Politics

Musicians bring news 'rap-porting' to Senegal

Since 2013, the Senegalese rappers Xuman and Keyti have been informing audiences with a news bulletin delivered in rap form. Every Friday, they set the news stories of the day to music and rhyme, broadcast on local TV and YouTube. Duration: 01:35

Aug 4, 2014

No flood threat for 24 hours, says disaster management authority in Bihar

Patna, Aug 04 (ANI): The disaster management authority in Bihar said on Monday they have got more time to take measures for evacuation in times of impending floods in the state. More than 400,000 people in Bihar face the risk of flooding after a landslide that killed at least nine people in neighbouring Nepal, as thousands were being evacuated. The landslide triggered by heavy rains has left scores of people missing and has created a mud dam blocking the Sunkoshi river, which runs into Bihar as the Kosi river. The fear is that as Nepal tries to blast its way through the landslide to clear it, it will unleash a torrent of water across the densely populated Bihar. However, officials said on Monday there is likely no danger for 24 hours.

Aug 4, 2014

PM Modi gets Guard of Honor before leaving Nepal

Kathmandu, Aug 04 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi got Guard of Honor in Kathmandu before he left Nepal for India. Modi had gone to Nepal on a two day official visit, the first bilateral visit to the country by an Indian prime minister in 17 years. Modi met Nepalese President Ram Baran Yadav and other leaders of the different political parties in Kathmandu on Monday. Earlier in the day, Modi has also visited the famous Pashupatinath Temple to offer his prayers.

Aug 4, 2014

MEA on Narendra Modi's Nepal visit (Part - 2)

Kathmandu, Aug 4 (ANI): MEA spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin on Monday informed that the meetings between Nepali President Ram Baran Yadav and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi were fruitful as they discussed how to further strengthen ties between the two countries. Akbaruddin also said that the discussion mainly focused on cooperation, connectivity, culture and constitution.

Aug 4, 2014

MEA on Narendra Modi's Nepal visit (Part - 1)

Kathmandu, Aug 4 (ANI): MEA spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin on Monday informed that the meetings between Nepali President Ram Baran Yadav and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi were fruitful as they discussed how to further strengthen ties between the two countries. Akbaruddin also said that the discussion mainly focused on cooperation, connectivity, culture and constitution.

Aug 4, 2014

2 drown, 18 missing after ferry capsizes in Bangladesh

Bangladesh, Aug 04 (ANI): At least 18 people went missing and two were confirmed dead as a ferry, the Pinak-6 capsized in the Jamuna river in Bangladesh. The motorboat with 70 to 75 passengers aboard was traveling to Char Salimabad from Michuani Char, when it flipped owing to strong currents. Meanwhile, 55 passengers managed to swim ashore to safety. Local police Chief Tofazzal Hossain said that the ferry was overloaded with passengers and capsized because the river currents were rough.

Aug 4, 2014

Educational institutions in Bankura promote communal harmony

West Bengal, Aug 04 (ANI): India being the land of communal harmony houses many educational institutes which are built for conveying the age old ethos of the country. One such example can be found in Bamunbandh Prathamik vidyalay and Bamunbandh Netaji Vidyapith of Bankura, West Bengal. Here not only students belonging to different communities study together, but has also employed Hindu cooks who cook for these students. More than fifty students are being educated in this institute who besides learning the book knowledge also learn about communal harmony and brotherhood. Such instances help in strengthening the social fabric of India that is made up of diverse strands.

Aug 4, 2014

SC issues notice to government over selection of vigilance commissioner

New Delhi, Aug 04 (ANI): Supreme Court of India issued notice to central government on Monday on a petition seeking more transparency in the selection of Chief Vigilance Commissioner. A PIL was filed by the government of BJP for public integrity in view of appointment of PJ Thomas as Central Vigilance Commissioner after which the apex court laid a set of guidelines and directions for vigilance body selections. Senior advocate, Prashant Bhushan, reiterated court_s judgment saying matter will be heard after four weeks. Bhushan also added the ruling government has failed to abide by the directions of Supreme Court issued two years ago and also, the latest guidelines of the central government are not in conformity with the court_s judgment. The petition filed demanded a complete transparency within the selection manner and also emphasised upon the need of more precise directions by the Supreme Court.

