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Congress releases first list of 24 candidates for upcoming Delhi Assembly polls

New Delhi, Jan 1 (ANI): The Congress party on Thursday released its first list of candidates for the upcoming Delhi Assembly polls. Prominent among the 24 names released are that of former Delhi minister Haroon Yusuf , who shall be contesting from Ballimaran; Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC) chief Arvinder Singh Lovely, who will contest from Gandhi Nagar; and Chaudhary Mateen Ahmed , who will stand from Seelampur. Dr. A K Walia will contest from Laxmi Nagar, while the Congress candidates from the Matiya Mahal and Uttam Nagar constituencies are Shoaib Iqbal and Mukesh Sharma respectively.

Jan 1, 2015

NDA is only for namesake, it is BJP govt: Vaiko

Chennai, Jan 01 (ANI): MDMK Chief Vaiko said that the NDA government is only for namesake it is actually ruled and governed completely by the BJP. He also said that there has not been any meeting of the NDA parties since the formation of BJP government at the centre like it used to be earlier.

Jan 1, 2015

Centre faces criticism for changing name of Planning Commission to 'Niti Aayog'

New Delhi, Jan 1 (ANI): The Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Government on Thursday changed the name of the Planning Commission to 'Niti Aayog'. Congress leader Rashid Alvi and JD (U) leader Ali Anwar however, criticized the government for only changing the name of the body, instead of coming out with any new initiatives to take the nation forward economically. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Yogendra Yadav questioned whether changing the name will ensure justice and morality.

Jan 1, 2015

Syrian Presidency releases video showing Assad visiting soldiers

A handout video released by the Syrian Presidency showed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad talking with troops during a reported visit to the eastern Damascus district of Jobar on Wednesday. Duration: 00:39

Jan 1, 2015

N. Korea's Kim says open to 'highest-level' talks with South

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un proposes the "highest-level" talks with South Korea, opening the way to a historic summit as his communist country battles to fend off international prosecution over its dismal human rights record. Duration: 00:33

Jan 1, 2015

Pope Francis gives his New Year address

Pope Francis gives his New Year address to pilgrims as the Vatican rings in 2015. Duration: 00:26

Jan 1, 2015

Kashmir's famed Dal lake freezes as temperature dips

Srinagar, Jan 01 (ANI): Kashmir continues to reel under extreme weather conditions leading to freezing of several water bodies, including the famed Dal Lake. The dip in temperatures is due to snowfall in the Himalayas and has adversely impacted the upper half of the country. The cold wave has also forced people to stay indoors. People in Srinagar city, who work outdoors, were seen sitting around bonfire to fight the chill on Thursday (January 01). Local boatmen also found it difficult to row their boats through the frozen Dal Lake. The Valley is witnessing the 40-day harshest winter period, known as Chillai-Kalan, which began on December 21. But the state has not received much snowfall as compared to last year even though temperatures continue to remain below freezing point in the valley. Locals say the delay in snowfall has led to spread of diseases.Located in the tropics, most of India witnesses a very hot summer and a largely temperate winter.

Jan 1, 2015

Rajnath Singh launches women safety mobile app in New Delhi

New Delhi, Jan 01 (ANI): Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh launched a mobile-phone based application for safety of women in New Delhi on Thursday (January 01), and also distributed pepper sprays to group of women. The app 'Himmat' was launched in collaboration with the Delhi police. Singh congratulated the Delhi police for running several self-defence classes for women and motivated them to become a role model for the police forces across the country. He also highlighted the fact that there is a need to make the force technologically empowered. Delhi Police Commissioner BS Bassi and Delhi's Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung were also present at the event.

Jan 1, 2015

Dalai Lama greets people on New Year

Surat, Jan 01 (ANI): Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama on Thursday (January 01) called upon people to utilise their day for something new as he extended New Year greetings. The Dalai Lama fled to India after a failed uprising against Chinese rule in 1959. He has lived in India since then. A government of exiled Tibetans and tens of thousands of refugees are also based in Dharamsala.

Jan 1, 2015

India greets 2015 with special prayers

Varanasi /Amritsar / Visakhapatnam / Ujjain, Jan 01 (ANI): People on Thursday kick started the New Year celebrations by visiting shrines to offer prayers. Long queues of faithful could be seen outside major Hindu and Sikh shrines across India. The faithful believe visits to temples on the New Year day bring prosperity, good health and peace in the family. The northern temple town of Varanasi, nestled on the banks of the holy river Ganga, woke up to holy chants by priests. Foreign tourists, who regularly visit this temple town for solace, were spellbound by the elaborate rituals. In Amritsar, devotees were seen thronging the Golden Temple, the holiest shrine of the Sikhs, since early morning. Many took a holy dip before taking part in the prayers.

Jan 1, 2015

Shiv Sena demands anti-conversion law, Politicos react

New Delhi, Jan 01 (ANI): Amid reports of Shiv Sena demanding for anti-conversion law, political leaders gave mixed reactions on Thursday. Congress leader Rashid Alvi said that a law already exists in the Constitution and there was no need for a new law. Congress leaders PC Chacko and Manish Tewari also condemned the demand. CPI (M) leader Brinda Karat said that the government should stop conversions being held by its supporting organizations like RSS and others. Meanwhile, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Rajiv Pratap Rudy said that conversions and re-conversions are complimentary.

Jan 1, 2015

Amit Shah to visit Punjab, reports of SAD-BJP alliance split

New Delhi, Jan 01 (ANI): BJP President Amit Shah will soon be visiting Punjab to hold an anti-drug debacle amid reports of SAD-BJP alliance to be split. Congress leaders Rashid Alvi and PC Chacko said that BJP can never stand an alliance. JD (U) leader Ali Anwar said that BJP has shown signs of being dominant to many of its allies after coming to power, which is why it is not able to sustain any of its partner.

Jan 1, 2015

Congress pulls up NDA Government for failing to end ceasefire violations by Pakistan

New Delhi, Jan 01 (ANI): The Congress on Thursday criticized the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA Government for failing to stop the ceasefire violations from across the border, and added that such activities by Pakistan have increased in pace since the new government took charge over seven months ago. Earlier on Wednesday there were reports of fresh ceasefire violations from Pakistani troops in Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir which killed one BSF jawan- Constable Sri Ram and another jawan suffered minor injured, besides killing the four Pakistani Rangers in the exchange of firing.

Jan 1, 2015