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Madrid will impose direct rule on Catalonia: Spanish PM

Brussels (Belgium), Oct 21 (ANI): Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said he will announce measures to impose direct rule on Catalonia over its bid to separate. Speaking at the EU summit in Brussels, Rajoy added the measures, that he will announce on Oct 21, would have backing from the main opposition Socialist party, and centrist group Ciudadanos. The prime minister has called an emergency cabinet meeting today to make way for Madrid establishing central control in the region.

Watch: 6-year-old dances in T-Rex Halloween costume

Bristol (United Kingdom), Oct 20 (ANI): A six-year-old decided to dress up as a T-Rex in preparation for October 31 in the English city of Bristol. The dance was recorded and uploaded to social media by his family members.

Cultural event promotes closer ties between India and Nepal

Birgunj (Nepal), Oct 20 (ANI): Recently, the Consulate General of India in Birgunj district of Nepal organized a cultural festival to strengthen the friendship between the two countries. People in Birgunj also performed alongside with the Indian cultural troupe. Performing at a single platform provided these artistes an opportunity to share and exchange their respective cultural diversities. The event also depicted different cultures through dance and music and sang in Maithili, Bhojpuri and Nepali. Such events would help in further bolstering our age-old cultural ties and improve people to people contact.

Barack Obama calls Virginia voters to action

Virginia (U.S.), Oct 20 (ANI): Former U.S. President Barack Obama had hit the campaign trail for the first time since he left the White House and urged voters in Virginia to support Democrats in next month's state elections. While campaigning, Obama urged voters to support Democrat Ralph Northam, who is running for governor. Obama further attacked U.S. incumbent President Donald Trump, saying 'instead of our politics reflecting our values, we've got politics infecting our communities.'

Barack Obama urges voters to reject 'politics of division'

New Jersey (U.S.), Oct 20 (ANI): Former U.S. President Barack Obama, who is back on the campaign trail for the first time since he left the White House, urged voters in New Jersey to reject the 'politics of division' by supporting Democrats in next month's state elections. Without taking Republican President Donald Trump's name, Obama said New Jersey could send a powerful signal about the type of politics it wants by voting for Democrat Phil Murphy in the Nov. 7 governor race. It was the first of two public appearances by Obama on behalf of Democratic candidates for governor. New Jersey and Virginia are the only two states holding elections for governor this year.

CM Naidu participates in World Food Prize-2017 award ceremony

Des Moines (US), Oct 20 (ANI): Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu participated in the World Food Prize-2017 award ceremony in Des Moines, Iowa, United States. Currently, Naidu is on a three nation tour from October 18 to 26, covering United States of America, United Arab Emirates and United Kingdom. His tour is aimed at bringing investments in Andhra Pradesh.

Nepal celebrates the festival of lights- Tihar

Kathmandu (Nepal), Oct 20 (ANI): Nepal on Thursday evening was illuminated with lights and earthen lamps, as it observed the third day of Tihar, the festival of lights. On this day, people thank the goddess of wealth, Laxmi by lighting oil lamps (Diyo) or candles in their homes. As per the beliefs goddess Laxmi will shower wealth and blessings to those who stay awake at night and not let the lamp kept in the main worship place to extinguish.

China's Q3 economic growth slows down

China, Oct 19 (ANI): As expected, China's rocketing growth rate has slowed down a bit, at least for this quarter. Beijing reporting a 6.8 percent rise for Q3 on Thursday. That's in line with government targets, but down a fraction from the previous three months, due to moves to cool the property market and cut debt risks. The reading comes in the midst of China's key Communist Party congress, where President Xi Jinping revealed big plans for the country's economic future, promising to deepen financial reforms and further open its markets to foreign investors. Beijing has a slightly more modest growth target of around 6.5 percent for 2017, which could offer more room for reforms, after growth hit its weakest pace in over 2 decades last year. Analysts expect a gradual GDP slowdown for China. But for now, overall activity is still going strong, as better-than-expected growth in trade and bank lending help prop up the world's second largest economy.

Trump denies "insensitive" remarks to Congresswoman

Washington, D.C. (U.S.), Oct 19 (ANI): President Donald Trump denied accusations by Democratic Congresswoman Frederica Wilson who called the president 'insensitive', after she claimed he told the widow of one of the four fallen soldiers in Niger that 'he knew what he was getting into'. "I didn't say what that Congresswoman said," Trump said on Wednesday when he was meeting with the Senate Finance Committee at the White House. "I had a very nice conversation with the wife, sounded like a lovely woman. Did not say what the Congresswoman said." Trump added,"Let her make her statement again and then you'll find out." Wilson said she was traveling with Myeshia Johnson, the widow of U.S. Army Sgt. La David Johnson on Tuesday, as she went to collect her late husband's body at Miami International Airport on Tuesday. Wilson said she heard the phone call with Trump. "He never said the word 'hero' he said to the wife 'well, I guess he knew what he was getting into', " Wilson said on Tuesday. "How

Massive fire breaks out at Kandawgyi Palace

Yangon (Myanmar), Oct 19 (ANI): A huge fire broke out at a Kandawgyi Palace, a lakeside hotel in Yangon before dawn on Thursday, gutting the entire building and leaving two people injured. One of the injured was a Chinese woman and the other was a fireman. Both are being treated at a hospital. Guests at the hotel were evacuated from the building and the fire was put under control at daybreak. The cause of the blaze is under investigation.