Aug 4, 2014

Forgetting differences, a Muslim recites Hindu religious books

Bareilly, Aug 04 (ANI): India is a multifaith nation, which stands on the bedrock of harmony between people of diverse religions and communities. And this enduring spirit of acceptance and tolerance is visible in Bareilly district of northern state of Uttar Pradesh where a Muslim, Aashik Zaidi, recite Hindu religious books. Ashik Zaidi has kept alive the faith in humanity and has become an example to admire for many. His collection has religious and mythological books from many faiths and all are given equal respect. Communal love and amity between people from various walks of life has been the reflection of Indian culture and people like Zaidi proves this ethos in true sense.

Aug 4, 2014

Massive rescue operation underway as death toll in China Earthquake rises to at least 398

China, Aug 04 (ANI): Rescuers are racing against time to save lives after a 6.5-magnitude earthquake killed at least 398 people and injured more than 1,800 others in southwest China_s Yunnan Province. Yunnan has sent 7,000 rescuers, including a total of 5,000 army officers and soldiers, police officers and firefighters, to the quake-hit areas. At the epicenter in Longtoushan Township, Ludian County, firefighters had rescued 30 people and recovered 37 bodies from the debris on Monday. Yunnan Armed Police Corps and reserve army units have had professional earthquake rescuers on the site, trying to find anyone still alive under the ruins, with life detectors. Power was restored to some 19,000 households on Monday morning, and civil affairs authorities have sent 2000 tents, 3000 folding beds, 3000 quilts and 3000 coats to affected areas.

Aug 4, 2014

Police lathi charge on students protesting against water logging in Allahabad

Allahabad, Aug 04 (ANI): Police in Allahabad lathi charged on students protesting against authority___s inaction in solving the problem of water logging in civil lines area of the city. The students were protesting over the water logged roads that resulted from the rain and jammed drainage system in the city. The police beat up the protesters incessantly and dragged them to the police vehicle before detaining them.

Aug 4, 2014

JK Rowling wants orphan kids to be moved into family care

New Delhi, August 4 (ANI): JK Rowling, who has her own children charitable organization called Lumos has said that she wants orphan kids to be moved into family care. The _Harry Potter_ series author said that there was still much to be done to change the lives of eight million children in institutions worldwide including spreading awareness and challenging the misconception around the world that orphanages were _good_ for children in adversity, which they were not, a leading daily reported. JK Rowling_s children_s charity Lumos aims to move children out of institutions such as orphanages and into family or community-based care.

Aug 4, 2014

BSE closes points 242.32 up n on August 4

New Delhi, August 4 (ANI): Trading at the Bombay Stock Exchange today closed 242.32 points up to stand at 25,723.16. At the National Stock Exchange the Nifty closed 81.05 points up to stand at 7,683.65. Apollo Tyres and Crompton Greav were among the top gainers of Group A with an increase of 6.10% and 5.89% along with HPCL and CESC with an increase of 5.16% and 5.16% respectively, while the top losers of Group A include Syndicate Bank and Financial Tech with a decrease of 7.05% and 4.99% along with Britannia Industries and Bhushan Steel with a decrease of 3.57% and 3.49% at the close of the markets. The Auto sector is up 228.63 points at 15,558.20 while the banking sector is up 120.99 points at 17,449.97 and the reality sector is up 19.82 points at 1,893.40. The Indian currency is down 0.12% at Rs 61.11 per dollar.

Aug 4, 2014

Modi Govt should take action against Indian officials arrested in Glasgow: Milkha Singh

New Delhi, Aug 04 (ANI): Indian athlete, Milkha Singh on Monday said that the Government should take action against the Indian officials arrested in Glasgow. He further said that they should be banned in the future. Two top officials of Indian Olympic Association (IOA), general secretary, Rajiv Mehta, and wrestling referee, Virender Malik, were arrested in Glasgow on Saturday on separate charges. While Mehta was arrested for allegedly driving above the legal alcohol limit, Malik was held for allegedly being involved in sexual assault in a hotel.

Aug 4, 2014

English marks won't be included in merit: Centre on UPSC row

New Delhi, Aug 4 (ANI): Minister of state in the PMO, Jitendra Singh on Monday informed the Lok Sabha that marks of English would not be included for gradation or merit in UPSC exam. The Minister further informed the lawmakers that candidates who appeared in Civil Services exams in 2011 would be given one more attempt in 2015.

Aug 4, 2014