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Expatriate Indians hail PM Modi as he arrives in US

New York, Sept 27 (ANI): Expatriate Indians hailed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he arrived in New York on his maiden visit to the United States. Supporters shouted slogans welcoming Modi, raised banners and placards and praised him. They said they are proud of Modi as he is the most dynamic leader who can bring a change in India. Modi arrived in New York on Friday on his maiden visit to the United States, aiming to woo corporate titans and crown a burst of investment-focused diplomacy. Several members of Overseas Friends of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) along with supporters of Modi gathered on the streets of New York and welcomed the Indian prime minister with much fanfare.

PM Modi gets 'rock-star like welcome' at New York Hotel on his arrival

New York, Sep 27 (ANI): Crowds greet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, by chanting his name and blowing the conch shell in triumph on the streets of New York as he arrived at the hotel. PM Modi arrived in New York on Friday on his maiden visit to the United States, aiming to woo corporate titans and crown a burst of investment-focused diplomacy. Crowds were shouting pro-Modi slogans as he took walk to the hotel surrounded by water-tight security. Several posters and placards bearing Modi's name and photo also greeted the Indian prime minister. Modi's schedule lists about 35 engagements during a 100-hour trip, including a rock-star-like address at New York's Madison Square Garden, a speech to the United Nations and an appearance at a Central Park festival that features rap star Jay Z.

Nawaz Sharif addresses UN General Assembly, rakes up 'Kashmir issue' blaming India for cancellation of talks

New York, Sep 27 (ANI): Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif raised the issue of Kashmir at the UN General Assembly in New York and blamed India for "another missed opportunity" to address outstanding issues by cancelling the foreign secretary-level talks. Sharif urges United Nations to 'peacefully settle' the conflicted issue of Kashmir. He said that his government had sincerely embarked on negotiation process with India for peaceful resolution of all disputes. Further, he also talked about the national calamity faced by Pakistan recently and also other issues of natural changes in the world. Sharif also congratulated Afghanistan on its election results.

Pakistan test fires short range surface-to-surface missile Hatf IX

Pakistan, Sep 26 (ANI): Pakistan on Friday conducted a successful test fire of short range surface to surface missile Hatf IX (NASR). NASR, with a range of 60 kilometres and in-flight manoeuvre capability is a quick response system, with shoot and scoot attributes. It contributes to the full spectrum deterrence against the prevailing threat spectrum. According to press release from the ISPR, the test fire was conducted with successive launches of 4 missiles from a state of the art Multi Tube Launcher with Salvo Mode. Addressing the participants at the launch area, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, General Rashad Mahmood, congratulated the scientists and engineers on achieving yet another milestone towards Pakistan's deterrence capability

Indian Americans celebrate Navratri festival in New York as PM Modi is to arrive anytime

New York, Sep 26 (ANI): Indian Americans performed traditional folk dance,'garba', in New York to celebrate Navratri festival, which spans Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first US visit. People dressed in traditional attire flocked outside a Geeta Temple in the city and danced in devotion to mark the nine-day festival. Modi, who would be observing the nine-day Navratri fast during his trip, has a tight schedule which features United Nations General Assembly, a rally of Indian Americans at New York's Madison Square Garden and talks with Obama in Washington. In New York, Indians belonging to Gujarati community said Modi's visit to the US was a proud moment for them.

Can think about resuming FS talks if PM Modi takes initiative: Sartaj Aziz

New York, Sept 26 (ANI): Rejecting the view that Pakistan has repeatedly violated the cease-fire arrangement on the Line of Control (Loc) and the International Border (IB), and adding that meeting with Kashmiri leaders is normal practice, Pakistan's National Security and Foreign Affairs Adviser Sartaj Aziz said that foreign secretary-level talks between Pakistan and India can resume if Prime Minister Narendra Modi takes the initiative.

