Politics

Sudarshan Pattnaik salutes Indian Army by making sand sculpture of JandK rescue operations

Puri, Sep 12 (ANI): Sand artist Sudarshan Pattnaik salutes the Army, who are engaged in mammoth rescue and relief operations in flood ravaged Kashmir, through sand. Pattnaik has created a 6 feet high sand sculpture where he shows how the army is rescuing the people in Jammu and Kashmir. He has used about 5 tonne of sand and it took him nearly 4 hours to complete. Both the Indian and Pakistan sides of the disputed Himalayan region have been hit by extensive flooding in recent days, and about 450 people have been killed, with Indian Kashmir's main city of Srinagar particularly hard hit. Officials say 220 people have been killed in Srinagar, a city of about one million people.

Sep 12, 2014

Second FIR filed against Yogi Adityanath for violating poll code

Noida, Sep 12 (ANI): Noida police lodged a second FIR against BJP MLA Yogi Adityanath for his alleged hate speech, within 24 hours of the first one. While the first one was filed in Lucknow, the second was filed in Noida following the orders by the Elections Commission. Noida Deputy SP Shivram Yadav said that a case has been registered under Sec 153A, 295A, 505 IPC and 125 of the Representation of People Act. The Election Commission had on Thursday "reprimanded" the BJP MP for violating the Model Code of Conduct and asked the Uttar Pradesh chief electoral officer (CEO) to ensure that an FIR is lodged against him.

Sep 12, 2014

Schools in Jammu reopen after flood water recedes in JandK

Jammu, Sep 12 (ANI): Educational institutions in the Jammu division, except those serving as relief camps for flood-affected people, reopens on Friday as the level of flood water receded in flood ravaged Jammu and Kashmir. The Divisional Commissioner sent a circular asking the Jammu division to open all educational institutions. Earlier on Thursday, India Air force officials conducted aerial survey of devastated Jammu region to assess the damage. Indian Air Force official, Prashant Patange, said more than 70 aircrafts were flying over the flood-hit areas to provide relief and pull out stranded people. Meanwhile, the 300-km-long Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was closed for traffic due to landslides at various places in Ramban district of the state. The movement of traffic on the highway was suspended due to landslides at Nashri and Khoni Nullah in Ramban district.

Sep 12, 2014

Jitendra Singh visits JandK to take stock of rescue operations

Srinagar, Sep 12 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent Minister of state for Personnel, Jitendra Singh to take stock of the situation as rescue work gains momentum in flooded Kashmir after waters have started receding, giving rescue teams a chance to reach tens of thousands of villagers stranded by the heaviest rainfall in half a century. Singh visited the region a day after Modi directed the home ministry to provide full assistance to Jammu and Kashmir government and coordinate in rescue and relief operations being carried out in the flood-hit state. Indian Army official General Subrata Saha said that defence forces and National Disaster Rescue Force (NDRF) teams are working together in relief and rescue operations. Many people praised the army on social media for its efforts but others vented their anger at delays in getting help to survivors.

Sep 12, 2014

Aditya Verma files complaint against Mudgal commission over BCCI's 'wrong statements'

New Delhi, Sep 12 (ANI): Petitioner in the IPL spot-fixing case Aditya Verma on Friday said that he had filed a complaint against the Supreme Court appointed Retired Justice Mukul Mudgal commission over BCCI's 'wrong statements'. He said that BCCI Secretary Sanjay Patel had alleged getting a clean chit by the commission, in the media. Verma also said that he will approach the Supreme Court over the matter.

Sep 12, 2014

The Pantanal: Brazil's wildlife paradise

An increasing number of eco-tourists are finding that Pantanal's vast wetlands and stunning biodiversity offer just as many opportunities to spot rich wildlife such as the caiman, capybaras and jaguars. Duration: 03:04

Sep 12, 2014

PM Modi calls for making 'Swachh Bharat' a mass movement

New Delhi, Sep 12 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting with senior ministers briefing them on his dream mission of Clean India, 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyan'. Clean India Mission will be launched on October 02, the birth anniversary of the father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi to create a clean India by 2019 by eliminating the unhealthy practice of open defecation. Earlier, linking cleanliness to tourism and economy, Modi had said that world-class levels of hygiene and cleanliness are required in the country's top fifty tourist destinations to bring about a paradigm shift in India's global perception. Modi had said in his first Independence Day speech, on August 15 that the poor needed respect, which begins with cleanliness and had urged the nation to make the country a cleaner one by 2019.

Sep 12, 2014

Political leaders condemn Rajnath Singh's 'Pakistan remark'

New Delhi, Sep 12 (ANI): Political leaders condemned Home Minister Rajnath Singh's remark after he threw indications that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government is willing to engage in a meaningful dialogue with Pakistan if it responds positively. Congress Leader Rashid Alvi said the ruling BJP government is confused and has not specified a clear foreign policy. Meanwhile, Samajwadi party (SP) leader Gaurav Bhatia said there is need for cohesiveness and synergy between departments and the flip-flop that is taking place is unhealthy. NCP leader Majid Memon said ceasefire violations along the international border must be stopped first before indulging in any dialogue process.

Sep 12, 2014

People in northeast express keen interest to avail benefit of Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana

Arunachal Pradesh, Sep 12 (ANI): Like the rest of the country, the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana was recently launched across the Northeast region and is attracting large number of people. The scheme that was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Independence Day aims to cover all households in the country with banking facilities, besides providing them a range of financial benefits. People can now open their bank accounts without having to submit too many documents, by using their Aadhar card only and every account holder gets a debit card with Rs.1 lakh insurance cover. In Arunachal Pradesh, the scheme was launched by Chief Minister Nabam Tuki in presence of the Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju. A large number of locals queued up at the venue and at various banks to know more about the scheme and expressed a keen interest to avail the benefits.

Sep 12, 2014

Manmohan was Aware of 2G, Coal Scams, Did Nothing to Stop Them: Ex-CAG Vinod Rai

Rai indicts the former PM in being in the know as scams unfolded in his government

Sep 12, 2014

US nonprofit helps immigrants survive perilous journey

An American charity group drives around the desert to drop off water and food on the paths most traveled by undocumented immigrants from Mexico. Duration: 02:25

Sep 12, 2014

Kerry ridicules Russian talk of international law

US Secretary of State John Kerry labelled as laughable Thursday Russian claims that a US campaign against the Islamic State is unilateral and violates international law. Duration: 00:36

Sep 12, 2014

Netanyahu marks 9/11 anniverary, comments on Gaza

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu observed a moment of silence at the 14th International Conference on Counterterrorism, in honour of the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, saying, "All of Israel mourned on September 11th." Duration: 00:46

Sep 12, 2014

Meet Spinosaurus, the first-known water dinosaur

Spinosaurus aegyptiacus was adapted for both land and water, and an exhibit featuring a life-sized model, based on new fossils unearthed in eastern Morocco, opens at the National Geographic Museum in Washington on Friday. Duration: 01:02

Sep 12, 2014

Polish president accepts resignation of EU-bound PM

Poland's president on Thursday accepted the government's resignation after outgoing prime minister Donald Tusk was tapped to take over as the European Council head in December. Duration: 00:54

Sep 12, 2014