Politics

Hill resort of Shimla gears up for tourist rush

Shimla/Manali, Dec 31 (ANI): Authorities in Shimla have stepped up security arrangements in view of an unprecedented rush of revellers for the New Year celebrations. People have been thronging several tourist destinations in Himachal Pradesh, but capital Shimla has recorded the maximum footfall. Deputy Commissioner of Shimla district administration, Dinesh Malhotra, said additional 200 police and home guards have been deployed to prevent any untoward incident. The snow-bound region is the favourite destination of the tourists from the plains of northern India. Hoteliers are expecting a good business this season after authorities lifted travel advisories following improvement in weather. The state tourism department is organizing an annual winter carnival in the first week of next year in a bid to attract tourists. Every year, the state witnesses a huge rush of tourists during the year-end as people from across India visit the hill resort in anticipation of snowfall.

Dec 31, 2014

Greek ferry tragedy: survivors accounts

Ten passengers dead, dozens unaccounted for and no-one able to say with any certainty how many people were on board the Norman Atlantic when it burst into flames. Duration: 01:09

Dec 30, 2014

Displaced Ukrainians celebrate New Year's far from the bombs

Displaced by the conflict in the East of Ukraine, dozens now live in a volunteer centre in the capital Kiev, where they are getting ready to celebrate New Year. Duration: 00:40

Dec 30, 2014

Economic crisis puts a dampner on Madrid nightlife

The Spanish capital Madrid is known worldwide for its legendary nightlife, nicknamed la Movida. But an economic crisis, record-high unemployment and a rise in sales tax have dealt a hard blow to the city's bars. Duration: 01:57

Dec 30, 2014

Poor infrastructure cripples life in PoK

Muzaffarabad, PoK, December 30, 2014:- Roads in PoK in a bad shape, Pakistan directly responsible for the poor infrastructure, people of Trarkhal waiting for concrete road for last 20 years. This road in Trarkhal is full of potholes, and unfit for travel & transportation. Its dilapidated condition speaks volume about the pathetic state of affairs here. While on papers this road is under construction for the past 20 years, and under constant repair & maintenance, drawing public funds for its annual upkeep without serving its true purpose as a highway. Traveling here continues to remain a bumpy ride. It is a result of ignorance and apathy of officials that infrastructure is so poor. Traditionally this was a trade route and earlier historically as well. Now it’s like a ‘C’ grade city with poor infrastructure, kids here have never seen a concrete road, and during rains this place turn into a dirty well, whereas in winters its snow everywhere. Ultimately, living in this sham of democracy, the common people bear the brunt of this apathy.

Dec 30, 2014

Japanese firms introduces new technology and services to expand base in Asia

Tokyo, Bangkok, Dec 30 (ANI): Alps Electric is a multinational corporation producing a variety of electric components such as units for car device, touch panels for smartphone, censors and switches. Established in 1948, Alps Electric produces a variety of products. The first product was a rotary switch for radio receiver. It then started producing a wide range of products such as variable capacitors, keyboard, remote control, printer and so on. Started as a small factory, Alps Electric is a multinational company and have branch offices the world over, including Asian nations such as India, Malaysia and Vietnam. The company is working on a small communication module to stop cars automatically and avoid car accidents. Many Japanese companies, including the Japan Airlines are expanding their footprints. On December 20, Japan Airlines launched new daily service between Bangkok and Nagoya’s Chubu Airport.

Dec 30, 2014

BJP celebrates Amit Shah's acquittal in Sohrabuddin Sheikh encounter case

New Delhi, Dec 30 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) activists rejoiced after the court accepted the acquittal of party president Amit Shah in connection with the 2005 Sohrabuddin Sheikh encounter case. The BJP President reached his party office in Delhi few hours after the court's decision. In a major relief to BJP president Amit Shah, a special CBI court in Mumbai earlier in the day acquitted him in the 2005 Sohrabuddin Sheikh fake encounter case. The CBI had charged Shah, the then Minister of State for Home in Gujarat, as an accused in the killing of gangster Sohrabuddin Sheikh and Tulsiram Prajapati.

