Politics

Violence returns to Mexico's Michoacan state

Deadly gun battles are nothing new in Mexico's Michoacan state, but in the latest flare-up, vigilante militias clashed with government forces as the former allies in the drug war turn against each other. Duration: 03:02

Jan 16, 2015

Photographers' business thrives as tourists flock to snow-covered Himachal Pradesh

Kufri, Jan 16 (ANI): Snowfall in Himachal Pradesh has not only brought cheers to tourists from warmer parts of the country, but it has also given photographers an opportunity to rake in extra income. Nearly 200 photographers are working in snow-covered hill station of Kufri, over 20 kilometres from capital city, Shimla. They believe that though tourists are equipped with the latest cameras, they still rely on professional photographers to capture their memories. Excited tourists posed in traditional attire, sat on yaks and rolled in snow as photographers captured their beautiful moments in their cameras.

Jan 16, 2015

Bigger role for Kiran Bedi likely in Delhi elections; politicos react

New Delhi, Jan 16 (ANI): Politicos gave mixed reactions on Friday as former police officer Kiran Bedi joined the BJP in the run-up to next month’s Delhi polls, dropping broad hints about her chief-ministerial aspirations. Earlier on Thursday, party chief Amit Shah had confirmed that she will contest the assembly elections from Delhi.

Jan 16, 2015

Japanese Foreign Minister arrives in India for bilateral talks

New Delhi, Jan 16 (ANI): Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida arrived in India on Friday on a two-day visit to strengthen bilateral ties between the two nations. Kishida is in India to co-chair the 8th India-Japan Strategic Dialogue with his counterpart Sushma Swaraj on Saturday. The two foreign ministers will review all aspects of the bilateral relations between the two countries and exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest. Kishida will begin his two-day visit by paying homage to iconic Mahatma Gandhi at his memorial in New Delhi. He is then slated to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Japan and India have earlier agreed to strengthen defence ties as Asia's second and third biggest economies keep a wary eye on a rising China.

Jan 16, 2015

Ganesh Acharya launches the first look of 'Hey Bro'

Mumbai, Jan 16 (ANI): The start cast of upcoming Bollywood movie, 'Hey Bro', launched the film's trailer in India's entertainment capital, Mumbai. The movie is a comedy drama which revolves around twin brothers. After making his mark in choreography, Acharya has now ventured into production with this film. He is also the lead actor in the movie. Shot in different parts of the country, besides Mumbai, the movie is expected to be released by January 30, 2015. The star cast of the movie includes Nupur Sharma, Ganesh Acharya and Govinda in lead roles, while cameo roles are being done by the well-known actors of Bollywood like Amitabh Bachchan, Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar and Hrithik Roshan.

Jan 16, 2015

Will be sending the samples abroad: BS Bassi on Sunanda Pushkar case

New Delhi, Jan 16 (ANI): Delhi Police Commissioner BS Bassi on Friday while commenting on the Sunanda Pushkar death case said that the samples will be send abroad due to lack of facilities in India. He added that interrogation of key persons in the case will be completed by the SIT very soon. He further stated that every fact will be taken into cognizance and the conclusion will come out at right time.

Jan 16, 2015

It is party's decision, says Kiran Bedi on her reports of being BJP CM candidate

New Delhi, Jan 16 (ANI): BJP leader Kiran Bedi on Friday while commenting on her reports of being BJP CM candidate in the upcoming assembly elections said that party will decide the candidate. Bedi added that any party contests elections to win and form government. She further said that BJP's leadership is saving the country.

Jan 16, 2015

It Happens : Makar Sakranti

Allahabad/Varanasi, Jan 16 (ANI): Devout Hindus in India converged on the banks of holy River Ganges on Wednesday to take holy dip to mark harvest festival, ‘Makar Sankranti’. The festival marks the arrival of spring. Large number of devotees gathered in Allahabad and Varanasi cities of Uttar Pradesh to take a dip in River Ganges. The pilgrims camp by the riverside and in the evening they decorate the entire riverbank with earthen oil lamps. The harvest festival is called Lohri in northern India, Pongal in southern Tamil Nadu state and parts of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, whereas in Assam, it is celebrated as Bihu and in the rest of India, it is celebrated as Makar Sankranti.

