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Police maltreated our people, claims Madheshi leader

Nepal, Mar 11 (ANI): A Madheshi leader has claimed that people were mistreated and tortured by police for demanding their rights. Agitated over police atrocities, Madhesi leaders are planning to resume their protest. They say they will continue with the protest till their demands are met by the government. Sunaina Devi, a victim, has alleged that police has beaten up people and not even spared women and children. Madeshi people have been demanding equal rights and representation in Nepal. They assert that they are not safe inside their houses and are treated as outsiders by police.

Geneva: Protest against Pak's oppressive policies staged at UN office

Geneva, Mar 11 (ANI): Exiled leaders from Sindh, Balochistan, Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Gilgit Baltistan staged protest against Pakistan for its oppressive policies and violations of human rights during the ongoing 31st session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva. The event organised by the World Sindhi Congress was supported by activists from Baloch Republican Party (BRP), United Kashmir People's National Party (UKPNP) and Gilgit Baltistan National Congress at Broken Chair outside The Palace De Nations. The activists said they want to make the world aware about ongoing atrocities, including incidents of enforced disappearances in Balochistan and killing of political activists and forceful conversion of Hindu girls in Sindh province of Pakistan. Political activists from PoK and Gilgit Baltistan also joined the protest and opposed the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), calling the multi-million dollar project as a design by Pakistan and China to exploit their resources

Madhesi agitation to lead in effective direction, says Nepal former Minister

Nepal, Mar 11 (ANI): In an effort to lead the Madhesi agitation in an effective manner, former Nepal Minister Rizwan Ansari, a Central Committee member of the Federal Socialist Forum-Nepal, launched the Sanghiya Nab Vichar Samuha party. The minister said that the Sangiya Samajwadi Forum Nepal was not leading the Madhesi agitation effectively, and it had lasted for over five months without yielding any positive results. He assured their new party will act strongly to achieve Madhesi goals. A spate of protests by Madhesis in the southern Terai region of Nepal for over five months crippled the economic situation of their country. Madhesis have been demanding redrawing of boundaries of the provinces in Terai region, fixing of electoral constituencies on the basis of population, and their proportional representation in parliament. So far talks between the Nepal government and the protesters have failed to address the concerns of the Madhesis.

India must provide foolproof security to Pak team: Pak Interior Minister

Islamabad (Pakistan), Mar 10 (ANI): Pakistan Interior Minister Chaudhary Nisar Khan on Thursday said that the Indian Government should guarantee foolproof security to the Pakistan cricket team, otherwise the team will not be sent for the upcoming WorldT20 match in India. Khan added that the threat is specific for the Pakistan players and therefore the assurance has been from the ruling dispensation itself. Khan further said that game like cricket cannot happen on the sidelines of threat on players.

Athletes participate in annual Tokyo Marathon 2016

TOKYO, JAPAN, Mar 09 (ANI): With Tokyo being selected to host the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Tokyo Marathon 2016 wheelchair race was sanctioned by the international Paralympic Committee. Tokyo established the "Semi-Elite" category for superior athletes from outside of Japan to provide better participation opportunities for runners from outside of Japan in the 2016 event. Around 37,000 runners ran through the streets of Metropolitan Tokyo. With its blend of old and new, Tokyo provides a fantastic venue for one of the world's greatest marathons. Tokyo joined in 2013 as a sixth and the newest race of the World Marathon Majors, to provide momentum to the marathon movement, to help running take root across Japan and unite runners and race supporters across the country. Through its theme, "The Day We Unite," the Tokyo Marathon unites runners, 10,000 of volunteers, and over 1,720,000 crowds cheering on the race day. The organisers and participants united in their effort to advance the

Nepal minister extends support to Madhesi man injured during protest

Nepal, Mar 08 (ANI): State Industry Minister of Nepal, Meghraj Nishad, during a visit to Birgunj hospital met a Madhesi protestor injured during a protest two months ago and announced a compensation of 6, 000 Nepali Rupees while assuring him further assistance. The Southern Terai region of Nepal reeled under a five-month long agitation by the Madheshis against the Himalayan nation's newly adopted constitution, which was promulgated last year. The Madeshis demands include redrawing of the boundaries of the provinces in Terai region, fixing of electoral constituencies on the basis of population and proportional representation. As many as 55 Madheshis lost their lives while protesting for their rights.

Seminar on Indo-Nepal relations to be held in Delhi

Nepal, Mar 07 (ANI): Madeshi leader Hirdesh Tripathi said that the seminar by Indo-Nepal Mahila Maitrya Samaj scheduled to be held onMarch 13, in Indian capital New Delhi will highlight various issues on India-Nepal relations. The seminar will be attended by political parties and intellectuals from India and Nepal. Since the adoption of a new constitution in Nepal last year, Madeshis and other minority communities have protested against the Nepal government for over five months. They have been demanding redrawing of boundaries of the provinces in Terai region, fixing of electoral constituencies on the basis of population and their proportional representation in parliament. Madhesi Mahila Samaj Nepal is a non-government organization that focuses on empowering women in Madesh region.

