Politics

It happens: Easter Celebrations

Thiruvananthapuram/Kochi/Mumbai/New Delhi , April 25 (ANI): Devout Christians across India celebrate Easter, the day of resurrection of Jesus Christ, and attend special prayer sessions with religious fervour and gaiety. In India's southern Kerala state, faithful held special mass prayers and processions were carried out with pomp and show. In Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi cities of Kerala, devotees revelled in celebrations and observed special customs and sunrise church services. In Kochi, Cardinal Mar George Allencherry, Major Archbishop and Head of Syro Malabar Church led the midnight mass at St. Mary's Basilica. Meanwhile, Easter celebrations were also marked in India's coastal Goa state in grand manner. In western Mumbai city, people thronged churches early in the morning for prayer services as well as to show their devotion to Lord Jesus Christ. Christian devotees attended Easter prayer services in New Delhi also, enthusiastically. On Good Friday, Jesus Christ was crucified after which his body was buried in a cave. This day also marks the end of lent period and fasting by avoiding meat and other luxury items. Later after church prayers, people gather at home and celebrate Easter with their family members.

Apr 25, 2014

Dancing priest brings #2popesaints to Internet flock

A priest dances in a famous piazza in Rome surrounded by four gyrating parishioners. Tourists stare and dozens of children on a school trip from France start to twist and turn to the music. Duration: 00:59

Apr 25, 2014

Taiwan pilots hurt as Apache chopper crash-lands on building

Two Taiwanese pilots are injured after their Apache attack helicopter crash-landed on a building in northern Taiwan during a routine training mission, the military says. Duration: 00:31

Apr 25, 2014

Obama, Kerry warn Russia over Ukraine as sanctions bit

President Barack Obama warns Russia that the US is keeping "arrows" in its "quiver" as tension increases in Ukraine, while Secretary of State John Kerry warns that Russia is making an "expensive mistake". Duration: 01:05

Apr 25, 2014

Obama Nominates 3 Indian Americans to Advisory Commission

Three Indian Americans are going to join US President Barack Obama's 14-member advisory commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs).

Apr 25, 2014

Lok Sabha Elections 2014: Priyanka Accuses Modi of Allotting Lands to Friends at Cheap Prices

Priyanka Vadra on 25 April accused Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) prime ministerial candidate and Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi of giving away thousands of acres of land to his friends at throwaway prices.

Apr 25, 2014

Swami Agnivesh praises Modi over his positive works

New Delhi, April 25 (ANI): Social Activist Swami Agnivesh on Friday praised Narendra Modi after he wrote an open letter to the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate. Agnivesh said that there is a positive change in Modi’s image as he is speaking against anti-secular elements like Pravin Togadia and Giriraj Singh. He said that Modi should along with working against Pink Revolution and killing of animals, should work against consumption and manufacture of liquor too. The social activist had earlier said that Modi will never become PM to which, his present statement comes as a shock.

Apr 25, 2014

ED files chargesheet in 2G money laundering case

New Delhi, April 25 (ANI): The Enforcement Directorate on Friday filed chargesheet in Delhi court against former Telecom Minister A Raja and others in the 2G scam case. The chargesheet has been filed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. ED has also named DMK MP Kanimozhi, DMK Supremo M Karunanidhi's wife Dayalu Ammal and Swan Telecom Promoter Shahid Balwa as accused in the chargesheet. Court has fixed April 30 for consideration on taking cognizance of ED's chargesheet.

Apr 25, 2014

Congress is trying hard to stop me: Modi

Pathankot, April 25 (ANI): BJP’s PM candidate Narendra Modi on Friday while addressing a rally in Punjab’s Pathankot strongly attacked the ruling Congress Party for its weak administration. Modi mocked the Congress saying that it’s for the first time that a ruling government has gathered against the Opposition because they are scared if BJP’s PM candidate comes to power, they will not find any place to exist. He further stated that Congress is shivering in Modi’s fear.

Apr 25, 2014

Residents of Kashmir demand proper medical facilities in hospital

Rajouri, April 25 (ANI): Complaining of a shortage of doctors and medical amenities including equipment in the200-bedded regional hospital, residents of Rajouri in Kashmir are demanding the present or future government to resolve their woes. People complained about lack of basic medical facilities and said that usually they have to rush elsewhere during an emergency. Meanwhile, Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Rajouri district, Rajiv Sharma, said that the government has assured that proper measures would be taken to upgrade the machinery.

Apr 25, 2014

Modi praises Vinod Khanna, appeals for vote

PATHANKOT, April 25 (ANI): BJP’s PM candidate Narendra Modi on Friday while addressing a rally in Punjab’s Pathankot praised BJP candidate from Gurdaspur Vinod Khanna for his social services. Modi, relating himself to Punjab, said that he knows how to work for the welfare of Punjab better than even Manmohan Singh. Further, Modi also highlighted the priorities of the NDA government to work for abolition of drugs and farmers’ betterment in the state. Modi further appealed to the public to vote for BJP.

Apr 25, 2014

BJP demands re- polling in some areas of Firozabad post SP mishandling

Firozabad, April 25 (ANI): BJP on Friday demanded for re-elections in some areas of Firozabad district of Uttar Pradesh after police baton charged BJP supporters allegedly protesting against booth capturing by regional Samajwadi Party workers. Uttar Pradesh BJP unit President Laxmikant Bajpai said that the party will go to the Election Commission to ask for re election in the constituency where polling machines were mishandled by the SP workers. Earlier, the BJP supporters came out in droves in Firozabad district and staged a sit-in protest.

Apr 25, 2014

Virgin Australia plane held at Bali airport after suspected hijacking

Sydney, April 25 (ANI): A Virgin Australia plane VA41 landed at Bali airport on Friday after a suspected hijacking, officials said. The pilot of the Virgin Australia plane flying to the Indonesian holiday island of Bali reported a hijacking attempt after a drunk passenger tried to enter the cockpit. The man was handcuffed and put into a rear seat of the Boeing 737-800, which landed safely. Virgin Blue Airlines, also known as Virgin Australia, is the country’s second largest airline as well as the largest by fleet size to use the Virgin brand.

Apr 25, 2014

OBC Quota for Muslims not an appeasement: Minority affairs minister

Lucknow, April 25 (ANI): Union Minority affairs minister K Rahman Khan on Friday stated that as part of its 2009 poll manifesto 4.5 per cent quota has been earmarked for backward Muslims in the existing other backward caste (OBC) reservations and that it was not an appeasement. In its additional manifesto adopted by the Congress, the party has declared that it will seek to empower minorities. The Congress has stated that it will work towards earmarking a quota of 4.5 per cent for backward Muslims in the existing other-backward-caste (OBC) reservations.

Apr 25, 2014

Maa Ganga is very wise, she can distinguish between the good, the bad and the ugly: Congress

New Delhi, April 25 (ANI): Congress leader Kapil Sibal on Friday took a jibe at BJP’s PM candidate Narendra Modi saying that Maa Ganga is very wise and she can distinguish between the good, the bad and the ugly. Earlier on Thursday, before filing his nomination, Modi had claimed that the sacred river Ganga had called him to Varanasi.

Apr 25, 2014