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10 Taliban insurgents killed after Kandahar airport attack

Kandahar, Afghanistan, Dec 09 (ANI): Afghan security forces killed at least 10 Taliban insurgents after they carried out an attack on Kandahar airport late Tuesday night, said officials. According to reports, the attack started at around 6:30pm when ten insurgents wearing security force uniforms stormed the airport compound and opened fire. The episode occurred on the eve of Afghan President Ashraf Ghani's high-profile visit to Islamabad for a regional conference.The attack comes after an earlier incident in which two suicide bombers were killed following their attack on a police station in Kandahar, which happens to be one of the Taliban strongholds.

Swaraj meets Iranian counterpart

Islamabad, Dec 09 (ANI): Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj met her Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif in Islamabad today on the sidelines of the Heart of Asia conference and discussed issues of mutual interest. Swaraj's visit is the first ministerial-level visit to Islamabad by a top Indian diplomat in three years. She is slated to hold talks with Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif as part of efforts to restart a peace dialogue plagued by militant attacks and distrust.

Sushma Swaraj meets Ashraf Ghani in Islamabad

Islamabad, Dec 09 (ANI): External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj met Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani on the sidelines of the Heart of Asia Summit in Islamabad on Wednesday. India and Afghanistan have a strong relationship based on historical and cultural links. The relationship is not limited to the governments in New Delhi and Kabul, and has its foundations in the historical contacts and exchanges between the people. In recent past, Indo-Afghan relations have been further strengthened by the Strategic Partnership Agreement signed between the two countries in 2011.Ghani paid a state visit to India from 27-29 April this year. During the visit, the countries reaffirmed their commitment to patiently and systematically work towards strengthening of the India Afghanistan Strategic Partnership, with a clear focus on the long term relationship between the two countries.

Getting closer to Japanese food, culture

Tokyo, Dec 09 (ANI): Chefs from many countries participated in the final Washoku competition to popularize the traditional Japanese food worldwide and the winner of the previous event, Jaran Deephuak from Thailand was invited as a presenter of the award to the winner. Currently more than 50,000 Japanese expatriates live in Bangkok. Especially, Thong lo area thrives with Japanese expats. Nanohana restaurant, Thong lo Branch offers authentic Japanese cuisine. It has an extensive menu featuring many different dishes, ranging from Sashimi, Sushi to noodles and rice dishes. Since its inception in Bangkok in 1998, Nanohana restaurant stands out in Thong lo for its traditional menu and perfect Japan-like preparation. Washoku world champion, Deephuak, gained his expertise as Washoku chef for 18 years at Nanohana. His renowned career now satisfies both Japanese and Thai customers. Shikoku is an island in the southwest of Japan. Many people have visited here, from about 1200 years ago, as a plac

Ghani thanks world leaders for international solidarity in Afghanistan

Islamabad, Dec 09 (ANI): Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Wednesday while addressing at the Heart of Asia Summit expressed his gratitude to US President Barack Obama and other leaders for extending their resolute support in strengthening security, economic and political cooperation in his country. Ghani further said the international forces will not have a combat room. Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had earlier reiterated Islamabad's commitment and support to Afghanistan and said that the nation was more than a neighbour as they shared a common religion and cultural affinity since time immemorial. He asserted that Pakistan will continue to support the Afghanistan-led peace process and called upon the international community to extend full support to the Afghan peace effort.

Time has come for India-Pak to display 'maturity': Swaraj

Islamabad, Dec 09 (ANI): Stressing that the time has come for both India and Pakistan to display 'maturity', External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday said that the world was waiting for a change in relations between the hostile neighbours. She asserted that India was prepared to move ahead their cooperation at a pace which Pakistan is comfortable with, while resolving to aid Afghanistan 'through more effective transit arrangements'. Talking about the growing terrorism in Afghanistan, Swaraj said that terrorism has grown in 'both intensity and scope' in the war-struck nation. Saluting the Afghan people and their national security forces for countering terrorism with courage and resilience, Swaraj called for global support of the international community to defend Afghanistan's security. Calling for improved trade relations between Indian and Afghanistan, Swaraj said that it would boost the bilateral relations between the two nations. Swaraj also announced that India is willi

Pak scribe welcomes Sushma's 'symbolic' visit

Lahore, Dec 09 (ANI): Pakistan Journalist Mehmal Sarfraz on Wednesday said that this meeting between Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was a symbolic meeting even though no concrete solution could be expected out of it. She further stated that the Indian government which has always had a 'pugnacious' attitude towards Pakistan must have realized as of now that regional peace could not be achieved without peace with Pakistan. Sarfraz also mentioned that the media in Pakistan would be critical to whatever Sushma Swaraj will say.

