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Expect unveiling of comprehensive strategic partnership between India and UAE: MEA

Masdar City, Aug 17 (ANI): Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Vikas Swarup on Monday said that the nation is expecting to unveil comprehensive strategic partnership between India and UAE after bilateral meeting. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. Swarup said that Modi's meeting with the business delegation was a focused interaction which will provide fresh impetus to trade and investment between the two nations. He also lauded the decision by UAE to build a temple in Abu Dhabi. PM Modi will now leave for Dubai to meet his UAE counterpart Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

125 crore people of India not just a market, they're a power says PM Modi in Masdar

Masdar City, Aug 17 (ANI): On day two of his visit to the UAE, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday took part in an investors' meet in the smart, zero-carbon city of Masdar. Speaking at the meet PM Modi said that the 125 crore people of India were not just a market, but a power, saying he will "solve issues still stuck due to perceptions". Modi also said that India was soon emerging as the world's fastest growing economy and the possibilities in India and the powers of UAE can add up to make the 21st century the age of Asia. From railways to agriculture, there is huge potential in India, the Prime Minister said.

PM Modi visits UAE's 'zero-carbon' Masdar city

Masdar City, Aug 17 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday visited Masdar City - a zero carbon city while on his two day visit to the United Arab Emirates. Masdar city in Abu Dhabi relies on renewable energy sources and is desgined to be a hub for cleantech companies. He also sat in a solar car and witnessed presentations at Masdar city. PM Modi also interacted with the dignitaries who assisted him throughout the planned project. Following this, the prime minister will hold talks with Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who is also the Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. Prime Minister Modi is expected to discuss investment opportunities, security concerns and the issue of repatriation of criminals during the meeting. After lunch with the Ruler of Abu Dhabi, Modi will leave for Dubai where he will address the Indian diaspora at a cricket stadium.

Preparations in full swing for PM Modi's address to Indian diaspora in Dubai

Dubai, Aug 17 (ANI): Preparations are on in full swing for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address to the Indian diaspora at the Dubai Cricket Stadium on Monday. Close to 32,000 people are expected to attend the event. Artists as well as organizers looked full with enthusiasm as the PM is set to address the Indian community in the Arab nation. A full fledged arrangement is in place to welcome the Indian prime minister. Prime Minister Modi arrived at the Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport yesterday for his maiden official visit to the gulf nation. Upon his arrival, he was received by the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The Prime Minister also interacted with the Indian workers at the ICAD Residential City. This is the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the gulf nation in 34 years.

Former Sri Lankan President Rajapaksa all set for general election

Colombo, Aug 17 (ANI): Sri Lanka made the final preparations for the country's general election in a vote seen as a verdict on the political future of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa. The island nation will vote on Monday to elect the 225-strong parliament. The main contest is between Rajapaksa's Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and premier Ranil Wickremesinghe's United National Party (UNP) which formed a minority government after Rajapaksa was ousted in January. Sri Lanka has a history of political feuding that has often spilled over into violence and even the assassination of its leaders. In the election, 196 lawmakers will be elected from party lists in multi-member districts. The rest will be elected from national lists, with party leaders deciding who gets a ticket. Government appointed election returning officer Kamal Pathmasiri said that enhanced power to the Election Commission had ensured that the vote is being held in a free and fair environment.

Indian businessmen hope Modi visit to UAE will facilitate better economic ties

Abu Dhabi, Aug 16 (ANI): Indian business community in the United Arab Emirates hoped on Sunday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the Gulf country would open up new avenues for investment and trade in both the countries. Modi is likely to court the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, which has $800-billion fund to invest on behalf of the Government of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. On Sunday, Modi will visit Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, the largest mosque in the UAE, and a massive labour camp that houses 26,000 workers. He will also interact with Indian workers. Workers expected Modi to address their concerns with the UAE government.

India lodged protest and conveyed anger at continuous ceasefire violations by Pak: MEA

Abu Dhabi, Aug 16 (ANI): Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Vikas Swarup on Sunday said that the high commission of Pakistan was summoned by the external affairs ministry today. Swarup said that Secretary (East) Anil Wadhwa has lodged protest and conveyed anger at the continuous ceasefire violations since August 8 by Pakistan along the borders. He said that the issue has been raised at several occasions at the DGMO level and all the assurance by the Pak military officials went in vain. He maintained that Wadhwa asked the Pakistani officials to see that ceasefire along the borders are stopped and peace and tranquility along the international borders is maintained.

