Politics

Massive Fire engulfs Vasant Kunj slum in Delhi

New Delhi, April 25 (ANI): A massive fire engulfed a large slum in Vasant Kunj area of South Delhi on Friday turning about 1100 huts to ashes. The raging inferno caught hold of the slum in not more than 30 minutes. More than 20 fire engines have been sent to put out the flames, said officials, who stressed that nobody is reported hurt so far. The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained. More details are awaited.

Apr 25, 2014

Beni Prasad Verma calls Modi 'an animal', defies EC notice

Gonda, April 25 (ANI): Congress leader Beni Prasad Verma defied the Election Commission notice after he called Narendra Modi 'an animal' whom he can straighten alone with the use of 'hunter' like they do with the animals. Verma said that there is illegal liquor business going on in Gujarat and the BJP is fighting the elections with that money. Verma had earlier called Modi the "biggest goon", “a descendant of Hitler”, and even claimed that Modi, as a 20-year-old, had committed a "major crime" and had fled his home.

Apr 25, 2014

Govt takes stringent safety measures as Bangladesh marks first anniversary of 'Rana Plaza collapse'

Dhaka, April 25 (ANI): One year after Bangladesh's garment factory collapse that killed over 1,100, workers, manufacturers and exporters say the scenario has changed with government taking stringent safety and clearance measures. On April 24, 2013, the eight-storey Rana Plaza building in Savar, housing garment factories and shops collapsed. Managing Director of Evince group and former president of Bangladesh garment manufacturer and exporters association, Anwar-Ul-Alam Chowdhury (Parvez), said after deep introspection it was deduced that the disaster occurred due to lapses by several institutions. On Wednesday (April 23), protesters and family members of victims demanded compensation on the eve of the one year anniversary of the collapse of Rana Plaza.

Apr 25, 2014

Voter turnout increases as 6th phase of polls come to an end

New Delhi/ Maldah/ Madurai/ Agra, April 25 (ANI): As India passed its second biggest day of polling with people of 117 constituencies on 11 states and one Union Territory cast their ballots, the national aggregate of turnout increased marginally. The EC said there was improvement in the turnout when compared to figures of 2009. In Bihar, where voting was conducted on seven seats with 108 candidates in fray, voter turnout was recorded at 60 percent as compared to 52.7 percent in 2009 general elections. In Jharkhand, polling was done in four seats with 72 candidates contesting the elections. The voter turnout was recorded at 63 percent as compared to 53 percent in 2009 elections. In Assam and West Bengal, polling was conducted in six seats, each.

Apr 25, 2014

'Tsunami wave' in India will washout Congress: Narendra Modi

Saharsa, April 25 (ANI): BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi said that his popularity across the country is now turning into a wave similar to Tsunami, which will affect the ruling Congress party. Modi was speaking at an election rally in Saharsa district of Bihar. Women and young voters came out in large numbers and voted for seven parliamentary seats in Bihar on Thursday, as the nation's second biggest polling day came to an end. Modi also emphasised on carrying forward the vision of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Apr 25, 2014

Landmine blast kills five in Jharkhand

Dumka, April 25 (ANI): Five people were killed and five wounded in a landmine blast triggered by Maoists in Jharkhand. The blast occurred in Shikaripara region when a bus was carrying polling officials, who were on election duty in Maoist-affected Dumka district of Jharkhand. The injured have been shifted to a nearby hospital. The polling officials, including security personnel, finished electoral process around 3 pm on Thursday as they knew it was dangerous to stay back till late. Voting took place for four seats in Jharkhand. Maoists, also known as Naxals, have killed police and politicians, and targeted government buildings and railway tracks in an insurgency that has killed thousands since the 1960s.

Apr 25, 2014

South Asia Newsline - Apr 24, 2014

Apr 25, 2014

Khodorkovsky calls for Russian-Ukrainian dialogue

Former Russian oil tycoon and Kremlin critic Mikhail Khodorkovsky, freed after a decade in prison in Russia, on Thursday opened a forum dedicated to Russian-Ukrainian dialogue. Duration: 01:03

Apr 25, 2014

World Malaria Day on April 25, new prevention strategy in Niger

World Malaria Day is commemorated every year on April 25 and recognizes global efforts to control malaria. Seasonal malaria chemoprevention is a new prevention strategy for Niger. Duration: 01:06

Apr 25, 2014

Putin warns Kiev against using force in east Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that the deployment of military forces in east Ukraine by the Kiev authorities was a crime against its own people that will "have consequences." Duration: 00:42

Apr 25, 2014

Ukraine army launches armoured assault on Slavyansk

Ukraine's military launched assaults with armoured vehicles and a helicopter Thursday to retake rebel-held eastern towns, including Slavyansk, in which up to five people were reported killed, a move Russian President Vladimir Putin warned would have "consequences".

Apr 25, 2014