Nirmal Om newsline

Tens of thousands of Russians turned out in cities across the country on Saturday in mass peaceful protest over recent elections they claim were rigged in favor of Vladimir Putin’s governing United Russia party, authorities said.The demonstrations, which began on Russia’s Pacific Ocean coast and moved westwards over eight time zones, were an unprecedented test of Putin’s tolerance and a rare, large-scale display of popular unease with the political status-quo in the country. In Moscow, thousands of protesters waving banners and chanting slogans like “Swindlers and Thieves!” and “Churov Resign!”references to United Russia and election commission chief Vladimir Churov,converged on a square in the east side of the city where they had permission to rally.Police estimated the size of the Moscow rally at around 25,000 people. Organizers said it was closer to 40,000. At one moment, the crowd turned in the direction of the Kremlin and shouted “Putin out!” “We demand new elections...

US$60 Million Credit Agreement signed with World Bank for Capacity Building of Urban Development Project-The World Bank today signed a US$60 million credit agreement with the Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Government of India for building the capacity of select Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) to improve their skills for better urban management and thereby reduce urban poverty. The agreement was signed by Shri Venu Rajamony, Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, on behalf of the Government of India and Mr Roberto Zagha, Country Director for India on behalf of the World Bank Speaking on the occasion, Shri Venu Rajamony, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Finance said that one of the Government of India’s major urban development objective is to create economically productive, efficient, equitable, inclusive and responsive Urban Local Bodies and achieving this objective will not only help sustain high rates of economic growth, but also accelerate poverty reduction an...

Moscow-Three hundred opposition supporters have been detained at an unsanctioned rally in the heart of Moscow. Supporters of both the government and the opposition have flocked to Triumfalnaya Square, which has been cordoned off by police. Among those detained and taken to nearby police buses are well-known bloggers and opposition leaders. Several journalists have also been arrested, and according to their social network posts, some have been beaten as well. Those at the scene are providing live updates of the rally via Twitter; with many saying there are at least 5,000 opposition supporters, 2,000 pro-government youth group members and around one thousand police officers.

India beat Srilanka 3-0 in SAFF cup-The defending champions shall face Maldives in the first semi-final of the SAFF Championship as they finished runners-up in Group A after defeating Sri Lanka 2-0 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Delhi. Two second half goals from Jeje Lalpekhlua and Sunil Chhetri , and an own goal by Bandara Warakagoda, helped India go past the Lankans who failed to threaten the Indian backline India and Afghanistan finished on the same number of points and the head-to-head wouldn’t matter given they played out a 1-1 draw among them. Afghanistan enjoy a better goal difference of +9 when compared to India’s +8. Savio Medeira made no changes to the line-up from the last match while Sri Lanka brought in Chathura Gunarathna back into the first eleven after having recovered from a bout of flu. The first chance befell the Men in Blue when Sujan Perera, the Sri Lankan custodian, tried to play the ball out for a goal-kick but gives away a free-kick on the edge of ...

NEW DELHI, India, UNICEF is delighted to announce the appointment of the Padma Bhushan award-winning actor and producer Aamir Khan, as its Ambassador promoting nutrition for children. Aamir Khan will participate actively to create a better life for millions of children in India. As a representative of UNICEF, Aamir Khan will build on his personal interest in children’s issues to support UNICEF’s mission to ensure that every child in this country survives and thrives. India, one out every two children is malnourished, leaving them vulnerable to poor health and disease, particularly children from the country’s most remote and disadvantaged communities.

The Iranian military source has claimed a US drone was shot down in the east of the country, according to state broadcaster Press TV. Fars news agency says the RQ-170 drone was "downed with minimum damage," according to the report, and seized by Iranian authorities. There is no confirmation from the US. Two countries are are at loggerhead on Iran's Nuclear policy. Media agencies

Urban Mobility India 2011 to Address Ways to Achieve Sustainable Mobility The Four Day Conference-Cum-Exhibition to also Support the Sixth Regional Environmentally Sustainable Transport (EST) Forum in Asia India with 1.2 billion; over 31 per cent in cities; three mega cities with 10 million plus population,53 million pus cities and rapid pace of urbanization is poised at a critical threshold. Urban renewal and development has become a policy priority of the Government of India, which is an appropriate response to the challenge and a great potential opportunity. Cities that are livable, clean, green, energy efficient and sustainable need to be built. The most challenging impact of this urban growth and the rising income levels is the mobility crisis. This makes urban transport as the most important urban infrastructure for urbanisation and to ensure that lack of mobility does not become a bottleneck for economic growth, major investments shall have to be do...