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India-US strategic and commercial dialogue held at US state department

Washington DC, Sep 22 (ANI): India and United States on Tuesday held strategic and commercial dialogue in Washington DC. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said that the joint efforts of India and the United States will make it one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century. She said there is a strong recognition between our two governments of the larger strategic vision driving our partnership. Swaraj further said India sees the business between the two countries not simply as transactions, but as yet another manifestation and another multiplier of that very important strategic convergence.

NSF Holds Protest Against Plundering of Natural Resources in Gilgit and PoK

PoK/ Gilgit, September 22, 2015:- Pakistan has been plundering resources of the twin regions of Gilgit Baltistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir, and transferring it to other provinces. To expose Pakistan's illegal activities, national students federation recently held a protest demonstration. Pakistan's oppressive policies in Gilgit Baltistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir have affected people of these regions for many years. It has been looting the natural resources for its own use which has led to poverty and unemployment in both regions. Recently, a protest was organised by the National Students Federation in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir against Pakistan China Economic Corridor. The federation members alleged that Pakistan was giving a free hand to China in Gilgit Baltistan by allowing it to use resources without paying any royalty to the people of the mountainous region. The protesters also alleged that Pakistan was diverting natural as well as other resources of the twin regions of Gil

Violence continues in Nepal over its new constitution

Biratnagar, Sep 22 (ANI): Nepal continued to reel under violence as clashes between police and youth escalated on Tuesday over the adoption of new constitution which has upset certain communities. Residents in Biratnagar district took to streets shouting and pelting stones on the police personnel. Police used tear gas to control the agitating crowd. Nepal adopted its first democratic constitution on Sunday (September 20) which creates seven states in a secular, federal system, but is opposed by some groups who wanted to re-establish Nepal as a Hindu nation, and others who feel it is unfavourable to people in the plains, near India. Demonstrations broke out in the lowlands, bordering India's Bihar and Uttar Pradesh states, which are dominated by Madhesi and Tharu communities. These already-marginalised communities feel they will be underrepresented in the new system of proportional representation. Hundreds of people in Janakpur district demonstrated, holding black flags and shouting slo

Japan places emphasis on healthy food for healthy living

Yatsugatake Highland, Sep 22 (ANI): Japan is progressive when it comes to leading a healthy life. In Yatsugatake Highland of Nagano prefecture, ORIX Corporation recently inaugurated a new agriculture production venture "ORIX Yatsugatake Farm Corporation" with experienced local farm Honda Engei Corporation. Seven types of leaf vegetables such as spinach and arugula for fresh consumption will be produced using Hydroponics. The facility is located at an altitude of 1,100m at the foot of Yatsugatake with abondant insolation. In combination with the hydroponics, this project will make it possible to produce vegetables all year-round. By using hydroponics to shorten the growing period, this project will make it possible to sell products with "four fixed factors" - fixed prices, fixed quality, fixed timing and fixed quantities. This project enables to generate 19 harvests in a year as compared to conventional farming, which only gives three to four harvests a year,

Hindustan Times Group's Shobhana Bhartia felicitated with Global Leadership Award

Washington DC, Sep 22 (ANI): In a great honour to the Hindustan Times Group, the chairperson of the company Shobhana Bhartia have been presented with the 2015 Global Leadership Award of the US India Business Council, for their commitment to driving a more inclusive global economy and their roles as women leaders. Bhartia was facilitated at the prestigious annual award last evening during the annual gala of the USIBC, the top advocacy group for India and American companies in the US. US Vice President Joe Biden, Secretary of State John Kerry, among others also addressed on the occasion. Bhartia, also Editorial Director of the HT group, said that the two nations have a strong and free media and there are immense opportunities for collaboration as media and technology companies from India and the US navigate the evolving digital landscape

Washington wants India to rise and become global engine, says US diplomat

Washington DC, Sep 22 (ANI): US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, Nisha Desai Biswal said that Washington wants to see India rise and become a global engine, hence decided to deepen their bilateral ties. The two nations are hopeful of pushing the trade volume between the two nations from the current $100 billion closer to the target of $500 billion. India-US Strategic and Commercial Dialogue (S and CD) will be held on Tuesday (September 22) and will see top names from the industries of the two nations in attendance. Biswal said that when the world largest economy and the third largest economy, you should have ambitious targets. Biswal also said that the US will support India's bid for permanent United Nations Security Council seat. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's will visit the US this week for the second time.

