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Al-Qaeda seizes southern Yemen town Ahwar
Dozens of Al-Qaeda militants took control of the southern Yemeni town of Ahwar Saturday, Reuters reported, citing residents. Al-Qaeda gunmen clashed with the Popular Resistance forces, killing three of them, one resident said, adding that they also attacked the sheikh in charge of the area. The seizure consolidates the group’s control over much of the region. The coastal city and surrounding district, in Abyan province, is home to more than 30,000 people. It is also an important link between the major port city of Mukalla to the east and the smaller town of Zinjibar, both of which Al-Qaeda seized months ago. Separately, two gunmen riding a motorbike killed one of the most senior commanders in the Popular Resistance. Sheikh Mazen al-Aqrabi was killed along with a bodyguard in Yemen’s second-largest city of Aden in the southwest, according to an eyewitness and a security official. The gunmen were believed to be from Al-Qaeda.
Museveni wins presidential poll
Uganda’s electoral commission: Museveni wins presidential poll
President Yoweri Museveni has won Uganda’s presidential election, the electoral commission said on Saturday.“The commission declares Yoweri Kaguta Museveni elected President of the Republic of Uganda,” commission Chairman Badru Kiggundu said. Museveni, won 60.8 percent of the vote, cementing his 30-year grip on power in the East African nation, Reuters reported. His main challenger Kizza Besigye won 35.4 percent, according to the commission. The EU and Commonwealth observers have criticized the poll. Besigye’s camp has disputed preliminary results.
Bhupathi – Bhambri win men’s doubles title
Feb 20,
Mahesh Bhupathi combined with Yuki Bhambri clinched the men’s doubles title in Delhi Open on Saturday.
They won 6-3, 4-6, 10-5 against defending champions Saketh Myneni and Sanam Singh in the Tennis final.
This was Bhupathi’s first title in three years as he hardly played in the last two years and nursed a knee injury.
Myneni could not win the doubles title but earlier in the day he was all class, winning his singles semi-final 6-3,6-2 against second seed Belgian Kimmer Coppejans.
He now has a chance to win his second Challenger level singles title, having won the first in October 2014 in Indore.
China sacks Head of its Securities Regulator
Feb 21
China has removed the Head of its Securities Regulator as it tries to tackle major volatility in its stock markets.
Xiao Gang was replaced by Liu Shiyu as the chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC.
Mr Xiao was in charge when China’s markets crashed in mid-2015. At one point, the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges lost as much as 40 per cent of their value.
Mr Xiao, 57, who became the CSRC Chair in March 2013, has been criticised for mishandling the crisis.
The announcement of the new CSRC Chair comes ahead of two high-profile events for China – next week’s meeting of G20 financial leaders in Shanghai, and the annual gathering of China’s legislature in March.
Central African Republic: Former PM Faustin declared winner of Prez election
Feb 21
In Central African Republic, former Prime Minister Faustin Archange Touadera has been declared the winner of the presidential election which was held on the 14th of this month. Marie Madeleine Nkoet, president of the national election authority, read poll results to reporters, saying Touadera had come in first with 695,000 votes, or 62.7 percent votes. Georges Anicet Dologuele, who came in first in the first round, obtained just over 413,000 votes in the runoff, or 37.3 percent. Out of 1.95 million registered voters, 1.15 million cast ballots, about 59 percent.
Khajuraho Dance Festival begins
Feb 21
The 42nd Khajuraho Dance Festival began in the temple town of Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh last evening. AIR correspondent reports, the world famous dance festival began with Odissi group dance of Ranjna Gauher and others. Madhumita Roy and Madhuri Majumdar gave presentation of Kathak-Kuchipudi and Purvadhanashree presented Bharatnatyam. State Fine Arts Awards were given away to ten artists on this occasion. Programmes based on conversation with artists, screening of documentaries and short films on topics like fine arts and performing arts and an art exhibition are other highlights of the dance festival. Presentations of Mohiniattam, Kathak and Odissi dances will be given by eminent artists this evening.
PM Modi lays foundation stones in Chhattisgarh
Feb 21
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said foundation stones for a housing scheme and an electronic manufacturing cluster in Naya Raipur, the new capital of Chhattisgarh. He also unveiled the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Policy of the state government.
Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister said, innovation is an inevitable element for the progress of any society and nation. He said, during the last five decades the countries which have progressed, had focused more on innovation and entrepreneurship. He said, innovation will trigger development of the society as well as economic upliftment of the country. Mr Modi said, 65 per cent of youth in India would benefit only if they have skills in their hands.
Referring to the housing scheme, the Prime Minister said government wants to target houses for all by year 2022 to fulfill the dreams of the poor and other weaker sections of the society.
AIR correspondent reports, under the housing scheme, 40,000 houses would be constructed in Naya Raipur of Chhattisgarh for families belonging to the Economically Weaker Sections and Lower Income Groups towards achieving the target of Housing for All by 2022 under Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana.
