News

Kerry in Kabul hopes for end to Afghan election crisis

US Secretary of State John Kerry was in Afghanistan on Friday for meetings on the disputed presidential election, with candidate Ashraf Ghani again calling for a full audit of results. Duration: 00:50

Jul 12, 2014

Facebook becomes outlet for religious anger in Myanmar

Facebook is coming under scrutiny in Myanmar as an unwitting platform for a rising tide of hate speech following a new wave of Buddhist-Muslim bloodshed in the former junta-run country. Duration: 02:24

Jul 11, 2014

It Happens: Kashmiris throng historical Hindu shrine to perform traditional fire ritual

Kulgam, July 11 (ANI): Hundreds of Kashmiri pundits thronged ancient Hindu shrine of Mata Katyayani to perform the traditional fire ritual 'Mahayagya' amid special prayers on communal harmony and peace. Believers assembled at the historical temple at Kakran in Kulgam district of northern Jammu and Kashmir state. Around two thousand Pundits thronged the ancient temple on the 3rd annual Mahayagya. Joining them were many Muslims who despite fasting during the month of Ramadan participated with enthusiasm.

Jul 11, 2014

It Happens: Three- day painting exhibition brings cheer to specially-abled

Siliguri, July 11 (ANI): Anubhab, a voluntary organisation in eastern India organised a three- day painting- cum- sale exhibition to bring cheer to the specially- abled. A specially- abled boy, Pradip Nag, attending the programme, said that he was happy to be there. The organisers will be showcasing more than 30 paintings by an eminent painter, Binit Sinha, from Kolkata who told the reporter that it is the duty of society to look after the specially- abled people. The organisation was started in 1998 and since then it has devoted voluntary service in support of Round Table India, 232. The organisation provides the inmates with mid-day meals and special education.

Jul 11, 2014

It Happens: Devotees participate in seven-day long Hindu festival

Tripura, July 11 (ANI): Thousands of devotees gathered in India's northeastern province of Tripura to celebrate the festival of fourteen gods, 'Kharchi Puja'. The festival, celebrated annually during the months of June-July, claims to be the pride of Tripura, a state also known as the 'Land of Fourteen Gods'. A unique feature of the festival is the worship of heads of the fourteen gods. Unlike traditional methods of Hindus worshipping the entire body of a god, people here offer prayers only to the heads of the fourteen deities, which were carved from an alloy of eight metals during King Kalyan Manikya's reign. Another important feature of Kharchi Puja is that the deities worshiped are all Hindu gods and goddesses and both, the tribal priest 'Chantai' and the Hindu priest, perform the rituals together. An essential trait of the festival is the deities are locked in a room throughout the year and are brought to open for the devotees to see only during the seven-day period. Visitors who witnessed this unique festival said Tripura has its own communal conflicts between the tribals and non-tribals in the past, but now it's a very peaceful state and such festival helps in restoring peace in this state.

Jul 11, 2014

Femen activist Paris trial for indecent exposure adjourned

The trial of radical feminist Eloise Bouton is adjourned until 15 October 2014. The Femen activist is charged with indecent exposure, after toplessly miming an abortion in a Paris church. Duration: 01:16

Jul 11, 2014

India building world's highest railway bridge

India is building the world's highest railway bridge which is expected to be 35 metres taller than the Eiffel Tower when completed by 2016. Duration: 00:30

Jul 11, 2014

Father says his disabled son in US jail for hacking may die

The lawmaker father of a disabled Russian man detained by Washington on hacking charges said on Friday his son was being kept in one of the worst US prisons and would die without medical help. Duration: 00:52

Jul 11, 2014

Amnesty details widespread kidnapping and torture in Ukraine

A new Amnesty International report on Friday highlighted the "hundreds" of abductions and incidents of torture by pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine, and also criticised the excessive force used by government forces. Duration: 01:48

Jul 11, 2014

Gaza fires rockets towards Israel as world pleads for truce

Explosions echoed across Gaza City on Thursday as militants fired rockets towards Israel, two of which were shot down by the Iron Dome anti-missile system. Duration: 00:45

Jul 11, 2014

Chinese school minivan crash kills 11 including 8 children

Eight children are among 11 people killed when a kindergarten minivan plunged into a reservoir in central China. Duration: 00:41

Jul 11, 2014

Varanasi's Textile Industry Hails Union Budget

Allocation of funds to the handloom industry of Varanasi has filled the weavers with joy, and they are now praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government.

Jul 11, 2014

Rumeysa Gelgi,17, is World's Tallest Teenager (female)

Guinness World Records: 11th Grader from Turkey Becomes World's Tallest Female Teenager

The teen, who studies in 11th grade, has a height of 213.6 cm (7ft0.09 in).

Jul 11, 2014

Israel raids continue on Gaza

Israeli warplanes kept up deadly raids on Gaza Friday but failed to stop Palestinian militants firing rockets across the border, as the United States offered to help negotiate a truce. Duration: 01:27

Jul 11, 2014

Budget 2014: KCR, TRS Leaders Fume over Centre's Decision to 'Ignore' Telangana

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR) has fumed over the Centre's decision to "ignore" the state, while sanctioning developmental projects and allocationg funds in the Union Budget 2014, presented by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Thursday.

Jul 11, 2014