Pak 'spoiled' foreign secy-level talks by meeting Hurriyat Leaders: Sushma

New York, Sept 26 (ANI): Reacting over Pakistan's National Security and Foreign Affairs Adviser Sartaj Aziz's statement that the talks between New Delhi and Islamabad can happen only if the former takes the initiative, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said it was Pakistan which spoiled the foreign secy-level talks by meeting Hurriyat Leaders. India had last month cancelled the Foreign Secretary-level talks with Pakistan to protest against a meeting between Kashmiri separatist leaders and Islamabad's envoy to New Delhi

PM Modi arrives in Frankfurt en route to New York to attend UNGA

Frankfurt, Sep 26 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in Frankfurt, Germany. He will leave for the United States today. On his arrival in New York today, the Mayor of New York, Bill de Blasio will call on him at Hotel New York Palace where he will be staying till Sunday. Prime Minister Modi will begin his day with paying tributes at the 9/11 Memorial and museum, followed by meeting United Nations Chief Ban Ki Moon at UN Headquarters. The Prime Minister will address the 69th session of United Nations general Assembly, UNGA, at around 8 p.m. on Saturday, Indian Standard Time. The UNGA session's theme this year is about delivering and implementing a transformative Post-2015 development agenda.

India-China border standoff resolved: Sushma Swaraj

New York, Sep 26 (ANI): External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj after meeting with her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi said that China will begin withdrawing its troops to its normal positions from September 26th and be completed by September 30. She further said that India-China relations had gone through a "bad phase", but now, things were on the mend. The foreign minister-level talks were held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Obama vows at UN to dismantle ISIS 'network of death'

United Nations, Sept 25 (ANI): US President Barack Obama vowed at the United Nations to keep up the military pressure on Islamic State militants and urged those who have joined the extremist group in Iraq and Syria to "leave the battlefield while they can."Speaking at the UN General Assembly, Obama said Islamic State must be destroyed and issued a global call for nations to come together to join a US-led coalition. Before he spoke, US-led airstrikes for the third time this week pounded Islamic State targets in Syria and Iraq. He added that the United States does not intend to occupy any countries, but "will support Iraqis and Syrians fighting to reclaim their communities." He referred to Islamic State by the acronym ISIL.

Kashmiris at UN denounce Pakistan's illegal occupation of PoK

Geneva/Muzaffarabad, PoK, September 23, 2014: Speaking at the recently held event at the United Nations in Geneva, observers and activists focused on the deteriorating security situation and attacks on minorities in Pakistan. The event titled 'the Human Rights in South Asia' also raised the issue of human rights violations in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir or PoK and Gilgit Baltistan. Civil society activists, human rights defenders and academicians stressed on Pakistan's move of exploiting the remote region's rich natural resources, apart from curbing the political autonomy. Kashmiri leaders blamed Pakistan for allegedly controlling the region through a proxy government and its secret agencies which have a stranglehold over every aspect of both PoK and Gilgit Baltistan. Kashmiri also accused Pakistan's spy agencies for suppressing the national movement through enforced disappearances and targetted killings.

At least three die in Peshawar blast

Peshawar, Sep 23 (ANI): A car laden with explosives blew up near a security forces' convoy, killing at least three people and wounding at least thirteen others in the northwest Pakistani city of Peshawar on Tuesday (September 23), local media reported. The three confirmed dead were a Frontier Constabulary officer, one woman and a passer-by. The blast happened when a Frontier Constabulary (FC) vehicle was passing through an area where the Peshawar Press Club, a railway station and a paramilitary headquarters are located. Law enforcement agencies and rescue teams rushed to the scene of the blast. Security teams sealed off the area and started a search operation. The wounded were taken to Lady Reading Hospital for treatment.

US, partner nations launch first strikes in Syria: Pentagon

New Delhi, Sept 23 (ANI): The United States and partner nations are carrying out the first air strikes against Islamic State targets in Syria, the Pentagon said, in ongoing operations that mark the opening of a new, far more complicated front in battle against the militants. Rear Admiral John Kirby, Pentagon press secretary on his Twitter page said: "US military and partner nation forces have begun striking ISIL targets in Syria using mix of fighters, bombers and Tomahawk missiles."I can confirm that U.S. military and partner nation forces are undertaking military action against ISIL terrorists in Syria using a mix of fighter, bomber and Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles," Kirby said in a statement. "Given that these operations are ongoing, we are not in a position to provide additional details at this time."

