Page 316 - Video Gallery

Indo-China relation has grown beyond bilateral and regional dimension and covers entire information spectrum: Sushma Swaraj

Beijing, Feb 01 (ANI): The second meeting of the India-China Media Forum was jointly inaugurated by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Minister of State Council Information Office of China, Jiang Jianguo in Beijing on Sunday. The two leaders highlighted the increasingly important role of the media in enhancing the understanding about each other in their respective countries. The Chinese Minister called upon the media for an objective reporting and increase coverage on economic cooperation. About 40 journalists, twenty from each side are participating in the Media Forum. Following the same, the two ministers also witnessed a photo exhibition showcasing India-china relations in recent years.

Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj arrives in China on four-day visit

Beijing, Feb 01 (ANI): Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj arrived in Chinese capital, Beijing on a four-day visit. Swaraj is scheduled to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and hold talks with her Chinese counterpart on wide-ranging bilateral and multilateral issues. The minister is also slated to participate in the 13th Foreign Ministers' Meeting of Russia-India-China Trilateral where she will meet Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, on the sidelines of the event. She will also inaugurate the 2nd India-China High-Level Media Forum and attend the launch of 'Visit India Year', an initiative to attract Chinese tourists to India. Ahead of Swaraj's trip, Chinese ambassador to India, Le Yucheng met newly appointed Indian Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar in New Delhi on Friday.

Death toll rises to 60 in blast at Pak mosque in Sindh province

Pakistan, Jan 31 (ANI): At least 60 people have been killed and 60 others injured in a blast inside a Pakistani mosque in Shikarpur district of Sindh province on Friday. Anxious relatives were seen beating their heads in grief as dozens of victims were taken for treatment, many with severe wounds. The explosion ripped through a crowded Shi'ite mosque in Shikarpur, a dusty town in the southern Sindh province. Attacks against religious minority groups have been on the rise in Pakistan, where radical Sunni Islamist groups often target mosques frequented by Shi'ites, whom they see as infidels. Jundullah, a splinter group of Pakistan's Taliban, which last year pledged support for the Islamic State militants has claimed responsibility.

India does not qualify for UNSC permanent membership: Pak Foreign Ministry

Islamabad, Jan 30 (ANI): Pakistan said given its track record of human rights violation in Indian-administered Kashmir, India does not qualify for the permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). Reacting on US President Barack Obama's approval for India bring permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, Pakistan Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Tasnim Aslam said the issue of Security Council Reform is of vital national importance for all the United Nations Member States. However, she said, a reformed Security Council should reflect interests of the wider UN membership, and in Pakistan's view, "the idea of new permanent members creates new centers of power and privileges, and could make the UNSC even more undemocratic." Aslam expressed concern over the continual rise of India's defence budget, and its "massive acquisition of conventional weapons."

Karachi city shuts over killing of political worker

Karachi, Jan 29 (ANI): Pakistan's city Karachi came to a standstill on Thursday after a political party called for a day of mourning following a body recovered from Karachi was identified as of its activist. Sohail Ahmed, a worker of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), was found missing in December. His bullet-riddled body was found dumped in the area of Mochko police station. MQM says Ahmed's murder was not the first case of extrajudicial killing and that more than 35 of MQM's activists have been killed in recent times. On Thursday, most businesses were shut and the public transport remained off the road in Karachi and other parts of Sindh. Private schools were also shut in Karachi. The MQM had announced a peaceful shutter down strike in Karachi and mourning day in the whole country.

Malaysia declares disappearance of Flight MH370 an accident

Malaysia, Jan 29 (ANI): Malaysia declared on Thursday (January 29) that all passengers on board the missing Malaysia Airlines MH370 had lost their lives in an accident, opening the way for the compensation process to begin. International investigators are looking into why the Boeing jet veered thousands of miles off course from its scheduled route before eventually plunging into the Indian Ocean. The Beijing-bound Boeing 777 aircraft disappeared on March 8 last year with its 239 passengers and crew shortly after taking off from the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur. Months of searches have failed to turn up any trace. Malaysia declares the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 an accident that killed all 239 people on board, saying it will now start the compensation process.

Pakistan police arrests suspected killer of professor who faced blasphemy accusations

Karachi, Jan 29 (ANI): Pakistan police has arrested suspected killer of a professor of Islamic studies who faced accusations of blasphemy and threats from colleagues over his moderate views, a senior police official said. Unidentified gunmen had shot dead the professor in Karachi on September 18 last year. Two gunmen riding a motorcycle fired on the car taking Dr Muhammad Shakil Auj, the dean of the faculty of Islamic Studies at the university to a function at an Iranian cultural centre in the city. The other educationist Professor Sibt-e-Jaffer was killed in March 2013. Holding a news conference, Additional Inspector General of police Ghulam Qadir Thebo said the suspects involved in the killing of Karachi University Islamic Studies and Professor Sibte Hassan (Jaffer) had been arrested. Shakil Auj had received threats following complaints that his teaching was too liberal.

