Page 314 - Video Gallery

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."

Vintage cars display enthralls enthusiasts in Pakistan

Karachi, Mar 03 (ANI): Hundreds of fans turned up to watch some 140 vintage machines on four wheels, some as old as from the 1920s, which had pulled up for display during the 12th Annual Car Show in Pakistan's city of Karachi. Vintage car collection is a favorite hobby of many in Pakistan. There are others who do not own vintage cars but have an eye for good vintage cars. Organised by the Vintage and Classic Car Club of Pakistan (VCCCP), the show attracts enthusiasts from every nook and corner of the country. There were Rolls Royce, a line up of Porsche cars, Ford Thunderbirds and Mustangs, Lincoln Continentals, Mercedes, Ferraris and other cars at the show. Among the classic cars there was 1924 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost used by the founder of Pakistan, Mohammad Ali Jinnah. Visitors said the show offers rare glimpse of cars which people don't get to see too often. The cars were displayed with various sound tracks from the 1970s creating the environment.

Foreign Secretary arrives in Bangladesh as part of SAARC visit

Dhaka, Mar 02 (ANI): India's Foreign Secretary, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, arrived in Bangladesh's capital Dhaka on Monday (March 02) for a day-long visit as part of his 'SAARC Yatra' (visit). Jaishankar landed in Dhaka on a special flight from Bhutan and was received by his counterpart Md Shahidul Haque at the airport. After Bangladesh, Jaishankar is scheduled to visit Pakistan on March 03 and Afghanistan on March 04. Dhaka and New Delhi are working out a resolution on two long-pending issues with India - the Land Boundary Agreement (LBA), for swapping enclaves into each other's territory, and sharing of Teesta water.

Australian deputy PM says MH370 search may be called off

Australia, March 02 (ANI): The search for missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 cannot go on forever, Australia's deputy prime minister said, and discussions are already underway between Australia, China and Malaysia as to whether to call off the hunt within weeks. No trace has been found of the Boeing 777 aircraft, which disappeared one year ago this week, carrying 239 passengers and crew shortly after taking off from the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur, bound for Beijing. More than two dozen countries have been involved in the air, sea and underwater search for the missing plane. Australian Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss said that a decision would have to be taken well before May as to whether to continue into the massive 1.1-million-sq-km area around the primary search area if nothing is found by then.

Bangladesh pays tribute to US blogger killed in machete attack

Dhaka, March 01 (ANI): Bangladeshis gathered on Sunday to pay tribute to a US blogger and critic of religious extremism who was killed in Dhaka, in the latest of a series of attacks on writers in the Muslim-majority nation. Avijit Roy, a US citizen of Bangladeshi origin, was hacked to death by machete-wielding assailants on February 26 after a book fair. People from all walks gathered with flowers at the Dhaka University premises on Sunday to pay their respect to Avijit, who came to his native city in mid-February and was due to go back to the United States.

Hamas says listing by Egypt as terrorist organisation is "shocking and dangerous"

Gaza, March 01 (ANI): An Egyptian court decision to list Hamas as a terrorist organisation is "shocking and dangerous," and in no way will affect the Islamist movement, the group said from Gaza. The Egyptian decision, confirmed by judicial sources on Saturday, is part of a sustained crackdown on Islamists in the most populous Arab state. Hamas is an offshoot of the Brotherhood, which the authorities have also declared a terrorist group in Egypt and have repressed systematically since the army ousted one of its leaders, Mohamed Mursi, from the presidency in 2013.

Atheist US blogger killed in machete attack in Bangladesh

Dhaka, Feb 28 (ANI): Social activists in Bangladesh took to streets to protest after machete-wielding assailants hacked to death a blogger in Dhaka, in the latest of a series of attacks on writers who support free thinking values in the Muslim-majority nation. Avijit Roy, a U.S. citizen of Bangladeshi origin, and his wife and fellow blogger, Rafida Ahmed, were attacked on February 26 while returning from a book fair. Ahmed was seriously injured. Spokesperson of a secular platform, Ganajagaran Mancha, Imran H. Sarkar demanded stringent punishment for the assailants. A social activist Khushi Kabir said that killing of Roy meant killing of freedom of thought. Police retrieved two machetes from the site, but have not yet identified any suspects.

