Politics

At Bolshoi, world ballet stars dance for Ukraine

A dozen top ballet stars including Svetlana Zakharova and Natalia Osipova will on Sunday perform at a keenly awaited but politically sensitive gala at Moscow's Bolshoi Theatre in support of young dancers in war-torn Ukraine. Duration: 00:43

Dec 7, 2014

Philippines very vulnerable to climate change: Greenpeace

As typhoon Hagupit hits, Greenpeace chief Kumi Naidoo and climate change commissioner Yeb Sano say "there is no question that the Philippines is one of the most vulnerable countries in the world in terms of climate impact". Duration: 01:22

Dec 7, 2014

French Cardinal Barbarin celebrates a mass with Iraqi refugees

Pope Francis said Christians are being "driven from the Middle East", in a video address timed to coincide with a visit by French Cardinal Philippe Barbarin to the Iraqi Kurdish city of Arbil. Duration: 00:35

Dec 7, 2014

Alleged former Maoist found beheaded in Jharkhand

Jamshedpur, Dec 07 (ANI): Maoists beheaded an alleged former member for running away from the rebel outfit in Jharkhand on Sunday. The deceased, a 25- year- old man, has been identified as Neeraj alias Amit Karmkar. His beheaded body was found by a police team while they were on patrolling duty in view of the on-going elections in the state. A poster was found next to the body which claimed responsibility for the killing. The poster alleged that Karmkar was once associated with Maoist outfit, Bhakpa and was a fugitive. Deputy Superintendent of Police, Bimal Kumar said that investigations were underway to ascertain the exact sequence of events. The police also recovered a burnt motorbike from the spot. The police are questioning villagers for a breakthrough in the matter. Maoists seek the violent overthrow of the Indian state but have so far not managed to spread significantly into urban areas.

Dec 7, 2014

Pune International Marathon sees participation of at least 25,000 enthusiastic participants in Mahar

Pune, Dec 07 (ANI): Twenty five thousand enthusiasts from all walks of life participated in the 29th Pune International Marathon on Sunday, aiming to spread a social message in Maharashtra. The first edition of the International Marathon which started in 1983, is organised annually ever since and witnesses several international marathonists who spread social messages on AIDS, Polio and Fitness. Vice-President of Pune International Marathon, Pralhad Sawant said that people turned up in large numbers to take part in the event. Other than the three general categories, a special race for the specially- abled 'Wheel Chair Race (Machine and Hand)' of 3.5 kilometers was also organised with no time limit. Former Chief Organiser of the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games, Suresh Kalmadi was also present to motivate the participants at the Marathon. Meanwhile, a winner in Men's full marathon 42- kilometer category, Amos Maiyo Maindi of Kenya, said that he enjoyed participating in the Marathon which took four months for him to prepare for the run.

Dec 7, 2014

Aamir eats litti-chokha at Patna roadside shop during promotion of 'PK'

Patna, Dec 07 (ANI): Bollywood star Aamir Khan, who was recently in Patna to promote his upcoming film PK, visited a roadside shop and enjoyed Bihari delicacy litti-chokha. Khan personally rated his character in 'PK' as his best ever performance in the course of his long and distinguished career of 25 years. Talking to reporters at the promotional function, Khan said he plays a different kind of role in the film. The trailer of the film shows Bollywood actor, Anushka Sharma, introducing the protagonist, PK, portrayed by Khan and describing his peculiar traits and habits. 'PK' is directed by Rajkumar Hirani and produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra and stars Khan and Sharma in the lead. Other actors who will be seen playing important roles in the movie include Bollywood stalwarts like Sanjay Dutt, Sushant Singh Rajput, Boman Irani and Saurabh Shukla. 'PK' is scheduled to hit the silver screen on December 19 worldwide.