Pakistan exploiting Gilgit Baltistan

Gilgit, Sep 22: Poor infrastructure growth, poverty, unemployment and security continue to trouble the people of Gilgit Baltistan. People here are still deprived of their fundamental rights. Small and marginal traders in the region decry the imposition of taxes by the Pakistan government. Gilgit-Baltistan being a disputed region, Pakistan has no right to impose taxes on the people of the region. In an estimate, Pakistan takes away over Rs. 60 billion from the area under different taxes every year, but in return, gives nothing to the indigenous people. Gilgit Baltistan was annexed from the erstwhile princely state of Jammu and Kashmir and is strategically located between Pakistan, India, China and Afghanistan. It has been forcibly controlled by Pakistan for decades now. Since the setting up of the de facto provincial government in Gilgit Baltistan in 2009, Islamabad's exploitation of the region has gained momentum.

US attorney office confirms White House intruder had a knife

Washington, Sep 21 (ANI): According to US attorney's office, Omar Gonzalez, the man arrested after climbing the fence at the White House was armed with a knife. Previously, the US Secret Service had said Gonzalez was unarmed. Gonzalez made his way into the executive mansion, though President Barack Obama and his family were not there. Gonzalez was charged with unlawfully entering a restricted building or grounds while carrying a "deadly or dangerous weapon", according to an affidavit released by the US attorney's office. Armed Secret Service officers raced through the West Wing area of the White House during the intrusion and ordered journalists and staff members to evacuate.

Kerry says Iran could help 'take out' IS

United Nations, Sep 21 (ANI): US Secretary of State John Kerry has said that Iran could play a crucial role in defeating the Islamic State group. Even while the US refrained from inviting Iran from joining the US-led military coalition, Kerry said that Iran could help "take out" IS. Kerry said in a meeting of the United Nations Security Council that it was about taking out an entire network, decimating and discrediting a militant cult masquerading as a religious movement. He added that there is a role for nearly every country in the world to play, including Iran.

People of PoK oppose Pakistan's illegal occupation of their homeland

Kotli, PoK, September 16, 2014: The people of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir or PoK are uniting to protest against years of suppression by Pakistan. Kashmiris who have for more than six decades faced the worst, have now realized that they have been used as pawns to further the expansionist policies of Islamabad. Locals took out rallies recently, against the illegal occupation of their homeland, denouncing Pakistan and its conspiracy to destabilize the region in the name of Kashmiri cause.

Japanese technology helps to curb flood situation

Bangkok, Sep 16 (ANI): Bangkok, the cultural, political and economic capital of Thailand is a growing metropolis. It is located on the flat and low-lying area of the Chao Phraya river, with an average elevation of 1.5 meters above sea level. Most of the area was originally swamp land, which was gradually drained and irrigated by the construction of canals, between sixteenth and nineteenth centuries. Flood control during the rainy season is one of the most important challenges in Bangkok. The city has vast network of canals, but its draining ability is limited and unsustainable when it rains heavily. In order to cope with floods, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration constructed a drainage underground tunnel by connecting the Makkasan Pond to and three canals in the city, to a pump station at the Chao Phraya river. This is the water intake building at Makkasan Pond.

Freedom movement intensifies in 'Azad Kashmir'

Muzaffarabad, Sept 15: The sounds of freedom are echoing high in Azad Kashmir to the demand for an end to colonial rule imposed by Pakistan. Facing acute power shortage, unemployment, poverty and hunger, the people of Azad Kashmir have now decided to launch a decisive war against Pakistan. A protest rally, also attended by women in large numbers, was recently held in Muzaffarabad to decry the atrocities committed by the Pakistani Army. Rampant corruption among Pakistani officials posted in Azad Kashmir has made the region a living hell. A similar protest held in Kotli city was largely attended by the youth. Living like slaves in their own territory, they are demanding 'Azadi' from Pakistani oppression and have opposed the hoisting of Pakistan's national flag in Azad Kashmir.

President receives warm welcome on arrival in Vietnam

Bhopal, Sep 15 (ANI): Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilisers, Ananth Kumar, asked the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, to become the first state in the country to introduce a chapter on lifestyle diseases in school curriculum to combat cardiovascular diseases and obesity. The minister, while addressing a gathering at a workshop on echocardiography, emphasised on the need to create awareness about lifestyle diseases among school students. Chouhan, who was also present at the workshop, said they would like to go ahead with the proposal. Kumar said a pharmaceutical park will also come up in Madhya Pradesh.