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People in Bangladesh demand arrest of Tarique Rahman for 'derogatory remarks' against independence leader

Dhaka, Dec 23 (ANI): Thousands of people took to Dhaka streets to protest against Bangladesh National Party (BNP) leader Tarique Rahman for making derogatory remarks against country's founder Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Protesters, mainly freedom fighters of 1971 war of liberation, shouted slogans "down with Tarique Rahman" and "we demand his arrest" and carried flags and banners as they marched through the streets. Tarique Rahman, son of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, had on December 15, reportedly said that Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was a 'razakar'-a collaborator with Pakistan occupation army in 1971. A protester, Muhammad Alauddin said Tarique should be arrested immediately and awarded punishment.

UN Chief Ban Ki- Moon pledges to stand with Ebola-hit countries

Guinea/ Mali, Dec 21 (ANI): United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon visited Guinea and cautioned that much remained to be done to wipe out Ebola in the West African country. During his visit to the Guinean capital, Ban said that joint national, regional and global efforts have significantly slowed the spread of the deadly virus and pledged to support Guinea in its fight against the disease. World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Margaret Chan reminded representatives from donor nations that back in May the Guinean government had reported no Ebola cases, and emphasized the importance of community engagement. During a press conference alongside Guinean President Alpha Conde, Ban offered the help of the UN Mission for Ebola Emergency Response (UNMEER). Ban and Conde, accompanied by Chan, as well as his Special Envoy for Ebola, David Nabarro, and the head of UNMEER, Anthony Banbury, later visited an Ebola facility run by the French military. Flying on to Mali later, Ban met

Pakistan executes two convicted militants after lifting moratorium on the death penalty

Rawalpindi, Dec 20 (ANI): Pakistan hanged two militants as it began executing those on death row in the wake of the moratorium on the death penalty being lifted following the Peshawar school attack where more than 130 children lost their lives. The hanged militants had no links to the Taliban's assault in the city of Peshawar on Tuesday, but their executions came at a time when a shocked Pakistani society is piling pressure on the government to do more to stem escalating violence. Pakistan lifted a moratorium on the death penalty after the attack and Mohammed Aqeel and Arshad Mehmood were the first prisoners reported hanged under the new arrangements. The announcement of their deaths came just hours after the UN human rights office appealed to Pakistan to refrain from resuming executions, saying this would not stop terrorism and might even feed a "cycle of revenge".

We will continue war as long as a single terrorist is on Pakistan soil, says Nawaz Sharif

Peshawar, Dec 17 (ANI): Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday expressed his resolve to continue the war against terrorism till the elimination of the last terrorist from Pakistan's soil. He added that there would be no distinction between good and bad Taliban. Sharif was speaking at a press conference following an all-party meeting in Peshawar in the aftermath of Tuesday's militant attack at a school. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan who was present at the press conference also attended the meeting despite several differences with the government.

Nobel Prize winner Malala 'heartbroken' by Pakistan school attack

Birmingham, Dec17 (ANI): Pakistani child education activist and Nobel Prize winner Malala Yousafzai, said she was heartbroken by the news that at least 141 people, mostly children, had been killed in a Taliban attack on a school in northwest Pakistan. Malala, was shot in the head on a school bus by the Taliban in 2012 and won global acclaim for her passionate advocacy of women's right to education.

Pakistan begins painful task of burying its dead after school carnage

Peshawar, Dec 17 (ANI): Pakistan woke up to a day of mourning on Wednesday after Taliban militants killed 141 people, nearly all of them children, at a school in Peshawat, near the border with Afghanistan, on Tuesday. Grief-stricken family members and friends buried Abdul Azam Afridi, a student of Grade 12 who was killed when Taliban gunmen stormed the school, taking hundreds of students hostage in the bloodiest insurgent attack in the country in years. At least 132 students and nine staff members were killed on Tuesday in the incident that lasted for more than five hours. Over 120 were injured, and the army said 960 students had been rescued. Sikander Azam, brother of the dead student, said they received news of the attack late in the morning. Iqbal Afridi, a relative of the victim, said security should've been heightened at the school which was on the Taliban hit list.

Pakistan Sells Out PoK Resources to China

Muzaffarabad, December 16, 2014: Pakistan goes ahead with Chinese projects in PoK defying local resistance, Islamabad selling Pakistan's natural resources to China without consent of Kashmiris. Notwithstanding India's objections and International norms to China-backed developmental projects in PoK, Pakistan is going ahead with its plans, including the multi-billion dollar Sino-Pak economic corridor. Chinese strategy vis-a-vis PoK appears to be heading toward gaining tacit control of the region - both militarily and politico-diplomatically. By increasing investments and sponsoring various "development projects" in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of PoK, the activities involving several thousand Chinese personnel belonging to the construction corps of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) seem to point towards an expansionist Chinese geo-strategic agenda in the region. China's Western Highway, also known as the Lhasa-Kashgar/Xinjiang Highway connects Xinjiang to Tibet. From Quilanaldi, the road

