Politics

3D firecrackers dot markets in Chennai ahead of Diwali

Chennai , Oct 18 (ANI): People thronged markets in Chennai city of Tamil Nadu to buy 3D firecrackers ahead of Hindu festival of lights, Diwali.Diwali is celebrated with great fervour and gaiety all over India as it marks the return of Hindu Lord Rama to Ayodhya after he defeated Ravana, the powerful king of Lanka.Devotees decorate their homes with oil and electric lamps welcoming Lord Rama. They also celebrate by bursting firecrackers at homes with family and friends.A mass firecrackers sale has been organised in Chennai by Tamil Nadu Traders Association. There are about 120 shops selling variety of firecrackers. Joint secretary of Tamil Nadu Traders Association, Abdul Rehman said for children, 3D firecrackers were new in the market.

Oct 18, 2014

J Jayalalithaa and O Panneerselvam at Tamil Nadu.

Jayalalithaa Out of Jail LIVE: Former Tamil Nadu CM Released After 21 Days, Back in Chennai

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam is likely to greet Jayalalithaa, prisoner number 7402, when she walks out of the jail on Saturday.

Oct 18, 2014

Hamas calls on Palestinians to 'defend' Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa

Hundreds of Palestinians in Gaza participated in a Hamas-organised rally Friday over Jerusalem's flashpoint Al-Aqsa mosque, the scene of recurring clashes between Israeli security and Palestinians in recent days. Duration: 00:52

Oct 18, 2014

New clashes in HK as demonstrators try to retake protest camp

Fresh clashes break out in Hong Kong as demonstrators attempt to retake a protest camp partially cleared by police earlier in the day, jeopardising talks to end weeks of mass democracy rallies. Duration: 01:07

Oct 18, 2014

Nigerian government claims deal with Boko Haram on ceasefire

Nigeria on Friday claimed to have reached a deal with Boko Haram militants on a ceasefire and the release of more than 200 kidnapped schoolgirls but doubts immediately surrounded the purported breakthrough. Duration: 00:48

Oct 18, 2014

Nepal snowstorm prompts rethink among trekkers Duration: 00:52

The deaths of more than 30 people in a major snowstorm and avalanches in Nepal's Himalayas has prompted a rethink among trekkers, with many worried about safety conditions in the mountains. Duration: 00:52

Oct 18, 2014

Paris airport to start Ebola checks on Guinea travellers

French Social Affairs and Health Minister Marisol Touraine visited the Roissy-Charles-de-Gaulle airport as the airport emergency medical service announced it would carry out health checks on travellers arriving from Guinea. Duration: 01:02

Oct 18, 2014

Spanish govt: four suspected Ebola cases in Spain test negative

All four suspected Ebola cases admitted to hospitals in Spain on Thursday have tested negative for the deadly virus in a first round of tests, the government said Friday. Duration: 00:55

Oct 18, 2014

Kigali's construction boom: miracle or mirage?

Construction sites and cranes dot the horizon of Rwanda's capital Kigali, a sign of the city's ambitious vision of the future, despite concerns that the building boom may be more of a bubble. Duration: 02:09

Oct 18, 2014

'State of Myths': New Iraqi Sitcom Mocks ISIS, Exposes 'True Nature' of Jihadi Group

New Comedy Series mocks the Jihadi group ISIS, replaces fear with slapstick humour, puns and laughter.

Oct 17, 2014

Putin meets Poroshenko, EU leaders in Milan

European leaders expressed hope Friday of solving the bloody Ukraine conflict following "positive" talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, only for the Kremlin to berate them as out of touch with reality. Duration: 01:37

Oct 17, 2014

Latin America launches communications satellite

Argentina launches a home-built satellite, a first for Latin America. It will ride a French-made Ariane 5 rocket into orbit, and will provide cell phone, digital TV, Internet and data services to the lower half of South America. Duration: 00:41

Oct 17, 2014

Lawyers argue over Pistorius sentencing in murder trial

Oscar Pistorius was not a "cold-blooded killer" and should serve a community-based sentence, his defence argued Friday in a last-ditch attempt to keep the star sprinter out of jail. Duration: 01:06

Oct 17, 2014

Black money case: Jaitley says Govt not reluctant to reveal names

New Delhi, Oct 17 (ANI): Denying the allegations by the opposition in the black money case, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Friday said that the Narendra Modi led government is not reluctant to reveal names of tax evaders who have stashed black money in foreign accounts.The government told the Supreme Court earlier today that it cannot publicly disclose names linked to black money.

Oct 17, 2014

It happens: Buddhist monks performs special prayers for world peace

Bodhgaya, Oct 17 (ANI): Buddhist monks of Lao People's Democratic Republic on Wednesday performed special prayers in holy town of Bodhgaya for world peace and tranquillity. Envoy of People's Democratic Republic, Southam Sakonninhom, participated in the prayers and after inaugurating the new building of Lao Buddhist monastery. Lao envoy expressed happiness after performing the prayers and hailed the country's tradition. Buddhists believe that the Buddha, "the awakened", to the laws of the universe, which are said to be operating eternally. Buddhist scriptures describe Bodh Gaya as the "Navel of the Earth", where pilgrims and tourists from Sri Lanka, China, Japan and the entire of southeastern Asia throng to this holiest of Buddhist shrines every year. The Mahabodhi Temple complex is located in this town; it is the place where the Buddha is believed to have attained enlightenment.

Oct 17, 2014