News

Obama names Ashton Carter as defense secretary

US President Barack Obama on Friday named a former Pentagon deputy chief, Ashton Carter, to be his new defense secretary. If confirmed, Carter would replace Chuck Hagel who announced his resignation last month.

Dec 6, 2014

Central America's new coffee buzz: renewable energy

That morning cup of coffee gives many of us a needed boost, but Central American coffee farmers have found a new source of energy in their beans: turning agricultural wastewater into biogas.

Dec 6, 2014

French troops destroy weapons in CAR

As the first anniversary of the French Sangaris operation in Central Africa nears, troops go on patrol and destroy weapons and ammunitions they have gathered.

Dec 5, 2014

Soldiers still dying as Ukraine creeps towards ceasefire

Ukraine said Friday it had lost another six soldiers in the past day as reports continued of intense battles for control of a flashpoint eastern airport despite tentative steps towards a comprehensive ceasefire.

Dec 5, 2014

NASA's Orion capsule blasts off on 'first step' to Mars

The US space agency's Orion capsule blasts off on its first journey into orbit, a key test flight for a vehicle that could carry people to deep space destinations like Mars in the coming years.

Dec 5, 2014

Germany jails jihadist in first IS recruit trial

Germany jailed a jihadist militant for three years and nine months Friday in the country's first trial of a recruit of the Islamic State group fighting in Syria and Iraq.

Dec 5, 2014

Kenyans react as intl court drops case against president

The International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor on Friday dropped crimes against humanity charges against Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, dealing a blow to the tribunal after a long-running and troubled case.

Dec 5, 2014

Ebola tests the limits of even the most hardened aid workers

Ebola is an invisible and deadly enemy that imposes drastic security measures on health workers. It has tested the limits of even the most hardened humanitarian workers with 20 years of experience working in extreme conditions.

Dec 5, 2014

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister meets Lebanese officials

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov lauded bilateral ties between Russia and Lebanon, after he met on Friday Lebanese Foreign and Expatriates Minister Gebran Bassil in Beirut.

Dec 5, 2014

Salman Khan, Maria Sharapova, Gauahar Khan, Rahul Gandhi, Kim Kardashian and Other Victims of Social Media Attacks [PHOTOS]

Rahul Gandhi, Salman Khan, Maria Sharapova, Kim Kardashian, Ali Bhatt and many other celebrities have often become victims of social media attacks by their fans.

Dec 5, 2014

Atleast 1 killed and four injured in Grenade attack at bus stand in Srinagar

Srinagar, Dec 5 (ANI): Atleast one person was killed and four injured in a grenade attack that took place in a bus stand in Tral area of Pulwama district in Jammu and Kashmir. The injured people were admitted to the hospital. Relative of a victim briefed about the incident. Four terror attacks have been reported in Kashmir valley earlier in the day. Further details are awaited.

Dec 5, 2014

Residents await justice ahead of 22nd anniversary of Babri mosque demolition in Ayodhya

Ayodhya, Dec 05 (ANI): Residents of the Ayodhya city of Uttar Pradesh await justice ahead of the 22nd anniversary of the demolition of the Babri mosque which triggered massive communal riots causing immense loss of life and property in the ensuing violence. On Wednesday (December 03), a litigator, Mohammad Hashim Ansari, who had filed a petition in the case more than 60 years ago, withdrew it. As per media sources, Ansari said the deity concerned (Lord Rama) is placed in makeshift camps, whereas those playing politics are living in bungalows. Ansari on Thursday said that he did not expect the government to take any decision in favour of his community. Meanwhile, a Hindu priest, Nirmohiya said that temples in Lord Ram's reported birthplace were left derelict, without holy offerings and devotional prayers. Even now, the anniversary of the demolition on December 06 raises Hindu-Muslim tensions across the country and often results in rioting.

Dec 5, 2014

MEA briefs about water assistance to Maldives and Indian visit of Russian President

New Delhi, Dec 05 (ANI): The Ministry of External Affairs on Friday briefed about the water assistance to Maldives from India at a time of international crisis. MEA Spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said that Maldives had approached India for help regarding drinking water which is being provided to the country. Meanwhile, Joint Secretary of MEA, Ajay Bisaria briefed that President of Russia Vladimir Putin shall be visiting India for the fifth India-Russia annual summit.

Dec 5, 2014

Four mining officials abducted in Jharkhand, says a senior official

Ranchi, Dec 5 (ANI): Four mining officials were abducted in Jharkhand, said a senior official on Friday. According to the media reports, the deputy directors of the mines department Bipin Bihari Satiyar, Saket Bharti, stenographer Mahanti Toppo and driver Nitai Chandra were kidnapped by Maoists in West Singhbhum district. Though, their whereabouts is unknown still. Distraught family of abductees urged the kidnappers to release them soon. The Jharkhand government has dispatched two police teams to search for the officials and secure their release.

Dec 5, 2014

India sends drinking water to Maldives as it faces massive water scarcity

New Delhi, Dec 05 (ANI): The Indian authorities on Friday sent packaged drinking water to Maldives as it faces massive scarcity of drinking water. Huge packets of water bottles are being sent in five C17 and IL17 transport aircrafts of the Indian Air Force to Maldives' capital Male. Meanwhile, PRO of the Indian Air Force, Sandeep Mehta said that it is an international cricis. He added that Indian Navy is also pressed into service of carrying water for Maldives. Maldives has reverse osmosis plants, which developed a snag and the country sent an SOS to New Delhi.

Dec 5, 2014