Politics

Tunisia vote offers post-Arab Spring hope

Tunisians vote Sunday to elect their first parliament since the country's 2011 revolution, in a rare glimmer of hope for a region torn apart by post-Arab Spring violence and repression. Duration: 2:34

Oct 22, 2014

No respite from war in east Ukraine as rest of country votes

As Ukraine heads to the polls on October 26, the ceasefire in the east is barely holding, with the civilian death toll mounting due to near-daily shelling between pro-Moscow separatists and government forces. Duration: 2:52

Oct 22, 2014

Istanbul University a battleground for rival protests over IS

Istanbul University has in the last weeks been the centre of violent clashes between leftist students denouncing the brutality of Islamic State (IS) jihadists and the group's sympathisers. Duration: 01:03

Oct 22, 2014

ISI spread sectarianism and terrorism in Gilgit Baltistan

Gilgit Baltistan, October 21, 2014: Constant attempts are being made by the Pakistan backed government to stoke sectarianism and spread terrorism in Gilgit Baltistan, where recently a blast took place in a Van in Gilgit city, causing the death of 3 passengers, and injury of few other, and damage to property. As expected, the police remained clueless and could not reach any logical conclusion. No arrests have been made, thus far. What is clear is that the blast took place on the auspicious day of Eid to create a wedge between the two Shia and Sunni communities.

Oct 21, 2014

Japan catches world attention through conventional and modern novelty

Tokyo, Oct 21 (ANI): "Sadou", a tea ceremony, is one of the Japanese traditions to serve "Matcha", a kind of powdered green tea. "Sadou" is usually a formal event, but in Tokyo a large scale tea ceremony was held to introduce the traditional Japanese tea culture. They brought a number of "Sadou" schools together to serve it to people from overseas and those unfamiliar with the tea ceremony. Tokyo Grand Tea Ceremony was held at Hamano-Rikyu Gardens, one of the traditional and most beautiful Japanese gardens in Tokyo. An annual event held since 2008, it aims to create a lively atmosphere that everyone can experience green tea in "Sadou" manner. International visitors enjoyed a special outdoor tea ceremony with English interpreter. The visitors also enjoyed a Japanese sweet along with green tea. The event was part of the Tokyo Culture Creation Project, an organization supported by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to promote "Tokyo as a city of global cultural creativity". Tokyo Grand Tea Ceremony introduced the world of Japanese hospitality, each host wears a beautiful kimono, each movement they make has a meaning to welcome the guest.

Oct 21, 2014

Afghanistan Interior Minister says India is a time tested friend

New Delhi, Oct 21 (ANI): Afghanistan Interior Minister Mohammad Omar Daudzai said on Tuesday that India is a time tested friend of Afghanistan. Daudzai said that India has always been a good friend to Afghanistan in terms of national security as well as integrity. He also said that a change in government will not have any impact on the friendship between both countries infact it will be strengthened.

Oct 21, 2014

ML Khattar to take oath as Haryana CM on Oct 26: Venkaiah Naidu

Chandigarh, Oct 21 (ANI): Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday said that BJP has unanimously selected ML Khattar as the representative of the party for Haryana. He also said that Khattar has given the letter of proposal for government formation to the Governor after which he invited Khattar to the oath taking ceremony on Oct 26.

Oct 21, 2014

People throng jewellery shops on 'Dhanteras'

Rajkot/ Surat, Oct 21 (ANI): People made a beeline to jewellery stores on the occasion of "Dhanteras" on Tuesday (October 21) to buy gold ornaments as retailers attracted customers with discounts. As per Hindu tradition, Dhanteras is considered highly auspicious for buying gold or silver. It is believed that any new venture undertaken on this day guarantees good results. Gold jewellery sales also doubled in Rajkot city of Gujarat as shoppers thronged markets ahead of Diwali. Meanwhile, along with gold, the demand and sale of diamond jewellery also increased this year and earrings, necklaces, chains or coins are all products in high demand.

Oct 21, 2014

BJP warns Congress to be prepared for CBI probe in Ambulance Scam

Jaipur / Mumbai, Oct 21 (ANI): The BJP said on Tuesday that the opposition, Congress party, should be willing to undergo a CBI police probe against its leaders alleged of involvement in an ambulance scam, if they are innocent as they claim to be. A day after the BJP made a mark in the assembly elections in Haryana and Maharashtra, the Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Vasundhara Raje, asked for an inquiry by the CBI, on the ambulance scam in which her predecessor, Ashok Gehlot and other Congress leaders face allegations. Rajasthan Health Minister, Rajendra Rathore, said that the Congress was finally facing a kind of probe it had frequented on other parties, when in power. The Congress, however, believes it to be a ploy by the BJP to take revenge.

