Politics

Rebels announce plan to hold elections in east Ukraine

Pro-Russian guerrillas brushed off Kiev's offer to hold local council elections in rebel-held parts of Russian-speaking east Ukraine and announced plans to set up their own parliaments in self-organised November 2 polls. Duration: 01:17

Sep 26, 2014

British Muslims take a stand against Islamic State group

The head of a British Muslim group praised by US President Barack Obama is an ex-jihadist in a gritty London neighbourhood who tries to sway young minds against radicalism by whatever means possible -- including Twitter.

Sep 26, 2014

Sierra Leone quarantines more than one million

Sierra Leone on Thursday began a quarantine of more than one million people in the largest open-ended lockdown in the Ebola outbreak. The northern districts of Port Loko and Bombali have been closed off indefinitely.

Sep 25, 2014

Syria army captures key rebel town near Damascus

Syrian government troops recaptured the key rebel-held town of Adra northeast of the capital Damascus on Thursday.

Sep 25, 2014

BJP- Shiv Sena alliance over, BJP declares ready to fight alone against Congress in Maharashtra

Mumbai, Sep 25 (ANI): Addressing a press conference, post BJP’s core committee meeting, BJP on Thursday declared that the alliance with Shiv Sena is officially over. BJP Maharashtra President Devendra Fadnavis said that Shiv Sena was adamant about its proposal which was unacceptable to the party. He said that BJP has made its alliance with Shiv Sangram, RSP and SSS. Meanwhile, BJP leader Eknath Khadse said that many proposals were discussed with the party and keeping in view the time constraint in front of the party, BJP has decided to break the alliance with its 25 years old ally. Khadse said that BJP will now get ready to fight alone against Congress and make Maharashtra ‘congress-free’.

Sep 25, 2014

Indian navy chief stresses on indigenous production of warships

New Delhi, Sept 25 (ANI): Chief of India’s naval staff Admiral RK Dhowan said on Thursday that joint efforts from industries, ship builders and foreign collaborators is required to have indigenous production of warships. He said in the past five decades, India’s growing maritime self-reliance facilitated the greater recognition of the role that India plays in providing stability in the region of Indian Ocean. Dhowan, during an event to commemorate the golden jubilee of indigenous warship design and construction at Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Bhawan in New Delhi, urged collaborators to synergise efforts for making warships in India. He also said that the navy was monitoring Chinese movement in Indian Ocean and was ready to tackle any untoward situation.

Sep 25, 2014

Railway Minister Sadananda Gowda to participate in railway cleaning drive

Railway Minister Sadananda Gowda said on Thursday, a special cleanliness drive will be carried out in all railway stations across the country on October 02, the birth anniversary of iconic freedom fighter, Mahatma Gandhi. Indian cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on September 24 given nod to clean India mission ‘Swachch Bharat', which will be operative for five years. Gowda, while addressing a news conference in New Delhi, said the ministers are welcome to visit any railway station on that day. He also invited railway employees to voluntarily participate in this gigantic programme. Clean India Mission will be launched on October 02 with an aim to create a clean India by 2019 by eliminating the unhealthy practice of open defecation.

Sep 25, 2014

NCPs Jitendra Awhad files nomination papers from Thane constituency

Thane/ Hodal, Sep 25 (ANI): NCP leader Jitendra Awhad on Thursday filed his nomination papers from Thane constituency of Maharashtra. Accompanied by party supporters with full celebrations and frolic, Awhad reached the election commission office to file the papers. Meanwhile, Congress leader Deepender Singh Hooda, present at Hodal constituency of Haryana, said that state Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda is all set to file his nomination papers from Rohtak constituency on Friday. Hooda is, for now, addressing rallies in different constituencies of the state to seek ‘blessings of the people’ before filing his nomination papers.

Sep 25, 2014

Smriti Irani wields broom to promote cleanliness drive in schools

New Delhi, Sep 25 (ANI): Education Minister, Smriti Irani, on Thursday visited a school in New Delhi to promote government’s cleanliness campaign ‘Swachch Bharat’ (clean India) among the students. The minister invited the students to actively participate and contribute their ideas to the official blog which would help the Human Resource Development ministry to improve upon their cleanliness drive. Irani called the students future of a nation and said awareness and participation on the part of the students is a must to make India clean in literal terms. The ministry is also planning curriculum adaptation of this cleanliness drive so that it becomes a habit and part of the lifestyle. At the school, the minister also participated in the cleaning drive along with the students.

Sep 25, 2014

Indonesians rally outside parliament against election plan

Protesters burnt tyres outside Indonesia's parliament as lawmakers were set to decide whether to scrap the direct election of local leaders, a move activists warn will roll back a key reform in the young democracy. Duration: 00:45

Sep 25, 2014

Iran leader slams West blunders but eyes cooperation

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani wavered between criticism and engagement in a speech to the UN on Thursday, slamming Western blunders in the Middle East but signalling commitment to securing a deal on nuclear power. Duration: 01:02

Sep 25, 2014

Despite truce, Gaza fishermen under fire at sea

Every time Gaza fisherman Rami goes to sea, the same thing happens: five nautical miles offshore, shots ring out and a voice over an Israeli loudspeaker demands he turn back. Duration: 01:51

Sep 25, 2014

Shiv Sena unhappy over Rudys announcement about split in alliance with BJP, says final decision wou

Mumbai, Sep 25 (ANI): Refuting rumours of a split in BJP-Shiv Sena alliance, Shiv Sena leader Diwakar Raote on Thursday said that the party is unhappy over announcement by BJP’s Rajiv Pratap Rudy of a split in the alliance. The party also expressed grievances over the BJP’s take to not attend the meeting with Shiv Sena after keeping them waiting uniformed for almost 2 hours. Raote further said that the final decision on whether to keep the alliance or not will be taken by BJP now and that Shiv Sena will strongly answer the same.

Sep 25, 2014

Congress, BJP fight over Modis Make in India campaign

New Delhi, Sept 25 (ANI): The Congress on Thursday claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Make in India’ campaign is a re-statement of a lot of things that were already done by the UPA government. The BJP however, hailed Modi’s vision and said India would progress under his leadership.

Sep 25, 2014

PM Narendra Modi leaves for five-day US visit

New Delhi, Sep 25 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday leaves for United States of America on his five-day official visit. Clad in his signature half-sleeved kurta and Nehru Jacket, Modi boarded the Air India flight and waved to the country as he left for his maiden US visit. Modi will address the UN General Assembly and also hold a summit meeting with US President Barack Obama which would see trade and investment high on the agenda. Modi and Obama would interact on September 29 and 30 in Washington, which would also see the US President hosting a dinner in honour of the Indian Prime Minister. Modi has a packed schedule of 35 engagements during his September 26-30 visit.

Sep 25, 2014