Politics

Former maid tells court of 'torture' by Hong Kong employers

A former Indonesian maid tells a court for the first time how she was starved, beaten and ritually humiliated by her Hong Kong employers in a case that has sparked international outrage.

Dec 8, 2014

Indias leather industry boosts economy

Kanpur, Dec 08 (ANI): Kanpur has from long been identified with its leather industry and the industry holds a prominent place in the India’s economy. Kanpur’s leather industry is among the top ten foreign exchange earning sectors of India. Kanpur is home to almost 400 tanneries concentrated in the Jajmau suburb. These small tanneries play a crucial role in supporting the economy in ways more than one as they not only bring in foreign exchange, but also offer a means of livelihood for various small time labourers. Despite their economic contribution, concerns regarding Kanpur tanneries polluting the river Ganges have been rife. One of the major pollutants is chromium which is used as a hardening agent in leather production. However, owner of Rehman Tannery, Firoz Aalam rubbishes claims of the tanneries releasing pollutants directly into the Ganges and said that each tannery had a primary water treatment plant in place.

Dec 8, 2014

Hindus and Muslims come together for community wedding ceremony in Rajkot

Rajkot, Dec 08 (ANI): Hindus and Muslims performed community weddings under common roof upholding the saga of communal harmony. At least, 101 Hindu and Muslim couples got married at a common event in Rajkot city in Gujarat. The couples mostly belonged to economically middle and poor classes. The Hindu Brahmins and Muslim priests conducted the respective rituals in front of hundreds of invitees. A Muslim priest Sayeed Mohammad Hussain Ali said this mass wedding will spread the message of love and brotherhood among both the communities across the country. Legislator of Rajkot city, Indranil Rajguru, who organised the mass wedding said no matter what happens across the nation, Hindus and Muslims always stay together peacefully in the city. A Hindu bride, Nilam Pandya said she is lucky to get married at such a unique event.

Dec 8, 2014

Protests erupt in Vadodara over Hafiz Saeed warning to PM Modi

Vadodara, Dec 08 (ANI): A youth organisation staged protest in Vadodara as Mumbai attacks mastermind and Islamist Hafiz Saeed warned Prime Minister Narendra Modi over Kashmir. The protesters shouted slogans against Hafiz Saeed, burnt his effigy besides burning the Pakistan's flag. BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain said Saeed is making such statements as he is surprised to see large voting turnout in Kashmir assembly polls. Saeed is the founder of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), a militant group banned in Pakistan but tolerated unofficially and believed to be close to the army.

Dec 8, 2014

AAP workers protest outside Rajnath Singh's residence, demand action in Uber cab rape case

New Delhi, Dec 08 (ANI): AAP party workers protested outside Home Minister Rajnath Singh's official residence in New Delhi on Monday demanding that action in the Uber cab rape case. Protestors raised slogans and demanded that the Home Minister must act to make Delhi safe for women. The protesters questioned government's lack of action and the safety of women in the national capital. Some of the part workers were detained by police.

Dec 8, 2014

Uber cab rape case: Cab driver Shiv Kumar arrested by Delhi police

New Delhi, Dec 8 (ANI): Delhi Police arrested Uber cab driver Shiv Kumar from Mathura who was accused of raping his passenger in New Delhi. Delhi police Deputy Commissioner Madhur Verma said the accused would be brought to the city soon. The 26-year-old woman reported that she had been sexually assaulted and beaten when she got a ride with the Uber driver after a social event late on Friday in Vasant Vihar.

Dec 8, 2014

Arenlong Longkumar, a 5-year-old drumming prodigy from Nagaland

Nagaland, Dec 08 (ANI): He is unstoppable! Playing drum like an expert, Arenlong Longkumar is a child prodigy. Born to Sosang Longkumer and Akokla Imchen in Dimapur, this 5-year-old can beat drums for any genre of music. Along started holding drum sticks at the age of one. He was inspired by his musician father, who runs his own recording studio in Dimapur. Along plays drums at his father's studio. Little Along has performed during many events, including the Hornbill festival. He has also performed with Purple Fusion, a famous Naga music band at the 'World Music Day' celebration in Dimapur. Amazingly, Along can tune his beats for any genre of song like hard rock, soft rock and country music. His success is a source of inspiration for other children.

Dec 8, 2014

Typhoon Hagupit hits coastal communities in eastern Philippines

Typhoon Hagupit sends waves crashing through coastal communities across the eastern Philippines, with wind strength making it the most powerful storm to hit the country this year.

Dec 7, 2014

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