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Cyclone Phailin: Raj Babbar urges pol parties to come together and support state govt's

New Delhi, OCT 12 (ANI): As Cyclonic storm Phailin, which is touching wind speeds of 210 to 220 kilometer an hour, is expected to hit the coast of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh between 6 pm and 8 pm tonight on Saturday, Congress leader Raj Babbar urged all the political parties to come together and help the state government in this natural calamity. The storm, likely to affect around 1.2 crore people, has triggered mass exodus in at least seven districts of the two states.

Oct 12, 2013

AP Revenue Minister confirms satisfactory arrangements made before Cyclone Phailin

Vishakhapatnam, Oct 12 (ANI): Responding to the upcoming Phailin cyclone at about 06:00 in the evening, Andhra Pradesh Revenue Minister N Raghuveera Reddy said that the arrangements made before the disaster is satisfactory and that the state and administration is all set to face the same. Further, he said that the central government is fully cooperating in the process and also appealed the people living in low lying areas to cooperate in the evacuation process.

Oct 12, 2013

SP denies talks on construction of Ram tample, calls it 'a mistake'

Lucknow, Oct 12 (ANI): After the news of UP government's high-level meeting on Ram temple raised eyebrows and created political flutter, Samajwadi Party leader Naresh Agarwal denied any such reports and said that it is a sheer "mistake". He further went on to explain that the meeting was to ensure that there remains proper security during the festival season of Dussehra, Diwali and Bakri Id. Agarwal also said that UP government is not against any particular community and are against hurting their sentiments.

Oct 12, 2013

Intensity of winds and rainfall will increase as the day progresses: MeT Dept

New Delhi, Oct 12 (ANI): As Cyclonic storm Phailin, which is touching wind speeds of 210 to 220 kilometer an hour, is expected to hit the coast of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh on Saturday, DG, MeT Dept Dr L S Rathore said that heavy rains have been reported by many coastal regions in Odisha and both intensity of rainfall and wind will increase as the day progress. Phailin, which has been put in the category of Very Severe Cyclonic Storm (VSCS), is expected to touch 230 kilometer per hour, when it hits the two states.

Oct 12, 2013

Letter on rebuilding Ram temple at Ayodhya, a political stunt: BJP

Lucknow, Oct 12 (ANI): BJP leader Kalraj Mishra on Saturday said that UP official's letter on rebuilding Ram temple at Ayodhya is a political stunt to divert the attention of people from the Muzaffarnagar riots. The communique issued by Satish Chandra Mishra, secretary to the state government, instructed the DGP and other senior police officers to attend a meeting convened on Monday evening in connection with the "enactment of a law in Parliament for construction of a temple at Shri Ramjanmabhoomi on the lines of the reconstruction of Somnath Mandir".

Oct 12, 2013

Phailin will remain as a severe cyclonic storm for another 6 hours: MeT Dept

New Delhi, Oct 12 (ANI): As Cyclonic storm Phailin, which is touching wind speeds of 210 to 220 kilometer an hour, is expected to hit the coast of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh on Saturday, DG, MeT Dept Dr L S Rathore said that Phailin will remain as a severe cyclonic storm for 6 hours after it crosses the coast of Odisha and after that it will become a depression and will move towards north west.

Oct 12, 2013

Letter on rebuilding Ram temple at Ayodhya, a matter of concern: Congress

Lucknow, Oct 12 (ANI): Uttar Pradesh Congress President Rita Bahuguna Joshi on Saturday said that UP official's letter on rebuilding Ram temple at Ayodhya is a matter of concern. Talking to mediapersons in Lucknow, she said that if this agenda has come from the police, then they have crossed the limit as it is not their responsibility to advice on the matters of judiciary. It is the work of the cabinet. The communique issued by Satish Chandra Mishra, secretary to the state government, instructed the DGP and other senior police officers to attend a meeting convened on Monday evening in connection with the "enactment of a law in Parliament for construction of a temple at Shri Ramjanmabhoomi on the lines of the reconstruction of Somnath Mandir".

Oct 12, 2013

Bhubaneswar: Flights cancelled at Biju Patnaik Airport

Bhubaneswar, Oct 12 (ANI): As Cyclonic storm Phailin, which is touching wind speeds of 210 to 220 kilometer an hour, is expected to hit the coast of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh on Saturday, Sharat Kumar, Director, Bhubaneswar Airport said that weather is getting worse and for the safety of passengers flights have been cancelled till weather improves. High wind and heavy rain lashed the coastal belt of Odisha today disrupting normal life. Phailin, which has been put in the category of Very Severe Cyclonic Storm (VSCS), is expected to touch 230 kilometer per hour, when it hits the two states.

