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Philippine storm death toll rises to 200

Manila (Philippines), Dec 24 (ANI): Rescuers in the Philippines searched for survivors of a storm that triggered floods and landslides and killed about 200 people, left scores missing and thousands homeless, most of whom apparently ignored warnings to move to safety.Misery in the largely Christian Philippines was compounded by the death of at least 37 people in a shopping mall fire, officials said on Christmas Eve. The Philippines is battered by about 20 typhoons a year and warnings are routinely issued, but the level of destruction wreaked by tropical storm Tembin on the southern island of Mindanao from late on Friday came as a surprise.

Muhajirs seek Trump administration's intervention on human rights violation by Pakistan

Washington, D.C. (U.S.), Dec 24 (ANI): A group of Muhajirs community members and workers of the Muttahida Quami Movement gathered outside the White House and Pakistan Embassy in Washington, D.C. against violation of human rights in Pakistan. The agitated members staged the protest in a bid to draw U.S. President Donald Trump's attention and sought his administration's intervention upon the issue. Muhajirs are people who migrated to Pakistan at the time of partition, but don't get accepted there as Pakistanis.

Gilgit-Baltistan observes shutdown against illegal taxation

Gilgit (PoK), Dec 24 (ANI): A 'shutter down' protest was observed in Gilgit against the illegal taxes being imposed in the region by the Government. People from all walks of life in Gilgit-Baltistan were out on the streets shouting and protesting against the unjust and the immoral taxes slapped over them. The local economy has suffered a setback as shops and markets remain shut. The region of Gilgit-Baltistan, which finds no place in the constitutional framework of the Pakistan has been meted out with state sponsored barbarism for years and this illegal levying of taxes have just added to the woes of local people.

U.N. Security Council slaps harsh sanctions on Pyongyang

New Delhi, Dec 23 (ANI): The U.N. Security Council unanimously imposed new sanctions on North Korea. The sanctions have been slapped to punish N. Korea's struggling economy, and force it to abandon its nuclear and missile programmes. North Korea successfully tested a new intercontinental ballistic missile in a "breakthrough" that puts the U.S. mainland within range of its nuclear weapons.

Massive protest erupt in PoK, Gilgit Baltistan against ill treatment of locals by Pakistan

Gilgit, Rawalakot (PoK), Dec 23 (ANI): Widespread protests have erupted across Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Gilgit Baltistan against Pakistan's ill treatment of the region and its people. In Gilgit-Baltistan, people have come out onto the streets shouting anti-Pakistan slogans and rejecting the Pakistan Government's enforced taxation. Markets and business establishments remained shut and traders in large numbers gathered in major cities, including Gilgit and Skardu to express their anger against the imposition of `illegal' taxes by Islamabad. In Rawalakot city, people came out onto the streets to protest against the discriminatory surge in load shedding hours. The protest was organised by the Jammu Kashmir National Awami Party (JKNAP), which claimed that the PoK produces some 5,000 mega watts of electricity from five dams and 4500 Megawatts of that electricity is diverted to the Islamabad grid leaving the local people with just 500 Megawatts.

Trump signs biggest tax overhaul into law

Washington D.C. (U.S.A), Dec 23 (ANI): United States President Donald Trump has signed the Republicans' massive USD 1.5 trillion tax overhaul into law, before leaving for his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida for the winter holidays. Speaking to mediapersons, Trump said he was going to wait for a formal signing sometime in early January, but then he watched the news this morning and they were all saying, 'Will he keep his promise, will he sign it by Christmas? And he called downstairs and said get it ready, we have to sign it now.

29 killed after fire breaks out in fitness centre

Jecheon (South Korea), Dec 23 (ANI): At least 29 people lost their lives after a massive fire broke out in a fitness centre in South Korea's Jecheon. Most of the victims were gathered in a sauna when the flames broke out and the main cause of death was suffocation, rather than burns. According to officials, it was a vehicle in the basement parking lot that first caught fire, which then quickly spread to the rest of the eight storey building. Video from witnesses showed a thick plume of smoke rising from the area at the time. Currently, the government is investigating the cause of the fire.

Now, 'Free Balochistan' campaign reaches New York

New York (U.S.), Dec 22 (ANI): After a successful month of implementing the 'Free Balochistan' campaign in London, the initiative has reached New York in the United States. The campaign has kicked-off with more than 100 taxis carrying adverts with the slogan, "Free Balochistan from human rights abuses by Pakistan". Worldwide, prominent Baloch leaders have come forward to raise their voices after Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke about the plight of Baloch natives.

U.S. welcomes Saudi-led coalition's move to keep Yemen port open

Washington, D.C. (U.S.), Dec 22 (ANI): The United States has welcomed an announcement by a Saudi-led coalition to keep the Hodeidah port in Yemen open for a month and allow humanitarian aid to flow through. It also condemned a Houthi bombing of a palace in Saudi Arabia. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Tim Lenderking said the United States would have a conversation with Saudi Arabia about 30 days the port will be open and about possibly changing the timeline, but said the U.S. first wants to see ships moving in and goods and services reaching the people of Yemen. Lenderking also said there was no military solution to the conflict and that President Donald Trump's administration believes the best course is 'aggressive diplomacy'.

U.S. will 'remember' this day of being 'singled out': Nikki Haley

United Nations, Dec 22 (ANI): After the U.N. General Assembly decided to hold a vote in favor of a draft U.N. resolution calling for the U.S. to withdraw its decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital, United States Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said the U.S. will 'remember this day' for being 'singled out'. "The United States will remember this day in which it was singled out for attack in the General Assembly for the very act of exercising our right as a sovereign nation," Haley said. "We will remember it when we are called upon to once again make the world's largest contribution to the United Nations and we will remember it when so many countries come calling on us as they so often do to pay even more and to use our influence for their benefit."

