) Saturday received a jolt ahead of the Lok Sabha polls with the resignation of former party president Chandra Mohan Patowari, who is now likely to join the BJP.
Although Patowary could not be contacted, AGP sources confirmed his resignation.
Besides Patowari, several other leaders of the once prominent regional political party had left in the last few years due to growing dissidence. Prominent among those who left the party included Sarbananda Sonowal, who is now head of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s state unit.
The alleged misuse of his government residence by an AAP leader who recently quit his government job in Haryana has been reported to the Election Commission by the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD).
The INLD, in its complaint, said that the AAP candidate for the Hisar Lok Sabha seat, Y.S. Khayalia was misusing his government residence for party activities, thus violating the model code of conduct.
Accusing both Congress and BJP of pursuing “pro-rich policies”, Communist Party of India-Marxist leader Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee Saturday asserted only the Left parties had the right alternative policies.
“There is no difference between policies of Congress and BJP, their sole aim is making richer the rich and robbing the poor.
“They can dole out subsidies to big corporates but when comes to giving subsidies for public distribution system, they don’t have the money,” said Bhattacharjee, a former West Bengal chief minister, while addressing a rally in Ranaghat in Nadia district.
An Indian in Dubai has been jailed for six months followed by deportation from the United Arab Emirates for molesting a five-year-old girl.
The Dubai Court of First Instance passed the sentence after the 23-year-old delivery man earlier admitted that he had grabbed the girl by her hand, and hugged, kissed and touched her inappropriately, the Khaleej Times reported Saturday.
The girl’s mother, a 28-year-old Afghan housewife who lives in International City, filed a complaint after the incident Jan 20.
Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP), a constituent of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) in Kerala, Saturday walked out of the alliance after it was denied a Lok Sabha seat, saying it was fed up with the overbearing attitude of the CPI-M.
Addressing reporters here, after day-long deliberations at the RSP headquarters here, its state secretary A.A. Azeez also indicated the party was open to joining the ruling United Democratic Front (UDF).