martin-place-siege-hostages-held-in-sydney-cafe-islamic-flag-seen-in-window

Martin Place siege: Hostages held in Sydney cafe, Islamic flag seen in window

Sydney, Dec 15 (ANI): Hostages have been held inside a central Sydney cafe in Australia on Monday where a black flag with white Arabic writing was seen in the window, raising fears of an attack linked to Islamic militants. Patrons were seen inside a cafe standing with their hands pressed against the windows. A black and white flag similar to those used by Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria was also visible. Part of Martin Place, home to the Reserve Bank of Australia, commercial banks and close to the New South Wales (NSW) state parliament, has been cordoned off by the armed Australian police. Trains and buses have come to a halt and roads have been blocked in the area. Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott called an emergency meeting of the cabinet's national security committee. Dec 15, 2014
state-working-for-all-round-development-making-women-heads-of-family-vasundhara-raje

State working for all round development, making women heads of family: Vasundhara Raje

Jaipur, Dec 13 (ANI): As Vasundhara Raje government completes one years of governance in Rajasthan, the chief minister said that the state is working for all round development and are bringing in reforms to make women the heads of the family. Raje said that the year has been a disturbing one and the government could function only for 151 days out of total 365 days as holidays, model code of conduct, and elections have taken up rest of the time. One of the major achievements that Raje is looking up to is the Bhamashah reform which would roll out on 15th. Bhamashah scheme is a card that comes with a bank account number in the name of the female head of the family. Her biometrics details are recorded and only she can withdraw money. Among others, the chief minister also said that the government is working to bring the financial sector back on track and bring employment to youth so that Rajasthan is counted one amongst the developed states in India. Dec 13, 2014