Pakistan determined to uproot terrorism from its soil: Nawaz Sharif

Islamabad, Dec 09 (ANI): Asserting that Pakistan firmly believed in the relation between peace and development, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday while addressing the Heart of Asia summit said that terrorism was a common global enemy and said that a collective approach was imperative to combat the menace. Maintaining that Pakistan has demonstrated an 'unshaken resolve' to uproot the menace of terrorism and violent extremism from its soil, Sharif called for a collective approach in combating the menace of terrorism. As a solution, he suggested that finalisations of borders and Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) at the earliest saying that they will be helpful in containing terrorist movement across the border and added that the emergence of Daesh (ISIS) should strengthen the resolve against terrorism. Meanwhile, he also reiterated Pakistan's commitment and support to Afghanistan and said that the nation was more than a neighbour as they shared a common religion and cultural affin

Madhesi community refuses to budge, continues protests in Nepal

Birgunj, Dec 09 (ANI): Madhesi community has continued its demonstration, three months after a new Constitution was adopted by Nepal, amid stringent protests.The nascent republic, wedged between China and India, has been in turmoil since September when it adopted a new Constitution. People from ethnic Madhesi groups living along the border with India, began protests saying Nepal's first republican charter did not accommodate their interests. Protesters have blockaded trucks from India for more than two months, leading to acute shortages of fuel and medicine in the country. Madhesis have called the seven-province model of the new Constitution discriminatory. The protesters said the economic blockade in the country would continue till their demands were met. Around 50 people have died in protests that began in September. Several rounds of negotiations between the government and protest leaders have failed amid differences over how to change the internal boundaries of newly created federa

Resuming bilateral talks most 'viable' option: Mahmud Kasuri

Islamabad, Dec 09 (ANI): Welcoming the initiation of the bilateral talks between India and Pakistan, former Pakistan foreign minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri on Wednesday said that the resumption of talks was the best viable option for both the countries. He added that there is no option but to resume dialogues, as civilians and defence personnel continue to pay the price for the hostility between both the nations. He also insisted that one of the advantages of the sideline meetings is that they could set in motion a lot of positive things. He hoped that positive forces would be unleashed with the meetings of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Prime Minister Sharif and Foreign Minister Sartaj Aziz. Sushma Swaraj is on a two-day visit to Pakistan where she is leading the Indian delegation to attend Heart of Asia Conference in Islamabad, the two-day ministerial meeting on Afghanistan that began yesterday. She had yesterday met her Pakistani counterpart Sartaj Aziz at the dinner h

Sushma Swaraj meets Sartaj Aziz over dinner in Islamabad

Islamabad, Dec 09 (ANI): Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj met her Pakistani counterpart Sartaj Aziz over dinner in Islamabad. Aziz received Swaraj with much warmth at a dinner hosted by him for the delegates of Heart of Asia conference. Swaraj arrived in Pakistan earlier in the day with the Indian delegation to attend the Heart of Asia conference, expected to be attended by 14 countries to deliberate over Afghanistan. Swaraj's visit is the first ministerial-level visit to Islamabad by a top Indian diplomat in three years. She is slated to hold talks with Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Aziz as part of efforts to restart a peace dialogue plagued by militant attacks and distrust.

Beijing issues first ever red alert on pollution

Beijing, Dec 08 (ANI): The Chinese Government has issued its first red alert on pollution ordering schools to close due to hazardous air quality in Beijing. Beijing's Municipal Bureau of Environmental Protection warns that severe pollution will cover the capital, starting today and lasting for more than three days. The red alert, which is the highest level in the system, is due to be in force until noon Thursday local time. Half of private cars in the city will be ordered off the road during the period with an odd-even number plate system in force and 30 per cent of government vehicles also be put in garages. The other extra measures to be enforced include halting outdoor construction, banning fireworks and outdoor barbecues.

It's a good beginning, says Sartaj Aziz on MEA visit to Islamabad

Islamabad, Dec 7 (ANI): Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Advisor on Foreign affairs Sartaj Aziz on Monday said it is a good beginning that Minister of External Affairs of India Sushma Swaraj will visit Islamabad ahead of bilateral talks, adding the deadlock in negotiations has been removed to some extent. He also said Pakistan is expecting a response from the Indian Cricket board.

Will wipe out ISIS and other terror groups threatening America: Obama

New Delhi, Dec 07 (ANI): Speaking to the nation in a rare address from the Oval Office on the threat of terrorism, U.S President Barack Obama reiterated his pledge to wipe out the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) and any other terrorist organisation that threatens to harm America and its people. "The threat from terrorism is real, but we will overcome it. We will destroy ISIL and any other organization that tries to harm us. Our success won't depend on tough talk, or abandoning our values or giving into fear. That's what groups like ISIL are hoping for. Instead, we will prevail by being strong and smart, resilient and relentless," Obama said. Laying out his plans to overcome the ISIS, the President said that the US military will continue to hunt down terrorists in 'any country where it is necessary' including Iraq and Syria, where ISIS leaders and their lairs are being taken out in continuous airstrikes. He also praised 'closest allies' France, Germany, and the United Kingdo

California shooting: Act of individual does not 'represent' a country, says Pak

Islamabad, Dec 07 (ANI): Reacting to the California shooting, Pakistan Home Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said that the act of an individual does not represent a country or religion and asserted that every Pakistani with compassion condemns this incident. He added that Pakistan was willing to give any assistance that the United States required to investigate Tashfeen Malik, who mounted an attack alongside her husband that killed 14 people in California.