Nine people including Pakistan Punjab Home Minister killed in suicide bombing in Attock

Islamabad/Lahore, August 16 (ANI): Pakistani Punjab province Home Minister Shuja Khanzada and at least eight others were killed in a blast on his political office in Shadi Khan village near Attock on Sunday. Police said the blast appeared to be a suicide attack, and it had caused the roof to cave in as the home minister of Punjab province, Shuja Khanzada, held meetings with around 20 people in his hometown of Attock in northern Pakistan. Khanzada, who assumed charge of the Punjab Home Ministry in October last year, had been actively involved in major operations against terror outfits. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan have condemned the attack. Rescue workers at the scene said nine bodies had been recovered so far. In Islamabad, the Pakistani capital, the hospitals were on alert to receive injured.

Indonesian plane with 54 people onboard crashes in Papua

Indonesia, Aug 16 (ANI): The domestic passenger aircraft belonging to Trigana Air Service in Indonesia carrying 44 adults, five crew and five children and infants, crashed in the country's eastern Papua region. Villagers in Indonesia's remote and mountainous eastern Papua region reported that an aircraft had crashed, a Trigana Air official said on Sunday. The plane was flying between Jayapura's Sentani airport and Oksibil, the capital of Papua province. Indonesia has a patchy aviation safety record and has seen two major plane crashes in the past year, including an AirAsia flight that went down in the Java Sea, killing all on board. Search efforts are underway.

PM Modi looking forward to bilateral meetings in UAE, meeting Indian diaspora: MEA

Abu Dhabi, Aug 16 (ANI): Ministry of External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup on Sunday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is looking forward to bilateral meetings in UAE. He said that PM is also looking forwards to meeting with Indian Diaspora in the country. He said that after attending meetings with dignitaries, PM Modi will visit Dubai and will address the Indian community there. Swarup also talked about the prime minister's schedule on the two day trip to UAE. India is looking for good investment in energy, infrastructure and also terrorism among many other issues. This is first visit by the Indian prime minister in over a decade.

PM Modi arrives in Abu Dhabi, receives ceremonial welcome

Abu Dhabi, August 16 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday landed at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport to begin his two-day visit as the first Indian PM visiting UAE in over three decades. PM Modi was received by Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the airport. Later, ceremonial welcome was accorded to PM Modi at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport. PM Modi was accompanied by Indian delegation along with Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar. UAE dignitaries' meeting was held between the delegations of both the countries. Prime Minister Modi will hold talks with the leadership of world's second largest Arab economy on terrorism. He will seek to boost the economic, cultural and social ties between India and UAE.

China blasts death toll rises to 112

Tianjin, August 16 (ANI): The death toll from massive explosions in China's port of Tianjin has risen to 112, government officials said during a news conference on Sunday, suggesting the toll will rise significantly. More than 720 people remained in hospital four days after August 12 disaster, which sent massive yellow and orange fireballs into the sky, rained burning debris on to a vast industrial zone, crumpled cars and shipping containers, burnt out buildings and shattered windows of nearby apartments. China evacuated residents who had taken refuge in a school near the site of the blasts on Saturday after a change in wind direction prompted fears that toxic chemical particles could be blown inland. Officials acknowledged the presence of toxins but said they posed no risk to people outside the evacuation zone. Meanwhile, residents and desperate relatives of fire fighters still missing in the Tianjin explosions gathered outside the hotel where the news conference was taking place hopi

Blast at Pakistani minister's home kills at least six

Pakistan/ New Delhi, Aug 16 (ANI): Six people were killed and at least 20 were buried under rubble when a large blast destroyed the home of Pakistani Punjab province home minister Shuja Khanzada on Sunday, rescue officials said. Police said the blast appeared to be a large bomb, and it had caused the roof to cave in as the home minister of Shuja Khanzada, held meetings with supporters in his hometown of Attock in northern Pakistan. Punjab, Pakistan's biggest and wealthiest province, is the political heartland of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. According to officials there were "between 20 and 30 people present" when the blast happened. Rescue workers at the scene said six bodies had been recovered so far. Meanwhile, reacting over this, MoS in PMO Jitendra Singh said in New Delhi that terrorism has no religion and Pakistan should understand this.

