News

2014 FIFA World Cup: Costa Rica fans celebrate victory after penalty-shootout with Greece

Brazil, June 30 (ANI): Costa Rica fans poured out of Recife's stadium in Brazil victorious after their team beat Greece on penalties guaranteeing them a place in the World Cup quarter finals for the first time in the small country's history. Costa Rica played for 54 minutes with just ten men after Duarte was sent off when he was shown a second yellow card. The teams drew 1-1. Greece lost after failing to save the 4th penalty. Although it was an uneventful start, the second half saw a real battle when Greece went on the attack. It is the first time that Costa Rica has made it to the quarter finals. The last time they got through to the knockout stage was in 1990.

Jun 30, 2014

Late penalty completes Netherlands' 2-1 victory over Mexico in 2014 FIFA World Cup

Fortaleza, June 30 (ANI): Smiling Netherlands fans left the Arena Castelao stadium in Fortaleza admitting that luck had been on their side as they knocked Mexico out on a penalty, and head into the World Cup quarter-finals. With only two minutes left when Mexico were leading 1-0, until Wesley Sneijder pulled the Dutch level with a fierce drive, forcing the match into extra time. Then a stoppage time penalty from Klaas-Jan Huntelaar gave the Netherlands a dramatic 2-1 victory, minutes after the Mexicans had seemed certain to reach the quarter-finals. Mexico fans argued it was rather the referee siding with the Oranje that had willed the game's result.

Jun 30, 2014

Muslims prepare for Ramadan on first day of fasting, markets flood with delicacies

Agra/ Bhopal, June 30 (ANI): Indian markets flood with dates and other confectionery including royal delicacies, as Muslims mark the Holy month of Ramadan after moon-sighting and started fasting from Monday. Muslims across the country thronged markets to shop for the holy month where Hindu Muslim brotherhood are exemplified with the revelry that people of both the community are soaked in. A shopkeeper, Said Ahmad in Bhopal hailed the unity among the communities where Hindu traders also stock items for the Muslim festival. Ramadan is the ninth of 12 months in the Islamic calendar. The month honours the Angel Gabriel's revelation of the Koran, the holy scripture of Islam, to the Prophet Mohammed at a meditation retreat in a cave about 1,400 years ago.

Jun 30, 2014

Narendra Modi congratulates ISRO scientists for PSLV-C23's successful launch

Sriharikota, June 30 (ANI): India's national space agency ISRO on Monday launched five satellites from four countries from the spaceport of Sriharikota in presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi who witnessed the event. Addressing the scientists at Sriharikota Space Center, Modi congratulated the scientists for the successful launch and said that he is privileged to witness it.

Jun 30, 2014

Pro-Ukraine activists protest against ceasefire in Kiev

Pro-Ukraine fighters and activists gather outside the offices of the Ukraine presidency to express their disagreement with the ceasefire and to demand military operations to eliminate separatists in Eastern Ukraine. Duration: 01:14

Jun 30, 2014

ISIL declares 'caliphate' as Iraq presses counter-offensive

The ISIL jihadists whose sweeping Sunni militant offensive has captured swathes of Iraq have declared an "Islamic caliphate" in their territory as Iraqi forces battle to retake Saddam Hussein's hometown Tikrit. Duration: 01:13

Jun 30, 2014

'Caliph of All Muslims': Who is Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi?

ISIS on Sunday declared Caliphate in Iraq and Syria and proclaimed Abu Bakr Al-Badhdadi as the Caliph. Who is he?

Jun 30, 2014

Swaraj Meets Gulf Envoys to Rescue Indians from Iraq; Air India, Navy on Alert for Evacuation

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj met with the Indian envoys from the Gulf region on Sunday to work out measures to bring back Indians trapped in violence-hit Iraq.

Jun 30, 2014

ISRO successfully launches PSLV-C-23 in presence of PM Modi

Sriharikota, June 30 (ANI): ISRO's PSLV-C-23 rocket carrying five foreign satellites lifted off from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh on Monday. The satellite launch carrying five satellites: French earth-observation Spot-7 satellite, Aisat from Germany, NLS7-1 and NLS7-2 from Canada, and Velox-1 of Singapore, was witnessed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Prime Minister Modi arrived in Sriharikota on Sunday and met ISRO scientists ahead of witnessing the historical launch. Till date, the ISRO has launched 35 satellites of foreign countries.

Jun 30, 2014

ISIS Militants Declare 'Caliphate' State in Iraq, Syria; Proclaim Group Leader as Caliph

Islamist militant group, ISIS, has declared that it has established a caliphate in the area stretching the northern swathe of Iraq and parts of Syria.

Jun 30, 2014

Dates shopkeepers do brisk business as Ramadan season approaches

Aurangabad, June 30 (ANI): Shopkeepers selling dates in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra did brisk business as the Muslim holy month of Ramadan approached near. The dates, preferred by Muslims to break their day-long fast, are available in many varieties at the markets, ranging from 40 rupees per kilogram to 2, 000 rupees per kilogram. The dates are being exported from various nations and have started coming in different flavours such as chocolate, costing more than the plain dates. Traders said Irani dates, which come in three kilogram packages, were more in demand this year. Dates are mostly imported from Saudi Arabia, Iran and Iraq.

Jun 30, 2014

Festival on aromatic plants of Kashmir to create awareness of its potential in income generation

Srinagar, June 30 (ANI): A six- day festival meant to highlight the potential of indigenous aromatic and medicinal plants of the scenic state in income generation took place in Srinagar city of Kashmir. The festival held in the premises of the Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine was named the 'Kashmir Lavender Festival', which brought together farmers, traders and industrialists in the business of aromatic products made out of plants like lavender, rose and rosemary. Director of the Institute, Dr Vishwakarma, said that the aim of the festival was to generate awareness on the market value of these plants that exist nowhere else in the country and the employment opportunities that exist in this business.

Jun 30, 2014

At least 11 killed, others trapped in India building collapse

Rescuers searched desperately for survivors Sunday after an 11-storey residential block collapsed in heavy rain in southern India late Saturday, killing at least 11 people and possibly trapping dozens more. Duration: 00:41

Jun 29, 2014

With moon sighting, Ramadan fast commences from Monday

Lucknow, June 28 (ANI): With moon sighting on Sunday, Ramadan fasts are to commence from Monday. Muslim Cleric Maulana Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahali said that tomorrow will be the first day of the fast and wished a prosperous Ramadan. He also talked about the rituals of the fast and advised those fasting to not indulge in any inhuman activities.

Jun 29, 2014

Shimla police organize anti-drug marathon

Shimla, June 29 (ANI): Police organised an anti-drug run wherein volunteers and locals wearing bright t-shirts and Red Ribbons wrist bands claiming a drug free lifestyle, ran on the streets of the hill town of Shimla on Sunday to spread awareness. Around 2,015 runners, including locals, tourists and policemen participated in the anti-drug run which was organised in two competitive categories- a half marathon of 21.5 kilometers and a mini marathon of 10 kilometers. The campaign, which is an annual feature in Himachal Pradesh, was initiated three years ago by the state police. Meanwhile, the Director General of Police (DGP), Sanjay Kumar, said that he was optimist that the drive would be a success.

Jun 29, 2014