News

Pune landslide: Rescue teams intensify search operations as death toll mounts to 76

Ambegaon, Aug 2 (ANI): Rescuers in Maharashtra on Saturday intensified search operations and dug through swirling mud to uncover dozens of submerged homes and survivors swallowed up by a landslide that flattened almost an entire village as the death toll rose to 76. Rain and poor communications hampered the teams working in the Malin village, 60 km (35 miles) from the city of Pune. Commandant of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Alok Awasthi said they have speed up the rescue operations as the weather turned favourable.

Aug 2, 2014

INLD releases election manifesto for Haryana Assembly polls

Chandigarh, Aug 2 (ANI): The opposition party in Haryana, Indian National Lok Dal (INLD), released its election manifesto on Saturday ahead of the state assembly polls. The Haryana legislative assembly election will be held to select 90 legislators as the term ends on October 27. INLD leader Abhay Singh Chautala said the state was dependent on his party.

Aug 2, 2014

Fresh strikes fall on Gaza refugee camp after truce collapses

An Israeli air strike overnight destroyed four houses at the al-Shati refugee camp in Gaza City on Saturday after efforts to establish a truce failed a day earlier. Duration: 00:41

Aug 2, 2014

It Happens: Nag Panchmi

Allahabad, August 2 (ANI): Devotees thronged temples, offered and poured milk on snakes to celebrate Hindu festival, ‘Nag Panchami’ to honour serpent god on Friday. Devout Hindus in Allahabad city of Uttar Pradesh flocked temples of Hindu Lord Shiva and offered milk, water, flowers and fruits to serpents as a unique expression of devotion on the auspicious occasion. The festival is believed to bring prosperity and happiness, eradicating evil and hardships from people’s lives. Snake charmers lined the streets and attracted devotees to offer milk to snakes. Followers of Lord Shiva in Madhya Pradesh province also celebrated the festival with religious pageantry. As per scriptures, Shiva sports a snake around his neck while Vishnu reclines on a hooded couch created by Shesha Naga. The festival also holds great importance for the snake charmer community.

Aug 2, 2014

It Happens: Kashmir Fair

Srinagar, August 2 (ANI): A visit to the circus fair on Wednesday (July 30) reminded Kashmiris in Srinagar city of their peaceful past when such mega events were the order of the day, which now have become mere memories with the shadow of militancy looming large over the picturesque state. The circus was organised by circus group based in Ludhiana in northwestern Punjab state. Based in the heart of Srinagar city for the past two months, it has talented jugglers performing acrobats and comic artists who make children roll with laughter. Kashmir last saw the circuses till the mid 80s when people thronged them in large numbers and now, after almost three decades, it returned to the valley to entertain and thrill the crowds. An exhibition-cum fair was also held on the sidelines of the circus where products from all over the country were displayed.

Aug 2, 2014

It Happens: Nag Panchmi

Allahabad, August 2 (ANI): Devotees thronged temples, offered and poured milk on snakes to celebrate Hindu festival, ‘Nag Panchami’ to honour serpent god on Friday. Devout Hindus in Allahabad city of Uttar Pradesh flocked temples of Hindu Lord Shiva and offered milk, water, flowers and fruits to serpents as a unique expression of devotion on the auspicious occasion. The festival is believed to bring prosperity and happiness, eradicating evil and hardships from people’s lives. Snake charmers lined the streets and attracted devotees to offer milk to snakes. Followers of Lord Shiva in Madhya Pradesh province also celebrated the festival with religious pageantry. As per scriptures, Shiva sports a snake around his neck while Vishnu reclines on a hooded couch created by Shesha Naga. The festival also holds great importance for the snake charmer community.

Aug 2, 2014

It Happens: Kashmir Fair

Srinagar, August 2 (ANI): A visit to the circus fair on Wednesday (July 30) reminded Kashmiris in Srinagar city of their peaceful past when such mega events were the order of the day, which now have become mere memories with the shadow of militancy looming large over the picturesque state. The circus was organised by circus group based in Ludhiana in northwestern Punjab state. Based in the heart of Srinagar city for the past two months, it has talented jugglers performing acrobats and comic artists who make children roll with laughter. Kashmir last saw the circuses till the mid 80s when people thronged them in large numbers and now, after almost three decades, it returned to the valley to entertain and thrill the crowds. An exhibition-cum fair was also held on the sidelines of the circus where products from all over the country were displayed.

