Gilgit-Baltistan (PoK), Nov 18 (ANI): A massive shutdown called by the traders, shopkeepers and other stakeholders in Gilgit-Baltistan's Skardu entered sixth day on Saturday. The business community in Gilgit-Baltistan is protesting against the immoral and unlawful taxes imposed by Pakistan. Businessmen in Gilgit Baltistan's Skardu say that they will carry on with the protests with same force and zeal until Pakistan withdraws notification of taxes. People of Gilgit-Baltistan have now become increasingly intolerant to Pakistan-led violence, which have intensified in the recent times. Gilgit-Baltistan is a part of the erstwhile princely state of Jammu and Kashmir and now is under forceful occupation of Pakistan.
Nairobi (Kenya), Nov 18 (ANI): The Kenyan Police fired tear gas shells to disperse hundreds of opposition supporters gathered outside Nairobi's main airport. Despite the police's partial ban on protests in the capital, the demonstrators gathered near the airport to wait for the return of their leader, Raila Odinga, from an overseas trip. Police were checking vehicles headed from the city center to the airport in another attempt to stop the demonstration from building. Odinga has called for a 'National Resistance Movement' to protest outcome of the repeat election, which was ordered by the Supreme Court after it annulled the results of an August poll over procedural irregularities. On Monday, the court will rule on cases that seek to nullify last month's repeat vote. Judges could order a fresh vote or clear the way for the incumbent to be sworn in for a second term.
New Delhi, Nov 18 (ANI): Ace tennis player Serena Williams finally broke her silence about her wedding, which took place in New Orleans on Thursday night. Taking to her Instagram account, the tennis pro shared her wedding dress with her fans. Williams didn't write a caption in her post, but it seems from her photo's tags that she opted for an Alexander McQueen gown designed by Sarah Burton. The beautiful white gown featured a voluminous ball skirt and a strapless, sweetheart neckline. The tennis star kept her hair pulled back in an updo. Flaunting a pair of diamond earrings and massive ring on her left hand, she opted for minimum accessories. Later Ohanian also shared a beautiful moment of the night on his Instagram account. The picture features himself, Serena and their daughter Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr. who was born on September 1. The star-studded wedding was attended by Kim Kardashian, Kelly Rowland, Beyonce, LaLa Anthony, and Ciara among the others. Serena's Beauty and the Beast
Kathmandu (Nepal), Nov 18 (ANI): Nepal remembered India's first Education minister Maulana Abul Kalam Azad to celebrate the National Education Day. The program organized by Embassy of India in Kathmandu in collaboration with Indian Culture Centre was also celebrated as Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Day. Many dignitaries, senior bureaucrats from Government of Nepal and academicians marked their presence on the day. The first batch of 12 ITEC participants went to India in the year 2000. Over the years, the number of seats allocated to Nepal under ITEC program has increased from 12 in 2000 to 250 in 2016. Candidates from Government of Nepal as well as from private and public sectors have been trained under ITEC programme in reputed institutions in India in the field of computers, engineering, journalism, banking and other fields. From the days of its initiation to take offer professional courses about 1250 participants are said to be benefitted by the initiated programs
Libya, Nov 17 (ANI): In the backstreets of Libya's capital, an economic crisis is unfolding. In Tripoli's Gold Market, many families are selling their jewelry and foreign currency savings on the black market to make ends meet. Six years of post-dictatorship chaos has taken its toll. The Libyan currency has fallen 200 percent on the parallel market since early last year. In the past two weeks the drop in the black market value of the dinar has fueled inflation that is already around 25-30 percent. Many have lost trust in banks and prefer to keep money at home. The drop in the value of the currency has also hampered medical supplies to hospitals. Even salaries that are delivered are not enough to pay the bills.
Maine (United States), Nov 17 (ANI): A labrador named Stella, playfully jumps in large piles of leaves in Maine, United States. In the video, the playful dog can be seen doing her favourite fall activity as she leaps into the piles of leaves, with only her wagging tail visible.
Birgunj (Nepal), Nov 16 (ANI): Recently, the Youth Society of Nepal organized Indo- Nepal cricket tournament at Adarsh Nagar stadium in Birgunj. Several participants of India and Nepal took part in the four-day event. As many as 140 girls from different parts of the state also took part in the contest. Two teams of Birgunj were declared winner in the tournament. Such events play important role in boosting bilateral relations between countries.
Kabul/Paktika (Afghanistan), Nov 16 (ANI): A conference titled 'Unrecognized Durand Line' was organised in capital Kabul where prominent voices from across the Afghan society denounced the statement of British Ambassador to Afghanistan Nicholas Peter Kay in which he had termed Durand line as the formal border between Afghanistan and Pakistan.Conference urged Afghan government to take its concrete steps to prevent Pakistan from fencing the Durand line or installing any new checkpoints across the line.Meanwhile, a protest rally was also held in Sharana, Paktika against the Durand Line and the statements made by British Ambassador in Kabul. A large number of Paktika residents rushed to the city of Sharana holding national flags calling for the Government to stop Pakistan armies from entering FATA (Federally Administered Tribal Area) and fencing the Durand Line.
