Politics

Iraq: Petrol crisis hits Kurdish region

The shutdown of Iraq's biggest refinery, roads blocked by fighting, and skyrocketing demand have created the worst fuel crisis in years in the country's semi-autonomous Kurdish region. Duration: 01:32

Jun 27, 2014

Sudan Christian woman takes refuge in US embassy: lawyer

A Sudanese Christian woman detained when she tried to travel to the United States after her release from death row was released Thursday and sought refuge at the US embassy, her lawyer said. Duration: 00:54

Jun 27, 2014

Ukraine seals EU deal that sparked revolution and crisis

Ukraine's new leader on Friday signed a landmark EU pact whose rejection by his Russian-backed predecessor plunged the ex-Soviet state into turmoil and blew a Cold War chill through East-West ties. Duration: 00:57

Jun 27, 2014

France bowled over by Finnish pin game Molkky

"Molkky" is a knock-down pin game imported from Finland, but the game has found a new home in France, land of the famed throwing game "boules". Duration: 00:53

Jun 27, 2014

Pro-Russian rebels in Donetsk free four OSCE observers

Alexander Borodai, Prime Minister of Donetsk People's Republic, announces the release of four OSCE observers who were abducted by pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine. Duration: 00:55

Jun 27, 2014

EU, Cameron in summit showdown over top job for Juncker

European leaders gathered in Brussels on Friday to try and resolve a damaging row over Jean-Claude Juncker's nomination as European Commission president, in the face of bitter British opposition. Duration: 00:51

Jun 27, 2014

Poroshenko hails 'historic day' of EU-Ukraine association accord

Ukraine President Petro Poroshenko said the Friday signing of an association accord with the EU marked a "historic day" that offered his ex-Soviet country a fresh start after years of political instability. Duration: 00:51

Jun 27, 2014

It Happens: Snake Lover

Kerala, June 27 (ANI): A snake lover from Kannur district in India's southern province of Kerala hatched five python eggs successfully. For Rajneesh, 26, petting snakes is his passion. He claims he was just an eight-year-old when he caught the first snake, thinking it to be a fish. Ever since he has been catching snakes as the fear-factor began to fade. He claims to have caught over 4000 snakes so far. Rajneesh says he never gives a second thought when he has to take snake eggs back home and hatch and nurture them. The snake lover said he recently got a call regarding a python being spotted in a nearby house and rushed to the spot to catch it but couldn't. Instead, he was able to return home with seven eggs of that python, of which he successfully hatched five, which he claims are healthy and doing fine. Rajneesh is now a part of the rapid rescue team of the forest department and earns his living with the job apart from the small amount he gets from villagers by catching snakes. Rajneesh has managed to retain some of the snakes in his small house ranging from dangerous ones like king cobra, wiper and few other species as his loving pets.

Jun 27, 2014

It Happens: Fertility Festival

Guwahati, June 27 (ANI): Amid the clash of cymbals and blowing of conch shells, saffron-robed Hindu holy men performed mystic rituals to celebrate the annual fertility festival at the revered shrine of Goddess Kamakhya in the northeastern Indian city of Guwahati. The four-day festival also known as 'Ambubachi fair', which began on June 22, is held with the grand arrival of monsoon in Assam. As per Hindu mythology, Kamakhya is one of the most mystical religious sites in India. The festival is based on the belief that during this period the goddess goes through her annual menstrual cycle - symbolizing fertility. The temple has no image of the goddess but a natural underground stream which emanates from a fissure in a rock that symbolizes Lord Shiva's wife Sati. During the time of the festival the water turns red due to iron oxidation resembling menstrual fluids. The main gate of the temple remains closed for the visitors for three days and devotees wait outside the temple till the fourth day, when the temple is opened. The festival is also a major draw for the practitioners of occult with a large number of pot smoking ascetics descending on the shrine, lending a mystic aura to the whole atmosphere. Holy men and priests danced to religious hymns as they camped outside the temple, wa

Jun 27, 2014

It Happens: International Drug Day

New Delhi, June 27 (ANI): Hundreds of people participated in a walkathon in New Delhi on June 26 to raise public awareness about the drug abuse and to mobilise support against illicit trafficking. United Nations General Assembly in 1987 decided to observe June 26 as the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking to strengthen action and cooperation to achieve the goal of an international society free of drug abuse. The organizers hoped the campaign would send out a strong message of positive health, fitness and well-being and encourage participants to adopt a healthy lifestyle and build a drug-free environment. Music bands of Indian Coast Guard also participated in the walkathon. Teenagers and adults are particularly vulnerable to using illicit drugs. The prevalence of drug use among young people is more than twice as high as that among the general population. At this age, peer pressure to experiment with illicit drugs can be strong and self-esteem is often low. Also, those who take drugs tend to be either misinformed or insufficiently aware of the health risks involved.The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), which monitors the implementation of U.N. drug control conventions, said in 2012 illicit drugs as well as prescription medicines were being order

Jun 27, 2014

Bangladeshi war crimes tribunal observes founder's 20th death anniversary

Dhaka, June 27 (ANI): Supporters of a Bangladeshi war crimes tribunal commemorated the 20th death anniversary of its founder, Jahanara Imam, in Dhaka on June 26. Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee was founded by Imam in 1973. The committee calls for the trial of people who committed crimes against humanity in the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, in collaboration with the Pakistani forces. The tribunals have so far handed down 10 verdicts, including eight death sentences and two life imprisonments.

Jun 27, 2014

Policeman dies in a Naxal attack in Gadchiroli

Gadchiroli, June 27 (ANI): A policeman was killed in a Maoist attack in Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra. A group of Maoists opened fire on a police patrol in Murumgaon forest area in which Umesh Jaavde died. The officials performed rites and guard of honour on Friday. Jaavde hailed from Maharashtra's Osmanabad district. On June 15, police had busted a Maoist hideout in the jungles of Gadchiroli. One rebel was killed during the encounter and many explosives were recovered.

Jun 27, 2014

Raging inferno breaks out in building near Mumbai CST

Mumbai, June 27 (ANI): Raging inferno broke out on the fifth floor of administrative building of Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus station in Mumbai on Friday. More than seven fire tending vehicles have been rushed to the spot and firefighting is still on. The fire has caused a major traffic jam on DN Road near the station. There are no reports of casualties so far.

Jun 27, 2014

Sushma Swarajs visit to Bangladesh satisfying and fulfilling: MEA

Dhaka, June 27 (ANI): India said on Friday that Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj’s maiden visit to Bangladesh was extremely satisfying and fulfilling. Swaraj discussed Teesta River water sharing deal, Land Boundary Agreement and illegal immigration issues with neighbouring Bangladesh. Earlier in the day, Swaraj met Bangladeshi former Prime Minister and chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Begum Khaleda Zia, discussed regional and global issues of mutual interest. Swaraj also called on the leader of opposition in Bangladeshi Parliament, Roushan Ershad.

Jun 27, 2014