AIR correspondent reports, under the housing scheme, 40,000 houses would be constructed in Naya Raipur of Chhattisgarh for families belonging to the Economically Weaker Sections and Lower Income Groups towards achieving the target of Housing for All by 2022 under Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana.
As far as The electronic manufacturing cluster is concerned it would be developed on 70 acres of land in Naya Raipur. It is estimated to garner capital investment of 2,000 crore rupees and create employment opportunities for over 3,800 youths.
Under the Make in India initiative, the centre has proposed seven green field manufacturing clusters in the country including one in Naya Raipur of Chhattisgarh. The proposed cluster will have facilities for manufacturing of LED Lights, Solar panels, tablets, mobile phones, IT hardware, set top box electronics and electrical automotive.
Union Minister for Urban Development Venkaiah Naidu, Chhattisgarh Governor Balramji Das Tandon and Chief Minister Raman Singh were also present on the occasion.
Union Minister for Urban Development Venkaiah Naidu, Chhattisgarh Governor Balramji Das Tandon and Chief Minister Raman Singh were also present on the occasion.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister also launched the ambitious Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee National Rurban Mission at Kurrubhath village in Dongargarh block of Rajnandgaon district in Chhattisgarh a shorwhile ago. Four clusters of adjacent villages in Rajnandgaon, Dhamtari, Bastar and Kabirdham district would be developed in the state during the first stage of this mission. On the occasion, the Prime Minister said, the mission was aimed at curbing migration of youth from villages to cities. Mr. Modi said, a huge country like India cannot have proper economic development unless even the remotest places are developed as growth centres and provided with urban facilities and good life like education, healthcare and internet while retaining the rural spirit.
Mr. Modi also inaugurated the Jan Aushadhi Medical Store Scheme which includes setting up of one hundred Generic Medicine Stores in the state.
Jat reservation stir:
Feb 21
The situation is fast returning to normalcy in Haryana where Jat agitation turned violent. During a review meeting chaired by Cabinet Secretary P K Sinha in New Delhi this morning, State Chief Secretary through video conferencing informed that civil administration is effectively strengthened by Paramilitary Forces and Army columns leading to restoration of law and order in affected districts.
An official release said, the blocked road between Rewari and Jhajjar has been opened and other road blockades are being cleared fast. Mr Sinha told the Chief Secretary that water supply to the national capital should be the top priority. He said, all measures should be taken to ensure that no disruption in water supply takes place. The Cabinet Secretary directed the authorities to take stringent action against those indulging in violence and other anti-social activities. The protesters are demanding reservation for Jat community under OBC category.
Meanwhile, Haryana Director General of Police Yashpal Singhal said, the situation in various affected towns is improving. Addressing a press conference in Chandigarh today, he said, army and police are working in full coordination. The DGP appealed to the Jat agitators to vacate the roads and rail tracks and raise their demands peacefully. Talking to AIR, Mr Singhal said, water supply to Delhi will be restored.
The DGP said, till now total 10 people have been killed and 150 injured in various incidents of violence during agitation so far. He said, 45 people have been arrested and cases have been registered against 191 people for indulging in violence. The DGP said, efforts are on to get vacated the national highways.
Meanwhile, Former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Hooda began an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi for harmony in the state. He appealed to everyone to protest peacefully for Jat reservation. He said, there should not be any loss of life or property due to the agitation. Jat leaders of Haryana are scheduled to meet Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi this afternoon over the issue.
Haryana Governor Kaptan Singh Solanki and Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar have appealed to the protesters to maintain peace and come forward for talks to resolve the issue. Several Jat leaders have refused to call off the pro-quota agitation unless the government promulgated an ordinance to include the community in the OBC category.
The agitation has affected rail and road transportation in the affected areas.
Meanwhile, Ministry of Civil Aviation has organised additional flights in view of ongoing road blockades and disturbance in Haryana. An official release said these additional flights will fly from Delhi to Chandigarh, Amritsar and Jaipur till tomorrow.
SIGNING OF MOU WITH BIHAR ON “UDAY”
MEDIA INVITATION
(SIGNING OF MOU WITH BIHAR ON “UDAY” )
Dear Sir/Madam,
It gives me pleasure to invite you to the cover following media event:
| Media Event | : | In the august presence of Shri Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of State (IC) for Power, Coal and New & Renewable Energy a tripartiteMOU with State of Bihar on “UDAY” (Ujwal Discom Assurance Yojana) for operational & Financial turnaround of Discoms will be signed by Ministry of Power , Secretary( Energy) of State Government of Bihar & on behalf of DISCOMs of North & South Bihar.Bihar is the 6th State to sign the MOU under UDAY, the other four States being UP, Rajasthan , Jharkhand , Gujarat and Chhattisgarh. |
| Day & Date | : | Monday , 22nd February ,2016 |
| Time | : | 2.30 PM |
| Venue | : | Chanakya Hall ,Samrat Hotel, New Delhi. |
