Hong Kong (China), Jul 02 (ANI): Hong Kong's annual pro-democracy protest saw one of the lowest turnouts in history. An annual pro-democracy protest held in Hong Kong on Sunday. It saw sweltering heat and one of its lowest turnouts in history. Protesters were marking the 21st anniversary of the former British colony's return to Chinese rule. It is one of their lowest estimates since the annual march started in 2003. Hong Kong's opposition has lost in much steam the past year, which saw elected pro-democracy legislators disqualified and some of the most prominent activists jailed. Protesters included elderly people in wheelchairs, couples with sleeping toddlers and young residents.
Bali (Indonesia), Jul 01 (ANI): Mount Agung on Indonesia's holiday island of Bali has been rumbling to life intermittently since late last year, and began belching smoke and ash again. Sevearl flights were cancelled as rumbling Bali volcano belched a fresh plume of smoke and ash more than 1,000 metres (3,300 feet) into the sky. The crater has been erupting periodically since it rumbled back to life last year. The volcano's activity slowed down for a time before the eruption threat reared its head again in November, sparking travel chaos and pounding Bali's lucrative tourism industry and its wider economy. There is a four kilometre no-go zone around Agung's peak. Indonesia is the world's most active volcanic region.
Washington DC (US), Jul 01 (ANI): People from all walks of life across the United States took to the streets in large numbers to protest against President Donald Trump's immigration policies and family separations as part of the 'Families Belong Together' march. The epicentre of the demonstration was Lafayette Square, near the White House in Washington DC. The demonstrators wore white clothes as a sign of 'unity' and chanted anti-Trump slogans such as 'Shame' and carried banners which read - 'Deport Trump, Reunite Families' and 'asylum seekers are not criminals'. The protesters demanded the administration to withdraw the 'Zero Tolerance Policy' and to end separation and detention of migrant families. Elsewhere across the US, demonstrators in Atlanta carried cages with baby dolls kept inside. In Houston, at a rally outside the City Hall, protesters chanted - 'No baby jails'. In other cities such as New York, Los Angeles and Philadelphia, demonstrators carried signs reading - 'Donald Tru
Lalitpur (Nepal), Jun 30 (ANI): Farmers in Nepal have to replace the traditional irrigation canals with 'costly' high power generators to plant their crops, following the inadequate rainfall and adverse climatic changes. These water pumps, used by the farmers cost a heavy amount of 600 Nepalese Rupee per hour for the operational charge of the machine. These high power generators lift the water from the river up to the field to wet the mud. The whole process requires a separate watchkeeper to keep an eye on the machine, which leads to the wastage of additional effort that can otherwise be utilized in the plantation process. The agriculture sector of Nepal contributes about 35 per cent of the total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) but the lack of agricultural beneficiaries always has been a problem for the farmers. Highlighting the importance of agriculture in Nepal, the government has been celebrating the mid of Ashar (end of June this year) as the National Day for paddy.
Washington DC (US), Jun 30 (ANI): Muhajir activist Nadeem Nusrat welcomed Financial Action Task Force (FATF) decision to place Pakistan on its grey list. He said, "The FATF decision to place Pakistan on its grey list is the right decision. For many years religious minority in Pakistan have been pointing out how Pakistani military have been carelessly sponsoring terrorist groups. They are killing various people. Despite the evidence, we haven't seen Pakistani government to take any action. There have been terrorist activities in several parts of the world where terrorists have confessed their links with the Pakistan".
Berlin (Germany), Jun 29 (ANI): Baloch activists staged a protest march in Berlin, Germany to demand suspension of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project in Balochistan. The protest was part of a worldwide campaign launched by the Free Balochistan Movement. They have organised protests in the UK, Germany, Netherlands and US to make the international community aware of exploitation of their resources by Pakistan and China. The FBM activist campaign started on June 24 in London and ended on June 28 in Germany. The aim of the protest was to highlight ongoing Pakistani state atrocities against Baloch people including enforced disappearances, latest surge in abduction of Baloch women and children, and expulsion of Baloch from their native towns and village on CPEC route in the name of development. Speakers termed CPEC as 'East India Company' in Balochistan and chanted 'China go back, China leave Balochistan and China hands off Balochistan.'