Bangladesh pro-liberation forces protest against political violence

Dhaka, Jan 28 (ANI): Members of Gonojagoron Moncho, a resurgent platform, held protests against the ongoing political violence in Bangladesh by certain political groups and its leaders. Hundreds of distinguished cultural and intellectual personalities, organisations came together to participate in the protest in Dhaka, condemning countrywide blockade called by opposition parties under former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. Slogan-shouting protesters carried out demonstrations in the capital city, holding banners reading anti-terrorism messages. The protesters also exhorted to eliminate Jamaat-e-Islami, an organisation of war criminals, demanding immediate trial and punishment to the war criminals. The activists said they need to be ensured that the spirit of liberation war triumphed over anti-liberation forces which were going all-out to disrupt the country's march towards progress.

Japanese firms use traditional, contemporary methods to reach customers

Tokyo, Jan 28 (ANI): Alps Electric, a multinational corporation headquartered in Tokyo, is producing electronic devices, such as switches, sensors, and display panels. The company supplies about 40,000 types of electronic components to more than 2,000 manufacturing companies across the world. Those precision parts are used in consumer electronics, mobile devices, automotive and industrial equipments. Their global unified quality parts supply has been backed up with precise mold technology and quality evaluation system. The Alps Electric Kitahara factory is taking advantage of the precision processing technology to manufacture molds for use in producing various electronic parts. This micro puzzle cube is made by the advanced mold technology in which seams are almost unrecognisable. The quality of the products is managed by various evaluation equipments, and quality management system of ALPS established globally. OTA market is the biggest Central market in Tokyo which is located near Tok

People of Gilgit fear Iraq and Syria type scenario may emerge

Gilgit Baltistan, January 27, 2015: After the gruesome attack on the Army School in Peshwar, the world thought that Pakistan would take stern action against all forms of terrorism. Ironically Pakistan has maintained a status quo and is still adopting a selective approach when it comes to dealing with terrorism. The biggest victims of Pakistan double standards, the People of Gilgit Baltistan have already drawn conclusion that the situation in Pakistan will very soon be like Iraq and Syria. Pakistan today is referred as a safe haven for terrorists, after all the notorious terrorist Osama bin Laden was found in Abbotabad, Pakistan, and hundreds of terrorist training camps are dotted across Pakistan. The militant training camps continue to exist, reports say that Tehreek e Taliban and Afghanistan had forged an alliance and both resolved to strengthen the ISIS footprint in Pakistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir, the core agenda of the group is to target the Shia community, people here in Gi

Hundreds gather outside White House in support of Ukraine

Washington DC/ Ukraine, Jan 26 (ANI): Hundreds gathered in Washington DC outside the White House to urge the Obama administration to move on the Ukraine Freedom Support Act. While the bill was passed by both houses of Congress unanimously and signed into law by US President Barack Obama, many outside the White House say none of the measures have been implemented. In passing the measure, Obama authorized new sanctions on Russia over its activities in Ukraine and was to begin providing weapons to the Kiev government immediately. After pro-Moscow rebels, backed by what NATO says is the open participation of Russian troops, pressed on with their offensive on Sunday after restarting the war in eastern Ukraine with the first all-out assault since a truce five months ago, Obama said Washington was considering all options short of military action to isolate Russia.

Funeral prayers for Saudi king Abdullah offered in Pakistan

Islamabad, Jan 25 (ANI): Pakistani people, including senior government and embassy officials, offered funeral prayers-in-absentia for Saudi king Abdulla who died after a short illness early on Friday (January 23). Prime minister's advisor on national security and foreign affairs, Sartaj Aziz, senior government and embassy officials attended the prayers led by minister for religious affairs, Sardar Muhammad Yousaf. The prayers were offered in Islamabd's Faisal Mosque which is named after the late King Faisal bin Abdul-Aziz of Saudi Arabia, who supported and financed the project. A one-day official mourning was observed in Pakistan on Friday on the sad demise of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz. The national flag flew at half mast. In a condolence message, Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif expressed grief and sorrow over the King's demise, saying that being the custodian of the Holy Mosques he had a special place in the heart of every Pakistani.

UAE President announces 3-day mourning for Saudi Arabia King Abdullah

Riyadh, Jan 24 (ANI): UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan announced three days of mourning after the passing of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia. He said the mourning would start on Friday and ordered the UAE national flag to be flown at half-mast at all government departments in the UAE and at all embassies and diplomatic missions of the UAE overseas. Earlier, King Abdullah was carried in a simple white shroud to an unmarked grave on Friday, in keeping with local religious traditions. Wahhabi Sunni Islam, the form of religion practiced by the Saudi state, considers ostentatious displays of grief or mourning to be sinful and akin to idolatry. Before his burial, Abdullah's body was transported in a city ambulance to a mosque, where Muslim leaders, Saudi Princes, powerful clerics and billionaire Arab businessmen gathered for prayers.

