Page 72 - Video Gallery

Former Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif sentenced to 7 years in prison

Islamabad (Pakistan), Dec 24 (ANI): Former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has been sentenced to seven years in prison by an accountability court in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills corruption reference. Monday's sentence in the money laundering and tax evasion case came a day ahead of Sharif's 69th birthday. Dawn reported that the Sharif has also been charged with a fine of USD 2.5 million in the case. However, the bench, headed by Accountability Court Judge Arshad Malik, acquitted him in the Flagship Investments reference. The Judge, had earlier turned down Sharif's request for more time in the two cases, as the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had stated that granting more time could further delay verdict in the graft cases. Earlier this month, Pakistan's Supreme Court had asked the accountability court to wrap up the corruption cases by December 24, after previously granting it seven extensions to conclude the NAB references. The trial against the Sharif family had started on Sep

Indonesia tsunami leaves 168 dead, 745 injured

Jakarta (Indonesia), Dec 23 (ANI): At least 168 people have lost their lives in the devastating tsunami that struck the Sunda Strait on Saturday night, with 745 people being reported as injured by Indonesia's National Disaster Mitigation Agency. Furthermore, the natural disaster has destroyed 558 houses as 30 people are still missing, CNN quoted Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, the head of the agency as saying. Over nine hotels, 60 restaurants and 350 boats have also been heavily damaged in the disaster. "We are still gathering information, "Nugroho stated while adding, "The worst hit area is Pandeglang district, along the coastal area, including residential and tourist areas in the Tanjung Lesung beach, Lesung beach, Teluk Lada, Panimbang and Carita beach." The tsunami struck tourist and residential areas on the night of December 22, after underwater landslides that were triggered by a volcanic eruption according to Indonesia's meteorological, climatological and geological agency. The tsunami ha

Trump signs a prison reform bill into law

New Delhi, Dec 22 (ANI): US President Donald Trump signed 'First Step Act' into law which is a prison and sentencing reform bill, on December 20. According to CNN, the new law will turn federal prisons towards rehabilitation. The bill was passed in the Senate and in House earlier this week. On the occasion, Trump tweeted, "Today, it was my great honor to sign the #FirstStepAct - a monumental bi-partisan win for the American people!". The law aims at handling severe sentencing policies that result in several people going to prison for long time. It provides protection to women and juveniles serving in the federal prison system. Trump also signed the 'Countering weapons of Mass Destruction Act 2018' earlier in the day.

Yokohama city held exciting winter event

Yokohama (Japan), Dec 20 (ANI): Athletes on ice had furious battles in the event of "Crashed on Ice". Yokohama city, with its population of about 3.5 million people is famous for its sightseeing spots and being Japan's second biggest city. Recently Yokohama was chosen as the match venue for "Red Bull Crashed Ice 2018", and it is honorably held for the first time ever in Asia. Red Bull Crashed Ice is a world-class winter sport event that gives people thrill and excitement. Rules are simple. The first rider to reach the goal wins the game. The course is up to about 600m. Four riders compete and crash each other, and sometimes the maximum speed reaches about 80km/h. On the track, all kinds of actions, such as pushing, sliding and sprinting, are watched by crowds of spectators. Many people showed up to watch first Asian event and the atmosphere of the venue was gradually heating up. There were also some cultural exchange such as performance of Japan's traditional sumo wrestling. Yokohama b

Kyocera contributes to clean environment

Bangkok (Thailand), Dec 20 (ANI): These panels, which are lined up on the roof of factory, are solar panels called" solar farm". This technology is attracting attention as renewable energy in the midst of climate change issue. In "Aman Nakkorn Industrial Estate" in Thailand, many factories of Japanese companies are using"solar farm". These solar farms are installed by Japanese Company "Kyocera" and Thai Company "SPCG Public Company. "SPCG" is equipped with solar panels manufactured by Kyocera and manages the power supply by solar farms. SPCG CEO "Wandee Khunchornyakong Juljarern" is well-known expert in renewable energy in Thailand. The matching between Japanese company and Thai local company is creating high-quality "solar farm". "HONDA LOCK THAI" is a company that manufactures automotive parts. On the roof of its factory solar farm is installed. "Climate change" is the important global issue and Japanese Company's effort to spread renewable energy in Southeast Asia is achieving suc

