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Japan takes step forward to protect environment

Niigata/ Yokohama, Dec 9 (ANI): Niigata Plain in Japan was affected by regular floods restricting farmers to produce harvests only once in three years. Having ill-drained land below sea level, it was in need of drainage facilities. Few decades ago, EBARA Corporation installed many drainage pumps, including Shinkawa-kako Drainage Pump Station, which is undergoing renovations after 40 years. The company has installed a big impeller which can drain 40000 liter water per second. The facility has 6 pumps which makes it one of the nation's largest pump stations. Today, the Niigata Plain is one of the most famous rice growing areas in Japan.

Anti-government protests spread across nation after Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf worker killing

Karachi/Lahore/Islamabad, Dec 09 (ANI): Protests by Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party widened across the country after activists from his party was gunned down in clashes with the ruling party's Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) during a shutdown strike in Faisalabad city. The killing sparked protests in other cities of the country including Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad. The protesters also took to streets in Mutan, Gujrat, Guranwala, Sialkot, Peshawar and Hyderabad. The protesters in Karachi held banner that read "We condemn in strongest words the atrocities committed in Faisalabad". The demonstrator shouted "Go Nawaz Go" and "Go Shahabaz go". Earlier in the day as the news of PTI worker's killing spread, Imran Khan reacted to it in Islamabad before leaving for Faisalabad where he was due to address a rally.

Bangladesh marks day of Indian recognition

Dhaka, Dec 7 (ANI): Bangladesh observed Indian recognition day with poise, which the country attained after the 1971 liberation war and was recognized as an independent and sovereign nation. A seminar on "Indo-Bangladesh Relations and Regional Security" was organized in the capital city of Dhaka to mark the event. Delegates attending the seminar expressed their gratitude towards India for helping the country during the war for liberation. Emphasizing on the security between the two countries and the region in general, the Deputy High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh, Sandeep Chatterjee said that the two countries can take an initiative towards fighting militancy in the region.

Maldives thanks India for prompt response to alleviate its drinking water shortage

Male, Dec 07 (ANI): Maldives Foreign Minister Dunya Maumoon expressed her deepest appreciation and thanked India for its prompt response to alleviate the drinking water shortage in the archipelago, in the true spirit of their close and time-tested bilateral ties. Indian High Commissioner to Maldives, Rajeev Shahare said that the people of the nation are thankful to India for always responding to their call in times of crisis.

Eric Garner protesters in US storm streets and stores against police violence

United States, Dec 06 (ANI): Dozens of protesters took to the streets of Washington DC in yet another day of demonstrations against police violence after grand juries in New York and Missouri decided not to indict police officers in the deaths of unarmed Black men. The protesters gathered and staged a symbolic "die in", shouting "I can't breathe," a phrase Eric Garner shouted when he was placed in a chokehold by a New York police officer. Demonstrators shouted "If I can't breathe. You can't breathe." Since Wednesday, when a New York grand jury cleared white police officer Daniel Pantaleo in case of chokehold death of Garner, the city has seen two nights of angry but largely peaceful demonstrations. Meanwhile, protesters also took to the streets and stores in Manhattan in protest against police violence. Tensions briefly erupted as police shoved protesters onto sidewalks.

Bangladesh an independent and sovereign country: PM Sheikh Hasina

Dhaka, Dec 06 (ANI): Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina termed Bangladesh as an independent and sovereign nation and said that her country will still rise even if no one stands by it. Addressing the journalists during her three-day visit to Malaysia, Hasina called Bangladesh as a self-sufficient nation. Last month at the 18th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit in Nepal, Hasina called for deeper cooperation from member nations to achieve her target of a developed nation by 2041. Meanwhile, Bangladesh PM also said that if her party would have not come to power then conducting war crimes trials was not possible. The war crimes tribunals have angered Islamists who call them a politically motivated attempt by Prime Minister Hasina to persecute the leadership of Jamaat-e-Islami, a key part of the opposition coalition.

Pakistan's Army Chief urges resolution of Kashmir and Palestine issues to ensure security

Karachi, Dec 05 (ANI): Pakistan's Army Chief General Raheel Sharif said that unresolved issues like Kashmir and Palestine need to be addressed in order to ensure security in the region. He said this while speaking to the eighth International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS) in Karachi. The exhibition showcased hundreds of weapons, defence products and machines from Pakistan and several other countries from Asia, Europe and America. India and Pakistan have fought two of their three wars since independence in 1947 over Muslim-majority Kashmir, which they both claim in full but rule in part. Pakistan also supports the proposal of the creation of an independent Palestinian state. The army chief visited various stalls exhibited by different companies, and also exchanged views with foreign delegates at the IDEAS exhibition.