Yemen's President ready to accept demands of Houthis to end standoff

New Delhi, Jan 22 (ANI): Yemen's President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi expressed readiness to accept Houthi demands for power-sharing after two days of battle. Reportedly, the rebels have agreed to release the President and withdraw their militias from government institutions if their demands are fulfilled. According to their demands, the rebel Houthi movement will have more say in the affairs of the Yemen. The Shiite Houthi rebels had seized the presidential palace and surrounded President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi's home. Hadi himself was unharmed. Reports suggest, that the government and Houthi rebels have reached a tentative deal. Further reports are awaited.

Bangladeshi ministers call for former PM Begum Khaleda Zia's arrest

Dhaka, Jan 22(ANI): Ministers of ruling Awami League-led government in Bangladesh held rallies across capital Dhaka demanding arrest of former Prime Minister, Begum Khaleda Zia, for her association with an Islamist party that is accused of war crimes. The ministers addressed rallies in the city even as a 48-hour general strike call was given by opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) earlier in the day. As per reports, Zia, was released on January 19 after a house arrest of 16 days, amid renewed violence over last year's disputed polls. The violence has worsened steadily since January 5, when protests erupted over last year's election, which was boycotted by the BNP.

Answer to Militants and ISI?

Peshawar, January 20, 2015: While the State of Pakistan's continues to connive with militants to disturb the peace in other countries, it is the common man who continues to suffer a great deal. One month after the gruesome attack on the army public school in Peshawar, the school reopened, the candle light vigils were held and a tough message was sent to militants and its backers within the State of Pakistan. Activists, campaigners and members of the civil society gathered in several cities across Pakistan on Friday (January 16) to mark one month since the deadly attack by Taliban gunmen on the Army Public School (APS) in Peshawar in which over 140 people, including 134 children, were systematically gunned down. In Islamabad, several parliamentarians came out to join a vigil outside Parliament House. In Lahore, around two hundred citizens lit candles in memory of those killed in the school attack.

IS threatens Japanese hostages in video; PM Shinzo Abe urges immediate release

Jerusalem, Jan 20 (ANI): The militant Islamic State group, which holds territory in Iraq and Syria, issued a video online on Tuesday (January 20), purporting to show two Japanese captives and demanding $200 million (USD) from the Japanese government to save their lives. The clip showed a figure wearing black clothing and holding a knife, standing along with two kneeling men wearing orange clothes. The militant did not specify a currency, but an Arabic subtitle identified it as US dollars. Meanwhile, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said that the threat was unacceptable and demanded their safe return. Abe on Saturday (January 17) pledged $200 million in non-military aid for countries contending with fighting Islamic State. Abe said the aid had nothing to do with curbing IS extremists. The militant, who spoke with a British accent, appeared to have the same voice as a jihadist shown threatening captives in previous Islamic State videos.

Japan provides human resource training in nuclear power generation

Hanoi/ Japan, Jan 20 (ANI): In order to meet the rapid growth in electricity demand driven by a growing economy and expanding industrial base, Vietnam has decided to introduce nuclear energy. A developing country with a population of 92.5 million, Vietnam has selected Japan as its partner. The government issued a master plan specifying the project of building nuclear power plants, as the first time in Vietnam and South East Asia. Electric Power University (EPU) in Hanoi, is one of the six universities in Vietnam that are authorized to provide human resource training in nuclear power generation. The University has opened the Department of Nuclear Power in 2010 where students are learning basic knowledge required for nuclear power generation. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries is one of the first partners which effectively cooperates and supports Electric Power University and provide nuclear engineering lecture. Recently, "Cool Japan lounge" exhibition was held at AEON Mall Binh Duon Canary in

Bangladeshi journalist demands speedy trial of war criminals

Dhaka, Jan 19 (ANI): Bangladesh's journalist, Shahriar Kabir emphasised on the need to expedite the trial process of war criminals of 1971 Liberation War. Kabir while talking to a reporter in Dhaka city said that Bangladesh should try alleged war criminals. About three million people were killed, according to official figures, and thousands of women were raped. Kabir said that the trial needed to be fast-tracked as many victims of the war had died waiting for justice and many accused too had died without being punished. The tribunal has convicted 16 people, most of them Jamaat leaders, and sentenced 14 of them to death. One Islamist politician was executed in December 2013. However, Bangladesh Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, has in the past denied any scope of dropping the presidential clemency for the war criminals.

Emotional Pope Francis confronts Typhoon Haiyan victims in Philippines

Philippines, Jan 17 (ANI): An emotional Pope Francis, wearing a plastic poncho over his vestments to protect him from the wind and rain on Saturday, comforted survivors of Typhoon Haiyan, the Philippines' worst natural disaster that killed about 6,300 people 14 months ago. Tens of thousands of people wearing yellow raincoats cheered when Francis emerged from his plane in the coastal city of Tacloban, 650 km (400 miles) southeast of Manila. Worshippers, many with tears in their eyes, stood amid puddles in a mud-soaked field as the pope comforted them. He said he "respected the feelings" of those who felt they had been let down by God because of the disaster but implored them to move forward in their faith. Nearly 3,000 victims are buried in the city's almost half-hectare mass grave site. Hundreds are still unaccounted for.