Taiwan/ Kyoto, Nov 16 (ANI): The environment surrounding the settlement market has changed markedly due to the advancement of technology. JCB, the only international credit card brand from Japan, has hosted the international convention in Taiwan which is held in every other year. Throughout the world, the popularity of smartphones and innovation in information and communication technologies has caused the settlement market to undergo major changes and progress towards a cashless society. At the convention site, visitors stopped at partner corporation's booths to view and experience seasonal services and the latest technology exhibited at the booths. The payment card includes both contact and non-contact biometric information of an individual, making card settlements more convenient and secure. This growth drove sales volume up to 26.6 trillion yen in 2016, with 22% growth outside Japan. The 33rd Kyoto Prize to honor distinguished individuals worldwide was hosted by the Inamori Foundat
New York, Nov 16 (ANI): Leonardo da Vinci's 500-year-old oil painting of Jesus, Salvator Mundi, was sold for a record-smashing $450 million in New York. The painting was earlier sold for just $60 in 1958. Salvator Mundi is the last privately owned Da Vinci painting. It is also one of the very few paintings made by the Renaissance that exist. Its whereabouts were unknown until it re-emerged in poor condition in a Louisiana auction house in 2005. The painting has since been restored and was on display in London last month before arriving in New York for the auction.
Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Nov 16 (ANI): A dead whale washed ashore on Brazil's Ipanema beach in Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday. The decomposing whale is estimated to be between 42 feet to 49 feet long and weighs about 30 tones. The whale has been dead for about a week or more. Authorities are working with biologists from the University of Rio de Janeiro to determine the cause of whale's death. Arrangements were made for a necropsy, the animal equivalent to an autopsy. Biologists took a sample from the whale's blubber. The whale will be moved with the help of a bulldozer and will then be taken to Rio's main port.
Gilgit-Baltistan (PoK), Nov 15 (ANI): Shutdown called by traders, shopkeepers and other stakeholders in Gilgit-Baltistan, entered its third day on Wednesday. The protest is against Pakistan's immoral and unlawful imposition of taxes on people of the region. The protestors have vowed to continue demonstrations till the government revokes its decision. Markets in major towns remained closed and attendance in private, government offices and educational institutions remained thin because of non-availability of transport on roads. The traders alleged that the government is deceiving people of the region. Meanwhile, lawyers across the region boycotted courts in solidarity with the protestors.
Canberra (Australia), Nov 15 (ANI): It's been two months since Australia popped the question to its voters and finally on Wednesday Canberra got its answer. Australians voted overwhelmingly in favor of same-sex marriage, paving the way for legislation to make it legal. The announcement set off colourful celebrations across the country and praise from around the world. Almost 8 out of 10 Australians voters took part in the postal survey, a higher percentage turnout than Britain's Brexit vote and Ireland's same-sex marriage referendum. The result marks a watershed moment for gay rights in Australia where homosexual activity was illegal in some states until 1997.
New Delhi, Nov 15 (ANI):The hurricanes that devastated Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico have boosted business at Home Depot. The home-improvement chain saw a surge in the last quarter and expects to continue through the rest of the year as hurricanes Harvey and Irma drove customers to stock up on emergency products and rebuilding materials for the aftermath. According to Home Depot, the revenue from Hurricanes added roughly $282 million to the total sales for the third quarter. Backed by the strength in the housing market and expected sales from the hurricane recovery, the home-improvement chain raised its profit forecast for the third time this year and its shares have also climbed more than 20 percent. In the aftermath of hurricanes, the home-improvement chain has benefited from the sale of storm-related merchandise such as generators, batteries and rebuilding materials.
California (U.S.A.), Nov 15 (ANI): At least five people are feared dead and several others injured after a gunman opened fire near a Northern California elementary school. The incident took place near Rancho Tehama Elementary school when some parents were dropping off their children, reported Fox news. Among the dead is the gunman, who was killed by the police after he wounded children at the school. The authorities said the shooting occurred around 8 a.m.
China, Nov 15 (ANI): Thrilled by the first snowfall of the year in China's northern province of Heilongjiang, two pandas, frolicked outdoors. Residing in Yabuli Town, 11-year-old female panda Sijia and 9-year-old male Youyou were excited to play with a gunny sack and to roll in their snow-covered enclosure. The pandas were transferred to the town on July 5, 2016 from their previous residence in China's southwest Sichuan Province. Panda extinction threat was downgraded from "endangered" to "vulnerable" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature during September 2016 due to continued efforts to protect the species by conservationists.
Manila (Philippines), Nov 14 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the time has come for India and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to work together to fight against terrorism. PM Modi said that India will continue its support to ASEAN towards achieving a rules-based security architecture for the region and its peaceful development. PM Modi invited ASEAN nation heads to attend next year's Republic Day celebrations in the country.
Gambela (Ethiopia), Nov 14 (ANI): This South Sudanese refugee chops wood in the forests everyday to get back to her family. Her family, which consists of six children, depends on the firewood for cooking and boiling water just like thousands of other South Sudanese refugees living in Gambella. Buk Liy Kang, the South Sudanese Refugee, said: "I usually come back from the forest after two hours or so, and I get so tired. After resting for a short while, I arrange my firewood for home use and for sale." Though it is a necessity for refugees, forest deletion can be destructive for forests. It also exposes refugee women to the risk of sexual abuse as they have to walk long distances to fetch the wood. In order to address some of the issues, the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization is working with the refugees. The organization will plant a million fast-growing trees around the camps to fight deforestation, while creating income opportunities for the refugees. A forestry officer in Food an
Rawalpindi/Muzaffarabad, 14 Nov: The United Kashmir People's National Party (UKPNP) recently held a series of demonstrations against the kidnapping of political activists from the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Protesters in Rawalpindi held banners and placards reading "Stop abductions and enforced disappearances in so-called Azad Kashmir," raised slogans demanding freedom from Pakistan and that China leaves their territory.
Manila (Philippines), Nov 14 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with other world leaders, attended the 'Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Summit'in Manila on Tuesday. During the event, Prime Minister Modi interacted with Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. PM Modi was on a three-day-long visit to Philippines.