Page 288 - Video Gallery

Japan working towards protecting environment by recycling waste products

Tokyo, July 1 (ANI): Protection of environment is the main thrust of modern times. And, Japan is contributing its best to protect the environment by recycling the waste. In Japan's Saitama region, ORIX Corporation operates a waste processing facility that enables 100 percent recycling. ORIX Environmental Resources Management Corporation began with intermediary service to help the customers in leasing the waste processing needs. The facility processes general urban waste including household waste in addition to industrial waste. This processing facility is a public facility managed under the ORIX leadership. It is operated as a Private Finance Initiative project with Saitama Prefecture. It is a method of utilizing private sector financing and expertise to produce public facilities.

US concerned over proposed China-Thai canal

Geneva, July 01 (ANI): US human rights activists have expressed concern over reports that China and Thailand are planning to build a canal which would cross the Kra Isthmus, 210 kilometres (130 miles) southwest of Bangkok, and would allow ships to bypass Malaysia and Singapore. Though governments of both China and Thailand have denied reports, Chinese media has reported that the two countries have already signed an agreement to the effect. President of the US-based Leadership Council for Human Rights, Kathryn Cameron Porter said Beijing's expansion plans in the South China Sea was a matter of concern for the world community. The canal would offer a shorter and probably cheaper northern alternative route for east-west shipping, now moving via the crowded and hazardous Malacca Straits between the Indonesian island of Sumatra and Malaysia.

Military plane crashes soon after take off in Indonesia, more than 50 killed

Indonesia, June 30 (ANI): Rescuers pulled out more bodies from the wreckage of an Indonesian military plane that crashed shortly after taking off on Tuesday (June 30). Rescuers lined-up in front of the wreckage to pass bodies to an awaiting hearse as more than 50 people are reported to have died in the crash. The military transport plane crashed into a residential area shortly after take-off and the death toll looked set to rise after it emerged that more than 100 people had been on board. The crash of the C-130B Hercules aircraft, which went into service half a century ago, is bound to put a fresh spotlight on Indonesia's woeful air safety record and it's ageing planes.

Pakistan Played Big Drama in The Name of Elections in Gilgit Baltistan

Gilgit Baltistan, June 30, 2015:- India raised objection on June 8 elections in Gilgit Baltistan, people of Gilgit Baltistan out rightly rejected elections but Pakistan bulldozed all voices of reason and dissent. It went ahead with the sham elections, ISI barred local leaders to contest elections, hundreds and thousands of Pakistani's were transported on the voting day, it was a drama and leaders were once again selected and not elected. Pakistan Muslim League (N) has emerged victorious in the recently held elections to Gilgit Baltistan legislative assembly. The party has won 14 seats out of the total 24 -- enough to form the government on its own. However, the nationalists allege the PML (N) has followed the suit of its predecessor Pakistan People's Party (PPP) by rigging elections. It has been a tradition in Gilgit Baltistan that whatsoever party holds power in Islamabad tries to influence the electorate to win elections. Earlier, in the 2009 elections, the PPP swept the polls in the

Loud explosion near US Embassy in Kabul, casualties feared

Kabul, June 30 (ANI): A loud explosion happened in the green zone of Afghanistan's capital Kabul on Tuesday. The explosion took place near the US Embassy, according to reports. According to sources, a suicide bomber attacked foreign troops convoy serving with NATO in Kabul. Reports also suggest that casualties are feared after the explosion. Further details are still awaited.

EAM Sushma Swaraj delivers speech at Centre for Bharat Studies at Mahidol University (Part - 1)

Bangkok, June 29 (ANI): External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Monday delivered a speech at the Centre for Bharat Studies at Mahidol University in Bangkok. Swaraj stated that the Centre plays an important role in building mutual understanding between India and Thailand.

EAM Sushma Swaraj delivers speech at Centre for Bharat Studies at Mahidol University (Part - 2)

Bangkok, June 29 (ANI): External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Monday delivered a speech at the Centre for Bharat Studies at Mahidol University in Bangkok. Swaraj stated that the Centre plays an important role in building mutual understanding between India and Thailand.

Sushma Swaraj meets Prem Tinsulanonda and Gen Tanasak Patimapragorn in Bangkok

Bangkok, June 29 (ANI): External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Monday met Prem Tinsulanonda, President of Privy Council and Gen Tanasak Patimapragorn, Thailand's deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs. On the last day of her three-day visit, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj co-chaired the 7th meeting of the India-Thailand Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation. India and Thailand today signed a number of important agreements, including the double taxation avoidance treaty, and exchanged instruments of ratification on the extradition treaty inked in 2013, which provides for the legal framework for seeking extradition of fugitive offenders. The tax treaty provides for the framework to avoid double taxation and prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes so as to promote bilateral economic cooperation.

