News

Bangladesh land demarcation bill brings disagreement by Indian political parties

New Delhi/ Guwahati, Dec 20 (ANI): BJP condemned the introduction of constitutional amendment bill related to Bangladesh in Rajya Sabha which seeks to ratify the land boundary agreement with Bangladesh despite protests. Meanwhile, leaders of Assam regional party also protested against the introduction of the Bangladesh Land Demarcation Bill. Regional Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) leaders shouted slogans and burnt effigies of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and state Chief Minister, Tarun Gogoi, after Bangladesh Land Demarcation Bill was introduced in Rajya Sabha.

Dec 20, 2013

Religious communities hail SC verdict on gay sex

New Delhi, Dec 20 (ANI): Religious leaders of various communities in India hailed the Supreme Court verdict that reinstated a ban on gay sex, following a four-year period of de-criminalisation that had helped bring homosexuality into the open in the socially conservative country. Chief of an Islamic organisation, Maulana Syed Jalaluddin Umari, said freedom was not absolute. However, Chief propagandist and spokesman for the New Delhi Roman Catholic Archdiocese, Father Dominic Emmanuel, said church did not consider homosexuals as criminals.

Dec 20, 2013

No apology or withdrawal of case against Devyani Khobragade: US

Washington DC, Dec 20 (ANI): The United States has ruled out either of the two Indian demands, that is, withdrawal of charges against its diplomat Devyani Khobragade, and an apology for alleged mistreatment, after her arrest in New York last week. The US State Department Spokesperson Marie Harf said it is not pressuring US law enforcement to drop complaint against Khobragade that has increased tensions between the two countries. Harf said that the State Department does not expect the incident to impact bilateral relations between the nations.

Dec 20, 2013

Okinawan plant holds promise of elixir of youth

A scientist from the Japanese island of Okinawa claims he knows the secret behind the historic longevity of his people: a traditional plant extract known locally as 'getto'. Duration: 02:35

Dec 20, 2013

Japan robot astronaut talks Santa in first chat with spaceman

The world's first robot astronaut has begun chatting to the Japanese commander of the International Space Station and says he wants a toy rocket from Santa Claus. Duration: 01:04

Dec 20, 2013

Govt asks NCBC to decide on job quota to Jat community

New Delhi, Dec 20 (ANI): The Indian government has directed the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBCs) to take an expeditious decision on giving quota to the Jat community in union government jobs and educational institutions, says Information and Broadcasting minister Manish Tewari. The government had not given any deadline to the commission to give its report.

Dec 20, 2013

S. Sudan civil war fears grow, civilians flee fighting

South Sudan rebels battling government forces rejected peace efforts Thursday as the region scrambled to prevent the world's youngest state from collapsing only two years after its birth. Duration: 1:19

Dec 20, 2013

Nobody can stop Assad from running again: Syria

The Syrian government said Thursday that nobody can prevent the country's embattled President Bashar al-Assad from running for re-election next year. An exclusive interview with Syria's deputy foreign minister Faisal Muqdad. Duration: 0:29

Dec 20, 2013

London theatre ceiling collapses during show

The ceiling of a packed London theatre collapsed on the audience during a performance Thursday, wounding more than 88 people including children and leaving terrified theatregoers covered in blood and dust. Duration: 0:47

Dec 20, 2013

Protesters rally as EU leaders start summit

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered on the streets of Brussels on the first day of the EU Summit, where European leaders are set to discuss thorny topics including the bloc's defence policies and monetary union. Duration: 0:40

Dec 20, 2013

Feminist goes topless in Vatican abortion protest

A leader of the Ukrainian feminist group Femen bared herself near St Peter's Square on Thursday shouting "Christmas is cancelled!" in a protest against the Catholic Church's stance on abortion. Duration: 0:31

Dec 20, 2013

Coca or peace: the Colombian farmers' dilemma

Many Colombian farmers say the only way they can support their families is by growing coca. Duration: 02:56

Dec 20, 2013

Protesters trained in self-defense to man Kiev barricades

Behind the barricades of Kiev's Independence Square, protesters are being trained in techniques to help them defend their ground against attack from security forces. Duration: 01:16

Dec 20, 2013

Istanbul police chief dismissed as part of graft probe

The Istanbul police chief has been dismissed after dozens of people including the sons of cabinet ministers were detained in a sweeping graft probe, media reports said Thursday. Duration: 00:48

Dec 20, 2013