Investors in Nepal start hunger strike demanding resignation of finance minister

Kathmandu (Nepal), Dec 19 (ANI): Share investors in Nepal have started a hunger strike in front of the Nepal Stock Exchange demanding resignation of Finance Minister Yuba Raj Khatiwada and Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank Chiranjibi Nepal. The strike is being led by investors Tilak Koirala and Hari Dhakal as part of a pressure group formed by the community. Along with the finance minister and the governor, the protesters have also demanded the resignation of Chairman of Securities Board of Nepal Rewat Bahadur Karki; Chairman of Nepal Stock Exchange Laxman Neupane and Chairman of Insurance Board Chiranjibi Chapagain. The investors have been expressing their full support to the demonstrators. The Ministry of Finance earlier also had formed a committee to discuss the matter and a report was also said to be prepared but later the ministry denied accepting it citing incompleteness and have vowed to continue their protest till their demands are met. The Nepali stock market has capitalization of

Locals hold protest against Neelum-Jhelum power project in PoK

Muzaffarabad (PoK), Dec 19 (ANI): Residents took to the streets of Muzaffarabad against Pakistan's indiscriminate and unabated construction in the illegally occupied region of Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK). They raised slogans against Islamabad demanding the immediate termination of the projects that are underway on the Neelum-Jhelum River and also urged authorities to refrain from sanctioning any further projects. Locals blame Pakistan for recklessly exploiting natural resources in the illegally-occupied region by building mega dams and hydropower projects on rivers like Neelum and Jhelum. The people in PoK are deprived of even drinking water as river Neelum is drying up due to the construction of the hydropower plant project. The project, which was built on the pretext of bringing prosperity, has deeply affected the lives of the common people, with many of them forced to migrate to other places in the country. People of PoK have been suppressed for seven decades now. They are not j

Nepal bans use of Indian currency notes of Rs 200, 500, 2000

Bhairahawa (Nepal), Dec 19 (ANI): Traders and locals are worried over the decision of Nepal government to ban the use of high denomination Indian currency notes of Rs 200, Rs 500 and Rs 2,000 in the country. They claim the decision will not only affect the tourism sector in Nepal but would also have a negative impact on the exchange of goods and services between the two nations. With this decision Nepali citizens are only allowed to carry or make the transactions using Rs 100 banknotes as it is not specified in the release about ban on this or explained further. There was no specific clause or provisions about the new Indian banknotes which were issued after the demonetization move by the Indian Government last November.

Women activists protest against Neelum-Jhelum power project in PoK

Muzaffarabad (PoK), Dec 18 (ANI): A large number of women took to the streets of Muzaffarabad against Pakistan's indiscriminate and unabated construction in the illegally occupied region of Pakistan occupied Kashmir. They carried banners demanding the immediate termination of the projects that are underway on the Neelum Jhelum River and also urged authorities to refrain from sanctioning any further projects. Locals blame Pakistan for recklessly exploiting natural resources in the illegally-occupied region by building mega-dams and hydropower projects on rivers like Neelum and Jhelum.

Indian Embassy organises Kathak festival in Birgunj

Birgunj (Nepal), Dec 18 (ANI): The Swamy Vivekanand cultural and commercial centre of Indian embassy organised a dance and Kathak festival in Birgunj town of Nepal and it concluded on Monday. Renowned faces like Ashwari Pawar and her group performed India's most famous and liked dance form, Kathak. Counsel General of India, B.C Pradhan was the chief guest of the event. The fest was also graced by many political leaders, social workers and industrialists.

