Politics

Israeli tanks patrol Gaza border during lull in fighting

The UN Security Council Monday joined US President Barack Obama in calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, after Israel and Hamas ignored calls for a truce despite mounting civilian casualties. Duration: 00:33

Jul 28, 2014

Smashing the glass ceiling at a Paris 'palace' hotel

Decked out with Baccarat crystal chandeliers, Carara marble and Gobelin tapestries, Paris' palace hotels have a tradition of "art de vivre" -- and have long been dominated by men. Duration: 02:11

Jul 28, 2014

Muslims in Gorakhpur prepares clothes for kanwarias thus showcasing communal harmony

Gorakhpur, June 28 (ANI): India is a land of festivities, and every occasion symbolizes the brilliance of communal peace among the people across the nation. One such occasion where the ethos is visible is during Kanwar Yatra, a pilgrimage dedicated to Lord Shiva, where the devotees known as Kanwarias fetch holy water from Ganges River to offer it to Lord Shiva. During this occasion, Muslims of Gorakhpur from northern state of Uttar Pradesh, make apparels and accessories for their Hindu brothers who participate in this Yatra. Once the garments are ready they are sold in the market.

Jul 28, 2014

A Hindu devotee maintains shrine of Sufi Chandsa Baba in Midnapur displaying communal harmony

Midnapur, June 28 (ANI): Throughout India many people cross religious and communal lines to promote peace and harmony within their communities. One such individual is Chamat Kumar Setua, a Hindu caretaker of a Sufi saint, Chandsa Baba's shrine. Starting out as a businessman and disciple of Chandsa Baba, Chamat Kumar Setua built the shrine himself in honor of the saint after Chandsa Baba's death in 1980. He has spent the last 34 years maintaining the premises of the shrine single-handedly, and promoting peace and harmony among Hindus and Muslims in the region. Chamat Kumar Setua's undying devotion to Chandsa Baba's legacy has made him and the shrine a symbol of communal harmony across the region.

Jul 28, 2014

Hindu devotees throng temples to celebrate auspicious Monday during 'Sawan'

Ujjain/ Varanasi, June 28 (ANI): Thousands of devout Hindus thronged Lord Shiva temples across India to offer special prayers in celebration of the auspicious third Monday of the month- long 'Sawan '(Monsoon) festival. Devotees gathered in large numbers on Monday to offer milk, curd, honey and holy water to Lord Shiva in the wee hours of the morning. Long queues of people waiting with an assortment of religious offerings like joss sticks, red vermilion and flowers were seen outside the temples. A priest in the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga temple of ancient Ujjain city in Madhya Pradesh, Anup Yadav, said that the third Monday of the month holds a special importance in the Hindu lunar calendar. Kanwarias (devotees of Lord Shiva) undertake a tedious foot journey to the Hindu pilgrim centres of Haridwar, Gaumukh and Gangotri in Uttarakhand to fetch the holy waters of river Ganges for their village temples.

Jul 28, 2014

I want to challenge myself as an actor, says Daniel Radcliffe

New Delhi, July 28 (ANI): Daniel Radcliffe recently revealed at his Comic-Con appearance that he seeks out sensible stage and films in order to send a message to people that he wants to challenge himself as an actor. He said, while promoting his dark horror movie 'Horns' at the event, that he wanted to last as an actor, which's why he was determined to prove that he has a career after Harry Potter, an online portal reported.

Jul 28, 2014

UP govt recommends CBI probe in Mohanlalganj case

Lucknow, July 28 (ANI): Uttar Pradesh government on Monday recommended a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe in the Mohanlalganj sexual assault and murder case. The UP government's recommendation came after the victim's family members went on a hunger strike in Lucknow, demanding a CBI probe in the case.