NRIs expect PM Modi to discuss voting rights' issue during UAE visit

Abu Dhabi, Aug 16 (ANI): The NRIs in Abu Dhabi expressed their hope that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will discuss the long pending issue of their voting rights. President of Indian social and cultural centre in Abu Dhabi, Ramesh Panicker said that the issue of NRI voting rights has been pending since a long time and it should be discussed. Meanwhile, Petitioner for NRI voting rights in Supreme Court, Shamsheer Vayalil said that Modi's foreign visits help in bringing the NRI community closer to India. Prime Minister Modi will leave today for a two-day UAE trip.

Sri Lankan rivals woo voters as election campaign ends

Gampaha/ Colombo, Aug 16 (ANI): Campaigning for Sri Lanka's elections came to an official close with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa holding dazzling rallies in a last gasp effort to sway voters. Former war-time president Rajapaksa is the country's first defeated leader to seek a legislative seat, in parliamentary elections that will be held on August 17. Wickremesinghe has been prime minister of Sri Lanka since January 9, 2015 and is leader of both the United National Party and United National Front. At an election rally in Gampaha, some 40 kilometres from capital Colombo, Rajapaksa told his supporters that his opponents were spreading false propaganda to tarnish his image to make electoral gains at his expense. Wickremesinghe laid out an ambitious development agenda in front of thousands of placard wielding, slogan shouting supporters in the heart of Colombo. His supporters sounded confident of a comfortable victory at the hustings.

Indian diaspora in UAE excited for PM Modi's visit

Abu Dhabi, Aug 16 (ANI): The Indian diaspora is excited for the much awaited visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi who will arrive in Abu Dhabi on Sunday for a two day visit. The community mostly feels that this visit will open areas for investment in both the countries. George Ambooken, Senior manager of Etihad Airlines said that the Indian community is very excited for the Prime Minister's visit and that they are feeling enthusiastic to work. Meanwhile, Expat Indians hoped that something beneficial will come for them. The Prime Minister will reach Abu Dhabi on August 16 and go to Dubai the next day.

Indian ambassador to UAE hopes PM's visit will deepen cooperation (Part 1)

Abu Dhabi, Aug 15 (ANI): Indian ambassador to UAE, TP Seetharam on Saturday said that PM Narendra Modi's visit can open up great possibilities and deepen existing cooperation. He said that Modi's visit is a historic one so there are a lot of expectations from him. He added that a lot is happening bilaterally between UAE and India.

Australia, Japan pays tribute to soldiers who served in WW II

Adelaide/ Tokyo, August 15 (ANI): Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott paid tribute to Australians who served in World War Two as the nation marks the 70th anniversary of the Allied victory in the Pacific. On August 15th, 1945, Japan surrendered to allied forces. Abbott attended a commemorative service in Adelaide on Saturday. Abbott laid a wreath at the event, and paid his respects to the Australians who served in the 1939-1945 war. Meanwhile, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, in a statement expressed "utmost grief" for the "immeasurable damage and suffering" Japan inflicted during World War Two but said future generations should not have to keep apologising for the mistakes of the past. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe sent an offering to a shrine for war dead on Saturday. Japanese Emperor Akihito and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended a memorial ceremony to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of World War Two along with thousands of war veterans, widows and their families. Dur

Indian ambassador to UAE hopes PM's visit will deepen cooperation (Part 2)

Abu Dhabi, Aug 15 (ANI): Indian ambassador to UAE, TP Seetharam on Saturday said that PM Narendra Modi's visit can open up great possibilities and deepen existing cooperation. He said that Modi's visit is a historic one so there are a lot of expectations from him. He added that a lot is happening bilaterally between UAE and India.

Japan eyeing ASEAN and India as key markets

Vietnam, Aug 13 (ANI): At the new luxury hotel in Hanoi, Vietnam, Japanese company TOTO has installed 'washlet' toilets in every guest room. Hanoi's Lotte Hotel has promised to provide comfort to every guest. The hot water washing toilet has a remote control device to flush water after finishing. Khoo Teck Puat Hospital is the one of the biggest general hospitals in Singapore, and was opened in 2010. Concerned about clean sanitation, the hospital installed TOTO toilets in every wash room. It is named 'eco-washer'. People will slowly understand the importance of clean toilet and products like TOTO toilets will get the recognition in every home.