Buddhist monks stress the need to tackle climate change

Ayutthaya (Thailand), Mar 04 (ANI): Buddhist monks from across the world, who gathered in Thailand's ancient Ayutthaya city for the 3-day long International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), stressing the need for members of the global Buddhist body to take actions in tackling the climate change. Delegates from 320 organisations of 39 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Mexico and Brazil, participated in the event. Buntenh But, a Buddhist monk from Penom Penh, Cambodia, told the conference that he has initiated a movement in his home country to create awareness for people to preserve the forest. As China faces health-damaging pollution problem, Beijing's fourth-quarter pollution woes were mirrored elsewhere in northern China. The meeting also realised the importance of concerning global issues, including various conflicts around the world, said the IBC's Governing Council vice-president, where he believes that Buddhism can contribute to enhance the religion

Japan's Shimeji mushroom to get worldwide popularity

Tokyo (Japan), Mar 04 (ANI): Kyoto is famous for Shimeji mushroom, which is artificially cultivated in the factories here. The cultivation of Shimeji Mushroom seemed to be difficult, but biotechnology developed by Takara Bio enables the cultivation artificially. Takara Bio has a big share in Japanese Mushroom market. There is mass cultivation in this factory and then it is shipped to the market. Japan's All Nippon Airlines (ANA) has started 'Tastes of Japan' to introduce Japanese ingredient all over the world. In this project, various cuisine and tradition of each prefecture are introduced. Shimeji Mushroom is adopted to in-flight meal ingredient. Mainstream of Shimeji Mushroom - Honshimeji Mushroom is one of the special products of Kyoto. The success of artificial cultivation accelerated fame of it.Water, wind and solar are the major sources of power. In Japan, emphasis is given on earth thermal energy. Temperature of earth is kept 2 degrees higher than average temperature on the grou

Madhesis to resume agitation in Nepal after Holi

Nepal, Mar 03 (ANI): The Madhesi political parties have closed ranks once again to hit the roads demanding amendments in the new Constitution. More than 50 people were killed in their nearly five-month long agitation. The Madhesis had called off their stir ahead of Prime Minister KP Oli's trip to India last month. Nizammudin Samani of Nepal Sadbhavana Party said they had no other option but to resort to protests. The 135-day blockade has been lifted and supplies from India are entering the country but still the ongoing discussions between the government and protesting parties over the charter have failed to yield any result. The coalition government led by Oli's Communist Party of Nepal has assured to re-examine parts of the Constitution to address the concerns of the Madhesis and other dissatisfied communities.

Pak Foreign Ministry confirms cricket team's participation in World T20

Islamabad (Pakistan), Mar 03 (ANI): Pakistan's Foreign Ministry official spokesman Nafees Zakaria on Thursday confirmed that the Pakistani cricket team will be participating in the World T20 to be played in India. The confirmation comes in the wake of concerns expressed by Pakistan authorities over the Indian response regarding provision of security to the Pakistani cricket players during the upcoming World T20. On Wednesday, in a statement issued from the Interior Ministry, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said the players could be granted permission for the visit only after getting solid assurance from Indian side regarding their foolproof security. The World T20 match between the arch-rivals is scheduled for March 19 in Dharamsala. However, uncertainty now surrounds the event as Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh has refused to provide security to the Pakistan team.

Innovative fish breeding technique introduced in Japan

Bangkok/Tokyo, Mar 03 (ANI): Japanese scientists have introduced the latest aeration device developed by them at a shrimp farm in Thailand. The feature of the new developed aeration device is to feed oxygen bubbles in the form of foams. The device generates fine bubbles, which is called micro-nano bubbles. The small buoyancy of the micro-nano bubbles drift in the water for a long time which effects easily to dissolve oxygen into the water. Shrimp farming requires larger facility area compared to fish farming. While developing aeration device, it was required to treat large volume of water at low power consumption. Inquiry about this device is coming not only from Thailand, but also Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia. Professor Tsutsumi wishes to introduce the technology in Southeast Asia. The micro-nano bubble generating device also can make healthy hydrogen water by mixing hydrogen gas to the apparatus. The company doesn't grow vegetables in Japan. Instead, they ask for partners in Vietn

