Washington, Jan 19 (PTI) An Indian-American philanthropist and entrepreneur, Gurinder Singh Khalsa, has been presented with the prestigious Rosa Park Trailblazer award for his campaign that forced US authorities change their policy towards headgear of the Sikh community.

Indianapolis-based Khalsa, 45, was presented the award for his continued demonstration of courage and compassion.

In 2007, Khalsa was refused access to board an airplane because of his turban, organisers of the event said.

19 Jan 2019; DW: Grace Meng's lawyer says she has formally requested refuge from French authorities as she is afraid she may be kidnapped. Her husband, Meng Hongwei, went missing in September after traveling to his native China.

The wife of the former Interpol chief being held in China on corruption charges has applied for asylum in France, her spokesperson has said.

Srinagar, Jan 19 (PTI) PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday sought the release of separatist leader Shahid-ul-Islam, who is in the NIA's custody, on humanitarian grounds as his wife was not feeling well.

The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister spoke to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh over phone after reports of Islam's wife having suffered a brain hemorrhage emerged.

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — The United States ambassador to Congo says 20 days without internet in the country are “20 days too many” and that access cut off just after the disputed presidential election “needs to be restored now.”

Ambassador Mike Hammer isn’t the only diplomat in Congo expressing frustration. British Ambassador John Murton has been tweeting regular reminders of the shutdown, saying on Friday that “this poses problems for hospitals, universities, commerce.”

Jammu, Jan 18 (PTI) National Conference president Farooq Abdullah Friday reiterated that his party was committed towards ensuring regional autonomy in Jammu and Kashmir as it will assuage the aspirations of the people of all the regions.

The former chief minister sought a massive mandate for his party in the ensuing elections, saying a strong and stable government alone can steer Jammu and Kashmir to peace, progress and development.

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks in the U.S. and Europe jumped Friday as renewed hopes for progress in trade talks between the U.S. and China helped the markets finish the week with another strong gain.

Indexes jumped after Bloomberg News reported that China’s government offered to buy more goods and services from the U.S., potentially eliminating its trade deficit by 2024. For investors, the encouraging news on trade builds on recent positive signs for the U.S. economy and indications from the Federal Reserve that it will be patient when considering future interest rate hikes.

Bengaluru, Jan 18 (PTI) Congress will issue notices to four MLAs seeking explanation from them for their absence at the Congress Legislature Party meeting here Friday, CLP leader Siddaramaiah said.

Briefing reporters after the CLP meet, Siddaramaiah said after receiving the replies from the absentee lawmakers, the issue would be discussed with the party high command and state leaders before deciding on the next step.

New Delhi, Jan 18 (PTI) Lt. Governor Anil Baijal on Friday reviewed the air pollution situation in Delhi and asked agencies to direct field officers to visit hotspot and heavily penalise instances of burning of waste, polluting units and dust-generating activities.

Baijal also asked the Delhi government to ensure greening of areas where waste has been lifted to control dust pollution.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The third annual Women’s March is returning to Washington this week amid inclement weather, ideological schisms and the longest government shutdown in American history.

Nainital (U'khand), Jan 18 (PTI) The Uttarakhand High Court on Friday stayed the arrest of former state BJP general secretary Sanjay Kumar, accused of sexual harassment by a woman.

Justice N S Dhanik also directed the state to file a reply within four weeks, after which the matter will be listed for final hearing, said Kumar's advocate, Aditya Singh.

A woman, who worked at the state Bharatiya Janata Party office, approached the police accusing Kumar of sexually harassing her for months by sending obscene text messages and behaving inappropriately with her.

Mumbai, Jan 18 (PTI) A 54-year-old woman allegedly tried to commit suicide by setting herself on fire outside the Maharashtra secretariat here on Friday, police said.

According to police, she took the step due to debt burden.

"The woman, Sharda Kamble, a resident of Chembur, tried to set herself ablaze. But the police personnel, who were posted on duty there, stopped her from doing so," a police official said.

Dumka (Jharkhand), Jan 18 (PTI) A local court on Friday sentenced a man to seven years rigorous imprisonment for raping a 13-year-old girl for a week in a Dumka district forest in 2015.

The court of Additional District and Sessions Judge-I, Taufiq-ul Hasan sentenced Chunda Hembram alias Manoj Hembram to seven years rigorous imprisonment under the Pocso Act.

The court also slapped a fine of Rs 1000 on Hembram and noted that upon failing to pay, the convict will have to serve three more months in prison.