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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

Cyclone Phailin Latest Update: Storm Makes Landfall at Gopalpur in Odisha [PHOTOS]

Cyclonic storm Phailin made landfall at Gopalpur in Ganjam district of Odisha with a wind speed of over 200 kilometres per hour at around 9 pm IST after a delay of about an hour, according to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD).

Oct 12, 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

Cyclone Phailin: 7 Dead, Over 5 Lakh People Evacuated as Severe Storm Advances East Coast [PHOTOS]

At least seven people have died in Odisha because of the high winds due to falling trees even as cyclone Phailin is yet to make landfall on Saturday night, according to television reports.

Oct 12, 2013

India pleased with Indonesia's desire to collaborate on food security

Onboard, Oct 12 (ANI): External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid on Saturday expressed happiness over Indonesia's desire to collaborate with India on the issue of food security, and added that the bilateral visit had a very clear indication of convergence between the two countries. Khurshid further said that the Food Security Programme was not just reasonable, but this was a moral imperative. Earlier on Friday, India and Indonesia decided to collaborate to ensure food security for their people.

Oct 12, 2013

No doubt that there will be a UPA 3: Salman Khurshid

Onboard, Oct 12 (ANI): External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid on Saturday said the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) will form a government at the Centre for a third consecutive term under the leadership of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Khurshid, however, hinted that the UPA would have new alliance partners in the future.

Oct 12, 2013

India, Pak not at resumed talks stage: Khurshid

Onboard, Oct 12 (ANI): While returning with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh after a bilateral visit to Indonesia, Union External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid on Saturday made it clear that India and Pakistan are not at a stage where they can resume dialogue. He also said that the recent incidents on the LoC are "upsetting" and are not conducive to the normalization of ties.

Oct 12, 2013

Upcoming elections in Bangladesh will hopefully be peaceful and fair: British Journalist

New Delhi, Oct 12 (ANI): The ongoing war crimes trial in Bangladesh has put the future of the country's main Islamist party into jeopardy. The war crimes tribunal which was set up in 2010 by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was mandated to prosecute the guilty, even though 10 of the 11 sentenced belong to the Jamaat e Islami, which is an ally of the opposition BNP. The tribunals have so far sentenced six prominent Jamaat-e-Islami leaders and a senior BNP lawmaker to death. The Jamaat and its allies went on a rampage in protest against the conviction of their leaders, destroying public property, burning vehicles and clashing with police personnel. Frances Harrison, a visiting Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies or ICWS in London was of the view that the trial of those accused of committing war crimes during 1971 Liberation War has impacted Bangladesh's polity.

Oct 12, 2013

Devotees converge at temples for Durga Puja in Kolkata

Kolkata, Oct 12 (ANI): Devout Hindus queued up at temples across Kolkata on the eighth day of the 'Durga Puja', which is held in honour of goddess Durga. 'Navratri', which literally means nine nights and is observed twice a year, began across India with religious fervour from October 05 this year. Durgashtami, the eighth day of the Navaratri and Durga Puja celebrations is also known as Mahashtami and is one of the important days of the Puja and on this particular day, many devotees observe fast. The weapons of Goddess Durga are worshipped on the day and this ceremony is known Astra Puja. It is believed that during the Navratri, Goddess Durga descends upon earth to rid it of the demons and blesses her devotees with happiness and prosperity. Meanwhile, the fragrance of the incense sticks and the perfumes used by ladies pervades the atmosphere of the pandals.

Oct 12, 2013

Will help India fight poverty says Scottish minister

New Delhi, Oct 12 (ANI): Scotland's External Affairs Minister Humza Yousaf who is on a visit to India, met representatives of a women Self Help Group (SHG) trained by the Scottish Government under a cultural exchange programme in New Delhi. While interacting with the media person he said that his government will help India fight poverty through joint developmental projects. Humza is in India as part of a six-day visit to strengthen social, cultural and economic ties. Humza, who has his roots in India raised Scotland's concerns over the poverty in India and said that the later would continue to funds schemes in a bid to eradicate poverty.

Oct 12, 2013

Allahabad HC gives relief over ban on Durga idol immersion with conditions

Lucknow, Oct 12 (ANI): A day after Allahabad high court refused to withdraw its order directing that no idol be immersed in the Ganga and Yamuna in the city, Principal Secretary for Home Affairs, RM Srivastava confirmed that the High Court has given some relief on the same with a few conditions. Further, Srivastava said that the state administration will take measures to ensure that there is peaceful immersion of Durga idol and there will be steps taken to ensure that the environmental concerns are taken into consideration. The relaxation was provided keeping in view the time left with administration to bring the order into practice.

Oct 12, 2013