Politics

Former ISRO Chairman confident of success of Mars mission

Bangalore, Sep 17 (ANI): Noted scientist and former Chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Udupi Ramachandra Rao, expressed confidence in the success of the nation's Mars mission,'Mangalyaan', expected to enter the orbit around Mars on September 24. Rao was speaking to media persons at an exhibition, 'MARS MISSION MELA', organised by the state planetarium in Bangalore for school children. The exhibition was inaugurated by Minister for Planning and Statistics, IT, BT, Science and Technology, S R Patil. The exhibition, which was organised by the state planetarium, aims at educating school children and people about the Mars mission, its journey and achievements. The exhibition will continue till 12th of October. On the 24th, special arrangements will be made so that people could also be a part of this historic occasion.

Sep 17, 2014

Kenya's economy: damaged but defiant a year after Westgate

The attack of the Westgate mall in Kenya not only shattered the lives of many, but heralded a tough year for Kenya's economy. Duration: 01:06

Sep 17, 2014

Fiji stages first election since 2006 coup

Fijians vote in the South Pacific nation's first election since a 2006 coup, with the military on standby in case violence flares. Police report no problems in early polling. Duration: 00:38

Sep 17, 2014

China's Xi makes maiden India visit, seeking to reset ties

India's new prime minister rolls out the red carpet for Xi Jinping in his home town, as the Chinese president begins a maiden visit with both sides seeking to reset the relationship between Asia's rival superpowers. Duration: 00:43

Sep 17, 2014

University vice-chancellor blames students for unruly action on campus in Kolkata

Kolkata/Chennai, Sep 17 (ANI): Vice-chancellor of Jadavpur University in Kolkata, Abhijeet Chakraborty, on Wednesday blamed students of attacking the authorities during their protest against the alleged molestation of a fellow student.The incident happened on Tuesday when students were demonstrating inside the campus against the molestation of a second year student of Jadavpur University. Reportedly, the student was molested by few male students who dragged her inside the boys' hostel on August 28. The university vice-chancellor said that he was held by the students who were demanding fresh probe into the matter. The victim had registered a complaint with the police, and investigation has begun in the case but no arrests have been made so far.

Sep 17, 2014

Boxer Manoj Kumar to get Arjuna Award after winning court battle

New Delhi, Sep 17 (ANI): Boxer Manoj Kumar, who was earlier not considered for the Arjuna award by the Kapil Dev-led Committee, will receive the honor after he won the legal battle and the sports ministry accepted his nomination. Kumar was mistakenly considered to be involved in the doping case by the committee and had challenged the committee's decision in the High Court. Manoj Kumar's lawyer Rahul Mehra said that he is very happy with the Court's decision and that justice has been finally met. Union Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said that due to court's observation and the agreement of the members of the selection committee the decision has been taken. Manoj Kumar said that he is glad to receive justice by the court.

Sep 17, 2014

Ghulam Nabi Azad visits flood-affected areas, says state will provide full financial aid

Reasi, Sep 17 (ANI): Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad on Wednesday visited Reasi region of flood-ravaged Kashmir and said the state will provide full financial support to the flood-victims. Azad interacted with flood survivors and surveyed the damaged areas and said that state government will provide free ration to flood survivors for at least six months. Authorities say the cost of damage in Jammu and Kashmir may run into crores of rupees. Azad added that more than half of the Kashmir is still submerged in water. The central government delivered 25 water filtration plants with the capacity to filter 400,000 litres a day, and 13 tonnes of water purification tablets. Municipal authorities have started collecting rubbish from pools of stagnant water.

Sep 17, 2014

Girl child campaign will solve skewed sex ratio, says Maneka Gandhi

New Delhi/ Odisha, Sep 17 (ANI): Union Minister for Women And Child Development Maneka Gandhi, unveiled the logo of girl child campaign 'Beti Bachao Beti Padhao' (Save girl, educate girl) and said the programme will help sort out skewed sex ratio in 100 villages and produce desired results in two years. Gandhi launched the logo on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday, saying it was his pet scheme. She also said childline services will be provided in around 280 locations across the country in the coming days, besides opening new child rights protection hubs. Gandhi added that rules regarding child adoption in India were eased so that parents don't have to wait for years for custody. She said ministry will take initiative to raise awareness on child sexual abuse in schools.

