Politics

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

Mobile science laboratory proves to be a boon for rural students in Assam

Assam, Dec 15 (ANI): Dahotia Hr. Secondary School in Jorhat is one of the good educational institutes of Assam. However, it lacks modern and state-of-the art science laboratory. Many a times, the students have to sacrifice with the unavailability of practical facilities. Now, the science students have a reason to cheer as they have got a 'laboratory on wheels', a mobile lab inaugurated by state Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on August 15. Mobile lab on wheels is an initiative of Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA), Assam in collaboration with UNICEF and the Assam State Technology and Environment Society. As on now, two mobile vans in Jorhat and Kamrup will cover the schools in rural areas of Upper Assam. After the success of these mobile labs, more such vehicles will soon be launched to facilitate all schools in rural Assam.

Dec 15, 2014

Miss South Africa crowned Miss World 2014

Miss South Africa, 22-year-old Rolene Strauss, was crowned Miss World 2014 at the pageant's final in London on Sunday, with an estimated billion viewers watching on television around the globe.

Dec 15, 2014

Giant Paris skating rink opens for Christmas

The exhibition hall of the Grand Palais in Paris transforms into a giant skating rink for Christmas, recreating the feel of a frozen winter river. Duration: 00:50

Dec 14, 2014

Abe re-elected in low-turnout Japan polls

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe won comfortable re-election Sunday in a snap poll he had billed as a referendum on his economic policies after early success faded into a recession. Duration: 00:38

Dec 14, 2014

Turkish police raid media offices of Erdogan rival

Turkish police on Sunday launched a sweeping operation to arrest dozens of supporters of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's rival, US-exiled imam Fethullah Gulen. Duration: 00:33

Dec 14, 2014

Flushers fightback against London's underworld fatbergs

With huge volumes of cooking fat expected to enter the London sewage system over the festive period, sewer workers have their grisly work cut out. Duration: 02:25

Dec 14, 2014

Jharkhand records 61.65% voter turnout in fourth phase of assembly elections

New Delhi, Dec 14 (ANI): Jharkhand Deputy Election Commissioner Umesh Sinha on Sunday while addressing a press conference said that the state has recorded 61.65 percent voter turnout in the fourth phase of the assembly elections. Polling took place for 15 seats and a total of 43,48,709 voters voted for 217 candidates, including 16 women. Adequate security arrangements were made at all the polling stations as many constituencies being Maoist-hit.

Dec 14, 2014

Arun Jaitley says BJP can change Kashmir's fate

Jammu, Dec 14 (ANI): Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Sunday said that only BJP can voice the concerns of Jammu and Kashmir. Addressing an election rally in Jammu, Jaitley said people had already started associating themselves with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Emphasising on Modi's effect on people, Jaitley said even during the last general elections, he had said that election is not about arithmetic it is about chemistry. Jaitley added that it doesn't matter who becomes the state chief as religion is not important, rather vision and personality are important.

Dec 14, 2014

J ank K records overall voter turnout of 49 per cent in fourth phase of Assembly polls

New Delhi, Dec 14 (ANI): Deputy Election Commissioner of India Vinod Zutshi on Sunday said that overall voter turnout in the fourth phase of Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir is 49 percent. The 18 Assembly constituencies in the state went to fourth phase of polls today to decide fate of 182 candidates. Talking about the two clashes in the state during the polls, Zutshi said that the clash between PDP and Congress worker was a minor one and was far from the polling stations. Referring to brawl between BJP's candidate and a voter, Zutshi said that the police have filed a FIR in the case and that investigation is on. Despite severe cold, long queues of voters were seen outside the polling stations to exercise their franchise at many polling stations.

Dec 14, 2014

Bangladesh pays homage to freedom fighters on Martyred Intellectuals Day

Dhaka, Dec 14 (ANI): Thousands of Bangladeshis took to streets in Dhaka to pay rich tributes to people who were killed by Pakistani forces and their collaborators at the end of 1971 Liberation War and observed Martyred Intellectuals Day on Sunday. Former prime minister and chief of opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Khaleda Zia paid homage to intellectuals who fell to brutal military regime during the Liberation War at the Martyred Intellectuals Memorial in Mirpur city. The day is observed just two days ahead of Liberation Day of Bangladesh, which is held on December 16. On Sunday, hundreds of floral wreaths heaped at the Martyred Intellectuals Memorial as several political parties, members of social and cultural organizations and commoners paid homage to the intellectuals. A lecturer of Dhaka University, Momtaz Shirin, urged for speedy trial of war criminals.

Dec 14, 2014

No FIH matches in India till Pak players are punished, says Hockey India

New Delhi/ Bhubaneswar, Dec 14 (ANI): Hockey India taking strong action against Pakistani players who made obscene gestures after winning semi-final match of Champions Trophy against India in Odisha, on Sunday, decided that it would not host any event sanctioned by the world body until strong punishment is handed out to the offenders. Pakistan beat India 4-3 in a thrilling match in Bhubaneswar city on Saturday. After the win, players of Pakistani team took off their t-shirts and made lewd gestures at the crowd. The unruly behaviour was condemned by all and Pakistani head coach Shahnaz Sheikh apologised for team’s behaviour, following which the International Hockey Federation (FIH) refused to take any action in the matter. Meanwhile, security has been tightened for the Champions Trophy final match between Pakistan and Germany at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar. .

Dec 14, 2014