Oct 21, 2014

Police arrest four Maoists in red corridor of Jharkhand

Khunti, Oct 21 (ANI): In a joint operation, state police and the paramilitary force arrested four Maoists and recovered a huge cache of arms and ammunitions in Jharkhand. Acting on a tip off, the police immediately launched an operation to hunt out the Maoists. The police recovered six rifles, 80 cartridges and camera flash used for landmines. Maoists, also known as Naxals, have killed police and politicians, and targeted government buildings and railway tracks in an insurgency that has killed thousands since 1960s.

Oct 21, 2014

Politicos slam Pakistan Peoples Party's decision to protest over Kashmir in London

New Delhi /Mumbai, Oct 21 (ANI): Indian politicians on Tuesday dismissed Pakistan Peoples Party's (PPP) move to protest over the longstanding issue of Kashmir as meaningless. Reportedly, PPP plans to stage a demonstration in London on Sunday for seeking a just and peaceful resolution of Kashmir issue. Thousands are expected to participate in the march, which will begin from Trafalgar Square and end at Prime Minister David Cameron's office at 10 Downing Street. The rally will be led by Barrister Sultan Mehmood Chaudhry, former prime minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and PPP leader, who wants to raise the issue of an independent Kashmir in the British Parliament. Meanwhile, chief of Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party, Bhim Singh, said his party will also plan a march to celebrate that Kashmir is a part of India.

Oct 21, 2014

Maldives Defence Minister arrives in India to boost bilateral ties

New Delhi, Oct 21 (ANI): Minister of Defence and National Security of the Republic of Maldives, Colonel (Retired) Mohamed Nazim, arrived in India on Tuesday to meet his Indian counterpart, Arun Jaitley, to discuss the strengthening of bilateral defence cooperation between the two nations. On Tuesday, Nazim who is on a three-day visit, was accorded the Guard of Honour and he offered homage to India's bravehearts at the Amar Jawan Jyoti in New Delhi. Post the defence-level talks, the Indian side is expected to push for closer military ties with Maldives and the host country's assistance will focus primarily on capacity building of the Armed Forces while New Delhi will also supply equipment and assist in training. The decision to ramp up defense ties with Maldives was likely in wake of China's interest in the country.

Oct 21, 2014

Police will ensure peaceful atmosphere, assures Akhilesh Yadav

Maharashtra/ Uttar Pradesh, Oct 21 (ANI): Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Akhilesh Yadav, expressed confidence that police personnel would ensure peaceful atmosphere in the state during significant events as they have been doing and will upkeep their performance. Yadav, who was attending the National Police Commemoration Day on Tuesday (October 21) in Lucknow, said the state government has also been working round the clock to fully equip the personnel to enable them check crimes across the state. Meanwhile, after the ceremony, Director General of Police (DGP), AL Banerjee, expressed pride for the fallen personnel who laid down their lives while being on duty.

Oct 21, 2014

India must not isolate itself from China: National Security Advisor

New Delhi, Oct 21 (ANI): India's National Security Advisor (NSA), Ajit Doval, has said that India must not follow a path of exclusive isolation from China which is going to be an important player in global affairs. Doval was speaking at Munich Security Conference (MSC) in the national capital New Delhi on Tuesday. Answering to a query whether China or the Muslim extremist groups are the major threat to India, he said there is no big or small threat, militancy is militancy.

Oct 21, 2014

Pistorius sentenced to five years in jail for murdering Steenkamp

New Delhi, Oct 21 (ANI): Paralympic athlete Oscar Pistorius has been sentenced to five years in jail for shooting his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp dead. Pistorius had shot Steenkamp dead on Valentines Day last year and had maintained that he mistook her for an intruder in his Pretoria home. The double amputee athlete had been earlier cleared of premeditated murder with the judge charging Pistorius of culpable homicide. The defence had demanded that Pistorius be subjected to house arrest on account of his disability but prosecutor Gerrie Nel had argued for a minimum ten years imprisonment, saying that it would be 'shockingly disproportionate' if anything less was given.

Oct 21, 2014