Politics

Maharashtra, Haryana to go to polls on 15 Oct: EC

New Delhi, Sep 12 (ANI): The Election Commission of India on Friday announced the election dates for the Maharashtra and Haryana assembly elections 2014. Talking to mediapersons in New Delhi, Chief Election Commissioner VS Sampath said, that polling would be held in Maharashtra and Haryana on 15 October. The results will be announced on 19 October. The Election Commission announced that the notification for the election in the two states will be issued on 20 September. The last date for candidates to file their nominations will be 27 September. The process of scrutiny will be conducted on 29 September and the last date for withdrawal of nominations will be 1 October.

Sep 12, 2014

Katie Holmes set for directorial debut with 'All We Had' adaptation

New Delhi, Sep 12 (ANI): Katie Holmes is all set to make her debut as a director with 'All We Had' book adaptation, it has been revealed. According to the Hollywood Reporter, she will also star in her directorial debut, which will be penned by 'Fault in Our Stars' director Josh Boone. The movie revolves around on a mother played by Katie and her 13-year-old daughter, who live together on the edge of poverty.

Sep 12, 2014

Army constructs Iron Bridge in Kashmir for flood victims across border

Poonch/Reasi, Sept 12 (ANI): The Engineer unit of Army completed the construction of an iron bridge for cross border transportation between India and Pakistan along the Line of Control (LOC). The engineers worked late night amid heavy rain and thunder for completion of the bridge which is the only link for trade and travel and connect the Poonch and Rawalakot, Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on the LOC. Meanwhile, the Army Border Road Organization (BRO) in Reasi district of northern Kashmir intensified road clearance operation so that more and more relief material could be rushed to Rajouri, Poonch areas which were marooned due to the heavy floods.

Sep 12, 2014

Former PM went ahead with corruption knowing it will hurt country's economy: Prakash Javadekar

New Delhi, Sep 12 (ANI): After former CAG Vinod Rai indicted former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for his ignorance which led to 2G and Coal gate scam, Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said that Rai's statement has only proved true BJP's allegations on Congress. He said that Singh was aware of every scam that took place and he still went ahead blatantly, knowing that it will hurt the country's economy and therefore he cannot now plead ignorance. Javadekar further said that although Singh was the prime minister, the power actually resided in 10 Janpath, which is Congress' office.

Sep 12, 2014

President Pranab Mukherjee to visit Vietnam

New Delhi, Sep 12 (ANI): The Press Secretary of President Pranab Mukherjee, Venu Rajamony, on Friday said that Mukherjee will be visiting Vietnam from 14th to 17th September. He added that Mukherjee will be accompanied by a delegation of ministers and leaders to the country. Rajamony also said that Vietnam has been a friendly nation to India and President’s visit will enhance ties between the two countries.

Sep 12, 2014

It Happens: Sand Art

Odisha, Sept.11, (ANI): To commemorate the 13th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, India's renowned sand artist, Sudarsan Pattnaik, sculpted the twin towers of World Trade Centre on the beaches of Puri in eastern Odisha, with the message 'No Terror, but Peace.' Pattnaik created a five feet high sand replica of the twin towers in the middle of the number nine so as to represent the number eleven. The sculpture was made using five tonnes of sand and took about seven hours to complete. It also carried the message, 'No Terror, But Peace'. So far, winner of Padma Shri, a civilian honour, Sudarsan has participated in more than 50 international sand sculpture championships and festivals around the world and won many prizes for the country.

Sep 12, 2014

It Happens: Bull jumps into swimming pool

Mandsaur, Sept. 11 (ANI): Children practicing for the annual state level swimming competition in Mandsaur district of central Indian Madhya Pradesh received a surprise as a bull suddenly jumped into the pool to join the fun and frolic. Interestingly, instead of being scared, the children were overjoyed to see the bull sharing the pool and swimming with them. According to swimming coach, Vijeta Singh, the children helped the authorities in pulling the bull out of the pool. It took nearly an hour of high drama after the reluctant animal was finally pulled out of the pool, leaving authorities speculating at the source from where the animal entered the premises of the competition.The state level sports meet was being organized by the state education department.More than 450 children from across eight divisions had gathered in the venue to practice for the finals.

Sep 12, 2014

Campaigners make final push ahead of Scottish vote

'Better Together' campaigners hit the streets of Edinburgh ahead of Scotland's referendum vote, keen to persuade any undecided voters to vote against independence. Duration: 01:23

Sep 12, 2014

Kashmir residents pick up the pieces after deadly floods

Pakistani authorities move to protect two major cities from raging floodwaters, readying explosives to divert swollen rivers, in a crisis which has hit nearly two million people. Duration: 00:51

Sep 12, 2014

Pistorius guilty of culpable homicide

Celebrity athlete Oscar Pistorius was found guilty on Friday of culpable homicide in shooting dead his glamorous girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, a conviction that could result in a lengthy jail term. Duration: 01:15

Sep 12, 2014

Maharashtra, Haryana to Go to Polls on 15 October; J&K Elections Still Uncertain

All eyes will be on the battle between the confident BJP and the incumbent Congress in the two states

Sep 12, 2014

Trade Minister meets US deputy national security adviser

New Delhi, Sep 12 (ANI): Union Trade Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, on Friday (September 12), met US Deputy National Security Adviser for International Economics, Caroline Atkinson, to prepare ground for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Washington. Modi accepted an invitation to meet US President Barrack Obama after he won the general elections in May 2014, as Washington seeks to court India's new government and revive strained relations between the two countries. Modi is set to attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York and address an audience on September 28.

Sep 12, 2014

Oscar Pistorius found guilty of culpable homicide in girlfriend's murder

South Africa, Sept 12 (ANI): Paralympic runner Oscar Pistorius has been found guilty of culpable homicide, after being cleared of murdering Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine's Day last year. Reading from her written judgment, the judge told the court that there was not enough evidence to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the athlete was guilty of premeditated murder or murder. He was also found guilty on one firearms charge, but acquitted on two others. Pistorius could face up to 15 years in jail on the culpable homicide charge.

Sep 12, 2014

Al Qaeda-backed group releases video of kidnapped UN peacekeepers

New Delhi, Sep 12 (ANI): An al Qaeda-backed militant group that seized 45 UN peacekeepers two weeks ago on the Golan Heights has posted a video in which the hostages, from the South Pacific nation of Fiji, say they expect to be released soon. The video, which was posted on the Nusra Front's Twitter and YouTube accounts on Wednesday but was apparently recorded a day earlier, appears to show the troops in a good condition, at points smiling and waving at the camera. On Wednesday, the head of Fiji's army said the Islamist militant group had dropped all of its demands to free the hostages, but at least slightly back-pedalled later in the day as the situation appeared to deteriorate.

Sep 12, 2014

Haryana Govt Sends Relief Materials To Flood Hit JandK

Srinagar/ New Delhi, Sep 12 (ANI): Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Friday sent relief materials to flood hit Jammu and Kashmir on behalf of the state government. Hooda said that the situation in the valley is gruesome and all states should come forward to help the flooded state. Earlier, a Sikh delegation from New Delhi visited flood-hit areas of the state and distributed cooked food to affected people. President of Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee, Manjit Singh, said that they had boats and were providing relief materials to victims.

Sep 12, 2014