PM Modi greets Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his birthday

New Delhi, Dec 25 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday greeted the former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his 90th birthday. Prime Minister Modi took to twitter for extending his greetings. "Warm birthday wishes to our one and only Atal ji," tweeted Prime Minister Modi. "There is no bigger tribute to Atal ji than celebrating his birthday as 'Good Governance Day' and pledging to devote ourselves to this cause," he added. "Development and good governance are the only ways ahead. Together, let us make a positive impact in people's lives and create a developed India," he said in a series of tweets. Atal Bihari Vajpayee served as the eleventh Prime Minister, first for 13 days in 1996 and then from 1998 to 2004. Dec 25, 2014

PM Modi to visit Varanasi today for 'Good Governance Day'

New Delhi, Dec 25 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting his Parliamentary constituency Varanasi on Thursday to observe ' Good Governance Day ' on the birthday of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The Prime Minister will also be visiting Banaras Hindu University to garland the statue of Bharat Ratna winner, educationist, great social worker and freedom fighter Mahamana Madan Mohan Malviya on his birth anniversary and then will drive to Assi Ghat to inspect cleanliness programme started by him during his previous visit to Varanasi. Elaborate security arrangements have been made for the visit. Special Protection Group (SPG) has taken over the security arrangements and the state police and PAC have also been deployed in and around the venues of different programmes. Dec 25, 2014
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Neighbouring areas put on high alert after attack in Assam

Siliguri /Guwahati, Dec 25 (ANI): In the backdrop of the militant attack in Assam, security was tightened in neighbouring city of Siliguri in West Bengal. Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) of Alipurduar district, Akash Megharia, said extra personnel have been deployed at various check points as part of beefed up security. Meanwhile, Home Minister Rajnath Singh held a high level meeting with Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi in Guwahati. Tribal Affairs Minister, Joel Oram and MoS for Home affairs Kiren Rijiju also attended the meeting. Dec 25, 2014
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Decorated churches, carol singing usher in warmth of Christmas across India

New Delhi/Chennai/ Bengaluru/Kolkata, Dec 25 (ANI): Christians across different cities of India soaked in festive spirit as they sang carols in decked up churches while attending special midnight mass prayers on the Christmas Eve. Marking the annual commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ, Christmas is celebrated across the world on December 25. The midnight mass precedes the Christmas day and the church resounds with joyful singing of Christmas carols and thanksgiving. The people of Bengaluru in Karnataka also soaked themselves in the festive spirit as Christmas brings with it goodwill and festivity, which seemed to overwhelm people as they make merry. Dec 25, 2014

Competition only between AAP and BJP for Delhi assembly polls: Kejriwal

New Delhi, Dec 25 (ANI): AAP Chief Arvind Kejriwal, urged people to not vote for Congress party in the upcoming assembly polls for Delhi. Kejriwal was addressing a rally in New Delhi where he said the competition for state polls exists only between Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party. The elections are likely to be held early next year as no party is in position to form the government. AAP chief also hit out at BJP for failing to fulfill its pre poll promises before coming to power in May. Dec 25, 2014
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Shinzo Abe returns as Japanese PM after snap election

Japan's parliament on Wednesday confirmed Shinzo Abe for another term as prime minister after his election triumph, but the return to power stirred warnings from China over a bid to change the pacifist constitution. Duration: 00:44 Dec 25, 2014
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France tells displaced Iraqi Christians to 'stay hopeful'

French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve told Iraqi Christians to "stay hopeful" in spite of the "suffering" being inflicted on their community. He addressed refugees who have recently arrived in France, in the town of Sarcelles. Duration: 00:52 Dec 25, 2014
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Black teen killed by police near Ferguson, Missouri

Police said Wednesday they shot dead an African American teenager after he allegedly pointed a handgun at an officer in a town near Ferguson, Missouri, where a prior police shooting sparked nationwide protests. Duration: 00:52 Dec 25, 2014