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Modern Singapore's founding father and first PM Lee Kuan Yew dies at 91

Singapore, March 23 (ANI): Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore's first prime minister, died on Monday aged 91, triggering a flood of tributes to the man who oversaw the tiny city-state's rapid rise from a British colonial backwater to a global trade and financial centre. In his lifetime, Lee drew praise for his market-friendly policies but also criticism at home and abroad for his strict controls over the press, public protest and political opponents. Mourners paid their tribute at a hospital well wishing corner where messages wishing him a speedy recovery still lay. Several mourners voiced their sadness at the news. Another mourner, Roselina paid her respects alongside her two daughters. He died at 3:18 am local time at Singapore General Hospital, where he had been admitted on February 05 suffering from pneumonia.

US think tank concerned over human rights violations in Pakistan's Balochistan

Geneva, March 21 (ANI): A prominent US think tank expressed concern over state abuses and human rights violations in Pakistan's largest but poorest Balochistan province. Speaking on the sidelines of the 28th Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, senior political scientist of Research ANd Development (RAND) Cooperation, Peter Chalk, said Pakistan needed to do more to address these issues. The event titled, 'Buried Human Rights, Global Geopolitics and Regional Repercussions: Balochistan in the Shadows, was organised by Brussels based Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organisation and drew several politicians from Balochistan as well. Political leader from Balochistan, Mehran Baluch called upon the international community to intervene in Balochistan to prevent China's "evil" designs. The simmering conflicts between separatist fighters and security forces in Baluchistan receive scant attention even within Pakistan, but they have implications for the rest of Pakistan and

Amnesty International condemns executions by military courts in Pakistan

Geneva, March 21 (ANI): International Advocacy Director of Amnesty International in Washington T Kumar condemned the executions by military courts in Pakistan terming it as extremely dangerous as about more than two dozen people have been executed in the past few months. There are more than 8,000 Pakistanis on death row. But the country had a de facto moratorium on executions in place from 2008. On December, 2014, the moratorium was lifted when Taliban gunmen massacred 134 children and 19 adults in the worst militant attack in the country's history. Politicians say fast-track executions are vital to reigning in militant attacks in the nuclear-armed nation of 180 million people. However, Kumar accused the government of legally getting rid of people through such courts.

UN discusses human rights violations in China's Tibet

Geneva, March 19 (ANI): The worsening human rights situation of minorities under People's Republic of China, including the Tibetan autonomous region, was raised at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Switzerland recently. Human rights activists were worried about self-immolation and torture of political prisoners in Tibet, as they believe arbitrary detention, sentencing, disappearances, interrogation and torture of Tibetans have become a common practice. Elena Gaita, policy and advocacy officer at international campaign for Tibet, said a U.N report documented 14 cases of political prisoners, who have died in state custody due to torture and mistreatment, and 137 cases of self immolation in since 2009. A former political prisoner from Tibet, Golok Jigmy Gyatso, said that Tibet would be free from the Chinese occupation.

Tunisia's President Essebsi visits victims of militant attack on national museum

Tunisia, March 19 (ANI): Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi visited victims in hospital after gunmen stormed Tunisia's national museum, killing 17 foreign tourists and two Tunisians in one of the worst militant attacks the country has seen in over a decade. Tunisian Tourism Minister Salma Elloumi also visited the hospital and was there to greet Essebsi on his arrival. Tunisia's Prime Minister Habib Essid said that 17 foreign tourists have been killed in the attack, including five from Japan, four from Italy, two from Colombia, two from Spain, as well as a French national, a Pole and an Australian. Gunmen wearing military uniforms stormed Tunisia's national museum with two Tunisians also among the dead and 44 wounded overall. Those killed in the attack included five from Japan, four from Italy, two from Colombia, two from Spain, as well as a French national, a Pole and an Australian.