Buddhists gather in Thailand to promote values of Buddhism

Thailand, Mar 02 (ANI): Hundreds of Buddhist followers assembled in Thailand's Ayutthaya for an international gathering aimed at promoting the values of Buddhism. The second gathering of the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) opened at the historic Maha Tat temple, an ancient ruin in Ayutthaya's national park, with delegates coming from 320 organisations in 39 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Mexico and Brazil. Among the topics to be discussed is promoting Bodh Gaya in India, where Buddha is said to have obtained enlightenment and is the most important site for Buddhism. Buddhist leaders say they want to promote the site to younger followers and establish a major presence for the IBC, which is currently based in New Delhi. The meeting is also aimed at addressing issues closer to home - the tension between Buddhist monks and Muslim Rohingya migrants who have fled to Thailand from persecution in neighbouring Myanmar. The meeting will end on Fri

NASA astronaut returns to Earth after one year

Kazakhstan, Mar 02 (ANI): A Soyuz capsule carrying NASA astronaut Scott Kelly and Russian cosmonauts Mikhail Kornienko and Sergey Volkov landed in Kazakhstan on Wednesday. The landing took place in a steppe near the Kazakh city. A search and rescue team located the capsule. Kelly and Kornienko have been aboard the space station for 340 days, about twice as long as previous crews. Their flight sets a record for the space station and for the longest U.S. space mission.

Madhesi women allege torture by Nepal police during agitation

Nepal, Mar 01 (ANI): Madhesi women leaders have alleged torture by male police personnel during protests. Karima Begum, a former minister and leader of Federal Socialist Forum, Nepal said women protesters were brutally beaten by the police in the months-long protest. More than 50 people lost their lives in the agitation that stretched over five months. Many women protestors were severely injured during the demonstrations. According to the Asian Human Rights Commission's (AHRC) partner organization the Terai Human Rights Defenders (THRD) Alliance, the Nepal police have started arresting Madhesi protesters in different cases, mostly related to events that occurred during the five-month long protests and blockade in the southern plains. The Madhesi political parties have threatened to hit the roads once again demanding amendments in the new Constitution.

Pak convict hanged for killing Punjab Governor

Pakistan, Feb 29 (ANI): Mumtaz Qadri, the security guard who killed Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer, has been hanged to death in Adiala Jail in Pakistan's Rawalpindi city. Qadri had earlier filed a mercy plea before President Mamnoon Hussain after the Supreme Court maintained his conviction in October last year.

Sudarsan Pattnaik draws sand sculpture to welcome General Budget

Puri (Odisha), Feb 29 (ANI): Renowned artist Sudarsan Pattnaik drew a sand sculpture at the Puri beach of Odisha on the eve of General Budget 2016-17. Patnaik drew a similar sand art earlier to welcome the Rail Budget. The Padma Shri awardee artist, who has won many international and national awards, always tries to give a social message through his sand art.

Madheshi leaders decide to resume agitation in March

Nepal, Feb 28 (ANI): Five-month long Madeshi agitation in the Southern Terai region in Nepal did not yield any positive results as they were unable to bring the Nepal government to the negotiating table to address their concerns in the newly adopted constitution. In a bid to decide their future course of action, leaders of the Sanyukth Loktantrik Madheshi Morcha recently held a meeting. The party leaders said that more than 25 demands of Madheshis, mentioned in the charter, were turned down by the Nepal government. The people in southern Terai region of Nepal protested for five months against the Nepal's newly adopted constitution that was promulgated in September last year. The Madheshis felt they had been denied their basic rights. The Madheshis demands include redrawing of the boundaries of the provinces in Terai region, fixing of electoral constituencies on the basis of population and proportional representation.

Nepal leader plans blockade at country's northern and southern border

Nepal, Feb 27 (ANI): Chairman of the Federal Socialist Party, Upendra Yadav, who is one of the major constituents of agitating Madhesi alliance, is planning to stage a protest at the country's northern and southern border touching China and India respectively. Madhesi students and Federal Socialist Forum will announce their plans regarding a joint protest by 3rd March. Madhesis want a larger state, more government representation and local autonomy. Talks with the government have continued but no agreement has been reached. Supply from India improved only recently, following the end of a border blockade by ethnic protesters against Nepal's new constitution. Nepal PM KP Oli, during his six-day visit to India, discussed a wide range of bilateral issues. The coalition government led by Oli's Communist Party of Nepal promised to re-examine parts of the constitution in a bid to address the concerns of the Madhesis and other dissatisfied communities.

Asia Cup T20: India to take on Pakistan at Dhaka

Dhaka, Feb 27 (ANI): Indian fans are all set to witness the cricket match in Dhaka on Saturday. India will take on arch rival Pakistan in the Asia Cup T20 series at the Sher-e-Bangla stadium in Dhaka. Both nations will take to the field together for the first time since the last World T20 in 2014 and all eyes are bound to be on the thrilling encounter. India-Pakistan showdowns usually draw hundreds of millions of television viewers, making it the biggest box office attraction in the sport.