Page 183 - Video Gallery

Saudi shows military might ahead of Haj pilgrimage in Mecca

Mecca (Saudi Arabia), Aug 24 (ANI): Saudi Arabian security forces marched through a parade ground in Mecca as pilgrims around the world started to converge towards the Muslim holy city for the annual Haj pilgrimage. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and other top officials watched the parade. More than 2 million Muslims from around the world travel to Mecca, Islam's holiest city, for the pilgrimage each year. Every able-bodied Muslim is supposed to undertake it at least once in their lifetime.

Watch: Air strikes near Houthi checkpoint kill 48 in Yemen

Yemen, Aug 24 (ANI): At least 48 people have been killed in air strikes that hit a hotel in Yemen. It blamed the strike on Saudi-led coalition forces, which back the internationally recognised government. It didn't say how many of the dead were civilians or fighters. The hotel was north of the Yemeni capital Sanaa and next to a Houthi checkpoint. The Houthis control Sanaa and the north and are not known to have air power. An emergency worker saying there were about 100 people staying at the hotel at the time, and that there are still victims under the rubble.

French, Spanish interior ministers mark minute of silence for Barcelona victims

Issy-Les-Moulineaux (France), Aug 23 (ANI): The French and Spanish interior ministers marked a minute of silence on Wednesday in memory of the victims of the Barcelona attack that killed 13 people last week. Gerard Collomb and Juan Ignacio Zoido were near Paris for a scheduled meeting at the headquarters of France's gendarmerie to discuss tighter collaboration between the two countries. Earlier, the Islamic State claimed responsibility for the van attack and a separate deadly assault, hours later, in the coastal resort of Cambrils, south of Barcelona.

Trump slams Democrats, says will build wall even if he has to close down his government

Phoenix (Arizona), Aug 23 (ANI): United States President Donald Trump on Tuesday addressed a gathering in Arizona's Phoenix and recalled his campaign's promise. He vowed to build a wall on the U.S. border with Mexico. In his speech, the United States President slammed the Democrats and said that democrats don't want his party to build the wall. He added that his party will build the wall even if they have close down the government. Earlier, before flying to Phoenix Trump landed in Yuma, Arizona, near the Mexican border, for tour of border security facilities.

Nepal PM Deuba embarks on five-day visit to India

New Delhi, Aug 23 (ANI): Nepal Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba arrived in New Delhi on his first visit to India since he assumed Prime ministerial office in June this year. He was received at the airport by Indian External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj. PM Deuba is leading a 59-member delegation. Several key bilateral issues are expected to be discussed during his visit between the two neighbors.

President Trump hopeful of improving ties with North Korea

Phoenix (Arizona), Aug 23 (ANI): United States President Donald Trump on Tuesday expressed cautious optimism over relations with North Korea after months of tension between two countries. While addressing thousands of his supporters, President Trump said that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has started to respect the country. Since last year, North Korea has conducted two nuclear tests and dozens of missile tests.

Nepal PM Deuba to begin four-day visit to India today

Kathmandu (Nepal), Aug 23 (ANI): In his first foreign visit after assuming office, Nepal Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, accompanied by his spouse Arzu Deuba, will begin his four-day visit to India today at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The upcoming visit will provide an opportunity to both the sides for holding wide-ranging discussions on issues of mutual interest and advancing age old, specialties of friendship between the two countries. Nepal has prepared to make discussion over the connectivity, energy cooperation in which the Pancheshwar hydropower project is kept at the center along with the Indian investment in Nepal. Apart from political engagements, Nepal Prime Minister Deuba also will be visiting Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Bihar. He will also inaugurate the electricity transmission line to Nepal from India.

Maldives Parliament siege: Opposition lawmakers roughed up by military personnel

Maldives, Aug 22 (ANI): The military in Maldives locked down the nation's Parliament in an attempt to block a no-confidence motion to impeach the speaker of the house. Opposition lawmakers were also allegedly roughed up by the military personnel. After the government lost its majority in the Parliament due to defections of MPs to the oppositions, strong arm tactics by the ruling party included ejecting oppositions MPs from the chamber and now, deploying the army in parliament to prevent them from returning. The tranquility of the resorts of Maldives have been shattered by the strong arm tactics of the army and ruling party, turning this once picturesque resort country to a politically turbulent, unstable one.

Death toll rises to 284 in flood hit Nepal

Kathmandu (Nepal), Aug 22 (ANI): Flash floods and landslides triggered by heavy rains have left more than 284 people dead in Nepal. The government has come under fire for not responding fast enough to the disaster. More than 26 districts in Terai region have been badly affected by flash floods triggered by incessant rainfall and 2,800 houses have been completely destroyed. Hundreds of flood-hit families have taken shelter in public places and local schools and are living on empty stomachs without any proper relief and relocation.

Nepal Parliament fails to pass controversial constitution amendment

Kathmandu (Nepal), Aug 22 (ANI): Voting over the amendment bill presented long ago in the Nepal Parliament has failed to garner two-third majority to get it endorsed. The new Constitution Amendment Bill, which had the provision of solving the issues regarding the delineation by establishing a separate commission, was turned down by the Opposition lawmakers. The failed amendment bill on Monday garnered 347 votes, out of the 553 votes of the lawmakers in the parliamentary meeting. The agitating parties are now under a single party, the RJP-N (Rashtriya Janata Party-Nepal), which has agreed to accept the results of the voting over the amendment bill and promised to participate in the electoral process.