Oct 12, 2013

MeT Department on Cyclone Phailin

Bhubaneswar, Oct 12 (ANI): As Cyclonic storm Phailin, which is touching wind speeds of 210 to 220 kilometer an hour, is expected to hit the coast of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh on Saturday, Director of Bhubaneswar’s MeT Department Sharad Sahu on cyclone Phailin briefed about the current situation of cyclone Phailin. Phailin, which has been put in the category of Very Severe Cyclonic Storm (VSCS), is expected to touch 230 kilometer per hour, when it hits the two states.

Oct 12, 2013

Gonojagoron Mancha demands death sentence for Abdul Alim

Dhaka, Oct 12 (ANI): Bangladesh People’s Resurgence Platform or Gonojagoron Mancha demanded death sentence for Islamist leader, Abdul Alim who was handed life sentence by the country’s special war crimes tribunal. Earlier on October 09, Bangladesh's war crimes tribunal handed a life sentence to Alim, a former opposition lawmaker. The 82-year-old was found guilty on nine charges relating to crimes against humanity, arson and looting during Bangladesh's 1971 War of Independence. Protesters took to streets, shouting slogans and demanding death penalty for Alim.

Oct 12, 2013

CWG Baton arrives in India

New Delhi, Oct 12 (ANI): The regal baton of Queen Elizabeth II for the 2014 Commonwealth Games arrived in India after its grand launch from the Buckingham Palace earlier this week. It was ceremoniously received in New Delhi. The gala event would be held at Glasgow in Scotland from July 23 to August 3, 2014. Given a warm reception to the baton at New Delhi’s international airport was the Acting President of Indian Olympic Association (IOA), Vijay Kumar Malhotra who said that he expects Indian sportsperson to emerge victorious in the famous sports meet at Glasgow. Sportsperson including wrestler, Yogeshwar Dutt and discus thrower Krishna Poonia were also present to receive the Baton. Speaking to the mediapersons, Vice Chairman of the organising committee of the Commonwealth Games in Scotland, Louise Martin said she was delighted to bring the iconic baton to India.

Oct 12, 2013

'Very Severe' Cyclone Phailin to hit Odisha, Andhra Pradesh today

New Delhi, Oct 12 (ANI): Cyclonic storm Phailin, which is touching wind speeds of 210 to 220 kilometer an hour, is expected to hit the coast of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh on Saturday. High wind and heavy rain lashed the coastal belt of Odisha today disrupting normal life. Phailin, which has been put in the category of Very Severe Cyclonic Storm (VSCS), is expected to touch 230 kilometer per hour, when it hits the two states.

Oct 12, 2013

Kayani slams Indian counterpart's allegations over Army, ISI as 'unfortunate, provocative'

New Delhi, Oct 12 (ANI): Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani has slammed the recent statements of his Indian counterpart of accusing the Army and ISI of supporting terrorism as ' unfortunate, unfounded and provocative'. The COAS said instead of levelling such baseless allegations against Pakistan, India should work on holding joint, impartial investigation, preferably by the United Nations, into the continued ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC). General Kayani said that the Pakistan Army was exercising restraint, but it should not be misused by the rival country to spoil the prospects of regional peace.

Oct 12, 2013

Manmohan Singh greets people on Durga Puja, Dussehra

New Delhi, Oct 12 (ANI): Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has greeted the people on the occasion of Durga Puja and Dusshera. In a message, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said the celebration of Dusshera and Durga Puja across the country symbolizes the triumph of good over evil. "It is an occasion to promote goodwill and peace and harmony and remind ourselves of our rich cultural heritage," he said. "May this season of festivities bring peace, happiness, prosperity and a brighter future to all," he added.

Oct 12, 2013

India and Indonesia agree to deepen bilateral and economic ties

Jakarta, Oct 12 (ANI): Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, has said that partnership with Indonesia would be deepened, while making a statement with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. The two leaders said they discussed means to enhance a number of bilateral partnerships, particularly in the field of economics. India is also looking forward to widen its relationship in the ASEAN region. Prime Minister Singh said that India and Indonesia share the view for the early implementation of India-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement in Services and Investment.

Oct 12, 2013