Moscow, Feb 22 (IANS/RIA Novosti) The ultranationalist Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR) has submitted a bill imposing fines of up to 50,000 rubles (about $1,700) on officials for using American and British "loan-words" that have Russian equivalents.

New Delhi, Feb 21 (IANS) The central government Thursday approved the allotment of an apartment free of cost to the family of the Delhi gang-rape victim.

New Delhi, Febru Feb 21 (IANS) Actor-activist Shabana Azmi Thursday accused the government of "diluting the potency" of Justice Verma Committee report on sexual crimes by "cherry-picking" its recommendations.

New Delhi, Feb 21 (IANS) The Congress Thursday said Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde's regret over his saffron terror remark was not a u-turn, and was meant only to assuage the hurt feelings of a political party and ensure smooth functioning of parliament.

Srinagar, Feb 21 (IANS) Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, chairman of the moderate Hurriyat group, was placed under house arrest here Thursday immediately after his return from Delhi, his aide said.

New Delhi, Feb 21 (IANS) The final day of a two-day all-India industrial strike crippled industrial and financial sectors here and hit hard public transport Thursday, inconveniencing tens of thousands.

New Delhi, Feb 21 (IANS) Outlining the major steps taken to improve fuel availability for power generation, President Pranab Mukherjee Thursday said the government is in the process of allocating 17 coal blocks to state-run companies.

New Delhi, Feb 21 (IANS) The BJP Thursday termed President Pranab Mukherjee's speech on the opening day of parliament's budget session as a mere "glossary" of government plans that failed to address crucial issues.

Gurgaon, Feb 21 (IANS) More than one lakh workers joined the all-India industrial strike in the sprawling industrial belt here Thursday, with all four Maruti Suzuki plants closing down.

Shimla, Feb 21 (IANS) The Himachal Pradesh government Thursday said there was no ban on the entry of yoga guru Baba Ramdev in the state.

New Delhi, Feb 21 (IANS) The Bharatiya Janata Party Thursday said President Pranab Mukherjee's speech on the opening day of the budget session of parliament was a mere "glossary" of government programmes, failing to address crucial concerns.

Bangalore, Feb 21 (IANS) Two ministers quit the Karnataka government Thursday and were set to resign from the assembly and the ruling BJP too amid speculation that more would follow ahead of the assembly polls due in May.

Shillong, Feb 21 (IANS) Political stability is the chosen slogan for all parties in Meghalaya as the hill state braces for assembly elections Saturday.

Chandigarh, Feb 21 (IANS) The Haryana government Thursday announced a compensation of Rs.10 lakh to the family of a Haryana Roadways driver and union leader, killed in a freak accident in Ambala city on Day One of the nationwide strike.

Following are some salient points from President Pranab Mukherjee's speech to the joint session of parliament.

Amritsar, Feb 21 (IANS) Not everyone is satisfied with British Prime Minister David Cameron's visit to the Jallianwala Bagh ground here and his description of the 1919 massacre of Indians as "shameful".

New Delhi, Feb 21 (IANS) The Congress party is in the process of finalising a team for the 2014 general elections, its vice president Rahul Gandhi indicated Thursday.

New Delhi, Feb 21 (IANS) The Jamiat Ulema-Hind, which virtually controls the Islamic seminary Darul-Uloom at Deoband, appears sharply divided over Gujarat Chief Minister Naremdra Modi.

Patna, Feb 21 (IANS) Bihar's opposition leader Abdul Bari Siddiqui has given up his security personnel and urged the government to deploy them to maintain law and order.

New Delhi, Feb 21 (IANS) India's health infrastructure has improved due to government's efforts, President Pranab Mukherjee said Thursday, highlighting that no new polio case has been detected in the country in the last two years.

Kolkata, Feb 21 (IANS) Trinamool Congress workers allegedly chopped off the ear of a panchayat worker in West Bengal's Murshidabad district Thursday for joining the two-day nationwide strike by major trade unions, police said.

Chennai, Feb 21 (IANS) Citing human rights abuses by Colombo, Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa Thursday said Tamil Nadu won't host the 20th Asian Athletics Championship in July in which Sri Lanka will take part.

New Delhi, Feb 21 (IANS) President Pranab Mukherjee said Thursday that the government is set to introduce the judicial standards and accountability bill during the budget session of parliament.

New Delhi, Feb 21 (IANS) Pakistan must abide by its commitments made to India and desist from actions that contribute to trust deficit between the two countries, President Pranab Mukherjee said Thursday.

Raipur, Feb 21 (IANS) The second consecutive day of trade union strike Thursday took a heavy toll on iron ore and coal mine output in Chhattisgarh as workers stayed away, officials said.

Agartala, Feb 21 (IANS) A two-day nationwide strike called by major trade unions crippled life in Left-ruled Tripura for a second day Thursday.