India, Thailand sign MoU on Double Taxation Avoidance agreement

Bangkok, June 29 (ANI): India and Thailand on Monday signed a number of important agreements, including the double taxation avoidance treaty (DTAT), and exchanged instruments of ratification on the extradition treaty inked in 2013, which provides for the legal framework for seeking extradition of fugitive offenders. Secretary (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs, Anil Wadhwa, said that security is one important aspect of the relationship between both sides. On the last day of her three-day visit, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj co-chaired the 7th meeting of the India-Thailand Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation. Wadhwa informed that the Joint Commission meeting took place after a gap of three years this time due to the changes in government, especially in Thailand. The two sides also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the Establishment of Nalanda University. By signing this agreement, Thailand joins other East Asian Summit countries in the establishment

US Congressmen vouch for education to bring down hate crimes in country

San Francisco, June 29 (ANI): US Congressmen expressed concern over the rising incidents of hate crimes and said education could play a key role in curbing such activities. In the latest incident of hate crime, a white man was arrested for mass murder of nine black people at a historic African-American church in South Carolina on June 18. The mass shooting set off an intense 14-hour manhunt that ended with a 21-year-old Dylann Roof arrested in a traffic stop in a small North Carolina town, 220 miles (350 km) north of Charleston, where the church rampage occurred. The massacre once again trained the spotlight on the divisive issues of race relations and gun crimes in the United States and also reignited a debate over gun control in a country where the right to own firearms is constitutionally protected. A Congressman, John Garamendi said people should be educated to respect cultural and religious values of different communities. Another Congressman Mike Honda was of the view that appoin

Greece closes its banks and stock exchange, limits ATM cash withdrawal

Athens, June 29 (ANI): A decision by the European Central Bank to cap the amount of emergency funding left Athens with little choice but to introduce capital controls. On Sunday, central bank chiefs from around the euro zone and the ECB's executive, decided to freeze the limit on the emergency funding lifeline Greek banks rely on to pay out to savers. After the government moved to check the growing strains on its crippled financial system, the lines at the Greek bank ATMs grew longer and longer in the early hours of Monday. Banks are expected to be closed all next week with a daily 60 euro limit on cash withdrawals from cash machines, which will reopen on Tuesday. Capital controls are likely to last for many months at least. The Athens stock exchange will also be closed as the government tries to manage the financial fallout of the disagreement. The Greek cabinet met shortly after the decision to close the banks was announced by Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras.

France attack suspect admits killing, police make link to Syria

Paris, June 29 (ANI): The suspected Islamist who attempted to blow up a French chemical plant on Friday was transferred to the French security services in Paris. Reportedly, Yassin Salhi, 35, has admitted killing his manager before the attempted attack as police linked the suspect to a militant in Syria. Salhi told that he had killed Herve Cornara in a parking area before arriving at the plant in Saint Quentin-Fallavier, 30 km (20 miles) south of Lyon, where he tried in vain to cause a major explosion. Police found the 54-year-old victim's decapitated body and head, framed by Islamic inscriptions, at the plant, which is owned by the U.S. firm Air Products. There were no other casualties. Examination of one of Salhi's mobile phones revealed that he had taken a picture of himself with the severed head before his arrest and sent the image to a Canadian phone number. Canadian authorities said on Sunday they were assisting the investigation.

Pakistan 'egg fighting' peaks in Ramadan

Peshawar, June 29 (ANI): Young people in Peshawar are turning to an old fashioned game to keep them occupied during the late Ramadan nights - egg fighting. The game involves using a brightly coloured boiled egg to crack your opponents' egg, and has been played for generations in Pakistan. The bustling city of Peshawar has become more and more congested, leaving less room for children and young people to play games that need a large open area. The game is popular during the holy month of Ramadan, when Muslims stay up late to eat their last meal of the day before sunrise, when their fast begins again. One young man from Peshawar, Asad Ali likened people's enthusiasm for egg fighting to that of other sports. The rules of the game are simple. One contestant holds a hard-boiled egg and taps the egg of another participant with his own egg intending to break the other's, without breaking his own. The owner of the winning egg goes on to the next round, until one winner is left in the end.