Sep 17, 2014

Xi Jinping and PM Modi pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi in Sabarmati Ashram

Ahmedabad, Sep 17 (ANI): Chinese President Xi Jinping along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi at the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad on Wednesday. Modi received Jinping at the park after which both the leaders paid tribute to Gandhi. The leaders then took a casual tour of the Ashram in which Modi showed some unique paintings to Jinping. Earlier, India and China had signed various agreements, important being a sister city agreement between Guangzhou in China and Ahmedabad.

Sep 17, 2014

Katy Perry leads with 7 nominations for MTV EMAs 2014

New Delhi, Sept 17 (ANI): Katy Perry has received seven nominations for MTV Europe Music Awards (EMAs) 2014. The 29-year-old singer is up for categories like 'Best Female', 'Best Pop Act', and 'Best Video', 'Best look', 'Best song' and 'Best Live act'. Next to the 'Roar' singer is Ariana Grande, who has six nominations for the awards being held in Glasgow in November.

Sep 17, 2014

Tourism affected as Srinagar transforms into water channels

Srinagar, Sep 17 (ANI): The capital of Jammu and Kashmir, Srinagar transformed into a series of water channels, strewn with wreckage, trash and dead animals in what is called the worst flooding in the area in over a century. More than 75,000 people were still trapped in partly submerged homes in Srinagar. One of the major tourist attractions in Srinagar, Dal Lake, where tourists come and stay in houseboats, also remained flooded. The Indian army has deployed about 30,000 troops for rescue and relief operations and soldiers distributed water and food to survivors. In a gesture of solidarity, staff at the Prime Minister's Office gave up one day's salary for flood relief.

Sep 17, 2014

Concerns mount at Calais as migrants storm trucks

Six thousand trucks leave the French port of Calais every day, bound for the other side of the Channel. But now migrants, more desperate than ever, pose a serious challenge. Duration: 02:00

Sep 17, 2014

Brazilian soccer legend Zico excited to coach Goa for Indian Super League

Goa/Mumbai, Sept 17 (ANI): One of Brazil's greatest soccer stars, Arthur Antunes Coimbra, famously known as Zico, said on Wednesday (September 17) that he was looking forward to start coaching for Goa FC for Indian Super League (ISL) and help raise the level of the sport in a country fixated with cricket. The 61-year-old, who was an outstanding creator and goal scorer for Brazil and played in the 1978, 1982 and 1986 World Cups, had signed a contract in Rio de Janeiro to take the job of head coach for Goa FC. One of the most gifted players of his generation, Zico has also played or coached in Brazil, Italy, Japan, Turkey, Russia, Greece, Iraq and Qatar. Zico said he would do everything to help spur the growth of soccer in India, adding that he would assist all players, amateurs and professionals and sees the Indian Super League as a great platform to spread the sports' popularity. Meanwhile, Goa FC owner Shrinivas Dempo said they were confident that footballers will benefit from their association with Zico by learning the intricacies of the game from the master.

Sep 17, 2014

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives in Ahmedabad, receives Guard of Honour

Ahmedabad, Sep 17 (ANI): Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday arrived in Ahmedabad city of Gujarat for a three-day visit to India to bolster bilateral ties. Jinping was also accompanied by his wife and was received warmly by Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel and a high level Indian delegation. The President also received Guard of Honour at the airport itself. Jinping will be meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi soon. The Gujarat government left no stone unturned for grand welcome for Xi who arrives on the day when Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also marking his 64th birthday. New Delhi and Beijing have a complicated relationship marked by growing economic ties but also distrust, particularly over their unresolved territorial disputes.

Sep 17, 2014

Tribal protest in Odisha against dilution of forest rights

Gajapati, Sep 17 (ANI): Tribal people from Maoist-hit areas organized a rally in Odisha, protesting against dilution of Forest Rights. A landmark law recognizing the rights of India's tribes over forest land may be diluted to clear the way for infrastructure projects such as roads, railway lines, electricity towers and irrigation canals, Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram had said. Thousands of tribal converged in Gajapati district and shouted slogans against the move. An activist, Haribandhu Karji, said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government was trying to take away rights of tribes. Activists say the move indicates how the pro-business policies of recently elected Modi could hurt the environment and poor communities, including indigenous people.

Sep 17, 2014