Yazidi sisters reunite after 3 years in Islamic State captivity

Iraq, Dec 22 (ANI): Three Yazidi sisters were reunited this week after more than three years since they were kidnapped by Islamic State militants. They were taken by the militants in an assault on Sinjar, the Yazidi heartland on August 3, 2014. One of the sisters was taken to Syria while other was shifted to Turkey. They were later returned to Kurdish fighters and Iraqi government.

Japan's All Nippon Airways promotes regional food

Tokyo, Japan, Dec 21 (ANI): "Tastes of JAPAN" is a project by All Nippon Airways (ANA) to introduce Japanese prefecture's food - drinks, sweets, and culture, in its airport lounges and in-flight meals. It was launched in September 2013 with the goal of introducing all of Japan's 47 prefectures over a period of around four years, and during November this year, that goal was achieved. As a result, ANA has decided to start a new project as a second step to disseminate regional information even more deeply. The new project is named "Tastes of JAPAN by ANA - Explore the regions" and the first region to be introduced is Hokkaido. ANA will disseminate deeper information about Hokkaido by working together with the local administration and different regional cooperatives. Hokkaido is the largest island in the northern part of Japan, moreover, 150 years have passed since the name "Hokkaido" has been given to the island making it a memorable year. Hokkaido is surrounded by three seas, the Pacif

Japan's Himeji city uphold tradition of leather production

Himeji (Japan), Dec 21 (ANI): Himeji Castle, or so-called Egret Castle, has a history of 400 years and has been designated as the first landmark in Japan to become a World Cultural Heritage. It has the second largest number of visitors among other Japanese castles and many foreign tourists visit the castle too. In this beautiful, scenic region, cattle ranching also began. And because of the production of good quality salt and clean rivers nearby, the leather industry has grown. Traditional leather production skill has also been adopted by many Vietnamese employees. These leather products are produced with technology that has evolved with a 1000 years of tradition. The 1000-year history and tradition of Himeji's leather making, with some help from employment of overseas workers, is making it possible to enlarge the market worldwide.

Second North Korean soldier defects to the South

South Korea, Dec 21 (ANI): In yet another incident, a North Korean soldier fled across the world's most heavily militarised border on Thursday to defect to the South. The South Korean guards fired up to 20 warning shots at North Korean troops who were searching for the defected soldier. However, according to the South Korean defense ministry, surveillance equipment detected the soldier through heavy fog just after 8 AM and no shots were fired. Last month, another North Korean soldier suffered critical gunshot wounds during a similar dash across the demilitarised zone. He was shot at by his fellow North Korean soldiers and recovered by South Korean troops, and later taken to a hospital. Reason behind the latest defection on Thursday is still being investigated.

19 killed by air strikes in Syria's rebel-held Idlib

Idlib (Syria), Dec 21 (ANI): At least 19 people have been killed in overnight air strikes in a residential district of Idlib in northwestern Syria. Dozens others were injured in the same air strike. The war monitoring group said that the strikes from Syrian or Russian planes while Russia's defense ministry denied their involvement in the deadly attack. Idlib province is one of four regions of Syria which are supposed to be safe areas under a deal agreed by Russia, fellow regime ally Iran, and rebel backer Turkey in May.

Over 12 dead after tourist bus loses control

Quintana Roo (Mexico), Dec 20 (ANI): At least 12 people were killed and 18 others sustained injuries after a tourist bus lost control and rolled over in Mexico's southeastern Yucatan Peninsula on Tuesday morning. The bus, carrying citizens of the United States, Brazil, and Sweden, was on way to an excursion to the archaeological zone of Chacchoben. A child was among the deceased. Cause of the accident was under investigation.

U.S. blames North Korea for 'WannaCry' cyber attack

Washington, D.C. (U.S.), Dec 20 (ANI): The United States has publicly blamed North Korea for unleashing the so-called 'WannaCry' cyber attack. The so-called cyber attack crippled hospitals, banks and other companies across the globe earlier this year. "After careful investigation the United States is publicly attributing the massive WannaCry cyber attack to North Korea," Homeland Security Advisor to President Donald Trump, Tom Bossert, said. "North Korea has acted especially badly, largely unchecked, for more than a decade, and its malicious behavior is growing more egregious," he added. Bossert added that Facebook Inc and Microsoft Corp acted last week to disable a number of North Korean cyber actions.

U.N. condemns killing of disabled Palestinian protester

New Delhi, Dec 20 (ANI): The United Nations human rights office called the killing of a wheelchair-bound protester by the Israeli military during clashes in Gaza last Friday was a 'truly shocking' act. He was protesting in Gaza against United States President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

Protests hit Honduras capital over election recounts

Tegucigalpa (Honduras), Dec 20 (ANI): Fresh protests erupted in the Honduran capital after a top official ruled out a new election following a bitter fight for the presidency last month. Police in Tegucigalpa fired tear gas to disperse the demonstrators. Furious over allegations of voter fraud, protestors burned tires and attacked buildings.

International Space Station welcomes three new crew members

New Delhi, Dec 20 (ANI): A trio of U.S., Japanese and Russian astronauts arrived at the International Space Station on Tuesday. Commander Anton Shkaplerov of Roscosmos and flight engineers Norishige Kanai of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and Scott Tingle of NASA docked their Soyuz spacecraft. The docking completes their two-day journey following Sunday's (December 17) blast-off from the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Shkaplerov, Kanai and Tingle join Alexander Misurkin of Roscosmos and Mark Vande Hei and Joe Acaba of NASA, who have been aboard the space station since September.