84 children killed in Taliban school attack

Peshawar, Dec 16 (ANI): At least 84 children have been killed in a Taliban attack on a school in the Pakistani city of Peshawar on Tuesday (December 16), an official said. Troops surrounded the building and an operation was under way to rescue the remaining children, the army said. A journalist at the scene said he could hear heavy gunfire from inside the school. Pervaiz Khattak, Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the province of which Peshawar is the capital, said 84 children had been killed. In an atmosphere of uncertainty, students who had been rescued were frisked by soldiers before being allowed to move away from the site of the attack. One rescued student described the scene. Pak Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who reached the spot, condemned the attack.

Japan introduces its pop music and food to the world

Japan, Dec 16 (ANI): Horipro, the Japanese talent production company, is now eyeing ASEAN and India. Recently, its famous actor and artist gathered in Singapore for the Anime Festival Asia 2014, and annual event with participation of some 90,000 people. The event was held jointly by Singapore cooperation SOZO and Horipro. Horipro executes not only talent business but also plural business including talent goods sales and production of its own content. It was displayed at an exhibition. Actor of Japanese comic, Death Note, Hayato Kakizawa also participated at the event marked by musical performances and caught the attention of fans. Some fans also interacted with Kakizawa. They were attracted by his performance and attitude.

Taliban gunmen hold 500 students hostage in Peshawar, 16 feared killed

Peshawar, Dec 16 (ANI): In the latest major offensive, 500 students have been held hostages and 16 are feared to be killed after Taliban militants stormed the Army Public School in Peshawar in broad daylight on Tuesday. Five or six militants reportedly wearing military uniforms entered the Army Public School in the city of Peshawar. The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for the attack, saying the gunmen had been ordered to shoot older students but not children. Security forces arrived at the Army Public School, located on busy Warsak Road near cantonment, and kicked off rescue operation. Police and military officials said two of the attackers have been eliminated while one blew himself up during retaliation by security forces. They said the terrorists attacked central auditorium of the school where a function was underway.

Australian police surround Sydney cafe where hostages are held, says no contact with armed offender

Sydney, Dec 15 (ANI): Australian police said on Monday they had not had direct contact with any armed offender holding an undisclosed number of people hostage at a cafe in central Sydney. When asked if the police know about the motivation behind the hostage situation, Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione said they are still determining it. Police said they are still determining what the flag means. New South Wales Premier Mike Baird said the public and police were being tested. Dozens of heavily armed Australian police hacve surrounded the Sydney cafe. Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed concern for the people who are being held hostage. Modi on Monday called the incident inhuman and deeply unfortunate. He tweeted, "the incident in Sydney is disturbing. Such acts are inhuman and deeply unfortunate. I pray for everyone's safety."

Martin Place siege: Australia PM says unknown if hostage situation politically motivated

Sydney, Dec 15 (ANI): Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott on Monday issued a short statement on the hostage incident in Martin place in Sydney. He said that the New South Wales police is responding to the incident well. He added that, however, it is yet not known whether the attack is politically motivated. He further stated that he had spoken to NSW Premier Mike Baird and offered him all possible Commonwealth support and assistance. Hostages have been held inside a central Sydney cafe in Australia on Monday where a black flag with white Arabic writing was seen in the window, raising fears of an attack linked to Islamic militants.

Martin Place siege: Hostages held in Sydney cafe, Islamic flag seen in window

Sydney, Dec 15 (ANI): Hostages have been held inside a central Sydney cafe in Australia on Monday where a black flag with white Arabic writing was seen in the window, raising fears of an attack linked to Islamic militants. Patrons were seen inside a cafe standing with their hands pressed against the windows. A black and white flag similar to those used by Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria was also visible. Part of Martin Place, home to the Reserve Bank of Australia, commercial banks and close to the New South Wales (NSW) state parliament, has been cordoned off by the armed Australian police. Trains and buses have come to a halt and roads have been blocked in the area. Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott called an emergency meeting of the cabinet's national security committee.

Bangladesh pays homage to freedom fighters on Martyred Intellectuals Day

Dhaka, Dec 14 (ANI): Thousands of Bangladeshis took to streets in Dhaka to pay rich tributes to people who were killed by Pakistani forces and their collaborators at the end of 1971 Liberation War and observed Martyred Intellectuals Day on Sunday. Former prime minister and chief of opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Khaleda Zia paid homage to intellectuals who fell to brutal military regime during the Liberation War at the Martyred Intellectuals Memorial in Mirpur city. The day is observed just two days ahead of Liberation Day of Bangladesh, which is held on December 16. On Sunday, hundreds of floral wreaths heaped at the Martyred Intellectuals Memorial as several political parties, members of social and cultural organizations and commoners paid homage to the intellectuals. A lecturer of Dhaka University, Momtaz Shirin, urged for speedy trial of war criminals.

