Page 313 - Video Gallery

Narendra Modi, Ganga Talao, Sir Anerood Jugnuth, National Day Celebrations, Port Louis

Port Louis, March 12 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday offered ' Gangajal' and prayed at the Ganga Talao, which is considered one of the most sacred Hindu places in Mauritius. Prime Minister Modi was assisted by priests at the temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Prime Minister Modi also undertook a tour of the site. The visiting Prime Minister will address the National Assembly of Mauritius later in the day. Prime Minister Modi, who was accorded a ceremonial welcome on his arrival in Port Louis yesterday, will also be the chief guest at the National Day celebrations of Mauritius. On Wednesday, India and Mauritius signed five agreements to give new momentum to bilateral cooperation between the two nations. The MoUs were signed in the presence of Prime Minister Modi and his Mauritian counterpart Sir Anerood Jugnuth.

India, Mauritius ink five agreements to boost bilateral ties

Port Louis, March 12 (ANI): India and Mauritius have signed five agreements during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the country, the most important of which is the MoU on cooperation on ocean economy. The MoUs were signed in Port Louis last night in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Mauritian counterpart Sir Anerood Jugnauth. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who arrived in the Mauritian capital Port Louis yesterday after completing the Seychelles leg of his tour, will be the chief guest at the Independence Day celebrations in Mauritius today. He will also address the National Assembly of the country.

Pakistan paramilitary raids headquarters of MQM in Karachi

Karachi, March 11 (ANI): A Pakistani paramilitary force raided the headquarters of a major political party on Wednesday in Karachi, recovered weapons and arrested suspects wanted for several crimes, including the murder of a journalist. The paramilitary Sindh Rangers launched the raid on the headquarters of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), home to 18 million people, where the party has a stranglehold on politics. The MQM denied they were members of the party. Although MQM members have been arrested before, there has not been an incursion into the party's heavily defended headquarters since the military raided it in 1992.

PM Modi unveils CSRS radar in Seychelles

Mahe, March 11 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday formally unveiled the coastal surveillance radar system in Victoria. Five radar systems were installed on six islands by India in Mahe. Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi, speaking of security cooperation between Seychelles and India, said that the radar system will help the island nation secure in maritime territory. PM Narendra Modi even clicked the pictures of the seaside in Mahe.

PM Modi expresses concern over climate change affecting island nations, at Seychelles

Mahe, Mar 11 (ANI): Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Seychelles President James Alexis Michel in Mahe on Wednesday (March 11) and said that climate change was a threat to island nations. Modi was accorded with a ceremonial welcome and was received by Michel. Modi arrived in Seychelles late on Tuesday (March 10) on his first bilateral visit to the island nation and was received by Michel and Vice-President Danny Faure at the airport. While addressing a gathering, Modi said climate change was a threat. Global warming poses a growing threat to the health, economic prospects, and food and water sources of billions of people, top scientists said in a report last year that urges swift action to counter the effects of carbon emissions. The 2014 report from the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) said the effects of warming are being felt everywhere, fuelling potential food shortages, natural disasters and raising the risk of wars.

Japan makes southeast Asia its manufacturing hub

Bangkok/Tokyo, March 10 (ANI): Located in the industrial estate in Rayong Province, about 120 kilometers south of Bangkok, Thai KOBELCO Construction Machinery has been producing hydraulic excavators in Thailand since 2008. The company manufactures KOBELCO Acera Geospec series of hydraulic excavators. SK200 is a representative model of mid-size machines which have found popular application in Southeast Asia. The demand for hydraulic excavators is increasing remarkably in Asia, along with the substantial growth of the region. Thai KOBELCO Construction Machinery was formed in February 1996 to manufacture and market the KOBELCO brand of construction machines in Thailand - the largest market in Southeast Asia for excavators. KOBELCO excavators are now exported to the Southeast Asia market. These versatile construction machines are actively used for a wide range of construction, logging and, agriculture jobs, contributing to build the infrastructures and business, close to the citizens.

Three French sports stars among 10 dead in Argentina helicopter crash

France, March 10 (ANI): Eight French nationals including Olympic swimmer Camille Muffat and boxer Alexis Vastine were among 10 people killed when two helicopters collided in Argentina during the filming of a TV adventure show, authorities said. The accident happened in the rugged western province of La Rioja near the Andes mountains, local authorities said. "The sudden death of our fellow French nationals is a cause of immense sadness," a statement from French President Francois Hollande's office in Paris said. It added that famed sailor Florence Arthaud and several members of the ALP TV production company involved in shooting the adventure show "Dropped" for TF1 were among the dead. Muffat, 25, won gold at the 2012 London Olympics. Vastine, 28, won bronze at the 2008 Summer Olympics. There were no survivors, according to the information.

