Sparrow decline indicates serious environmental change: Experts

New Delhi, May 9: House sparrows are an indicator of the environmental health of an area, and their disappearance could be linked to a rise in infectious diseases and ecological change, say experts. These common birds have been edged out of Delhi homes by changes in architecture and agriculture More

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Manto, a forgotten man in his Punjab village

JAIDEEP SARIN

Paproudi (Punjab), May 9: Except for the Manto Yaadgari library, which too was set up only last year and has just two to three books by him, legendary writer Saadat Hasan Manto's village Paproudi is no pilgrim spot for litterateurs. As some people across the subcontinent get down to celebrating More

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‘Pumping groundwater may cause rise in sea level’

Amsterdam, May 9: A new study calculates that by 2050, groundwater pumping will cause a global sea level rise of about 0.8 mm per year. Pumping groundwater for irrigation, drinking and industrial uses, doesn't just seep back into the ground, it also evaporates into the air or runs off into rivers More

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Delhi Court frames charges against Tariq Dar

2005 DIWALI BLASTS

New Delhi, May 9: A special anti-money laundering court here today framed charges against Tariq Ahmed Dar who is alleged to have masterminded and funded the 2005 Diwali-eve blasts at prime Delhi markets like Sarojini Nagar and Paharganj. The court of Special Judge at Karkardooma, P S Teji More

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Shun factionalism, prepare for polls: Sonia to party men

ANIL ANAND

New Delhi, May 9: To rejuvenate the party infrastructure after having suffered electoral setbacks recently, Congress president Sonia Gandhi has asked the party men to close their ranks and shun “all manner of factional behavior”. Addressing the Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) after the More

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3 AICTE experts among 6 held by CBI for bribery

PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

Raipur, May 9: Six persons, including three experts associated with the All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE), have been arrested by CBI in a bribery case. The trio-- Sanjay Soni, Manoj Kumar Kushwaha and Rajesh Kumar Singh, who were on an AICTE experts panel, have been charged More

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Chidambaram hits out at opposition

MERCY PETITIONS ISSUE

PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

New Delhi, May 9: Home Minister P Chidambaram today hit out at the opposition on the issue of mercy petitions, saying while 16 cases had been decided by the President during his tenure, not even a single plea was cleared during the NDA rule when L K Advani was heading the ministry. "L K Advani More

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Why toll tax when there are no smooth roads: SC to Centre

PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

New Delhi, May 9: The Centre's policy of charging toll tax from vehicles has come under scrutiny of the Supreme Court which today questioned the justification of imposing such charges on people when the government cannot provide smooth roads. A bench of justices D K Jain and Anil R Dave directed More

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Pak must protect minorities’ rights: S M Krishna

ANIL ANAND

New Delhi, May 9: In the face of reports of alleged persecution of Hindus in Pakistan, India has asked Islamabad to ensure protection of the Constitutional rights of minorities living in that country. Responding to an urgent Calling Attention Motion moved by veteran BJP MP, M M Joshi, in More

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Irom Sharmila's 11-year-old hunger strike now in Ripley's

PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

Kolkata, May 9: The courageous tale of Irom Chanu Sharmila, the 'Iron Lady of Manipur', who has not eaten a morsel of food since the last eleven years has now been included in the collection of 'Ripley's Believe It or Not!'. Under the banner of Just Peace Foundation (JPF), supporters of Sharmila More

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SC issues notice to Centre, states

PIL TO CHECK SYNTHETIC MILK SALE

PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

New Delhi, May 9: Supreme Court today sought the response of the Centre and various state governments on a plea for checking sale of synthetic and adulterated milk and various dairy products. A bench headed by Chief Justice S H Kapadia issued notices to the Centre and the state governments More

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Cong likely to take decision on Prez candidate next month

PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

New Delhi, May 9: Despite Pranab Mukherjee's name prominently doing the rounds, Congress is in no hurry to make up its mind on the Presidential candidate and the issue is still open with a decision expected only next month. A clear indication to this effect was given by a senior party leader More

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World's shortest woman joins Raj Thackeray's party

Nagpur, May 9: The world's shortest woman Jyoti Amge, standing at 62.8 cm, has joined Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and hopes to pursue a full-fledged career in public service, a party leader said here Wednesday.  "Yesterday, Jyoti came and expressed a desire to work for the More

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ISI trying to revive Babbar Khalsa: Govt

PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

New Delhi, May 9: Pakistan's intelligence agency ISI is trying to revive Babbar Khalsa in order to resurrect terrorism in Punjab, the government informed Parliament today. Minister of State for Home Jitendra Singh gave this information in reply a question in this regard in Rajya Sabha.  More

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'1,446 Kashmiri migrants accepted job offer'

PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

New Delhi, May 9: Altogether 1,446 Kashmiri migrants have accepted employment under the Prime Minister's special rehabilitation package for the community and are living in the Valley. Minister of State for Home Jitendra Singh said under the package, announced in 2008 to ensure rehabilitation More

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Exclusive portal to publicise citizen charter

PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

New Delhi, May 9: The Government today said it has created a website to publicise citizens charters. "A special portal has been created at http://goicharters.Nic.In, listing out names of 131 central and 729 state government organisations that have prepared More

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