Politics

IAF on Phailin relief and rescue operations in Odisha

Bhubaneswar, Oct 13 (ANI): Nearly eleven hours after hitting the coasts of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh with a wind speed of about 200 kilometers per hour, Cyclone Phailin is reported to have calmed down on Sunday morning. Local media is reporting damage to property and to substantial flooding in coastal districts of Odisha and on National Highway Five. Several teams of the Indian Army, Air Force and Navy are on standby across the region to begin massive relief and rescue operations. Air Force Official Y K Yadav said that within 2hrs wind speeds will reduce and there choppers will be mobilized.

Oct 13, 2013

Phailin will weaken gradually and not immediately as it is a severe cyclone: MeT

Bhubaneswar, Oct 13 (ANI): Nearly eleven hours after hitting the coasts of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh with a wind speed of about 200 kilometers per hour, Cyclone Phailin is reported to have calmed down on Sunday morning. Local media is reporting damage to property and to substantial flooding in coastal districts of Odisha and on National Highway Five. Several teams of the Indian Army, Air Force and Navy are on standby across the region to begin massive relief and rescue operations. Director of MeT Department in Odisha Sharad Sahu said that gradually the Cyclone is losing its intensity but it is still classified as a severe cyclone.

Oct 13, 2013

Entire Srikakulam district is in full control of cyclone, says Disaster Management Commissioner

Srikakulam/Hyderabad, Oct 13 (ANI): The much dreaded and expected severe cyclone Phailin struck Srikakulam region in Andhra Pradesh. Disaster Management Commissioner of Andhra Pradesh state, T Radha said this at Hyderabad. Rains and winds lashed India's east coast, forcing nearly five hundred thousand people to flee to storm shelters as one of the country's largest cyclones closed in, threatening to cut a wide swath of devastation through farmland and fishing hamlets. Citing the weather department's warning of extensive damage to mud houses, he said that major disruption of power and communication lines may be caused. Nonetheless, all preventive measures have been initiated.

Oct 13, 2013

Baton of Commonwealth Games to leave India for Bangladesh

New Delhi, Oct 13 (ANI): The regal baton of Queen Elizabeth-II for the 2014 Commonwealth Games was given a befitting ceremonial send-off in New Delhi prior to its departure from India for Bangladesh as the next destination in course of its global tour. To mark this event, the British High Commissioner to India Sir James Bevan hosted a colourful event in New Delhi. Speaking on the occasion, he said it was a memorable occasion. Bevan while addressing an exclusive event in New Delhi said that the regal baton was to leave the country on Monday. Prior to this, on Friday (October 11), the Queen Elizabeth II's baton had reached New Delhi after it was flagged off at a grand ceremony held at the Buckingham Palace earlier this week. As a part of ceremonial tradition the Baton started its worldwide tour from India, since New Delhi hosted the last Commonwealth Games held in 2010. The 2014 Commonwealth Games would be held at Glasgow, in Scotland from July 23 to August 3 next year.

Oct 13, 2013

Young Kashmiris are turning to music to express their views

Born and brought up during a bloody insurgency against Indian rule, many young Kashmiris are accustomed to crackdowns, curfews and violence. Increasingly, some are turning to music to express their views and share them abroad. Duration:02:47

Oct 13, 2013

Ecstatic welcome home for triumphant Afghan cricketers

Afghanistan's cricket team received a heroes' welcome on Saturday as cheering crowds lined the streets and packed a stadium in Kabul to greet the players after they qualified for the 2015 World Cup. Duration: 01:17

Oct 13, 2013

Muslim pilgrims throng Mecca for hajj

Hundreds of thousands of Muslims have poured into the holy city of Mecca for the annual hajj pilgrimage as Saudi Arabia issued a stern warning against politicising the world's largest annual gathering. Duration: 00:32

Oct 13, 2013

Dalai Lama calls for religious tolerance on Mexico trip

The Dalai Lama tells Mexicans that Christianity and Buddhism coincide in their pursuit of human happiness. Duration: 01:26

Oct 13, 2013

US-Iran deal propects 'best in 11 years' - analyst

A US-based analyst says the prospects for a nuclear deal between the US and Iran are "better than at any time in the past 11 years". Duration: 01:15

Oct 13, 2013

Kurd leader says there is fear of civil war in Iraq

The leader of Iraqi Kurdistan says there is "real fear" that sectarian violence in Iraq could escalate into civil war. The autonomous region's president Massud Barzani was talking to AFP in an exclusive interview. Duration: 00:43

Oct 13, 2013

Dozens killed in India temple stampede

A stampede on a bridge outside a Hindu temple killed at least 90 people in India on Sunday and dozens more may have died after they leapt into the water below. Duration: 00:27

Oct 13, 2013

Killer Indian cyclone wreaks havoc

Cyclone Phailin leaves a trail of destruction along India's east coast and at least seven people dead after the biggest evacuation in the country's history helped minimise casualties. Duration: 00:50

Oct 13, 2013

Home Minister's brief on preparation to handle upcoming Cyclone Phailin - Part -2

New Delhi, Oct 12 (ANI): Briefing on the India's largest evacuation process in 23 years ahead of the closing Phailin Cyclone on Saturday, Home Affairs Minister Sushilkumar Shinde said that nearly 5 lakh people have been evacuated from the state to be affected. Shinde also said that the Ministry is holding meetings of all concerned departments in the concerned states and briefed about all the evacuation process being undertaken so far to counter a great disaster going to hit India.

Oct 12, 2013

Home Minister's brief on preparation to handle upcoming Cyclone Phailin - Part -1

New Delhi, Oct 12 (ANI): Briefing on the India's largest evacuation process in 23 years ahead of the closing Phailin Cyclone on Saturday, Home Affairs Minister Sushilkumar Shinde said that nearly 5 lakh people have been evacuated from the state to be affected. Shinde also said that the Ministry is holding meetings of all concerned departments in the concerned states and briefed about all the evacuation process being undertaken so far to counter a great disaster going to hit India.

Oct 12, 2013

Manipur's Loktak Lake attracts tourists

Manipur, Oct 12 (ANI): Loktak Lake, situated in Bishnupur district of Manipur, some 48 kilometers from Imphal, covers an area of 312 square kilometers. It is rich in biodiversity and was recognized as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention of 1990. On its south-west periphery lies the Keibul Lamjao National Park, believed to be the only floating National Park in the world, inhabited by the endangered Brow Antlered Deer or Sangai. It is surrounded by hills and its scenic beauty has the potential of attracting many visitors. Various species of birds and animals inhabit the area, and a large population living in and around it depend on the lake for their sustenance.

Oct 12, 2013