Politics

US VP Biden issues warning to N. Korea on visit to South

US Vice President Joe Biden says there should be no doubt about US commitment to its strategic shift to Asia as he wound up a regional tour dominated by security concerns. Duration: 0:39

Dec 7, 2013

Cyprus 'Island of love' lures foreigners to tie the knot

Cyprus, birthplace of Aphrodite, the mythical goddess of love, is a magnate for a wide range of couples from Isarel all the way to the UK and Russia to tie the knot in a civil wedding. Duration: 02:23

Dec 7, 2013

South Africa president Zuma visits Mandela's family

President Jacob Zuma, along with a delegation of ANC politicians, convey their condolences to Nelson Mandela's family at his Johannesburg home. Crowds of ordinary South Africans gather outside the house to lay flowers and sing. Duration: 00:47

Dec 7, 2013

British Army pilots anti-poaching training in Kenya

The British Army is conducting an anti-poaching training programme in Kenya to enable the country's wildlife and forestry services to better deal with illegal animal trafficking. Duration: 01:39

Dec 6, 2013

Dalai Lama pays homage to late Nelson Mandela

The Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama calls on people to carry the spirit of Nelson Mandela and compares the South African liberation hero to Mahatma Gandhi. Duration: 00:55

Dec 6, 2013

It happens: Wine Festival

Nagpur, Dec 6 (ANI): Organizers held the first Wine Festival in India's orange city of Nagpur on Saturday, highlighting health benefits of the low alcoholic beverage. The two-day-long festival was organized by the 'Wine Lovers Club' and eight Indian brands promoted their drinks during the event. Wine festival was enjoyed by a large number of people smelling, shaking and tasting wine and watching bartenders juggling wine bottles. Women said that they chose wine over any other alcoholic drink because of its health benefit and also due to social bindings in Indian culture. Wine tourism would include a tourist trip to the wine refineries of Nagpur.

Dec 6, 2013

It happens: Sand Art Festival

Konark, Dec 6 (ANI): Famed sand sculptors across the globe came together for a cause, 'save water, save life' at the 3rd International Sand Art Festival at India's eastern coast of Konark. Sculptors assembled at the Chandrabhaga beach of Konark town in eastern Odisha state showcasing their extraordinary skills by creating sand art with a message. The Konark sand art festival attracted visitors across the world, an effort by the provincial government to boost the tourism industry of the province. An Indian sand art artist, Srimali said her theme was water, which is most essential for life. This year sand artistes from countries such as Canada, USA, Italy, Austria and Sri Lanka have participated. During the five-day sand art festival that kicked off on Sunday, showcases various environmental and social themes. People who enjoy gleam of sand thronged the festival in large numbers.

Dec 6, 2013

It happens: Buddhist Chanting Festival

Bodhgaya, Dec 6 (ANI): The International "Tipitaka Chanting Ceremony" began in Bodhgaya town of India's eastern Bihar state on December 2, as thousands of monks and devotees across the globe participate in it. The 10-day-long holy festival will conclude on December 12, which will be attended by senior monks and their followers from countries like Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Nepal, Myanmar, Thailand, Sri-Lanka and Vietnam. Pilgrims arrived in their traditional costumes at one of the holiest Buddhist shrines, where Lord Buddha is believed to have attained enlightenment under a tree. As a part of the festivities, a monk lit up the ceremonial lamps before the recitation of the holy Buddhist scripture called 'Triptaka', which is a collection of Lord Buddha's sermons. Tripitaka, the Buddhist scripture, includes over 18,000 discourses and around 84,000 stories of Gautam Buddha. Monks from across the world gather each year at Bodhgaya, which is situated on the banks of Niranjana River and is a highly revered site for Buddhists.

Dec 6, 2013

Khurshid will travel to Bahrain to strengthen bilateral ties: MEA

New Delhi, Dec 06 (ANI): Union foreign minister, Salman Khurshid will travel to Bahrain to strengthen bilateral ties with the island nation and also participate in the Manama dialogue which will address security issues in the Arabian Gulf region and the Middle East and also debate security challenges. Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Syed Akbaruddin made the announcement while addressing a news conference on Friday in New Delhi.

Dec 6, 2013

Mamta Sharma on NCW's notice to AK Ganguly

New Delhi, Dec 06 (ANI): The National Commission of Women on Friday took suo motu cognizance of the law intern case in which retired Supreme Court judge AK Ganguly was named as an accused for allegedly sexually harassing a girl. The NCW has sent two notices on the matter. One of the notices has been sent to Justice Ganguly to explain his position post the indictment by the three-member panel of the Supreme Court. The second notice has been sent to Delhi Police Commissioner as to why the action was not taken after the girl had narrated the entire incidence of harassment.

Dec 6, 2013

Sugar mills to get Rs 7200 crore interest-free loan: Sharad Pawar

New Delhi, Dec 06 (ANI): A group of ministers, headed by Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, on Friday recommended a slew of incentives to the sugar industry, including 12 per cent interest subsidy on Rs. 7,200 crore loan that mills can avail of from banks for paying cane farmers.

Dec 6, 2013

Communal Violence Bill draws flak from BJP and CPI

New Delhi, Dec 06 (ANI): The Anti-Communal Violence Bill is facing stiff opposition from the BJP and the CPI. BJP Chief Rajnath Singh raised strong objection and said that the bill is not acceptable. CPI leader D. Raja said it is the prerogative of the Parliament to examine the bill further to understand how much of rework has been done on the bill.

Dec 6, 2013

Communal Violence Bill draws flak from BJP and CPI

Dec 6, 2013

Brave girl from Assam gets herself kidnapped to save 10 kids

Assam, Dec 06 (ANI): She was just 14 years old but when danger struck she proved that she has what it takes to save lives, even if it means putting herself in danger. In an act of bravery, 14-year-old Gunjan Sarmah volunteered to be kidnapped in order to save the lives of 10 other kids from their school van at Simaluguri in Sivasagar district of Assam. She managed to escape the dense forests on Assam-Nagaland border where she was abandoned by the kidnapper and reached a house located in the tea garden where people helped her informing the police. Chief minister Tarun Gogoi has announced a reward of Rs 2 lakh for Gunjan for her bravery. The government has asked Sivasagar deputy commissioner to nominate Gunjan for the National Bravery Awards.

Dec 6, 2013

BSF personnel exchange fire with Maoists to rescue kidnapped villagers

Malkangiri, Dec 06 (ANI): In order to rescue villagers kidnapped by the rebels, the Border Security Force (BSF) personnel, in Malkangiri district of Odisha, engaged in a gun battle with Maoists, in which a trooper was injured. The rebels kidnapped three villagers, including a son of village body's chief. One victim escaped from the clutches of the rebels during the gun battle while others are yet to be rescued.

Dec 6, 2013