The dress that broke the internet: The colour yet under question

London, Feb 28 (ANI): Cyberspace was being consumed by a debate over a picture of a dress that many claim is 'obviously' white and gold while others argue just as trenchantly that it is black and blue. The hashtag #TheDress led trends on Twitter worldwide, boosted by a stream of tweets from celebrities voicing support for either of the opposing camps. The picture of the dress was uploaded on image-sharing website Tumblr by a user named "swiked" on Wednesday and began as a debate between friends, but has since gone global. Musician Taylor Swift was gripped by ontological uncertainty. "I don't understand this odd dress debate and I feel like it's a trick somehow. I'm confused and scared. PS it's OBVIOUSLY BLUE AND BLACK," she tweeted. The white and gold camp was supported by the likes of actress Kat Dennings, New York Yankees center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury, and reality TV star Kim Kardashian West. "What color is that dress? I see white and gold, Kayne sees black and blue, who is color bl

Japanese innovative technology for clean energy, infrastructure and wearable device

Tokyo /Bangkok, Feb 25 (ANI): KYOCERA provided advanced solar panels for electricity generation at the Kagoshima Nanatsujima Mega Solar Power Plant in Kagoshima Prefecture. The plant, launched in November 2013, has a power output of 70 megawatts and is constructed in an area of 1.27 million square meters. Nanatsujima is close to the active volcano Sakurajima, but the solar panels here are installed in a safe area. The plant coexists with natural conditions utilizing advanced technology. Furthermore, with consideration of safety, approximately 1,400 lightning conductors are installed. The site is close to the sea and thus faces the risk of tsunamis.

The road infrastructure of PoK deteriorating day by day

Muzaffarabad, PoK, February 24, 2015:- The Pakistani government has failed to develop state-of-the art infrastructure in Pakistan occupied Kashmir. The roads in the region are in dismal condition, and using of sub-standard material, by the authorities, in its construction causes frequent landslides, putting the lives of the people at risk. The Muzafafrabad-Srinagar Highway, which is the vial trade link between the two sides of Kashmir, is in a dismal state, with damages and landslides, caused by the September 2014 floods, at many places. However, despite passing of several months, the authorities have failed to rebuild this connectivity and alleviate the damages. The highway was constructed after the 2005 earthquake by National Highways Authority (NHA) of Pakistan. However, using the substandard material in its construction, the road, which is a hilly terrain, often faces landslides. The Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, which is in illegal occupation of Pakistan, has been the victim of gover

Former Jatiya Party lawmaker gets life imprisonment for war crimes in Bangladesh

Dhaka, Feb 24 (ANI): The war crimes tribunal in Bangladesh on Tuesday sentenced former Jatiya Party lawmaker Abdul Jabbar to life imprisonment for crimes committed during the Liberation War in 1971. Apart from genocide, the charges against him include killing of 36 people, forced conversion of 200 Hindus, looting 557 houses and arson during the 1971 Liberation War. The 83-year-old leader has also been fined Tk 10 lakhs in absentia. If he fails to submit the fine, the jail tenure would be extended by two years, the court said. Considering the convict's age, Chairman of International Crimes Tribunal-1, Justice M Enayetur Rahim, announced jail until death instead of capital punishment. Jabbar was elected a law maker in 1964.

Mamata positive about solving water dispute with Bangladesh

Dhaka, Feb 22 (ANI): Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee assured to find a solution to the Teesta water-sharing deal, one of the most contentious issues between India and Bangladesh. Banerjee's three-day visit to Bangladesh has drawn widespread attention since it was due to her intense opposition that former Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, failed to ink the Teesta water-sharing treaty during his Dhaka trip in September 2011. Before her arrival, Mamata tweeted that it was "a very emotional moment" for her.