Reactions come in on release of Masarat Alam by J and K govt

New Delhi, March 10 (ANI): Political leaders on Tuesday continue to react on release of separatist leader Masarat Alam by Jammu and Kashmir government. BJP leader Nalin Kohli said that the prime minister and the home minister has already given their statements on the issue that the party does not support the release of Alam. Shiv Sena Spokesperson Sanjay Raut said that the release of Alam is against the country and that party President Uddhav Thackeray has also expressed concern on the issue. Congress leader Manish Tewari said that J and K chief minister is releasing hardcore terrorist and complete ignorance by the PM and HM shows complete ignorance. He also questioned on who does J and K government favour- India or Pakistan.

Khaleda Zia will face action for murders, says Bangladesh PM

Dhaka, March 08 (ANI): Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chief Begum Khaleda Zia would have to face punishment for killing people in petrol bomb attacks. Hasina said Zia was behind mass killing of the people who brought freedom for the country in the 1971 Liberation war. Bangladeshi politics have been mired for years in a bitter rivalry between Hasina and Zia. Both women are related to former national leaders, and they have alternated as prime minister for most of the past two decades.

Indo-Lanka fishermen association to meet after PM Modi's visit: MEA

Colombo, March 07 (ANI): The Ministry of External Affairs on Saturday said External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had extensive conversations with the Sri Lankan leadership and added it has been agreed that the fishermen association of both nations would meet after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to take the matter forward. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit the country on March 13-14. Prime Minister Modi's visit will be the first bilateral trip by an Indian Prime Minister since Rajiv Gandhi made his visit in 1987 to sign the Indo-Lanka Accord.

Obama administration formally backs gay marriage

United States, March 07 (ANI): US President Barack Obama's administration asked the US Supreme Court to rule that states cannot ban gay marriage. The Justice Department filed a friend-of-the-court brief in four cases in which the court is due to hear oral arguments on April 28. In a brief, Solicitor General Donald Verrilli wrote that these "discriminatory laws impose concrete harms on same-sex couples and send the inescapable message that same-sex couples and their children are second-class families." Although the administration has been supportive of gay marriage, the brief marks the first time it has explicitly asked the high court to rule that bans violate the US Constitution. The justices are to consider whether same-sex marriage bans are prohibited by the Constitution's guarantee of equal protection under the law. A decision is due by the end of June.

Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj pays homage at IPKF Memorial in Colombo

Colombo, March 7 (ANI): External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who is presently in Colombo to prepare the agenda for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the island-nation, paid homage to the brave soldiers of the Indian Army at the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) Memorial. Swaraj also later signed the record book there. The names of the 1200 soldiers who died during the peacekeeping mission in the early 1990s during the rule of President Premadasa, are inscribed on black marble. The Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) was the Indian military contingent performing a peacekeeping operation in Sri Lanka between 1987 and 1990. The External Affairs Minister later met with her Sri Lankan counterpart Mangla Samaraveera and discussed wide range of issues of multilateral and bilateral importance.

India's Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj arrives in Sri Lanka, to meet PM Ranil Wickremesinghe

Colombo, March 07 (ANI): Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj arrived in Sri Lanka ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the island nation of Sri Lanka from March 13-14. Swaraj was received at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo by Sri Lankan Deputy Foreign Minister Ajith Pathmakanpha Perera. Swaraj also met Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena and Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera later in the day. She is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Saturday. Modi will offer island nations in the Indian Ocean a broad range of military and civilian assistance next week in a bid to wrest back some of the influence China has gained by spending billions of dollars in the region. His trip to Sri Lanka will be the first in 28 years by an Indian prime minister.

Sushma Swaraj will take up issue raised by Sri Lankan PM's remark during her meet with latter: MEA

Colombo, March 07 (ANI): External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin on Saturday said that Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj who is in Sri Lanka will take up the issue raised by Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickramesinghe's statement over Indian fishermen during her meet with the latter. Akbaruddin said that fishermen are an issue which has been discussed many times between India and Sri Lanka and that the issue needs a long term solution. He said that the issue cannot be quick fixed and the matter will be taken up even during the meeting of the prime ministers of the two nations. Wickramesinghe had said that "if someone tries to break into my house, I can shoot. If he gets killed, law allows me to do that." He also said that the shooting of fishermen does not amount to human rights violations.

