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Russia flexes muscles as Ukraine talks begin in Moscow

Russian air force helicopters practice 'precision' shooting drills near the Ukrainian border. It's part of a two-week training exercise in an area that abuts eastern Ukraine, now nine months into an

Feb 6, 2015

It happens : Caparisoned elephants attract visitors to temple festival

Kerala, Feb 6 (ANI): : Domestic and foreign tourists thronged Kerala state for annual temple festival to see caparisoned elephants and traditional colourful dance. The temple festival, ‘Thaipooyam’, was celebrated with religious pageantry at Koorkancherry Sree Maheswara Temple in Thrissur district amid drum beats and procession. Main attractions of the festival were decorated elephants and traditional dance, ‘Kavadis’, which enthralled the visitors. People of the region revelled in the celebrations as other temples and houses were also decorated. Thaipooyam festival is celebrated in the name of Lord Subrahmanya, son of Hindu god Shiva. On this day, special rituals are also organised. Another major attraction was ‘Kavadiattam’ or dancing with floral arrangements made on wooden frames. The item is about six to 10 feet high and is carried by men on their shoulders.

Feb 6, 2015

It happens : Bike stunts, car pulling attract people to rural sports festival

Ludhiana, Feb 6 (ANI): Spectators thronged Punjab state to witness various stunts on bikes, cycles and horses during the 79th edition of Kila Raipur Rural Sports Festival. Also known as ‘Rural Olympics’, the sporting festival attracts athletes who compete with each other and perform stunts. The sporting event started in 1933 with just wrestling and athletics. Now the event showcases a plethora of rural and modern sports.The weightlifting event also comes with a twist as instead of standard weights, participants lift tyres, wooden stairs, bicycles and large logs of wood. Over the years, this sporting event has assumed huge popularity with people coming to see and participate from all over Punjab and neighbouring states. The place was packed with audience. Apart from sports, the tournament also saw dance performances as part of cultural events to showcase rich Indian tradition.

Feb 6, 2015

One month after attacks, France remains on high alert

One month after its worst terrorist attacks in decades, France remains on high alert. Police and soldiers stand on guard outside schools, newspapers and hospitals. Duration: 02:31

Feb 6, 2015

U.S. Navy railgun makes public debut

STORY: Once an imaginary weapon on Star Wars, the electromagnetic gun is now reality...with the railgun making its public debut at the the U.S. Navy's Science and Technology Expo on Wednesday. The

Feb 6, 2015

Costa Concordia captain verdict expected next week

The Italian Captain of the sunken cruise ship, Costa Concordia, arrives to hear closing arguments in his trial. Francesco Schettino stands accused of manslaughter and abandoning his ship. Thirty-two

Feb 6, 2015

A device to usher in a new age of antibiotic drug discoveries

STORY: This is teixobactin. Scientists say it's the most important antibiotic to be discovered in 25 years. In animal trials, it has proven effective in killing drug resistant super bugs like MRSA and

Feb 6, 2015

Thousands rally in Amman for dead pilot

ROUGH CUT (NO REPORTER NARRATION). STORY: Activists, political parties and civil society associations marched in the Jordanian capital Amman on Friday (February 6) to condemn the killing of the

Feb 6, 2015

Ahead of D-day, BJP CM candidate Kiran Bedi travels on Delhi Metro

New Delhi, Feb 06 (ANI): BJP's Chief Ministerial candidate Kiran Bedi on Friday travelled on the Delhi Metro from Patel Chowk to Nirman Vihar. Bedi was seen travelling in the general compartment along with her supposters. Bedi said that one step for the development of Delhi is not enough and that several steps would be required. She added that if she comes to power, then she will survey the Metro unannounced. She further said that crime on the move needs to be monitored. A total of 673 candidates are in the fray for the 70-member Delhi Assembly. Delhi goes to polls on February 7, while the results will be declared on February 10.

Feb 6, 2015

Delhi polls: AAP rejects Imam Bukhari's offer of support

New Delhi, Feb 06 (ANI): The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Friday rejected former Jama Masjid Shahi Imam Syed Ahmed Bukhari's offer of support for the Delhi Assembly polls and its aftermath. AAP leader Ashutosh recalled that Bukhari had invited Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, and not Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for his son's anointment as the shahi imam of Jama Majid in November last year. Bukhari had earlier in the day appealed to Muslims to support the AAP in tomorrow's assembly polls to help form a secular government in Delhi. The religious leader had endorsed the Congress during last year's Lok Sabha polls, which saw the party being routed after 10 years in power. A total of 673 candidates are in the fray for the 70-member Delhi Assembly which goes to polls tomorrow. The results will be declared on February 10.

Feb 6, 2015

India hopes for positive outcome from Paris climate summit, says Javadekar

New Delhi, Feb 06 (ANI): Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar on Friday said that India is hoping for a positive outcome from Paris climate summit. Senior officials from almost 190 nations will meet from February 08-13 in Geneva to work on a draft UN deal to limit global warming. The agreement, built on national plans for curbs on rising world greenhouse gas emissions beyond 2020, is meant to be finalised at the Paris meeting in December. Javadekar also promised prior meeting among stakeholders to thrash out the differences. Javadekar said companies could be compensated for making critical technologies an open source.

Feb 6, 2015

It's a rest day for Kejriwal after high-decibel campaign for Delhi polls ends

New Delhi, Feb 06 (ANI): A day before polling begins in Delhi; AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal took to unwinding after a hectic campaigning spree. Kejriwal started his day by performing yoga and later visited his local saloon for a haircut. On being asked about his everyday life, Kejriwal said that he doesn't miss his meals and likes to have soft drinks when he does not have cough or sore throat. Kejriwal also visited Rakabganj Gurudwara. Later in the day, Kejriwal offered 'Kadha prasad' at Bangla Sahib Gurudwara. He also took blessings and offered prayers at Birla Temple of Gole Market area. A total of 673 candidates are in the fray for the 70-member Delhi Assembly. Delhi goes to polls on February 7, while the results will be declared on February 10.

Feb 6, 2015

PM Modi took views of economists to boost growth, says Jaitley

New Delhi, Feb 06 (ANI): Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Friday while speaking about the NITI Aayog's maiden meet said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed economists and then asked for their suggestions to boost the investment growth. Jaitley further said that the suggestions related to the high growth and financing of infrastructure. The economists present at the interaction were Vijay Kelkar, Nitin Desai, Bimal Jalan, Rajiv Lall, R. Vaidyanathan, Subir Gokarn, Parthasarathi Shome, P Balakrishnan, Rajiv Kumar, Ashok Gulati, Mukesh Butani and G.N. Bajpai. Bibek Debroy and Dr. VK Saraswat, members and CEO, NITI Aayog attended the meeting.

Feb 6, 2015

Indian authorities step up measures to battle swine flu

Visakhapatnam/ Ajmer, Feb 06 (ANI): With the spread of swine flu across several Indian states, authorities have stepped up measures to combat the fatal H1N1 virus. In port city of Visakhapatnam, adequate medical supplies have been stocked up in hospitals, including masks and Tamiflu medication. People are being educated on preventive measures. They have been instructed to use masks, to wash their hands frequently besides sanitising the environment. District Collector of Visakhapatnam, N Yuvraj said doctors have been told to take extra care while treating both suspected and positive cases. Special wards and counters have been opened in hospitals and a special team of doctors has been trained to tackle swine flu cases. The disease has killed 191 people in the country in January alone, with the newly formed Telangana state being worst hit. Meanwhile in Ajmer city of Rajasthan, people gathered in mosques to pray for the early recovery of swine flu patients.

Feb 6, 2015