Kathmandu (Nepal), Jun 29 (ANI): Nepal government has forwarded the procedure to procure raw materials for manufacturing of explosives from India. The raw materials will be entirely used for the development activities, the Nepal Army claimed. Nepal, which has been purchasing raw materials for explosives and other military equipment from India, runs short of explosives for nearly one and a half year. The Nepal Government this week only decided to write to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Industry, Finance and the Supply for the acquisition of the required materials. As per the data from the Nepal Army, a total of three thousand six hundred metric ton of explosives is required annually.
Maryland (USA), Jun 29 (ANI): At least five people were shot dead and several were 'gravely injured' in indiscriminate shooting at a building housing Maryland Capital Gazette newspaper. Anne Arundel County Acting Police Chief William Krampf confirmed the reports of death. The suspect responsible for the shooting was arrested and the building was secured according to authorities. The motive behind the shooting is yet to be known.
Kyoto (Japan), Jun 27 (ANI): The former capital of Japan, Kyoto is famous worldwide for its ancient cityscape and unique scenery. This city attracts millions of tourists from abroad annually. This time, Japan's only international credit payment brand, JCB has special promotions that are limited to foreign guests who have a membership. These services include introducing various sightseeing spots in Kyoto to enrich member's experience during their stay. JCB Plaza Kyoto located inside J R Kyoto station building offers various services for its international members. For JCB international members, JCB Plaza Kyoto offers various services which make traveling around Kyoto more reasonable and satisfactory. Kyoto Tower, a rare modern and iconic landmark, is the tallest structure in Kyoto city. This remarkable spot is one of the most worthy place to visit for members of JCB. Kansai tourist information center inside Kyoto Tower is giving a lot of information about tourism and helping tourists n
New Delhi, Jun 27 (ANI): United States President Donald Trump accused Harley-Davidson Inc. of surrendering to the European Union's (EU) tariffs. This comes after the company said it would relocate production of some motorcycles overseas in response to EU's retaliation for the president's newly imposed tariffs on imported metals, CNN reported. On June 25, Trump took to Twitter and accused Harley-Davidson of surrendering to European tariffs. "Surprised that Harley-Davidson, of all companies, would be the first to wave the White Flag. I fought hard for them and ultimately they will not pay tariffs selling into the E.U., which has hurt us badly on trade, down $151 Billion. Taxes just a Harley excuse - be patient! #MAGA," Trump tweeted. Trump had earlier stated that his trade fights will benefit American workers.
London (United Kingdom), Jun 27 (ANI): The Free Balochistan Movement activists held a protest in front of Chinese Embassy in London against its expansionist politics in Balochistan province of Pakistan. The Baloch are opposing the multi-billion dollar China Pakistan Economic Corridor project. FBM Activist Faiz Baloch said, "We are going to start our final protest against China today and Pakistan. China is a crime partner of Pakistan. Chinese have taken objection to Baloch flag. British police have also asked us to take down the flag." Hyrbyair Marri, Leader of Free Balochistan Movement said, "We are protesting in front of Chinese embassy on international torture day. The villages which are on route to CPEC, China is committing gross human rights violation against them."
New Delhi, Jun 26 (ANI): Breaking silence over the controversy surrounding him of defaulting on bank loans to the tune of Rs 9,000 crores, liquor baron Vijay Mallya claimed that he had been falsely framed as the "poster boy of bank default and a lightning rod of public anger". Mallya also said that the reason behind making the letter public, which he wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister Arun Jaitley in April 15, 2016, is to set things in the right perspective. However, according to him, he did not receive any response from either of them. He also claimed that all loans, "at all times", were duly approved at the appropriate levels and by the appropriate departments of each bank.