Nepal's three leading political parties organize rally to support new constitution

Kathmandu, Sep 22 (ANI): Three leading political parties of Nepal organized a demonstration in Kathmandu to support the new constitution that has sparked violence and upset certain communities. Members of the Nepali Congress party, the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) and Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) held a march in the capital to express their solidarity. The slogan-shouting and flag-holding political activists wore fancy dresses and acted as deities during their demonstration. There was a musical band to accompany them. Demonstrations broke out in the lowlands after Nepal adopted its first democratic constitution on Sunday. These already marginalized communities feel they will be underrepresented in the new system of proportional representation.

Pakistanis hold walk to commemorate International day of peace

Karachi, Sep 22 (ANI): As the International Day of Peace was observed around the world, Pakistanis held a colourful walk to commemorate the day in country's biggest city Karachi. The theme of International Day of Peace 2015 is "Partnership for Peace, Dignity for All". On this occasion, United Nations Association of Pakistan organised a walk at Marine Drive, Sea View, Clifton in the southern part of Karachi. Community and police joined the walk to observe the International Peace Day and express solidarity with the UN theme for peace and dignity for all. Senior police officials from Sindh Police, members of the Diplomatic Corps, Academia, Business Community and Civil Society participated in the walk. Jamil Ahmed, Deputy Inspector General of police, urged international community to recognize Pakistan's efforts in fighting militancy.

US Vice President Biden assures full support to PM Modi's ambitious economic reforms

Washington DC, Sep 22 (ANI): United States Vice President Joe Biden assured that Washington will do everything it can to support Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ambitious economic reforms. Biden was speaking at the 40th annual leadership summit of the US-India Business Council (USIBC) in Washington DC. Biden emphasised that there is vast potential between India and US to increase bilateral cooperation, but that India needs to enact critical economic reforms. He said the goal of the United States is to become India's best friend. The US-India Strategic and Commercial Dialogue in Washington DC was also attended by Secretary of State John Kerry and India's Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj as well as US Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker, Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz and their Indian counterparts. Speaking at the event, Kerry emphasised on India-US bilateral investment and trade.

Evidence shows Pak and not India violating ceasefire: Pak former envoy

Washington DC, Sep 22 (ANI): Former Pakistan Ambassador to US, Husain Haqqani has waded into the recent NSA-level talks failure and future of Indo-Pak relation. He said that the evidence shows that the Pakistan and not India is violating ceasefire along the international borders. This comes just hours after US Vice-President said he hoped United States becomes India's best friend, which is a strong hint on the fractured relation between US and Pakistan and a shift in US policy in the subcontinent. The former Pak envoy questioned the current relationship between his country and India and wondered if any solution can ever be found. He also said that the relation between India and Pak is psychological. Haqqani took a swipe at his country's policy and said that Pakistan should provide a dossier to the world and questioned the truth that is made against India. He also said that Kashmir issue should be resolved on a bilateral basis. The former envoy also urged Pakistan to focus on improving

India's growth story holds huge potential for American businesses: Sushma Swaraj

Washington DC, Sep 22 (ANI): Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj said the country's growth story holds immense potential for American businesses, while assuring the United States of full support from the Indian government on the sidelines of the 40th anniversary of the US-India Business Council in Washington DC. Outlining initiatives to build hundred smart cities, cleaning up of river Ganges, skilling 300 million people by 2020, along with plans to boost urbanisation and providing housing and electricity for all, Swaraj touted these as opportunities that the US investors could leverage by being instrumental in India's growth. Supporting Swaraj's proposal, Power Minister Piyush Goyal said the central government's reform-based approach, aimed at a structural change in the way businesses operate in the country, would craft a future for American businesses in India. The strategic and commercial dialogue precedes Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's scheduled visit to the US later this week.