Watch: Hundreds of clowns march through Mexico City

Mexico, Oct 19 (ANI): Hundreds of clowns marched merrily through Mexico City on Wednesday to mark the 22nd Annual International Clown Convention, aimed at honing clowns' craft and garner support for them in the industry. The convention, also known as the 'Fair of Laughter', is organised by the Brotherhood of Latin Clowns and brings together clowns from countries such as Peru, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and the United States to show off their talents and pick up skills. Singing and dancing, the clowns paraded through the streets to the delight of curious onlookers. The clowns then posed for a group photo at the iconic the Revolution Monument in Mexico City. Clowns are very important to Mexican culture and life. Thousands pop up on traffic intersections and perform all kinds of tricks to make an earning.

Thousands of endangered river turtles released into Amazon wild

Rio Pacaya (Peru), Oct 19 (ANI): Thousands of endangered turtles have been released in Peru as a part of efforts to conserve the majestic species on the verge of extinction. Staff from Peru's National Service of Natural Areas Protected by the State (SERNANP) released some 5,000 baby turtles as part of an ongoing program. The Taricaya eggs were collected from the beaches and incubated until they hatched.

Harry Potter exhibition blends wizardry with history

England (United Kingdom), Oct 19 (ANI): A new exhibition celebrating the 20th anniversary of the first Harry Potter book's publication is offering 'muggles' with an interest in magic the chance to view rare memorabilia, combined with historic artifacts referenced in the popular series. "Harry Potter: A History of Magic," held in the British Library in London, features Potter memorabilia including author J.K. Rowling's first annotated sketch of Hogwarts school, as well as her handwritten list of its teachers and subjects. The exhibition also features historic artifacts from the library's collection, including alchemists' scrolls from the 1500s and Chinese oracle bones from the 12th century.

Spanish paraglider becomes part of a natural phenomenon of starlings

Denmark, Oct 19 (ANI): Paraglider Horacio Llorens became part of a flock of starlings to embrace his dream of flying like a bird in Tondermarsken in southern Denmark. The 35-year-old Spaniard traveled to the country to witness the natural phenomenon of Black Sun, created as tens of thousands of starlings gather in the sky at one time there as a biannual event. The five-time aerobatic paragliding world champion, who took up the sport in 2000, interacted with the birds in stunning conditions, Llorens at the heart of the flock, changing direction with the birds at every twist and turn.

Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu arrives in Chicago

Chicago (USA), Oct 19 (ANI): Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu arrived in Chicago on Wednesday for his 10-day official tour to America. NRIs received CM Naidu warmly upon his arrival. Naidu said the visit is aimed at attracting investments for his state. The Chief Minister is also scheduled to visit UAE and Britain.

Japanese technology brings new life to online singing and virtual games

Tokyo (Japan), Oct 18 (ANI): Karaoke Box is a place where an amateur singer sings along with recorded music by using a microphone. The trend is gaining popularity in Japan as many such places are mushrooming across the country. NTT Communications is providing IT solutions to the company. Not only singing, the popularity of virtual reality, augmented reality and mixed reality games create a new enjoyment for video game enthusiasts. At present, many virtual reality experiences provide video and sound using a VR head mount display and headphones. Gamers can experience a virtual world that does not even exist in front of them. Experience beyond Reality, in addition to the debut of devices corresponding to touch and smell, increases the interaction between the player and character and provides the feeling and thrill of actually being there. The player boards the attraction and the robotics controller operates based on the video signal transmitted by the virtual reality content. The new te

Dogs honoured in Nepal on second day of 'Tihar festival'

Kathmandu (Nepal), Oct 18 (ANI): People in Nepal's Kathmandu city on Wednesday (October 18) celebrated the Tihar festival, also called Diwali, by paying tributes to dogs. The five-day-long Hindu festival of Tihar, commonly known as 'Kukur (Dog) Tihar', is the day of the dogs, where the dogs, who are regarded as the guardian and messenger of Yama (God of death), are worshipped using garlands of flowers and vermilion powder. As part of the festival, the pet dogs or stray dogs are honored on the second day, (known as Kukur Tihar), of the festival, where they are acknowledged by the humans by providing them with delicious foods especially prepared for them.

Nepal PM reshuffles cabinet

Nepal, Oct 18 (ANI): In a cabinet reshuffle, Nepali Prime Minister Sher Bhadur Deuba ousted all Maoist leaders shortly after alliance partner Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre) decided against quitting the government, the latest indication of widening cracks in the ruling coalition. Deuba appointed Chairman Kamal Thapa as Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Minister, Dil Nath Giri as Minister for Urban Development, Jayanta Chand as Minister for Supplies, Bikram Thapa as Minister for Women, Children and Social Welfare. Likewise, four state ministers without portfolio are now assigned to the post of state ministers with Bhaskar Bhadra was appointed State Minister for Energy, Sushil Kumar Shrestha as State Minister for Supplies, Kunti Shahi as State Minister for Urban Development, Kanta Bhattarai has been appointed as State Minister for Women, Children and Social Welfare. All 17 members of Maoist Center were relieved of their portfolios. Strength of Deuba's cabinet stands at 64. Deuba

Tihar festival begins in Nepal

Kathmandu (Nepal), Oct 18 (ANI): Tihar also known as Deepawali or Yamapanchak, the second largest festival in Nepal, started on Tuesday with the worship of the "Crow", the messenger. It is a five-day festival, which comes soon after the Dashain Festival. The second day of Tihar will witness the worship of the Dogs, third to witness the day of worshiping cow along with Laxmi Puja in the evening. On the Fourth day, sisters put "Tika on forehead of their brothers, for their longevity.

Europe's largest freshwater aquarium opens in Switzerland

Switzerland, Oct 18 (ANI): Europe is ready to open freshwater aquarium in Switzerland. Some call it Noah's Ark 2017 because it houses almost exclusively endangered or threatened species. Twenty different ecosystems, spread over 46 aquariums, vivariums and terrariums, are built here housing animals from five continents. Visitors can get up and close with many of them, which will ultimately help conservation efforts according to the aquarium.