WB CM Mamata Banerjee meets Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday reached the Ganabhaban and met Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Reportedly, the two leaders discussed bilateral issues. Banerjee also attended the lunch hosted by Bangladesh government in her honour.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee visits Bangabandhu Memorial Museum in Bangladesh

Dhaka, Feb 21 (ANI): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visited the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum in Dhaka city on the second day of her Bangladesh visit. Mamata Banerjee is in Dhaka on her maiden official visit at the invitation of Bangladesh's Foreign Minister, Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali. West Bengal and Bangladesh share a porous border. Banerjee said that a lot was common between the two places. Banerjee is scheduled to meet Bangladesh's President Md Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina among others.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee visits Bangladesh on maiden official trip

Dhaka, Feb 20 (ANI): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee arrived in Dhaka for her maiden official visit, on the invitation of Bangladesh's Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali. Banerjee, along with her entourage, was received by junior minister for foreign affairs, Md Shahriar Alam, at the airport in capital Dhaka city. Before her arrival, Mamata tweeted that it was "a very emotional moment" for her. "I last visited Bangladesh 17 years ago and this is my first visit after new Government came to power in West Bengal," she tweeted. "India and Bangladesh share a special friendship and a special bond," read another tweet from Banerjee. During her three-day visit, Banerjee is scheduled to meet Bangladesh's President Md Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Obama calls for strengthened non-military measures to combat extremism

Washington DC, Feb 19 (ANI): US President Barack Obama called for strengthened non-military measures to combat terrorism at the White House Summit on Countering Violent Extremism in Washington DC. Obama called on Muslims around the world to fight the misconception that groups like the Islamic State speak for them. The US president also appealed directly to Muslims to do more to distance themselves from brutal ideologies. During the half-hour speech, Obama noted challenges in countering violent extremism, including addressing the economic and political grievances that terrorists exploited. He stressed that fight against terrorism is not only a matter of military affairs. The president also added that extremist cyberspace propaganda targeting young people is a worldwide problem. Obama also called on local communities to play an important role in the fight against radicalization.

Sushma Swaraj meets Oman Deputy Prime Minister Sayyid Fahd Bin Mahmoud Al Said

Oman, Feb 18 (ANI): External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday met Oman's Deputy Prime Minister Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said during her two-day visit to Oman. Earlier in the day, Swaraj had fruitful discussions with her Oman counterpart Yusuf Bin Abdullah on anti-piracy operations, cooperation in maritime security and other issues relating to the Indian Ocean where the two nations are maritime neighbours. This is Swaraj's third visit to the Gulf countries. She has earlier visited Bahrain in September and the United Arab Emirates in November 2014. India and Oman have a very strong relationship based on extensive people-to-people contacts and historical, economic and cultural exchanges.

Sushma's visit to Oman will set in motion a deeper engagement between the two countries: MEA

Oman, Feb 18 (ANI): MEA Spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin on Wednesday said that the External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj is on her first visit to Oman and that the visit will focus on the strategic issues between the two countries. He added that there was discussion on specific investment opportunities including in the sector of storage of agricultural products, as well as on medical treatment. He further stated that Oman and India are maritime neighbours and that Swaraj's visit will set in motion a deeper engagement between India and Oman.

Foreign Minister lauds Indian community for contributing to Oman's economy

Muscat, Feb 18 (ANI): Union Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj lauded Indian community in Oman for boosting the economy of oil-rich Gulf nation. She was addressing the Indian diaspora in Muscat. Swaraj arrived in Oman on Tuesday for holding bilateral talks with the nation's leadership. She is on two-day official visit at the invitation of the Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs, Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah, and will discuss the entire gamut of bilateral relations, regional and international issues of mutual interest. Swaraj also thanked the NRIs (non-resident Indians) for taking part in large number in the diaspora event in India's western state of Gujarat in January. During her visit Swaraj will hold extensive talks with her Omani counterpart Abdullah on Wednesday (February 18). The two are also likely to discuss Modi's possible visit to Oman later this year.

Bangladesh PM seeks citizens' support to fight political violence

Dhaka, Feb 18 (ANI): Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has appealed to citizens to unite against forces igniting political violence in the country. Hasina was participating in a discussion titled, 'BNP-Jamaat's Arson Violence-Blood Stained Bangladesh' when she broke down into tears watching a documentary where the victims of political violence narrated their ordeal. She added that people, who fell prey to the violence allegedly ignited by BNP-Jamaat-e-Islami, need to be recognized as martyrs. The discussion was attended by ministers, advisers to the Prime Minister, parliament members, diplomats, heads of different foreign missions, vice-chancellors and teachers of various universities, editors and senior lawyers.