Greeks give Tsipras 'second chance' to see through reforms

Greece, Sep 21 (ANI): Supporters of Greece's leftist Syriza party on Monday welcomed an unexpectedly decisive election victory for leader Alexis Tsipras, who has claimed a clear mandate to steer the country's battered economy to recovery. The vote ensured Europe's most outspoken leftist leader would remain Greece's dominant political figure, despite having been abandoned by party radicals last month after he caved in to demands for austerity to win a bailout from the euro zone. Syriza said on Sunday it plans to govern in a coalition with the small right wing Independent Greeks party, the same partner Tsipras chose after winning the country's previous general election in January, while the conservative New Democracy party of Vangelis Meimarakis conceded defeat. However, retired civil servant Leonidas Kapeles saw only despair ahead. Monday editions of Greek newspapers said Tsipras was given a 'second chance' to see through reforms and take ownership of a multi-billion euro bailout with l

Indian C-suite upbeat about strategic and commercial dialogue with US

Washington DC, Sep 21 (ANI): With the Strategic and Commercial Dialogue with the United States scheduled to begin in Washington DC, Indian C-Suite is hopeful of pushing the trade volume between the two nations from the current $100 billion closer to the target of $500 billion. India-US Strategic and Commercial Dialogue (SandCD) will be held on Tuesday and will see top names from the industries of the two nations in attendance. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of India's pharmaceutical giant, BioCon, Kiran Mazumdar Shaw said that India and the US provide each other with a natural opportunity to strengthen their bilateral relationship on trade and business front. Speaking of ease of doing business, Shaw added that it cannot be a one-way street and the US also needed to create the right business climate for Indian companies. Chairman of Indian telecom giant, Airtel, Sunil Bharti Mittal said that he was hopeful of the US significantly stepping up investments in India. Foreign Minister Sushma

Violent protests emerge over constitution despite curfew in Nepal

Birgunj, Sep 21 (ANI): Clashes broke out between protestors and police in Birgunj town of Nepal on Monday (September 21) despite curfew, after 40 people were killed in protest against the new constitution. Nepal adopted its first democratic constitution on Sunday (September 20) which creates seven states in a secular, federal system, but is opposed by some groups who wanted to re-establish Nepal as a Hindu nation, and others who feel it is unfavourable to people in the plains, near India. Demonstrations broke out in the lowlands, bordering Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. These already marginalized communities feel they will be underrepresented in the new system. Nearly 40 people died in the subsequent protests and violence which included police personnel. This prompted the government to impose curfew across the lowlands to avoid any further untoward institution. All the shops, colleges, schools and institutions remained closed and the Nepalese army carried out a flag march. However, some of t

Nepal adopts its new constitution amid violent protests

Kathmandu/ New Delhi, Sep 21 (ANI): Amid violent clashes and protests, Nepal adopted its first full democratic charter on Sunday (September 20), a historic step for a nation that has seen war, a palace massacre and devastating earthquakes since a campaign to create a modern state began more than 65 years ago. President Ram Baran Yadav formally promulgated the Constitution intended to unite the country, but it has already exacerbated divisions in some places with at least 40 people killed in protests against it in recent weeks. On Sunday and Monday, schools and offices would remain close to celebrate the adoption of Constitution. The Constitution will make the nation a secular, federal republic with seven states. On Sunday, violent clash between security personnel and protesters killed at least one and injured several others. The unrest troubles India, which on Sunday urged Nepal to resolve differences between groups through dialogue.