Naypyidaw (Myanmar), Jun 26 (ANI): The Myanmar government and the China's Yunan province are planning to finalise an agreement to export cattle to meet rising demand in the Chinese market. China's beef consumption is 8.4 million tonnes per year, according to Beijing. Beijing is expected to allow 14 beef-exporting countries into its domestic market. China will set up an abattoir near the border town of Nan Kam to check on the cattle that come from Myanmar to ensure they are healthy and fit for consumption. From December 2017 to May 2018, 50,022 head of cattle and 6771 head of buffalo were exported to China.
Hong Kong (China), Jun 26 (ANI): On June 24, hundreds of armed police in China abruptly ended a five-day protest by demobilized soldiers in the city of Zhenjiang. More than a thousand well-organised protesters had gathered to complain about the lack of support and welfare they were receiving from the government. Wearing military-style clothing, they waved flags and shouted slogans outside the gate of a government compound. They came from as far afield as Hebei, Henan, Shandong and Sichuan provinces. They were also angry about other protesters around China being attacked after they also advocated for better treatment by the government. It was reported that local officials in Anhui, Guangdong, Hainan, Henan, Hunan, Liaoning and Sichuan had hired thugs to break up small-scale protests by veterans in recent weeks. Afterwards, several participants in the mass Jiangsu protest required hospital treatment, while others were arrested. Naturally, the Chinese government attempted to black out new
New York (USA), Jun 26 (ANI): First Secretary at United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Sandeep Kumar Bayyapu said that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral and inevitable part of India. He further asserted that no amount of empty rhetoric from Pakistan will change this reality. "J and K is an integral and inevitable part of India. No amount of empty rhetoric from Pakistan will change this reality," said Sandeep Kumar Bayyapu at UNGA.
Toronto (Canada), June 25 (ANI): Scores of grieving family members, relatives and friends of all 329 victims, who were killed mid-air in the Air India Kanishka Flight 182 explosion on 23rd June 1985, congregated to reminisce and pay tributes in the city of Toronto in Canada. While some carried the placards spreading the message of peace and love in the society, others categorically denounced the Khalistan ideology, which was, by and large, responsible for the horrific killings. Activists and family members are still disappointed as the protracted process of investigations and interrogations, which continued for two decades didn't convict anyone except one bomb maker who was sentenced for ten years. The real conspirators who had their allegiance with the Sikh Militant Groups such as Babbar Khalsa and International Sikh youth Federation walked free. The flight that was operating at the Toronto-Montreal-London-Delhi route, exploded at an altitude of 31,000 feet. The event, which still re
Geneva (Switzerland), Jun 25 (ANI): Pashtuns from Pakistan and Afghanistan held protest against Pakistan in front of the United Nations' building during the ongoing 38th Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. The activists raised anti-Pakistan slogans and alleged Pakistan Army for carrying out atrocities on Pashtun people in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and parts of neighbouring Afghanistan. The Pashtuns were joined by Baloch, Sindhi and activists from Pakistan occupied Kashmir. In recent times, a grassroots movement known as the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), has emerged to voice for various human rights issues, including the alleged disappearances of over 32,000 people in Pashtun,-majority areas bordering Afghanistan.
England, Jun 25 (ANI): Two Indian relay teams crossed the English Channel for the first time in history on Sunday. The two teams included 8-member Swim Life Albatross and 4-member team of para swimmers. Swim Life Albatross crossed the channel in 14 hours and 52 minutes, and the team of para swimmers took 12 hours and 26 minutes to cross the English Channel.
London (United Kingdom), Jun 25 (ANI): Yoga guru Baba Ramdev, who is on his visit to United Kingdom to hold Yoga sessions, visited Madame Tussauds museum in London on Monday. His visit comes after Ramdev announced that he has accepted the offer to get a wax work figure at the museum. The museum includes various popular wax statues of Indian prominent personalities, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and actor Amitabh Bachchan.
Women in Saudi Arabia have earned the right to drive. The move has been both exciting and jittery for the Saudi women, as on one hand, they consider the step as empowering, and on the other, they fear criticism from the society.