Pak showcases arms and ammunition at international defence exhibition

Karachi, Dec 04 (ANI): Pakistani military showcased domestically produced arms and defence equipment at the eighth International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS-2014), a four-day exhibition of arms and combat equipment. The exhibition was opened by Pakistani Prime Minster, Nawaz Sharif, on Monday in the port city of Karachi. The organisers say, nearly 80 foreign delegations, including 24 high level ones, headed either by their respective defence ministers, secretaries or service chiefs, are also attending the exhibition and seminar under the theme 'Weapons for Peace.'Russia, UAE, Australia and Portugal are taking part in the exhibition for the first time. China has the biggest stall in the exhibition. IDEAS-2014 is 8th in the series of defence exhibitions biennially held in Pakistan

Contaminated Water Making Life Difficult for People of PoK

Muzaffarabad, PoK, December 02, 2014: Despite being endowed with abundant water resources, PoK is plagued by an acute contamination of its water bodies leading to water shortages and other health issues. With natural sources drying up or being declared unfit for human use, many in capital Muzaffarabad have had to negotiate treacherous terrain to fetch water from far off areas. Many depend on the local administration for drinking water. But residents allege that in the light of no response from government the problem manifests, year after year. With 86 percent of water being declared unfit for consumption, the problem is becoming grave by the day. Water borne diseases like dysentery, cholera and typhoid are common complaints among the local population. The Neelum Valley Project was intended to solve the problem of water scarcity in the Himalayan region, but much of the water harnessed here, has been diverted to the big cities of Pakistan. The erratic monsoons have led to a dip in the wa

Japanese firms take lead in electronics and transportation technology

Tokyo, Dec 02 (ANI): A Japanese multinational provider of IT services and products, NEC, hosted the C and C User Forum and iEXPO 2014 at Tokyo International Forum recently. The two-day expo was attended by some 24,000 visitors. Under a new brand message "Orchestrating a brighter world" the annual event is designed for a deeper understanding of NEC's solutions for society. The exhibition showcased the latest NEC Group products and solutions, which are aimed at the realization of social values such as safety, security, efficiency, and equality that are essential for people in modern society. Visitors were introduced to around 100 exhibits and lectures on a wide array of solutions, experienced the leading-edge network and computing technologies, wide range of products, services, and know-how developed at NEC for many years. The NEC has been annually hosting the C and C User Forum and iEXPO for nearly 20 years. Since the establishment in 1899, the NEC has built a rich history of technologi

Hong Kong protesters remain defiant despite order to retreat

Hong Kong, Dec 02 (ANI): Demonstrators woke early on Tuesday determined to continue their protests in Hong Kong, a day after thousands of pro-democracy activists forced the temporary closure of government headquarters after clashing with police, defying orders to retreat. Hong Kong leader Leung Chun-Ying said police had been tolerant but would now take "resolute action", suggesting that patience may have finally run out. On Monday the Hong Kong high court granted an injunction which would allow bailiffs to clear the Admiralty protest site. The bailiffs, if they request it, can be supported by police during protest site clearance. It's not known when or if the injunction will be carried out. Speaking on a stage on Monday night in the heart of the Admiralty protest site next to government headquarters, student leader Joshua Wong said he and two others, including a secondary school student, would start a hunger strike to pressure Beijing to grant Hong Kong full democracy. One pro-democrac

Pakistan's Wheelchair Cricket team eyes international exposure

Karachi, Nov 29 (ANI): A spirited bunch of physically challenged cricketers arrived in Karachi from all over the Pakistan to participate in a Wheelchair Cricket training camp and to be selected as a squad to represent the country abroad. Their first tour will take place in late December, when the team heads to Bangladesh. The training camp was hosted by the International Wheelchair Cricket Association (IWCA) at Karachi Gymkhana. IWCA founder president Zeeshan Taqi said that the mission is to ensure the wheelchair confined PWDs are facilitated with maximum opportunities to participate in sporting and recreational involvement.