Nepal's Madheshi leader holds protest in Indian capital

Nepal, Dec 06 (ANI): To draw Nepal Government's attention towards the fulfillment of their demands, the United Madheshies of Nepal Association held a protest outside the Nepal Embassy in New Delhi. The ongoing agitation by the Madheshi community against the Nepal government has not yet brought any positive results. With the aim to attract the government's attention, a protest march was held outside the Nepal Embassy in the Indian capital by the United Madheshies of Nepal Association. Shouting slogans like "Not my constitution", the protesters accused Nepal government of ignoring their demands. In a bid to resolve the political crisis, Madheshi leaders also held talks with the Indian leadership today in New Delhi. The members of United Madheshis of Nepal Association raised slogans against Nepal's government for not being able to find a solution to the ongoing deadlock in the country. Nepal's new constitution has evoked strong resentment from the southern Terai region where Madhesi polit

Nepal government must address the demands of Madhesi community, says Madheshi leader

Nepal, Dec 04 (ANI): Since the promulgation of the new constitution in September this year, Madheshi community has been agitating across the Terai region of the Himalayan nation. Since the promulgation of the Constitution in Nepal this year, the Madheshi community has been demanding equal rights in the newly formed constitution. The protesters have resorted to violence and economic blockade to protest the government's apathy to their demands. Madheshi leaders say the government is not forthcoming on their 11 demands. A Madheshi leader, Upendra Yadav, has called upon the government of Nepal to address their issues at the earliest. The Madheshis launched the movement in 2007 after they felt marginalized by the state on issues like citizenship, employment opportunities, political participation, social recognition, etc. Madheshis allege that they have been treated unfairly and denied rights as citizens of Nepal. Several rounds of negotiations between the government and protest leaders have

Japan looks towards ASEAN and India for business expansion

Thailand/Singapore, Dec 04 (ANI): Tokyo-based leading manufacturing company of consumer electronics, Casio Computer established subsidiary in Thailand - the largest market in ASEAN. Casio has strengthened relationship with Thailand with the introduction of Casio Marketing Thailand. Casio Marketing Thailand was established in July last year, as the fourth subsidiary of Casio in the ASEAN region. The company first established ASEAN regional headquarter in Singapore in 2001 and expanded its sales offices to Indonesia in 2011 and Malaysia in 2014. Casio has been promoting its products and brands through its distributor networks in Thailand since the 1970s. Casio brand are most famous for its best selling G-SHOCK, with total sales of over 80 million units since its first sales in 1983. Casio introduced the new model of G-SHOCK MTG series, which added to Casio's "Global Time Sync" collection, featuring world's first "GPS Hybrid Wave Ceptor Technology" which utilizes radio wave time calibrati

Sikh diaspora hails PM Modi's visit to the UK

London, Dec 04: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to the United Kingdom not only strengthens bilateral ties, but brings the people of the two countries closer. Modi, the first Indian Prime Minister to visit the UK since 2006, addressed a mammoth gathering of 60,000 Indian dispora at Wembley Stadium. The Prime Minister also met with a 30-member Sikh delegation in London and discussed their concerns. A large number of Sikhs were forced to migrate to the US and European countries when Punjab was hit by militancy in early 1980s. Some of them were blacklisted and many were arrested in India for their alleged links with Sikh terrorist organizations. Sikhs in the UK expressed happiness that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has agreed in principle to the release of Sikh political prisoners who have completed their jail terms. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with the Punjabi community in the UK has helped strengthen relations with the diaspora, who have played a big role

Pakistan denies presence of espionage cell in New Delhi embassy

Islamabad, Dec 04 (ANI): Pakistan's foreign ministry spokesman, Qazi Khalilullah, categorically rejected reports about a spy cell arrested from the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi. Asked to comment on India media reports about the incident, Khalilullah said India had not contacted Pakistan about any incident regarding allegations and investigation of spying against Pakistani personnel, adding that the allegations of spying against Pakistani Intelligence Agency were baseless. In reply to a question regarding the remarks of the Indian ambassador to Afghanistan about Pakistani Prime Minister's Nawaz Sharif statement on Afghanistan, the spokesman said that it is against diplomatic norms for an ambassador to try to undermine relations of his host country with a third country. Khalilullah said the Indian ambassador's comment that mere statements were not going to help in the Afghan peace process was indiscreet and tactless. He said Pakistan has always been in favour of a result-orient