News

Homophobic attacks on the rise in Russia: HRW

Human Rights Watch sounds the alarm over an increase in homophobic attacks in Russia, slamming Vladimir Putin's government for "inaction" and urging a crackdown on hate crimes.

Dec 15, 2014

Protests in Turkey over arrests of anti-Erdogan media

Hundreds of protesters gathered outside Istanbul's police headquarters on Monday to denouce the arrest of several people connected to media criticial of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Dec 15, 2014

Paris cabs protest ridesharing service Uber

Parisian taxi drivers vow to block roads leading into the French capital to protest a court's refusal to ban urban ridesharing service UberPOP.

Dec 15, 2014

Prisoners of war put to work in east Ukraine

On the snowy roof of a music school in eastern Ukraine, workers are busy fixing damage from artillery shelling. When their shift ends, they line up in single file to return to their cells.

Dec 15, 2014

Ukrainian nationalists gear up for battle near Donetsk

Members of the Organisation of Ukraine Nationalists are seen on the frontline near the town of Donetsk, as the eight-month-old conflict between government forces and pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine wears on.

Dec 15, 2014

Five hostages flee Australia cafe siege

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott says the hostage situation in Sydney could be 'politically motivated'.

Dec 15, 2014

Hong Kong police make arrests as last protest site cleared

Police arrest protesters as they move in to clear Hong Kong's last remaining pro-democracy site, with just a handful of demonstrators making a final peaceful stand, after the main camp was demolished last week.

Dec 15, 2014

Sydney Siege: Elly Chen, Lindt Cafe Waitress Who Held Islamic Flag at Window, Escapes 7 Hours Later

Chen was forced to hold an Islamic flag by the gunman.

Dec 15, 2014

Indian-origin Anerood Jugnauth Named Mauritius PM

The appointment came one day after the resignation of former prime minister Navin Ramgoolam who lost in the polls.

Dec 15, 2014

Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sydney hostage crisis

New Delhi, Dec 15 (ANI): Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said that the government of India is ensuring full security in the country in wake of the Sydney hostage crisis. He also added that the government would take all the necessary steps on the matter. Earlier in the day, India's second largest IT services provider Infosys confirmed that one of its employees has been taken hostage.

Dec 15, 2014

Hindus and Muslims come together to seek blessings during Urs of Lassa Bab in J and K

Jammu and Kashmir, Dec 15 (ANI): The Jammu and Kashmir state is a mix of varied religious beliefs, and people here enjoy this diversity. The state houses a sizeable population of Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians and they have always lived in peace and amity, besides celebrating each other's fairs and festivals. A similar example is seen during the annual Urs of Ghulam Rasool Bhat alias Lassa Bab in Srinagar where devotes from different religious communities pray together to seek blessings of the saint. The devotees, who come from different parts of the valley, hold the day-and-night-long prayers to pay obeisance to Lassa Bab. Women, men and children all form the part of celebrations, which is marked by prayers and chanting hymns to please the God at the holy place.

Dec 15, 2014

Hindus-Muslims perform community wedding under one roof in Rajkot

Rajkot, Dec 15 (ANI): The City of Rajkot, located in the western Indian state of Gujarat, is known as the colourful city of India. A multicultural city, people here are living together peacefully. To give further impetus to this age-old ethos, a mass wedding was held here recently, in which around 101 Hindu and Muslim couples got married. The aim was to spread the message of love and brotherhood across the country. The couples mostly belonged to economically backward classes. During the marriage ceremony, Hindu priests and Muslim clerics conducted the respective rituals in front of hundreds of invitees. The couples were happy with the arrangement, as the marriage ceremony was held in a unique way.

Dec 15, 2014

Bengaluru Police commissioner says threats by Islamic State taken seriously

Bengaluru, Dec 15 (ANI): Police in Bengaluru on Monday said that threats by Islamic State on Twitter about carrying out Sydney-like siege in the city were being taken seriously after an armed man walked into a downtown Sydney cafe, took hostages and forced them to display an Islamic flag, igniting fears of a jihadist attack. Bengaluru police commissioner MN Reddy said they were investigating threats by Islamic State militants, who have warned of taking Bengaluru hostage. Meanwhile, Reddy said that they had sent a notice to Twitter Corporation in India regarding information on a company executive suspected of operating a pro-Islamic State Twitter account. Police on Saturday arrested a company executive suspected of operating a pro-Islamic State Twitter account that pumped out a stream of updates on the violent group's military campaign from his base in Bengaluru.

Dec 15, 2014