Aug 2, 2014

TN regional party stage protest against Sri Lanka over its 'objectionable article'

Chennai, Aug 2 (ANI): Members of regional Tamizhaga Vazhvurimai Katchi (TVK) on Saturday staged a protest against the Sri Lankan government, which released an unethical article on its defence ministry website, stating that Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu J Jayalalithaa wrote love letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The article headlined as 'how meaningful are Jayalalithaa's love letters to Narendra Modi' was published on the website, which drew ire of people from Tamil Nadu. Slogan shouting protesters in Chennai burnt effigy of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Aug 2, 2014

Tamil Nadu's VCK party protest against Israeli offensive in Gaza, calls it 'genocide'

Chennai, Aug 2 (ANI): Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi party (VCK) staged a silent protest in Tamil Nadu on Saturday against the intensified Israeli attacks on Gaza. Israel launched a Gaza air and naval offensive on July 08 following a surge of cross-border rocket salvoes by Hamas and other Palestinian guerrillas, killing thousands till now. Meanwhile, VCK president Thol Thirumavalavan condemned the killings of innocent Palestinians and urged the central government to seek United Nations intervention in the issue.

Aug 2, 2014

Explosion at chemical factory in Delhi, one dead

New Delhi, Aug 2 (ANI): Explosion at a chemical factory in New Delhi killed one and injured several others on Saturday. Police is probing the cause of the explosion, which was reported in Rohini area. Fire officials immediately reached the spot and were engaged in debris clearing operations.

Aug 2, 2014

Congress party workers beg, protest against employment scam in Madhya Pradesh

Bhopal, Aug 2 (ANI): Youth wing of Congress party took to streets, raised slogans and protested against the state government in Madhya Pradesh over employment scam on Saturday. Protesters led by president of the youth wing, Manoj Shukla, begged on streets to exhibit the plight of students who were affected by the employment scam. The employment scam relates to admissions in medical and engineering colleges during the period 2008 to 2010 in which many government employees are under the scanner for getting selected through unfair means. The anguished protesters went from one shop to the other begging for alms, as the scam had reduced many deserving candidates to begging.

Aug 2, 2014

Man electrocuted while withdrawing money from ATM

New Delhi, Aug 2 (ANI): A man was electrocuted on Saturday while he was withdrawing money from a Union Bank ATM. The incident took place in Holambi Kala village on the outskirts of Delhi. The pole outside the ATM was exposed due to the rain leading to the electrocution. Local residents said that police came on time but electricity department did not cut power supply due to which the man was stuck for more than half an hour.

Aug 2, 2014

Case filed against Aamir Khan for obscenity

Kanpur, Aug 2 (ANI): An advocate from Kanpur has filed a case against Aamir Khan, producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra and promoters of the film PK over the promotional poster published in newspapers. Lawyer said the _obscene picture_ has terribly hurt sentiments. The case has been filed under section 292 of the IPC, for obscenity.

Aug 2, 2014

Azam Khan and Kalbe Jawad at loggerheads over Wakf Board

Lucknow, Aug 2 (ANI): The Shia community of Uttar Pradesh has urged Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav to check the alleged irregularities in Wakf board appointments, which have allegedly been monitored by Urban Development and Wakf Minister Azam Khan. According to the sources, there are differences within Shia Muslims over the Wakf board appointments, which were made after Azam Khan took bribe.

Aug 2, 2014

Arun Jaitley talks about 2014 Delhi Budget, says previous govt passed on bad economy

New Delhi, Aug 02 (ANI): While addressing the Resident Welfare Association members at the Constitution Club in Delhi, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said that the previous UPA government did not left a very favourable situation and passed on a bad economy. Talking about the Delhi Budget, Jaitley said that the government has taken harsh decisions wherever required and done all to maintain the dwindling economy. The finance minister also said that the government has increased taxes on unnecessary items and has maintained the system in such a way that India becomes investment friendly. He also talked about the distribution system of the power, which had considerably collapsed during the UPA rule and needs to be taken care of.

Aug 2, 2014