Protest continues in Bangladesh after blogger Avijit Roy's killing

Dhaka, March 07 (ANI): Members of United Artists Group organised a day-long hunger strike against the recent political violence and killing of the US blogger Avijit Roy in Bangladesh. Bangladeshis have been staging protests against the brutal killing of American critic of religious extremism Roy in Dhaka, in the latest of a series of attacks on writers who support free thinking values in the Muslim-majority nation. Hundreds of people joined the hunger strike and shouted slogans against the dilly-dallying of the administration in arresting the accused of Roy's murder. Members of Ganajagaran Mancha also organised a rally to protest the killing and demanded immediate arrest of the guilty. Roy, a U.S. citizen of Bangladeshi origin, was hacked to death by machete-wielding assailants on February 26 after a book fair, sparking widespread condemnation from home and abroad.

Pakistan arrests 46 Indian fishermen for violating its waters

Karachi, March 07 (ANI): Pakistan maritime authorities arrested forty six Indian fishermen and took into custody their eight boats for illegal fishing in the country's territorial waters, police said. The fishermen, who were arrested on Thursday, had been handed over to Docks Police Station in port city of Karachi on Friday for necessary legal action. The arrested fishermen have been charged under Foreign Act and Fisheries Act. Police will present them before a magistrate on Saturday, who will send them to jail. The South Asian rivals frequently arrest each other's fishermen for encroachment. India shares an expansive oceanic border with Pakistan without any perceptible demarcation and fishermen on both sides ignore rules while netting their catch.

Pakistani Hindu community celebrates Holi

Karachi, March 06 (ANI): Hindu community across Pakistan celebrated Holi, the vibrant festival of colours. In Karachi men, women and children from the tiny minority community gathered at big and small temple compounds as they splashed, sprayed and smeared colours and greeted each other while a bonfire lit in the evening. The festival was celebrated in other cities and towns of the country where the Hindu community resides. The festival is anxiously awaited for its fanfare and frolic pardoned on this day as kids, youth and oldies come together to have a gala time. Celebrated in the month of Phagun (February-March) according to the Hindu calendar, Holi is associated with the uninhibited expression of love and affection. Tiny Hindu minority makes up less than three percent in overwhelmingly Muslim Pakistan where majority practice Islam.

Japan makes significant contribution in global healthcare through technology and support

Japan, March 04 (ANI): Japan's electronics company Toshiba is providing sanitary solutions. In Yokosuka's plant factory, it provides two progressive technologies to keep antiseptic condition. It includes Electrolyzed Function Water to kill germs workers bring in. It has strong bactericidal and deodorizing power but safe to the human body. This water is produced in the factory. The second technology is the photo catalyst called "RENECAT", a visible-light photo catalyst with deodorant and anti-microbial qualities. The most common existing photo catalyst needs ultraviolet ray to make it work. But RENECAT can work by indoor lighting. These technologies are already used abroad. The usage place of RENECAT is steadily spreading. RENECAT is put on the wall in this childcare center. It's not necessary to spray repeatedly and excels in convenience.

Passengers escape after Turkish Airlines plane skids off runway in Nepal

Kathmandu, March 04 (ANI): A Turkish Airline plane lay in a field with its emergency slides deployed on Wednesday after it skid off the runway during landing at Nepal's Tribuvan International Airport. According to reports, all 227 passengers and 11 crew members who were on board Flight TK726 had a lucky escape. Reports suggest that the Airbus A330, enroute to Kathmandu from Istanbul, crash landed at around 7:45 am on Wednesday morning. The plane missed the runway's central alignment, forcing the aircraft to skid on to grassy land. Nepal has been experiencing heavy rainfall this week, and morning photographs circulating social media websites show fog surrounding the crashed aircraft.

India, Pakistan foreign secretaries meet in Islamabad

Islamabad, March 03 (ANI): Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar met with his Pakistani counterpart Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhury on Friday in Islamabad, seven months after India had cancelled Foreign Secretary-level talks. Jaishankar, who is on a visit to SAARC capitals, will also call on Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, and his foreign affairs advisors Sartaj Aziz and Tariq Fatemi during the day. The foreign secretaries of both countries spoke about "resolving outstanding issues through peaceful dialogue."