National

BJP leader and former cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu has been sentenced to three years in prison for a 1988 murder case. The verdict has given a new twist to the political activity especially in Punjab which is heading for the Assembly elections in less than four months from now. Sidhu however will not be arrested immediately as his sentence has been suspended till January 31. The Punjab and Haryana High ... [full story]

After remaining elusive for about two years, Bharti Yadav, a key prosecution witness and sister of the prime accused in the Nitish Katara murder case, on Wednesday appeared before a Delhi court and recorded her statement in the in-camera trial. Besides lawyers from both the sides, D P Yadav, father of Bharti and a controversial politician, and Neelam Katara, mother of the victim, were present during her testimony, which will ... [full story]

Taking strong advantage of the loopholes in the law which does not ban an accused to contest elections till convicted by the court, extradited gangster Abu Salem has started his campaign with posters in his home constituency of Mubarakpur in Azamgarh district as an Independent candidate. Salem, waiting for his verdict in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts, is said to have sent more than 50,000 posters to Mubarakpur wishing people of ... [full story]

After being rapped on the knuckles by the High court for not doing enough to help the poor farmers, the Punjab government has introduced a one-time settlement scheme( OTS) with regard to the recovery of dues from defaulter farmers who had secured loans from cooperative banks. The highest number (42,368) of defaulter farmers and others concerned is in Ferozepore division that covers the cotton belt of the Malwa region. The ... [full story]

Considered to be one of the most fertile regions of the world, it’s natural for farmers in Punjab and Haryana be a happy lot but the reality is shockingly different. The farmers in both of these Northern states have had a tough time for the past few years and what’s worse is that their plea has been falling on deaf ears. This lackadaisical attitude of the government was underlined when ... [full story]

The ongoing crisis which had threatened to break apart the two decade old saffron alliance between the BJP and the Shiv Sena was resolved as Sena gave way for BJP to contest the Chimur assembly by-election in Maharashtra. Both the parties, which shared power in the state during 1995-99 were insisting on contesting the seat in the Vidarbha region. The truce was reached after BJP leader Gopinath Munde held parleys with ... [full story]

An Army Major has been shot dead by a jawan at a forward post in Rajouri sector, a defence spokesman said here today. Major Harsh Kumar was shot dead by Naik Ravi Kumar at an isolated company post in Manjakote area of Rajouri district last night, he said adding that the accused has been taken into custody by the authorities. ... [full story]

On Sept 11, 1906, 3000 Indians, Gandhiji - along with many Indians gathered at the Empire Theatre in Johannesburg to voice his outrage against the Asiatic law amendment ordinance. The ordinance was introduced to reduce Indians and Chinese to a semi-criminal status. Now the Congress party has resolved to uphold the 'precious legacy' of Mahatma Gandhi. The party will commemorate the centenary of the launch of the satyagraha movement by Gandhiji. ... [full story]

The rescuers on Friday pulled out 28 of the 43 bodies of the miners located inside the Bhatdhi mine in Jharkhand's Dhanbad district, a senior official said. The deaths were caused due to inhalation of carbon monoxide following an explosion underground in the mine on Wednesday night when 50 miners were inside, he said. Senior officials of BCCL apprehended the worst for the remaining miners. ... [full story]

India’s National song ‘Vande Mataram’ was sung across the nation on Thursday to mark its centenary. In New Delhi Union Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh sang the song at the Red Fort among other politicians. Most states made the singing of the national song in schools and colleges optional. Collective singing of the song was organised in almost all educational institutions. The song was recited in central and state government-run schools in ... [full story]