Japan votes in general election

Tokyo, Dec 14 (ANI): Voters in Japan headed for polling stations across the nation on Sunday in an election. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was said to claim a fresh mandate for economic policies. Voting, which began early in the morning has been cast as a referendum on his "Abenomics" strategy to end deflation and generate growth but some voters were dubious about the need to have elections so soon after the last one. Abe returned to power for a rare second term as premier in 2012 pledging to reboot Japan's economy, plagued by deflation and an ageing, shrinking population. But hopes for his "Three Arrows" of hyper-easy monetary policy, government spending and reforms such as deregulation were tarnished after the economy slipped into recession in the third quarter following an April sales tax rise. Recent data suggest any rebound is fragile and people are not feeling any of the benefits.

Body of Indian fisherman, who died in Pak jail, awaits legal formalities

Karachi, Dec 14 (ANI): The body of an Indian fisherman, who died under mysterious circumstances in District Jail, Malir in Karachi, awaited legal formalities, an official at mortuary where the body is kept said. According to reports, 30-year-old Dev was arrested by the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency in March for illegal fishing in Pakistani waters in the Arabian Sea and was found dead in his jail barracks a few days back. Jail authorities claimed that Dev had died from natural causes after complaining chest pain and no torture marks were found on his body, it was reported. Ghulam Hussain, in-charge of Edhi Morgue, said the body was handed over to the mortuary on December 11.

Pak arrests 58 Indian fishermen for illegal fishing in their territorial waters

Karachi, Dec 12 (ANI): Pakistan maritime authorities arrested fifty eight Indian fishermen and took into custody their ten boats for illegal fishing in the country's territorial waters, police said. The fishermen, who were arrested on Wednesday, had been handed over to Docks Police Station in Karachi for necessary legal action. The arrested fishermen have been charged under Foreign Act and Fisheries Act. Fishermen from both the countries frequently stray into each other territory and end up spending years in their jails. In May, Pakistan had freed 151 Indian fishermen ahead of Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's visit to India to attend Prime Minister Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony. Pakistan released another batch of 40 prisoners, 35 of them fishermen, as a "goodwill gesture", last month.

Pakistan welcomes UN Chief's offer to resolve Kashmir issue

Islamabad, Dec 12 (ANI): Pakistan welcomed the statement of the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in which he expressed his readiness to engage with India and Pakistan in resolving the Jammu and Kashmir issue. On December 9, Ban Ki-moon said that "If both countries request it, I am ready to engage further to assist in resolving this issue." Addressing a weekly briefing in Islamabad, Pakistan's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Tasnim Aslam said the UN Chief's offer was "deeply appreciated". He called upon the two countries to resume their stalled composite dialogue. Aslam said Pakistan was committed to a result-oriented dialogue with India on the Kashmir issue, because the just resolution of the issue was of paramount importance for ensuring peace, stability and development in the region. Asked if India will agree to the UN chief's offer, Aslam said it was not a matter of choice because the UN resolutions which are applicable had been accepted by both Pakistan and India.

Kailash Satyarthi, Malala Yousafzai conferred Nobel Peace Prize Part - 1

Oslo, Dec 10 (ANI): Indian child rights activist Kailash Satyarthi and Pakistan's education activist Malala Yousafzai received the Nobel Peace Prize for 2014 at a ceremony held in Norway on Wednesday for their struggle against the suppression of children and young people and for the right of all children to education. This is the first time that an Indian and a Pakistani have jointly received the Nobel Peace Prize. Speaking at the ceremony, Satyarthi said that he was accepting the award on behalf of the martyrs and activists. Satyarthi, who was accompanied by his family members, also recalled his experience with the unprivileged people and said there is no greater violence than to deny the dreams of children. Malala Yousafzai while addressing the gathering appealed the world to contribute towards giving every child quality education.

Dhaka holds Photo Exhibition dedicated to 1971 Liberation War

Dhaka, Dec 10 (ANI): A photo exhibition depicting the atrocities committed during the Liberation War of 1971 is being held in Bangladesh's capital Dhaka. Titled '1971 Genocide and Tortures', the exhibition has been organised by Bangladesh National Museum and Genocide and Torture Archive and Museum Trust as the nation observes December as the month of Liberation. The eight-day exhibition aims to illustrate the torture the people of the country were subjected to. It also offers a glimpse into the past to the young generation and helps them learn about the freedom struggle of Bangladesh. Meanwhile, a visitor Fatema Mamun, said the photos at the exhibition reminded her of the days when she lived in constant fear. On display at the exhibition were numerous paintings, photographs, sketches and replicas of artworks by eminent artists of the country to portray the heinous and inhuman torture committed by the Pakistani occupation army and the level of horror faced by the people.