India

Amaravati, Jan 26 (PTI): Claiming that there were 100 per cent chances for hacking Electronic Voting Machines, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu Saturday warned that democracy could not be sacrificed to hackers.

He demanded that the Election Commission of India either ensure VVPAT receipts were issued 100 per cent or revert to the old ballot paper system.

Addressing a meeting of Telugu Desam Party MPs here, he noted that anybody could misuse technology.

Attari (Amritsar), Jan 26 (PTI) On the occasion of India's 70th Republic Day, the Border Security Force (BSF) offered sweets to its Pakistani counterparts at the International border here on Saturday.

BSF commandant Mukund Kumar Jha gave the sweets to Pakistani Wing Commander Usman at zero line on the Attari-Wagah border.

Personnel of BSF and Pakistan Rangers, the neighbouring countrys border-guarding force, hugged and shook hands with each other besides sharing pleasantries for few minutes, officials said.

Jind, Jan 26 (PTI) Campaigning for the January 28 bypoll to the Jind assembly constituency, witnessing a high-stake, multi-cornered contest, chiefly among the ruling BJP, opposition INLD, besides the Congress and fledgling JJP, ended Saturday.

The campaign period for the multi-cornered contest ended at 5 pm, restricting candidates now only to door-to-door canvassing for seeking votes from about 1.75 lakh voters of the constituency.

A total of 21 candidates are in the fray for the polls.

Imphal, Jan 26 (PTI) A low intensity blast occurred on Saturday afternoon near a security camp of Border Roads Task Force (BRTF) at Lamphel area in Imphal West district, police said.

The blast, which occurred at around 1 pm near an officers' mess, did not lead to any casualty or damages, they said.

Several proscribed outfits had called for a shutdown in the state in connection with the Republic Day celebrations on Saturday.

The blast is also the first to rock the state this year, official sources said.

KANPUR: It was not the first time in the family. The girls of this household have earned credits earlier too. They are five sisters and now boast of their honour at the state level. Their entries were accepted for selection this year too. Two of them had been awarded in the past but handicraft entries of three sisters were chosen this time. Thus this family has earned laurels and brought fame to the name of the city.     

NEW DELHI; 26 Jan 2019; GANASHAKTI: President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa arrived here on Friday on a two-day State Visit to India.

He will be the State Guest of Honour for the Republic Day parade on Saturday.

"Special occasion. Special friend. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is received by Urban Development Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on his 1st State visit to India after assuming office -accompanied by First Lady and a high level delegation. He is the Guest of Honour for 70th Republic Day celebrations," MEA spokesman Raveesh Kumar tweeted.

New Delhi, Jan 25 (PTI) Talks are underway between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to strengthen ties between the two nations and step up cooperation in a range of areas, including defence, security and trade.

New Delhi, Jan 25 (PTI) No-frills airline IndiGo will start daily direct flights from the national capital to Istanbul from March 20.

IndiGo would be the first Indian airline to fly to Turkey and Istanbul would be the 16th international destination for the budget carrier, the airline said in the release Friday.

IndiGo, which is India's largest carrier in terms of domestic market share, would operate daily non-stop flights between Delhi and Istanbul from March 20, with A321 aircraft, the release said.

Guwahati, Jan 25 (PTI) The CPI(M) announced on Friday that it would would protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill across the country on February 4.

The CPI(M) Politburo appealed to all parties, groups and citizens who believe in the unity and diversity of the country and the common basis of citizenship as enshrined in the Constitution to join this protest, a release issued by Hari Singh Kang on behalf of the CPI(M)'s Central Committee office said.

New Delhi, Jan 25 (PTI) IndiGo's new CEO Ronojoy Dutta Friday told the staff that the airline would be making a major expansion into international markets.

Dutta's appointment as the CEO of InterGlobe Aviation, the parent of IndiGo, was made by the board on Thursday amid the carrier working on expansion of its presence.

IndiGo is the country's largest airline in terms of domestic market share.