Funeral held for lawyer of Pakistani doctor who helped CIA find Laden

Peshawar/ Mansehra, March 19 (ANI): A Pakistani lawyer who was shot dead for defending a doctor who helped CIA agents hunt al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was buried amid tight security in his native village near the city of Peshawar in Pakistan. Samiullah Afridi represented Dr Shakil Afridi, who was jailed in 2012 for 33 years for running a fake vaccination campaign believed to have helped the US intelligence agency track down Bin Laden. Afridi was shot dead on Tuesday (March 17) as he was returning to his home in Peshawar, police said. Two Pakistan militant groups claimed responsibility for the lawyer's death. Samiullah Afridi stopped representing the doctor last year, saying he had become a target. He said not only was his life in danger, his family was also in danger. He had therefore decided to quit the case. Meanwhile, lawyers boycotted the courts in Peshawar, and in other parts of the KPK province, to record their protest against the assassination of Samiullah Afridi. Samiullah

Singapore's Lee Kuan Yew's condition worsens

Singapore, Mar 18 (ANI): The condition of Singapore's first Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew has worsened and doctors are closely monitoring his condition, the government said. The office of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong released a statement saying his condition had worsened due to an infection and that he is on antibiotics. The founding father of modern Singapore, Lee, who turned 91 last September, has been in hospital since February 5. Lee, a co-founder of the long-ruling People's Action Party (PAP) and Singapore's first leader for 31 years, is widely credited with the city-state's economic success. Although Lee has receded from the public and political scene, his health is watched closely as he is still seen as an influential figure for the current government, headed by his oldest son.

Terrorist training camps are still on in PoK

Muzaffarabad/PoK, March 17: The terror camps in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir are still active. Even, the pressure from the international community is not putting any brake on Pakistan. There is a huge presence of terrorists in PoK, of which Lashkar-e-Taiba (LET) occupies a bigger place. Despite resistance from the local populace, non-state actors are very active in the region and enjoy the support of the local administration and the Pakistani Army.

Japanese precise management makes services and manufacturing sector to grow

Tokyo/ Penang, Mar 17 (ANI): The Operation Control Centre of Japan Airlines (JAL) manages about 720 flight everyday. Their mission is a safety and a punctual flight. And the key role to achieve that purpose is the operation manager. They plan and decide the way of each flight. For example, here is the flight from Tokyo to Taiwan. First they analyze the weather. The place surrounded red dot-line shows turbulence area. And to avoid turbulence the altitude of flight is important. The plane takes off from Tokyo and goes up to 36,000 feet off the ground and flies toward Taiwan. Then the plane can avoid turbulence and lands on Taiwan safely. The other important role of Operation Control Centre is to handle the emergency. Located on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia by the Strait of Malacca, Penang has always been a thriving tourist destination. The George Town, The capital of Penang, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Violence erupts in Pakistan after twin church blasts

Lahore/ Vatican, March 16 (ANI): Enraged Christians took to the streets in several parts of Pakistan to protest against explosions at two churches in Lahore city. Up to 4,000 took to the streets of the city, many armed with clubs, smashing vehicles and attacking a city bus station in a rare show of anger by the beleaguered minority. Protesters in Lahore also hanged the charred body of one of the two men they've killed accusing them of being involved in the attack. In other parts of the city, protesters are on the streets, smashing up metro stations and shops. In Karachi, Christian protesters say authorities are doing little to stop the violence. Christians make up less than two percent of Pakistan's population of more than 100 million. Meanwhile, Pope Francis in Vatican expressed deep grief on the incident.

Twin blasts at churches in Pakistan kills 10, injures around 50

Lahore/ New Delhi, March 15 (ANI): At least 10 people were killed in powerful blasts near two churches in a Christian neighbourhood of the Lahore city of Pakistan, officials said. At least 50 others were reportedly hurt when two suicide bombers blew up themselves at gates of churches - Roman Catholic Church and Christ Church which are located within one kilometres distance in Youhanabad neighbourhood. The twin blasts took place at a busy time, with many people in the area to attend Sunday mass. An offshoot of the Pakistan Taliban, calling itself Jamatul Ahrar claimed responsibility for the attack. Rescue teams reached the scene and rushed the injured to Lahore General Hospital for medical assistance whereas emergency has been declared in all the hospitals of the city. A massive protest is also underway by the enraged citizens against unavailability of adequate security by the government and security forces. Moreover, the police are trying to control the enormous incited protesters. Mea

Bangladesh PM rules out dialogue with opposition's Khaleda Zia

Dhaka, March 15 (ANI): Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina ruled out any possibility of dialogue with leader of Opposition and chairperson of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Khaleda Zia. Addressing a gathering at a conference in capital Dhaka, Hasina lashed out at Zia for widespread violence in the country. Hasina's comment came a day after Khaleda, wanted in two corruption cases, renewed her demand for a dialogue over a snap election under a 'neutral body'. Anti-corruption court in Bangladesh had in February this year issued arrest warrants against Zia. Zia has denied the charges, calling them politically motivated.