Jan 16, 2015

It Happens : Bird Fair

West Bengal, Jan 16 (ANI): A bird fair organised to mark 152nd birth anniversary of philosopher-monk Swami Vivekananda attracts bird lovers in large numbers in West Bengal. The seven-day-long fair began on Monday with an aim to spread the message of freedom. Scores of bird lovers, both children and elderly alike, were thrilled to watch distinct species of birds at the fair being held in Siliguri city. While excited children tried to touch ostriches, many others clicked photographs with various species of parrots. A spectator Arabindo Das said that such fairs are very educative for children. The fair is being organised by Siliguri Shailendra Smriti Pathagar -O-Club. More than 35 species of birds from various countries are on display at the fair including Australian pigeons, Macaw, emu and ostrich.

Jan 16, 2015

Politicos react as CBFC Chairman Leela Samson quits

New Delhi, Jan 16 (ANI): Politican reactions poured in as chairperson of Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) Leela Samson resigned citing reasons of 'interference and corruption' after the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT) apparently cleared the controversial film Messenger of God ( MSG) that stars Dera Saccha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh. Samson said the reasons cited are alleged "interference, coercion and corruption of panel members and officers of the organization who are appointed by the ministry."

Jan 16, 2015

Netanyahu Earns Turkish Ire for Attending Paris Rally; Davutoglu Compares Him to Gunmen

The comments came days after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan too slammed Netanyhu for "daring" to attend the rally in Paris.

Jan 16, 2015

HS Bramha assume charge as Chief Election Commissioner

New Delhi, Jan 16 (ANI): HS Bramha took over as India's new Chief Election Commissioner today. He is succeeding VS Sampath, who demitted office yesterday after nearly six years in the post. Brahma is presently the senior most of the two Election Commissioners. A 1975 batch IAS officer of the Andhra Pradesh cadre, Bramha hails from Assam. He will be the Chief Election Commissioner of India till April 18, 2015.

Jan 16, 2015

IGL gas pipeline catches fire in South Delhi, no causalities

New Delhi, Jan 16 (ANI): A massive fire engulfed a pipeline of the city gas distributor Indraprastha Gas Ltd. (IGL) on Friday morning in the Moti Bagh area of South Delhi. Ten fire brigade vehicles were rushed to the spot and the fire was brought under control. According to the reports, the fire started after a leak in the gas pipeline in the Moti Bagh area operated by the state-owned GAIL or Gas Authority of India Limited. Fire officer said that three private cars have been burnt but nobody has been injured in the mishap.

Jan 16, 2015

India disapproves European parliament resolution backing Italian marines' return

New Delhi, Jan 16 (ANI): India on Friday (January 16) expressed disapproval with European parliament adopting a resolution calling for the repatriation of the two Italian marines undergoing trail in the killing of two fishermen. MEA Spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said that the European parliament should not have adopted such a resolution when the case, dating back to February 2012, was still sub-judice. The European parliament in Strasbourg on Thursday (January 15) adopted a resolution on the case of two Italian marines accused in India of killing two Indian fishermen, which called for the pair to be allowed to return to Italy, saying that holding them in India without charges was a "grave violation of human rights".

Jan 16, 2015

Bangladesh opposition protests attack on party chief adviser

Dhaka, Jan 16 (ANI): The opposition alliance-led by Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Thursday (January 15) protested attack on BNP chief Begum Khaleda Zia’s adviser Riaz Rahman. Rahman was shot and his car was set on fire on the night of January 13. He was returning from a meeting with Khaleda, who says police have illegally confined her to her office in Dhaka's diplomatic enclave for more than a week. The government denies Khaleda is being held against her will, and says she is free to leave the premises. Agitators torched a car while bombs were hurled in the old part of Dhaka during the BNP-sponsored strike and the ongoing blockade that has been going on since January 05. The shops remained closed and traffic movement was less than usual. The Bangladesh ruling Awami League held protest march against the opposition’s strike and blockade. Bangladesh’s minister for relief and disaster management, Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury, denounced the opposition’s stand.

Jan 16, 2015