U.S. President slams Pakistan for harbouring terrorists

Arlington, Aug 22 (ANI): While speaking from the Fort Myer military base in Arlington, United States President Donald Trump slammed Pakistan for harbouring terrorists and said that its time for Islamabad to demonstrate their commitment to fight terror. Trump said that Pakistan has much to gain from partnering with the U.S in its efforts in Afghanistan than it has much to lose to by harbouring terrorists.

U.S. seeks more help from India to bring stability in Afghanistan

Arlington, Aug 22 (ANI): While speaking from the Fort Myer military base in Arlington, U.S. President Donald Trump sought more help from India in Afghanistan, especially in the areas of economic consistence and development. Trump said that the U.S. wants to develop strategic partnership with India and they appreciate New Delhi's efforts to bring stability in Afghanistan.

Political Chaos in Maldives, army takes over parliament

Maldives, Aug 22 (ANI): After the government lost its majority in the Parliament due to defections of MPs to the oppositions, strong arm tactics by the ruling party included ejecting oppositions MPs from the chamber and now, deploying the army in parliament to prevent them from returning. The tranquility of the resorts of Maldives have been shattered by the strong arm tactics of the army and ruling party, turning this once picturesque resort country to a politically turbulent, unstable one.

President Trump has made long-awaited decision on Afghanistan: U.S. Defence Secretary

New Delhi, Aug 21 (ANI): President Donald Trump has made a decision on the United States' strategy for Afghanistan after a sufficiently rigorous review process, said Defence Secretary James Mattis. But the plan has not yet been revealed. U.S. Defence Secretary James Mattis said that President Trump has decided the way forward for America's 15-year-fight in Afghanistan. On Saturday, Trump tweeted, 'many decisions made, including on Afghanistan.' Soon after taking office in January, the Trump administration began a broad review of U.S. policy on Afghanistan. But seven months in, no conclusion has been made public. Reportedly, Trump's military advisers are said to be in favor of sending three to five thousand more troops to the country.

Nepal to hold National, provisional polls in November

Kathmandu (Nepal), Aug 21 (ANI): Nepal will hold elections on November 26 for for both the national parliament and the assemblies of the seven provinces that were recently carved out by the new constitution.It will be the first time that elections will be held for the seven provincial assemblies since they were formed by the new constitution, adopted in 2015. The main group to protest was the Madhesi ethnic group from southern Nepal, which wanted larger areas in the provinces that were assigned to them.

Nepal PM Deuba to embark on five-day visit to India

Kathmandu (Nepal), Aug 21 (ANI): Nepali Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba will embark on a five-day state visit to India on August 23. Officials from both the countries are working to finalize the itinerary, agenda and the size of the delegation which will accompany Deuba. Prime Minister Deuba is expected to meet his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi and will attend a banquet lunch hosted in his honor. The foreign ministry said Deuba will visit Indian states of Telengana, Andhra Pradesh and Bihar.

Nepal Parliament divided over Amendment bill

Kathmandu (Nepal), Aug 21 (ANI): The deliberation over amendment bill, set to be presented for voting, has divided the Nepal Parliament into two factions. The Parliamentary meeting, which lasted for about four hours, witnessed heated arguments among 50 lawmakers over various clauses put forward for amendment. Currently, there are 592 lawmakers in Nepal Parliament and the government will need 395 voters to endorse the bill. The amendment proposal, which was tabled in the Parliament and completed the step of deliberation, will need a clear two-third majority to endorse it. The constitution amendment which was the bottom line for the participation of Madhesh based agitating parties is now to be addressed and the agitating parties has decided to go for the election whether the amendment bill passed or not.

Indian band gives Birgunj a musical treat

Birgunj (Nepal), August 20 (ANI): The Indian Consulate General in Birgunj district of Nepal organized a musical concert, which saw an entertaining performance from the Indian Band, 'Aasthitva'. The event was held in the City Hall of Birgunj. The band led by mentor Salman Khan entertained the crowds for nearly three hours. The event saw many big names and dignitaries of the Birgunj District.

Ahead of solar eclipse, South Carolina aquarium prepares animals

South Carolina (U.S.), Aug 20 (ANI): South Carolina aquarium has been preparing its animals as the solar eclipse is heading over them. Zoos and other wildlife parks see the celestial phenomenon as a special research opportunity to observe how birds and mammals react when the moon's shadow blots out most of the sun's light in the middle of the day. The South Carolina Aquarium in Charleston, the last spot over which the total eclipse will pass during its coast-to-coast journey, will carefully monitor the behaviour of creatures.

Watch: Thousands protest against Boston "free speech" rally

Boston (U.S.A), Aug 20 (ANI): Thousands of people took out a protest rally against the "Free Speech" rally featuring right-wing speakers in Boston. Heavy security was deployed to prevent recurrence of violence like in Charlottesville rally that left one woman dead. Verbal altercations broke out between rival protesters, with supporters of President Donald Trump and the riot police. Reportedly, several arrests were made as the protesters marched through the city. In the historic Boston Common Park alone, hundreds of protesters who believe the event could become a platform for racist propaganda dwarfed the few dozen rally participants.