Chennai, Feb 21 (IANS) Citing human rights abuses by Colombo, Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa Thursday said Tamil Nadu won't host the 20th Asian Athletics Championship in July in which Sri Lanka will take part.

New Delhi, Feb 21 (IANS) The security situation in Jammu and Kashmir and the northeast has shown "a perceptible improvement", President Pranab Mukherjee said Thursday.

Cultural and scholarly fascination has ensured that India and France remain deeply engaged as societies. Relations between them as states have proved enduring since Charles de Gaulle's era due to a fundamental affinity born of common values and a shared passion for independence in foreign affairs. This vital relationship, showcased astutely during President Francois Hollande's recent visit to India, is characterized by three Ss - Synergy, Sovereignty and Stability. A concise 21-paragraph joint statement reflects the two governments' faith in independence, strategic autonomy and strengthened multilateralism.

Beijing, Feb 21 (IANS) Change has been seen in China "though there are still tests and expectations ahead", said Chinese news agency Xinhua as the country's new leaders complete 100 days of governance.

Washington, Feb 21 (IANS) US Secretary of State John Kerry has called the looming spending cuts as the "greatest challenge" to America's foreign policy.

Kolkata, Feb 21 (IANS) Normal life was partially affected in West Bengal Thursday on the final day of a two-day nationwide strike called by central trade unions.

New Delhi, Feb 21 (IANS) President Pranab Mukherjee Thursday said the government, deeply concerned about incidents of sexual offences against women, promulgated an ordinance amending criminal law to provide stringent punishment for sexual offences.

New Delhi, Feb 21 (IANS) Acknowledging that the past year was difficult on the economic front, President Pranab Mukherjee Thursday said the government responded by taking measures to revive the investment climate.

New Delhi, Feb 21 (IANS) President Pranab Mukherjee Thursday said the government was "burdened" by anxieties about economic slowdown, job insecurity and provision of security for women and children.

San Juan, Feb 21 (IANS/EFE) The Puerto Rican House of Representatives has approved a bill to put an end to the per diem lawmakers receive during sessions in addition to their annual salaries of $73,775.

New Delhi, Feb 21 (IANS) President Pranab Mukherjee Thursday arrived in parliament to deliver his address to the two houses at the start of the budget session.

New Delhi, Feb 21 (IANS) Minutes before the budget session of parliament commenced, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Thursday sought productive and constructive sittings of the two houses.

New Delhi, Feb 20 (IANS) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Wednesday hoped that parliament's budget session beginning Thursday would run smoothly, even as Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde expressed regret over his "Hindu terrorism" remarks and buried the hatchet with the BJP, which had threatened to disrupt the session on the issue.

Bangalore, Feb 20 (IANS) Normal life was partially affected from dawn-to-dusk across Karnataka Wednesday on the first day of the two-day nationwide strike called by central trade unions.

New Delhi/Mumbai, Feb 20 (IANS) India's financial sector was crippled and transport hit as large parts of the country ground to a halt Wednesday in response to trade unions calling a two-day strike demanding measures to check inflation, ensure jobs and enforce labour laws.

Male/New Delhi, Feb 20 (IANS) A court in Male Wednesday cancelled the trial hearing of former Maldives president Mohamed Nasheed after police were unable to present him to judicial authorities due to his presence in the Indian High Commission since Feb 13.

Kolkata, Feb 20 (IANS) To reward government employees, transporters and traders who defied the shutdown call by unions, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Wednesday announced longer Durga Puja holidays and tax sops for them.

New Delhi, Feb 20 (IANS) The Congress core group met here Wednesday to discuss the current political situation and the strategy for budget session starting Feb 21, with the government hoping to pass key bills and the opposition set to raise contentious issues.

Jaipur, Feb 20 (IANS) With infighting in BJP's Rajasthan unit refusing to die down, deputy leader of opposition Ghanshyam Tiwari resigned Wednesday from the post.

Kolkata, Feb 20 (IANS) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Wednesday lost her cool with a journalist who countered her claims about the number of city shops that stayed open during the strike Wednesday and said: "You are crossing your limits."

Chennai, Feb 20 (IANS) DMK chief M. Karunanidhi Wednesday said the world or the United Nations need not go anywhere in search of evidence to "prove Sinhalese chauvinism and Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa a war criminal".

Kolkata, Feb 20 (IANS) Accusing the West Bengal government of "maliciously" using Calcutta High Court's name to declare the two-day strike as illegal, trade unions Wednesday said they will seek legal action against it.

New Delhi/Mumbai, Feb 20 (IANS) India's financial sector was crippled and transport hit as large parts of the country ground to a halt Wednesday in response to trade unions calling for a two-day strike to demand concrete measures to check inflation, ensure jobs and enforce labour laws.

Chandigarh, Feb 20 (IANS) The nationwide strike hit normalcy in Punjab and Haryana Wednesday as public transport kept off the roads and banks remained shut. A Haryana Roadways employee was killed in an accident as he and his colleagues were commencing their protest.