Jul 28, 2014

Pakistan violated international norms while building Mangla dam in Azad Kashmir

Mirpur/ Azad Kashmir, July 28: It's been five decades now, the people of Mirpur District in Azad Kashmir continue to remain victims of the Mangla Dam. The multipurpose dam constructed on the Jhelum River at a cost of 1.47 billion USD, generates electricity and provides water for irrigation to Pakistan's rich landlords and industrialists. However, thousands of people from Mirpur who were displaced are living a miserable life. Experts blame Pakistan for vehemently exploiting the resources of Azad Kashmir. In 2009, Pakistan raised the height of Mangla Dam from 1210 feet to 1270 feet increasing the maximum water conservation level from 1202 feet to 1242 feet.

Jul 28, 2014

UPSC aspirants protest outside board office demanding removal of CSAT

New Delhi, July 28 (ANI): Continuing their agitation which started June 27, UPSC aspirants demanding removal of CSATs staged protest outside UPSC office in Delhi on Monday. The protesters shouted slogans against CSAT and burnt effigies of the 'advocates of English language' and also the admit cards issued by the board, demanding cancellation of exams. Meanwhile, police trying to control the crowd detained them from the spot. The protest by the civil services exam aspirants is getting momentum as four aspirants are observing fast unto death.

Jul 28, 2014

Sanjay Raut criticizes Karnataka police for mishandling Belgaum border dispute

Mumbai, July 28 (ANI): Shiv Sena Member leader Sanjay Raut criticized the Karnataka police on Monday for taking an anti-Marathi stand over the ongoing Belgaum border dispute. Condemning the behavior of the local police, Raut appealed to the centre to remove them and deploy the central police or Border Security Force (BSF) in the area. He also warned that although currently the Shiv Sena is working with patience but if the situation in Balgaum continues to worsen then it might lose their patience. The border row against the Karnataka government is going on since 1960s and their dispute s with Belgaum's Marathi speaking leadership is also quite frequent. The issue fueled again when the local administration on Saturday pulled down a 50-year-old concrete signboard reading Maharashtra Rajya from its Yellur village. Upset with the move, locals re-erected the signboard on Sunday, after which the police resorted to lathi charge as they protested against the removal of a Marathi signboard.

Jul 28, 2014

Kidnapped Kanpur woman found murdered in car

Kanpur, July 28 (ANI): Kanpur police recovered the dead body of a woman who was kidnapped by a gang of bikers late on Sunday night after she had gone out for dinner. The woman had reportedly gone for dinner after which some bikers attacked her car, taking the woman along with them. Her companion was thrown out of the car. After kidnapping her in the car, the bikers allegedly killed her but no signs of loot were found. Further investigations are on in the case.

Jul 28, 2014

Venkaiah Naidu makes surprise visit to Nirman Bhawan

New Delhi, July 28 (ANI): Union Housing and Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu on Monday made a surprise visit to the ministry and expressed "displeasure" over the late arrival of officials and poor maintenance of the place. Naidu reached Nirman Bhawan, which houses the urban development ministry without informing and began taking a round of several floors of the buildings and even checking some rooms to get a first hand experience of how government officers are maintained.

Jul 28, 2014

Congress KK Mishra gets bail in defamation suit by Shivraj Singh Chouhan

Bhopal, July 28 (ANI): Congress Spokesperson KK Mishra was on Monday granted bail in a defamation suit filed by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Chouhan had filed a case against Mishra after he accused him of involvement in the Vyapam scam. Mishra was granted a Rs. 25,000 bail by the court. Meanwhile, Mishra said that he will stand by his opinion and would not budge in any condition.

Jul 28, 2014

Politicos express concern after Mumbai Police chief gets threat letter

New Delhi, July 28 (ANI): Politicos on Monday expressed concern and asked the Mumbai Police to take precautionary measures after Mumbai Police Commissioner Rakesh Maria received a threat letter. The letter challenged the police to avert a terror attack. The letter received on July 25 said, "Stop us this time if you can, you were lucky in 1993." As a precautionary measure, all anti-terror cells in Mumbai have been put on high alert.

Jul 28, 2014