Politics

Telecast of Doordarshan to become mandatory on private networks

Ahmedabad, July 14 (ANI): Indian government would make telecast of state-run channel Doordarshan mandatory on every direct to home and cable network, said Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar. Javadekar said his aim was to make Doordarshan and state-run All India Radio first choice of viewers. Meanwhile, Javadekar took a dig at opposition Congress party's demand for Leader of Opposition post in lower house of parliament.

Jul 14, 2014

BJP leader hails passage of Polavaram Bill in Lok Sabha

Visakhapatnam, July 14 (ANI): State unit president of BJP in Andhra Pradesh K Hari Babu lauded the passage of Andhra Pradesh Amendment Bill in lower house of the parliament, saying it would benefit various states in terms of irrigation. Addressing a news conference in port city of Visakhapatnam, Babu said the bill will pave way for construction of Polavaram irrigation project.

Jul 14, 2014

Railway Minister inspects trains and stations in Karnataka

Karnataka, July 14 (ANI): Railway Minister Sadananda Gowda inspected railway stations and cleanliness in trains in Karnataka. Beginning from railway station in Bengaluru, Gowda inspected toilets and security at the station. He also inspected trains and travelled to Mysore where he also interacted with passengers. In Mysore, Gowda inspected canteen, waiting halls, ticket counters and other facilities at the railway station.

Jul 14, 2014

PM Modi to leave from Germany for Brazil after a day's stay

Germany, July 14 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be leaving from Germany on Monday where he landed for a stopover on his way to Brazil to attend five nations BRICS summit. Indian Ambassador to Germany Vijay Gokhale had received Modi on the tarmac with other dignitaries. Modi's meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in the German capital, Berlin, was cancelled due to Germany's entry into FIFA World Cup final, for which she was in Brazil to watch.

Jul 14, 2014

PM Narendra Modi with Nagaland Governor Ashwani Kumar

BJP Government Names 5 Leaders to Replace UPA-Appointed Governors

The NDA-government has finalised the names of five governors, likely to be appointed in states including Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Karnataka.

Jul 14, 2014

France moves against substandard restaurant food

Food lovers may put France on a pedestal, but microwaved or pre-packaged dishes have become so common in restaurants that authorities are introducing a new "homemade" label for chefs cooking meals from scratch. Duration: 01:14

Jul 14, 2014

Boko Haram chief claims Lagos, Abuja attacks in new video

The head of Nigeria's Boko Haram has claimed responsibility for a bombing in the capital Abuja and an attack hours later in Lagos which the authorities tried to cover up, in a video obtained by AFP Sunday. Duration: 02:02

Jul 14, 2014

Water everywhere for DR Congo city yet scarce a drop to drink

Goma sits by one of the world's largest freshwater reservoirs and has some of Africa's heaviest annual rainfall, yet less than half of the population has access to drinking water. Duration: 02:31

Jul 13, 2014

New Boko Haram video mocks #BringBackOurGirls campaign

New Nigerian Boko Haram video mocks Bring Back Girls campaign

In a new video, the leader of Nigeria's Boko Haram Islamists mocks the Bring Back Our Girls campaign which calls for the return of more than 200 schoolgirls who have been kidnapped by Boko Haram. Duration: 00:34

Jul 13, 2014

Poor monsoon adversely hits farmers

Amritsar, July 13 (ANI): Uncertain over progress of the delayed monsoons, farmers are adversely hit due to scanty rains, which raise concerns of a first drought in five years. Reportedly, on an average Punjab receives an annul rainfall of 580 mm of which about 80 per cent is confined to the months of June, July, August and September. Unfortunately, the monsoons are delayed this year and there has been no shower in recent time. A farmer, Jaipal Singh said that most of their working is dependent on the heavy downpour in the monsoon months. In order to maintain their crops, farmers have to use generator sets for irrigation. Adding to the farmer’s woe, Punjab Electricity Board has failed to provide them with uninterrupted electricity supply of 8 hours as promised. Farmers have to spend extra on diesel to run pumps.

Jul 13, 2014

Police arrest two Maoists in Bihar

Jamui, July 13 (ANI): Police arrested two Maoists with arms and ammunition in the red corridor of Jamui district of Bihar on Sunday. Acting on a tip-off, Police launched a joint operation with India’s paramilitary Central reserved Police force (CRPF) which continued for about an hour. Two red rebels were arrested while others fled amid exchange of fire. Superintendent of Police, Upendra Kumar Singh, said that along with the arrest of two rebels, arms were also recovered. 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.

Jul 13, 2014

Saffron-clad pilgrims begin their foot journey to Ganges to fetch holy waters

Ranchi, July 13 (ANI): Thousands of saffron-clad pilgrims in eastern India on Sunday began their foot journey to the Ganges to fetch the holy waters. Devotees of Lord Shiva offered special prayers to mark the beginning of a month long Hindu festival. The devotees of Lord Shiva known as Kanwaria in Deoghar district of Jharkhand began their foot journey to the Hindu pilgrimage places of Haridwar, Gaumukh and Gangotri in Uttarakhand to fetch holy waters of Ganges River. Every year more than five million devotees from different parts of the country visit temple over a period of 30 days in Deoghar to pay obeisance to Lord Shiva during Shravani mela.

Jul 13, 2014

Indian men Hockey team departs for Glasgow 2014 CWG

New Delhi, July 13 (ANI): Indian men's hockey team on Sunday led by midfielder Saradara Singh left for Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games to be held from July 23 to August 03. More than 6,500 athletes and officials from 71 nations and territories will compete in 17 sports over 11 days in the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games. India will field 224 member contingents at 2014 CWG Glasgow. The Indian hockey team will play its opening game against Wales on July 25, followed by matches against hosts Scotland, Australia and South Africa during the tournament. Singh and Indian hockey team coach Terry Walsh sounded confident and said they were looking forward to the challenge.

Jul 13, 2014

Digvijay Singh ends week-long hunger strike in Guna

Madhya Pradesh, July 13 (ANI): Congress General Secretary Digvijay Singh broke his fast on Sunday in Guna district of Madhya Pradesh. Singh had staged a seven-day hunger strike while protesting against the state government for not providing relief to natural-calamity hit farmers. Singh further added that the fight for the farmers would now continue in the court. He charged both the BJP government and the district administration for being insensitive.

Jul 13, 2014

Laxmikant Bajpai on his threat to Moradabad SSP

Ahmedabad, July 13 (ANI): Uttar Pradesh BJP President Laxmikant Bajpai on Sunday clarified his open threat to Dharamveer Yadav, Senior Superintendent of Police of Moradabad. Yadav had held BJP responsible for inflaming communal tension in Kanth. Bajpai said that Yadav will have to face dire consequences in future for accusing his party.

Jul 13, 2014