More than 500 injured in Taiwan water park fire tragedy, President visits victims in hospital

Taiwan, June 28 (ANI): The number of people injured in a fire at a Taiwan water amusement park rose to 516 on Sunday, government officials said, with more than 180 still in intensive care. Media reported four mainland Chinese and two foreigners were among those injured after Saturday's fire during a party where up to 1,000 revellers were sprayed with coloured powder as they danced to music. One young man who had been at the party described the moment the fire broke out. In the immediate aftermath of the explosion, rescuers treated hundreds of people, most of them aged between 20 and 30. Television showed images of people running from sky-high flames. A distressed father of one of the victims said he feared for his daughter's life. Meanwhile, President of Taiwan Ma Ying-jeou also visited the injured in the hospital. He assured the relatives of the victims of all possible help from the government.

Sushma Swaraj urges business leaders in Thailand to invest in India

Bangkok, June 28 (ANI): External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Sunday urged business community in Thailand to invest in India to boost employment and improve infrastructure. Swaraj said that in the past two decades, with regular political exchanges, growing trade and investment, India's ties with Thailand have evolved into a comprehensive partnership. India's 'Look East' policy has been complemented by Thailand's 'Look West' policy in bringing the two countries closer. Swaraj said Indian economy is likely to register the highest growth trade of 7.2 percent in 2015. Swaraj arrived in Bangkok on Saturday for a two-day visit to strengthen bilateral ties between the two nations. The two nations are likely to sign a double taxation avoidance treaty and exchange instruments of ratification for the bilateral extradition treaty signed during the visit of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in 2013.

Envoy hopeful about India playing more responsible role at UN

San Francisco, June 28 (ANI): Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations, Ambassador Asoke Kumar Mukerji, is hopeful about New Delhi playing a larger and more responsible role at the United Nations. Mukerji said it was high time an additional seat was created to include India as permanent member. Mukerji said the efficacy of the UN was undermined due to its skewed representation as a result it was not being able to contain violent crises around the world. India had joined the UN in 1945, but geo-political realities have changed drastically since then, when the set-up of the current council was decided. Meanwhile, at the Grace Cathedral in San Francisco, more than 1,400 members of the UN, US, United Religions Initiative and other organisations participated in a memorial to former UN secretary-general Dag Hammarskjold.

EAM Sushma Swaraj arrives in Bangkok on a two-day visit

Bangkok, June 27 (ANI): External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj arrived in Bangkok on Saturday to attend the Vishwa Sanskrit Sammelan. Indian delegates were present at the airport to welcome Swaraj. Swaraj who is on a two-day visit to Bangkok, will be attending a meeting of the Indo - Thailand Joint Commission. The Vishwa Sanskrit Sammelan (World Sanskrit Conference) is the most prestigious academic gathering of scholars related to Sanskrit studies. The conference will be held in Bangkok from June 28 to July 2.

British PM David Cameron warns many British tourists among 39 dead in Tunisia attack

London, June 27 (ANI): British Prime Minister David Cameron on Saturday warned that many of the 39 people slain by a gunman on a beach in Tunisia were likely to be British but vowed to defeat the forces responsible for the attack. Cameron vowed that "terrorists will not succeed" as he spoke after the "savage" attacks in Tunisia, Kuwait and France. He spoke after a chairing the Government's Cobra meeting in response of the Tunisian attack, where at least eight Britons were killed. The number of British victims is expected to rise as officials have warned that a majority of 38 victims were from the UK. Tunisia is a popular holiday destination for British tourists. Those slain on Friday on the beach in Sousse included Germans and Belgians as well as Britons.

Exiled Baloch leader demands access for rights groups and media in Balochistan

Geneva, June 27 (ANI): The chief of Baloch Republican Party, Brahamdagh Bugti has demanded that human rights organisations and the media get access to Balochistan in order to make the world aware about the worsening human rights situation in the region. Bugti, other Baloch leaders and human rights organisations met up at an interaction event in Geneva, where a short film about the history and present situation of Balochistan was also screened. Pakistan has restricted the access of human rights groups and journalists to Balochistan, the largest and resource rich province, where Baloch leaders claim gross human violations by the army and Pakistan's spy agencies, the ISI and MI. Meanwhile, president of Washington-based Leadership Council for Human Rights, Kathryn Porter said Balochistan has turned out to be one of the most dangerous places to visit for human rights activists.

At least 19 killed in gun attack on Tunisian tourism hotel

Sousse, June 26 (ANI): At least 19 people have been killed in an attack on a hotel in the Tunisian beach resort of Sousse, according to an interior ministry official. The attack was on the Imperial Marhaba hotel. Tourists fled from the beach in Sousse to take refuge in hotel rooms after guns were fired on the beach. A security source at the scene said the body of one gunman armed with a Kalashnikov assault rifle lay where police had shot him dead. It was unclear whether there were other assailants.