Gunmen open fire on Pakistani Samaa TV DSNG van, no casualty

Karachi, Sep 21 (ANI): Unidentified gunmen riding motorcycles fired at a satellite news gathering van of a Pakistani television in Karachi but the staff onboard remained unhurt, police and eye witnesses said. The attack comes in less than two weeks that the gunmen shot dead a journalist on September 09. A technician working for the country's most popular news channel was killed in a similar attack on September 08. According to police, in Sunday's incident, the gunmen followed the DSNG (digital satellite news gathering) van of Samaa television news channel and opened fire on it in Liaquatabad area in the central district of the city. One bullet hit the van's rear shield and shattered it. The other bullet pierced through the body. It was unclear who was behind the shootings in Karachi, or if they were linked.

Greeks vote on whether to give leftists another chance

Athens, Sep 20 (ANI): Greeks returned to the polls on Sunday, with Alexis Tsipras, the firebrand Greek leftist who failed after bitter fighting with Europe's establishment to end its harsh economic austerity against his country, seeking re-election a month after he resigned as prime minister. His Syriza party is in a tight election race with the conservative New Democracy party of Vangelis Meimarakis, who accuses Tsipras of incompetence in dealing with international creditors who have been bailing out the debt-strapped country. The election is being watched closely outside Greece because the winner will need to oversee deep economic reforms required for an 86-billion-euro bailout. The new government will also have to arrange a recapitalisation of the country's banks, and the unwinding of capital controls imposed in June to prevent an implosion of the financial system.

Pakistan sombre but defiant after Taliban attack killed 29 in air base

Pakistan, Sep 20 (ANI): Grief was giving place to anger in Pakistan after Taliban militants killed 29 people, including 16 praying in a mosque, in an attack on an air base in the restive northwest of the country. On Friday (September 18), 13 gunmen stormed the Badaber air base, about 10 km (6 miles) south of Peshawar, in an attack a Pakistani Taliban spokesman said was retaliation for bombing raids on their bases along the Afghan border. Twenty-two of those killed in the attack were serving in the Pakistan air force, four were civilians and three were army soldiers responding to the attack. Twenty-nine people were wounded, according to a statement. All 13 gunmen were also killed in the attack. Among those killed in the attack on Badaber base was 27-year-old Captain Asfandyar Bokhari, a brilliant young soldier who had received the Sword of Honour as best cadet in the Pakistan Military Academy Long Course in 2008. As the bodies arrived in towns and villages across the country, and hund

Japan enacts bills easing pacifist constitution's limits on military

Tokyo, Sep 19 (ANI): Japan's Parliament voted into law on Saturday a defence policy shift that could let troops fight overseas for the first time since 1945, a milestone in Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's push to loosen the limits of the pacifist constitution on the military. Abe says the shift, the biggest change in Japan's defence policy since the creation of its post-war military in 1954, is vital to meet new challenges such as from a rising China. But the legislation has sparked massive protests from ordinary citizens and others who say it violates the pacifist constitution and could ensnare Japan in US-led conflicts after 70 years of post-war peace. Abe's ratings have also taken a hit. The bills, already approved by parliament's lower house, were voted into law by the upper chamber in the early hours of Saturday despite opposition parties efforts to block a vote by submitting censure motions and a no-confidence motion against Abe's cabinet in the lower house. All were defeated. Key De

Taliban gunmen kill at least 17 in attack on Pakistan air force base

Peshawar, Sep 18 (ANI): Taliban gunmen stormed a Pakistani Air Force base on Friday, killing at least 17 people, a military spokesman said, in the deadliest attack on a military installation this year. Sixteen of those killed by the raiders were in a mosque as they offered morning prayers, and one captain died leading the counter-attack against them, said Major General Asim Bajwa on Twitter. Bajwa added that 13 of the Taliban gunmen were also killed. Those wounded in the attack were transported to various hospitals in Peshawar. Deputy Medical Superintendent of Lady Reading hospital in Peshawar, Dr. Subhani, said six wounded people had arrived there, two of them in critical condition. Information Minister for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, Mushtaq Ahmed Ghani, said seven to 10 terrorists had been killed. The number of attacks in Pakistan has fallen around 70 percent this year, as the military has launched an offensive against Taliban bases along the Afghan border and the government h