India

Normal life was partially affected in West Bengal on Thursday following a state-wide 12-hour general strike called by Left Parties and trade unions, with the Bharatiya Janata Party also calling a 10-hour bandh to protest against alleged violence by ruling...

India and the US had managed to break the seven-year-old logjam in operationalising their landmark civil nuclear agreement during Obama's talks with Modi in January.

She had also said that according to United Nations Population Fund that 75 per cent of the married women in India were subjected to marital rape.

A number of interlinked elements including poverty, malnutrition, mother's health, and access to medical care, in addition to the child's health conditions, lead to the persisting significant rates of under-five mortality and infant mortality.

India has raised the import tax on sugar to 40 percent from 25 percent to help prop up falling local prices and protect local farmers who have not been paid by money-losing mills, the government said in a statement said on Wednesday.

Till now, 15 Indians have died in the earthquake that has torn the Himalayan nation apart taking the toll above 5,000.

Following the 7.9 magnitude temblor that left three people of the state dead on Saturday, the first aftershock was felt at 12.40 PM and the second one at 9.56 PM.

The plea, filed by advocate G L Mani, has quoted the National Crime Records Bureau statistics and said that 13,574 farmers had committed suicide in 2012.

The Gujarat government has set up a special control room in Gandhinagar with helpline numbers 079-2325-1900, 2325-1902 and 2325-1908.

According to initial reports, there has been no loss of life or any major property damage due to the quake measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale which had its epicentre at Lamjung, around 80-km northwest of Kathmandu.

"Today indeed is a challenging and solemn day because a significant part of our country, more particularly Nepal, has been very seriously affected by a natural calamity. Our hearts go out to all those who suffered both in terms of life, injury or property...

Defence sources said a C-17 Globemaster is being prepared for takeoff and will be carrying about 40-member strong Rapid Reaction Aero Medical Team and doctors besides relief material to the country after India assured Nepal of all help.