Dec 7, 2014

Political parties not following even 50 per cent of election promises: Mayawati

Jammu, Dec 07 (ANI): BSP Chief Mayawati on Sunday said that political parties are not following promises made in election manifestos. Mayawati was addressing a poll rally in Jammu and Kashmir. Mayawati attacked the major parties contesting in the state by saying that they were run by anti- social elements and big businesses. She added that none of these parties were thinking about the poor and only her party was capable of handling their issues. The third phase of polling in the state will take place on December 09 and it will end on December 20. The results will be declared on December 23.

Dec 7, 2014

ISL Young Champs Programme kicks off in Mumbai

Mumbai, Dec 07 (ANI): Founder and chairperson of Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), Nita Ambani, on Sunday launched the Indian Super league (ISL) grassroots football movement at a school in Mumbai. The ISL Club programmes, which aim at talent-scouting across India, kick starts in early 2015 and will nurture 5,00,000 school children. It is a joint effort of eight ISL clubs and three India based non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Also present at the event was Bollywood superstar, Salman Khan, who along with Ambani, motivated children to take part in the game enthusiastically. Best players among children will be selected for Young Champs scholarship which will last for a period of three-to-seven-years and will also provide for the children's educational expenses.

Dec 7, 2014

Delhi police reaches Mathura to trace accused in Delhi rape case

New Delhi/ Mathura, Dec 07 (ANI): Mathura SSP Manjhil Saini on Sunday said that Delhi police has reached Mathura city of Uttar Pradesh in order to trace Delhi rape accused. Saini said that since the accused is native of Mathura the Delhi police are trying to get the details in the case. Meanwhile, All India Students Association staged protest against Delhi police outside the police headquarters. The protesters also demanded cancellation of the license of the Uber cab services. The angry protesters shouted slogans against police and the political parties for not ensuring safety of women on Delhi streets. The young woman was allegedly raped by the driver of Uber cab service that she hired from Vasant Vihar area while returning from dinner party in Gurgaon

Dec 7, 2014

Mexicans protest as one missing student's remains identified

Thousands of protesters take to the streets in Mexico as at least one of the 43 missing students is identified among charred remains found in landfill, raising new fears they were all slaughtered. Duration: 01:21

Dec 7, 2014

King Felipe VI arrives for Ibero-American summit in Mexico

Spanish King Felipe VI arrives in Mexico to participate in an Ibero-American summit that could give Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto a chance to shift the conversation away from the drug violence haunting his country. Duration: 00:54

Dec 7, 2014

Chief Ministers at PMs meet favors the need to decentralise power and planning, says Arun Jaitley

New Delhi, Dec 7 (ANI): Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Sunday while addressing a press conference said that the chief ministers in the meeting headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi favored the need to decentralise power and planning. He added that since the PM has served as a Chief Minister, hence, his heart will be with the CMs in dealing with Central government and Planning Commission. He further stated the PM believes that the process of policy planning has to now change from top-bottom & bottom-top.

Dec 7, 2014

UN to declare June 21 as World Yoga Day: Sushma

New Delhi, Dec 07 (ANI): Union External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Sunday said that the United Nations will soon declare June 21 as World Yoga Day following a proposal by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Addressing the 'Gita Prerna Mahotsav', organized "to celebrate 5,151 years of religious book Gita" at the Red Fort Maidan in New Delhi, Sushma said that yoga is not merely an exercise, but a road to prosperity and good health.

Dec 7, 2014

Sushma urges Centre to declare Bhagwad Gita as 'Rashtriya Granth'

New Delhi, Dec 07 (ANI): Union External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Sunday urged the Centre to declare Bhagwad Gita as 'Rashtriya Granth' or national holy book. Swaraj was attending the celebrations marking 5,151 years of the Bhagwad Gita in Delhi. Swaraj added that she participated in the event not as a minister but like an ordinary person. Sushma also said that PM Narendra Modi had gifted Bhagwad Gita to President Barack Obama during his US visit and indicated the Bhagwad Gita as a national holy book.

Dec 7, 2014

Iran unveils budget based on lower oil price

Iran unveiled a draft budget Sunday for next year based on oil prices remaining around $70 per barrel, with President Hassan Rouhani saying the country would become less dependent on crude. Duration: 01:04

Dec 7, 2014