News

Odisha Chief Minister announces compensation for Phailin victims

Bhubaneshwar, Oct 14 (ANI): Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik of Odisha announced compensation to cyclone victims in cash and kind. A mass evacuation saved thousands of people from India's fiercest cyclone in 14 years, but aid workers warned a million would need help after their homes and livelihoods were destroyed. Cyclone Phailin headed inland on Sunday after making landfall from the Bay of Bengal, bringing winds of more than 200 kph (125 mph) that ripped apart homes and tore down trees. He also confirmed that more than 2,00,000 mud houses and standing crops were damaged and victims would be paid the compensation amount after due assessment. Further, the Chief Minister confirmed that roads would be repaired within the next 24 hours, while power and electricity would be restored in 36 hours in most places.

Oct 14, 2013

Two car bombs explode in central Damascus

Two cars laden with explosives and driven by suicide bombers blew up in the centre of the Syrian capital Damascus on Sunday night, state media reported. The blasts went off near the building of the national broadcaster SANA.

Oct 14, 2013

Syrian refugees in Iraq set for biggest Muslim holiday

Almost 14,000 Syrian Kurds in a camp in northern Iraq are preparing for what will be for many of them their first Eid al-Adha holiday - the Feast of Sacrifice, the biggest Muslim holiday of the year, outside Syria. Duration: 00:52

Oct 14, 2013

US grapples with budget impasse under default cloud

The Senate convened for a rare Sunday session, just days before the US reaches its borrowing limit, to grapple with an impasse that has shut the government for nearly two weeks, sending tremors of concern around the world.

Oct 14, 2013

Powerful Filipino Christian sect shuts down Manila

More than 1.5 million people converged on the Philippine capital Monday for a powerful Christian sect's evangelical event, causing traffic chaos that shut down large parts of the megacity. Duration: 00:53

Oct 14, 2013

Officials: 91 killed in India stampede at Hindu festival

A stampede on a bridge outside a Hindu temple kills more than 90 people in India, with many of the victims leaping to their deaths in the water below.

Oct 14, 2013

Survivors describe India stampede panic

Survivors of a stampede in India which killed dozens of Hindu pilgrims describe the moment panic gripped the crowd as they crossed a bridge to reach a temple. Duration: 01:02

Oct 14, 2013

Red Cross in Syria has no news from kidnapped workers

The International Committee of the Red Cross says that six of its workers and a member of the Syrian Red Crescent have gone missing in northwestern Syria.

Oct 14, 2013

Conflict and clashes over China's prized caterpillar fungus

A caterpillar fungus, found only on the high Tibetan plateau, is known as "Himalayan Viagra". It is worth nearly its weight in gold and is so valuable that disputes over collection rights are turning violent. Duration: 01:36

Oct 14, 2013

Muslim pilgrims throng Mount Arafat for hajj climax

Pilgrims in their hundreds of thousands thronged Mount Arafat in Saudi Arabia from early Monday for the climax of the annual hajj pilgrimage. Officials said they expected around 1.5 million pilgrims to descend on the site.

Oct 14, 2013

Hundreds held after Moscow rocked by race rioting

Moscow police said Monday they had detained 1,200 people in an anti-migrant raid on a produce market where a racially-tinged riot took place over the weekend after the killing of an ethnic Russian.

Oct 14, 2013

France and South Africa sign rail and energy deals

French President Francois Hollande announced on Monday the signing with South Africa of a $2-billion pact for a thermal power plant in Africa's largest economy which suffers from energy shortages.

Oct 14, 2013

IHT rebrands to become International New York Times

The International Herald Tribune published its final edition under its own name on Monday, marking the end of an era for the 125-year-newspaper that was a lifeline for American expatriates.

Oct 14, 2013

Nine missing in Colombia after 21-story building collapse

Rescuers search for nine missing people after a 21-story apartment building collapsed Saturday in the Colombian city of Medellin, leaving two unidentified victims so far.

Oct 14, 2013

World powers, Iran prepare for historic nuclear talks

World powers gathered Monday for fresh talks with Iran on its controversial nuclear programme, seen as a test of a new mood since reputed moderate President Hassan Rouhani took office in August. Analysts see the new negotiations as a being led by a markedly different tone set by Iranian and the US leaders.

Oct 14, 2013