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Japan island overrun by cats

This is Aoshima island, a tiny fishing village off Japan's coast. Only 22 people live here officially. But it's also home to more than 120 cats. (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) 65-YEAR-OLD LOCAL FISHERMAN,

Mar 3, 2015

Three die in Punjab as roof collapses due to heavy rain

Patiala, Mar 03 (ANI): At least three people, including two children, died when the roof of a house collapsed due to heavy rains in Patiala district of Punjab. Heavy and untimely rain in northern and central India has disrupted normal life in states such as Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh. A victim sought government's help to repair her house and for her livelihood. Three children, who escaped with minor injuries, are undergoing treatment in a local hospital. Rain will probably continue for another 24 hours and then drop in intensity, before picking up again at the weekend, according to private forecaster Skymet Weather Services.

Mar 3, 2015

Post not an issue, political reforms important: Yogendra Yadav

New Delhi, Mar 03 (ANI): AAP leader Yogendra Yadav on Tuesday clarified the inner conflict within the Aam Aadmi Party following the leak of letters by him and Prashant Bhushan. Yadav said that post is not an issue for any person in the political party adding that political reforms should be the major concern without which any party cannot progress. He also said that Arvind Kejriwal has achieved an important image among public and the party would like to work under his leadership. He also continued to say that he is not in the party in wake of any important post or office.

Mar 3, 2015

Japan island overrun by cats

This is Aoshima island, a tiny fishing village off Japan's coast. Only 22 people live here officially. But it's also home to more than 120 cats. (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) 65-YEAR-OLD LOCAL FISHERMAN,

Mar 3, 2015

Indian Foreign Secretary's visit to Pakistan will improve ties, say experts

New Delhi, Mar 03 (ANI): Experts said that the visit of Foreign Secretary Subrahmanyan Jaishankar to Pakistan will improve the relationship between the two nuclear powered countries. Jaishankar will be visiting Pakistan as part of a regional tour, the first top-ranking visit since Prime Minister Narendra Modi broke off talks last year over the disputed region of Kashmir. The diplomat's visit to Pakistan is part of visit to all SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) nations. Security Expert Qamar Agha said Jaishankar's visit to Pakistan will prove to be fruitful. However, foreign affairs expert Kamal Mitra Chenoy didn't find any strong reasons for the visit.

Mar 3, 2015

Spain's foreign secretary meets VK Singh to strengthen bilateral ties

New Delhi, Mar 03 (ANI): Spain's Foreign Secretary Ignacio Ybanez met Minister of State for Foreign Affairs General (Retired) VK Singh and held talks for building a strong relation with India. This is Ybanez's first visit to India as Foreign Secretary. He said his meeting with Singh was fruitful. Meanwhile, Ybanez also informed about the visit of other Spanish ministers to India for strengthening ties. India and Spain have been warm and cordial ever since the diplomatic relation was established in 1956 with the opening of the Spanish Embassy in New Delhi.

Mar 3, 2015

Luxembourg Foreign Minister meets Sushma Swaraj

New Delhi, Mar 03 (ANI): Foreign Minister of Luxembourg, Jean Asselborn, met his Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj in New Delhi. The Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Syed Akbaruddin, also tweeted before the meeting between the two. "India-Luxembourg Foreign Ministers to meet today. Minister @Sushma Swaraj to discuss higher level of investments with Jean Asselborn," he posted on Twitter. India-Luxembourg have friendly relations and there are no major political differences or areas of conflict in bilateral relations. India and Luxembourg enjoy excellent relations at multilateral levels.

Mar 3, 2015

RSS, mohan bhagwat, all indians are hindus

Akbaruddin Owaisi Hits Out at RSS, Calls it a 'Club of Bachelors'

The AIMIM leader says that those who are unmarried have no right to tell others to produce children.

Mar 3, 2015

Three-day annual Shiv Khori fair in Jammu draws devotees from different faiths

Jammu and Kashmir, March 03 (ANI): India's northern part of Jammu and Kashmir is a land of diverse religions and people here are living in peace and harmony. This thread of harmony has kept the region intact, and leading people to the path of development without involving themselves in religious skirmishes. A similar scene is observed during the three-day annual Shiv Khori Fair in the hills of the Ransoo Village of Reasi District in Jammu region, where devotees, shunning religious bias, gather at the countryside and pay obeisance to Lord Shiva. Around 50,000 in number, the devotees, including both men and women, who come from different parts of the country offer prayers in the holy cave, located inside the hillock. Chanting hymns to praise the Lord, the devotees enter into the meditation to get the blessings. Draped in colourful attires, the young women, while holding earthen lamps in their hands, make the gathering look festive. The atmosphere outside the cave is cheerful with women buying ornaments, displayed during the festival.

Mar 3, 2015

Paying equal respect to all religions, Durgadas Mondal presents perfect example of communal harmony

West Bengal, March 03 (ANI): Situated in the eastern state of West Bengal, Bankura is a place in itself. Here amity between people of all faiths conveys the perfect example of communal harmony. One such example is of Durgadas Mondal. A school teacher by profession, Mondal possesses religious books belonging to different communities. Whether Hindu or Muslim or even Christian, Durgadas houses books which are not only knowledgeable but also conveys the message of communal harmony. People from different region come to Durgadas to witness the habit which has helped him maintain the age old ethos in the region. This man, who possesses books of different religion, is keeping alive the tradition of communal harmony in India that is a hallmark of the Indian culture.

Mar 3, 2015