Dec 30, 2014

Indian and Bangladeshi security forces play a friendly soccer match to improve relations

Belonia, Dec 30 (ANI): It was a match with a difference as border forces of India and Bangladesh competed in a friendly soccer match in a bid to improve their relations. The match was played between the 89th battalion of India's paramilitary Border Security Force (BSF) and 4th battalion of Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) in Tripura. In the end, the Indian border forces prevailed over their Bangladeshi counterparts. The lone goal was scored in the second half of the match. BGB Commandant, Zilul Haque, hoped such tournaments had the potential to improve relations. Deputy Inspector General of BSF BS Tolia said the relations between the two forces were on the mend.

Dec 30, 2014

Three-day extravaganza enthralls music lovers in Goa

Panaji, Dec 30 (ANI): The eighth edition of electronic dance music (EDM) or Sunburn festival in Goa attracted music lovers from all over the world and created a festive mood ahead of New Year. The three-day festival lured thousands of music enthusiasts where LED lighting with high-octane fusion of space and sound provided a mesmerizing experience. The festival also offered other activities like stunt-biking, zorbing, volleyball, bungee jumping and an exclusive package of camping and cruise options to ensure maximum fun to the visitors. Indian DJ Shan called it a great experience to be part of such an enthralling event. Over 120 artists were lined-up for the 2014 event that started with 6,000 attendees at its inaugural show in 2007. A tourist from England, Joey, said she was in Goa for past five weeks to enjoy the festive season.

Dec 30, 2014

Indonesia officials find bodies in search for missing jet

Indonesia, Dec 30 (ANI): Search teams scouring the area for signs of the missing AirAsia jet spotted dead bodies apart from debris floating off Indonesia's Kalimantan Coast. The Search and Rescue agency Chief said the debris was likely to be from the AirAsia jet, which disappeared on Sunday with 162 people on board. Nearby ships are heading to the area, where the objects were found. The debris needs to be analyzed before a 100 per cent confirmation can be made. Relatives of passengers gathered at a crisis centre watching the pictures and were visibly shocked, struggling to cope with their grief.

Dec 30, 2014

Yoga can help improve cardio-metabolic health

New Delhi, Dec 30 (ANI): A new research has suggested that Yoga has the potential to improve cardio-metabolic health in people. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and metabolic syndrome are major public health problems worldwide and now, there is promising evidence that Yoga, a popular mind-body practice, could prove to be therapeutic for cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome.The review demonstrates the potential of yoga to have an impact on concrete, physiological outcomes that represent some of the greatest health burdens today.

Dec 30, 2014

Mumbai suspect held in Pakistani kidnapping case

A Pakistani court remands the alleged mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai attacks in police custody for two days in an unrelated kidnapping case. Duration: 01:01

Dec 30, 2014

Ebola diagnosed in medical worker in Britain

A healthcare worker recently returned from Sierra Leone was on Monday diagnosed with Ebola by doctors in Glasgow in the first diagnosis of the virus in Britain during the current outbreak. Duration: 01:08

Dec 30, 2014

US army veteran reflects on time in Afghanistan

On the eve of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, Douglas Livermore, former U.S. Army officer and Special Forces captain, reflects on his experience in the country, where he helped train Afghan security troops. Duration: 01:09

Dec 30, 2014

Hundreds of chickens found dead in Shimla, trigger panic of bird flu

Shimla, Dec 30 (ANI): The mysterious death of hundreds of chickens triggered bird flu panic in hill town of Shimla in Himachal Pradesh. Nearly 323 chickens were found dead by the police during a routine checking from a truck that was heading towards Kinnaur district of the state. It was later reported to the animal husbandry department. As a precautionary measure, the department destroyed the remaining lot of the broilers. Last month India found two outbreaks of a highly contagious bird flu virus in Kerala, prompting the authorities to cull more than 2,00,000 birds, the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) said.

Dec 30, 2014