Exiled leaders from PoK and Gilgit-Baltistan blame Pakistan for human rights violations

Geneva, March, 15 (ANI): The leaders from Pakistan occupied Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan raised human rights issues at a side event in the United Nations during the 28th session of Human Rights Council in Geneva. The event titled 'Human Rights in South Asia' was organized by the United Kashmir People's National Party (UKPNP) and supported by other political parties and human rights organizations from PoK and Gilgit Baltistan. The speakers criticized Pakistan for human rights abuses, extra-judicial killings and allowing of external forces to exploit resources of PoK and Gilgit Baltistan. Senge said that Pakistan's response to local demand has been sedition charges, life imprisonments, torture and death.

Stop backing extremist forces, says exiled Kashmiri leader to Pakistan

Geneva, March 15 (ANI): The exiled Kashmiri leaders have asked Pakistan to stop backing extremists and terrorists in PoK, Gilgit Baltistan and Jammu and Kashmir.They were speaking in a conference titled "Growing extremism, terrorism and its impact on Pakistan and Jammu and Kashmir" in Geneva at an event organized by Jammu Kashmir International People's Alliance (JKIPA). The conference highlighted domestic and international efforts to prevent extremists and their supporters from radicalizing, recruiting, and inspiring others in JandK and elsewhere to carry out violent acts against innocent people. Sardar Shaukat Ali Kashmiri, Secretary General of JKIPA said that extremists' forces have made life miserable for minority community in Pakistan. He blamed Pakistan for allowing Hafiz Saeed, chief of banned Jama'at-ud-Da'wah to hold political rallies across Pakistan.

PM Modi hands over houses under Ilavalai North-West housing project in Jaffna

Jaffna, March 14 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday handed over a project of nearly 27,000 houses under Ilavalai North-West housing project in Jaffna. The project was undertaken by India for re-establishment of the families which were affected by natural calamities. Modi said that the houses are not merely buildings of bricks but a sign of unity and connectivity between India and Sri Lanka. He also assured that India will always be prepared to help Sri Lanka in every possible way.

Jaffna CM lauds PM Modi, says nothing else than support of 'elder brother' India needed

Jaffna, March 14 (ANI): The Chief Minister of Jaffna, CV Vigneswaran on Saturday lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi's gesture of distributing houses to the disaster affected Sri Lankan citizens. He said that it was a great occasion that PM Modi came to Sri Lanka and added that his assurance of being with SL is the only thing needed. Calling India as an 'elder brother', Vigneswaran said that nothing else than India's support is required by Sri Lanka.

Mahatma Gandhi's statue unveiled in London Part - 2

London, March 14 (ANI): A bronze statue of Mahatma Gandhi was unveiled at London's Parliament Square on Saturday. Finance minister Arun Jaitley and actor Amitabh Bachchan were present alongside British Prime Minister David Cameron. Jaitley, Bachchan and Cameron paid tributes to Gandhiji during the ceremony.

By putting Mahatma Gandhi in this famous square we are giving him an eternal home in our country: David Cameron Part - 1

London, March 14 (ANI): A bronze statue of Mahatma Gandhi was unveiled at London's Parliament Square on Saturday. Paying tribute to Gandhiji, British Prime Minister David Cameron said the sculpture is a "magnificent tribute" to one of the "most towering figures" in history.

By putting Mahatma Gandhi in this famous square we are giving him an eternal home in our country: David Cameron Part - 2

London, March 14 (ANI): A bronze statue of Mahatma Gandhi was unveiled at London's Parliament Square on Saturday. Paying tribute to Gandhiji, British Prime Minister David Cameron said the sculpture is a "magnificent tribute" to one of the "most towering figures" in history.

Mahatma Gandhi's statue unveiled in London Part - 1

London, March 14 (ANI): A bronze statue of Mahatma Gandhi was unveiled at London's Parliament Square on Saturday. Finance minister Arun Jaitley and actor Amitabh Bachchan were present alongside British Prime Minister David Cameron. Jaitley, Bachchan and Cameron paid tributes to Gandhiji during the ceremony.