Dozens dead, over 100 wounded in Nigeria mosque attack

Kano, Nov 29 (ANI): Three bombs exploded and gunmen opened fire on the Muslim faithful gathered for prayers at the main Mosque in north Nigeria's biggest city Kano. Media reports say that dozens have been killed and more than one hundred people have been hurt by the explosions. The mosque is next to the palace of the emir of Kano, the second highest Islamic authority in Africa's most populous country. But security reports given so far said Emir Sanusi Lamido Sanusi is safe, and he wasn't in the mosque at the time of the incident. The police blocked the accident area right after they arrived at the bomb site, and started the rescue right away. No organizations or persons have announced to create the incident, but recent attacks in Nigeria are blamed on Boko Haram for revenge.

36 Indian prisoners released from Malir jail in Pakistan

Karachi, Nov 28 (ANI): Pakistan authorities on Friday released 36 Indian prisoners, 35 of them fishermen, as a "goodwill gesture". The Indian prisoners were freed from Malir jail in the port city of Karachi. All the released inmates were sent to Lahore by bus. They will be handed over to Indian authorities at the Wagah border on Saturday (November), officials said. The fishermen had been arrested for illegal fishing in Pakistani waters. One prisoner was arrested for illegally crossing the border. Pakistan's biggest "Edhi charity" distributed gifts and cash among prisoners. Each prisoner was handed Rupees ten thousand for expenses on the way. Freed Indian prisoners said that they were happy at their release.

Nepal PM Sushil Koirala says nothing to be surprised about Modi-Sharif handshake at SAARC

Kathmandu, Nov 28 (ANI): Nepalese Prime Minister Sushil Koirala said there is nothing surprising about Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart, Nawaz Sharif shaking hands as they share a cordial bond. A brief meeting between Modi and his Pakistani counterpart appeared to have salvaged a summit of South Asian leaders, with all eight countries clinching a last-minute deal to create a regional electricity grid. Meanwhile, Koirala said at a news conference that there was nothing to be surprised about the gesture between the two neighbours. The squabbling between the rivals is widely blamed for the poor performance of the SAARC, which was originally founded with the goal of moving towards a European-style union. Koirala also talked about the constitution of Nepal, which is currently governed by an interim constitution formed in 2007.

PM Modi meets locals in Kathmadu before leaving for New Delhi

Kathmandu, Nov 27 (ANI): In yet another showcase of his friendliness and his nature of taking the masses together, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his last day in Nepal met the locals in the Kathmandu city. He waved and shook hands with the locals as he arrived for a banquet hosted by Nepal PM Sushil Koirala at his residence. Koirala is hosting final dinner for the SAARC leaders before their departure. Modi later met SAARC business chamber delegates who appreciated him for the works and developments that he envisions. Meanwhile, Pakistani journalist also applauded PM Modi calling him a 'media friendly person'. PM Modi will leave Kathmadu for New Delhi late evening.

SAARC is not just about India and Pak but about all neighbours, we are satisfied with the summit: MEA

Kathmandu, Nov 27 (ANI): MEA spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin on Thursday stated that India would go back very satisfied with the outcome of the SAARC summit. When asked about not having any separate dialogue with Pakistan, Akbaruddin stated that SAARC is not just about India and Pakistan, but about all the neighbours in South Asia. He reiterated that India can talk to Pakistan only if it is a meaningful dialogue.

SAARC summit concluded successfully, looking forward to development through peace and institutionalization of democracy: Nepal PM

Kathmandu, Nov 27 (ANI): As 18th SAARC Summit ended on Thursday, Nepal Prime Minister Sushil Kumar Koirala said that the summit concluded successfully. He said that the nation is looking forward to development through peace and institutionalization of democracy. He applauded the developments that took place during the summit of the SAARC leaders. He said that the discussions and deliberations were held in cordial and friendly atmosphere.

SAARC leaders' spouses enjoy traditional dance, handicrafts in Nepal

Kathmandu, Nov 27 (ANI): Spouses of South Asian leaders visited an ancient town on the outskirts of Nepal's capital Kathmandu on Thursday. The spouses were given a guided tour of the ancient Bhaktapur durbar square, a UNESCO heritage site and one of the top tourist draws in the Himalayan nation on the sidelines of the SAARC meeting. Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's wife, Kulsoom Nawaz enjoyed her visit. They were also treated to traditional Nepali mask dance and visited handicrafts stalls specially set up for their visit.

No proposal on expansion of SAARC membership: MEA

Kathmandu, Nov 27 (ANI): MEA spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin on Thursday said that there is no proposal on expansion of SAARC membership. He added that the focus is currently on enhancing more cooperation between the member countries of SAARC.