Trump calls former attorney Michael Cohen a 'rat'

New Delhi, Dec 16 (ANI): United States President Donald Trump on Sunday called his former attorney Michael Cohen a "rat" while lashing out at the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for raiding the latter's office, thereby causing the 52-year-old lawyer to turn against him. Taking to his Twitter handle, Trump questioned why the investigative agency did not "break into" the offices of the Democratic National Committee or former US Secretary of State and his Democrat opponent in the 2016 polls, Hillary Clinton. "Remember, Michael Cohen only became a "Rat" after the FBI did something which was absolutely unthinkable and unheard of until the Witch Hunt was illegally started. They BROKE INTO AN ATTORNEY'S OFFICE! Why didn't they break into the DNC to get the Server, or Crooked's office?" he tweeted. In April this year, the FBI had conducted a search at Cohen's home, office, and hotel rooms and seized hundreds of documents and computer files, related to hush agreements of adult Stormy Dani

Indian companies explore Nepali market through 'Nepal Medical Show'

Kathmandu (Nepal), Dec 16 (ANI): Indian companies, that manufacture health care equipment, are exploring markets in Nepal through the ongoing three-day Nepal Medical Show and Nepal Lab Expo 2018 taking place in Kathmandu from December 14 to 16. The specialised show for medical, surgical, hospitals, diagnostics and other healthcare industries has given a platform to a variety of international companies. More than 200 companies have set up their stalls for the exhibition at Bhrikutimandap, amongst which Indian companies dominate over others. The show which would end on Sunday has brought in the concern of the medical and surgical, clinical diagnostic hospital infrastructure, medical tourism, medical science and technology. The event which is being held in the support of the AIMS, India and the Microbioz India has offered the exhibiting companies to not only present their innovations, products and services but to meet with the key decision makers and find leads and confirmed orders.

Pakistan, China and Afghanistan ink MoU on anti-terrorism cooperation

New Delhi, Dec 16 (ANI): Pakistan, China, and Afghanistan on Saturday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on counter-terrorism cooperation during the second trilateral ministerial dialogue here. The trilateral talks are being held in the Afghan capital to discuss the peace process, apart from bolstering anti-terrorism and economic cooperation. Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, who is in Kabul for a day-long visit, signed the agreement along with his Chinese and Afghan counterparts, Wang Yi and Salahuddin Rabbani respectively, Geo News reported. The signing of the MoU was witnessed by Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani. During the trilateral dialogue, Qureshi said that Pakistan, Afghanistan, and China should come together to combat terrorism and achieve peace in the region. He also underlined the need for strengthening regional cooperation in various sectors. "Better border management between Pakistan and Afghanistan and intelligence sharing will be greatly benefici

Wang Yi visit to give boost to India-China relations

New Delhi, Dec 16 (ANI): Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi will visit India from December 21 to 24 to hold the first-ever meeting of India-China High-Level Mechanism on Cultural and People-to-People Exchanges with External Affairs Minister (EAM) Sushma Swaraj. The meeting will be focused on strengthening bilateral relations between the two Asian nations. In November, India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi had met in Chengdu for the 21st round of Special Representatives' talks between India and China where they agreed to look for "fair solution" to the border issues. The two sides focused on intensifying efforts to achieve a fair and mutually acceptable solution to the boundary question.

Death toll in Strasbourg shooting touches 4

New Delhi, Dec 15 (ANI): Fourth victim of the shootout which took place at a Christmas market here on December 11 breathed his last. French authorities, confirmed that the man, identified as an Italian journalist Antonio Megalizzi, was on life support since he was shot at the marketplace. Soon after, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte expressed condolences on the death of Antonio, and tweeted: "Deep sorrow for the death of Antonio Megalizzi, a young man with a great passion for journalism, for radio, for investigations and for European institutions." The Italian journalist, who specialised in European affairs, was in Strasbourg to follow the European Parliament.

Rafale deal verdict: Allegations leveled by Congress were to gain political mileage, says Rajnath Singh

New Delhi, Dec 14 (ANI): While talking to media, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said, "The matter was crystal clear from the beginning and we have been saying that the allegations leveled by Congress were baseless and to gain political mileage". Earlier, the Supreme Court has dismissed petition seeking court probe in Rafale deal.

Women activists stage protest against Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower project in PoK

Muzaffarabad (PoK), Dec 14 (ANI): Women activists staged protest in Muzaffarabad's Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK). The protest was held against Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower project. Large number of protestors came out and raised slogans against Pakistan government. The project has affected lives of many people and has forced them to migrate to other places.

Indians top list of foreign tourists visiting Nepal

Kathmandu (Nepal), Dec 14 (ANI): As many as 2,60,124 Indian tourists have visited Nepal in the last ten months, taking the number of tourists visiting the neighbouring country to a whopping one million. As per the data released by the Nepal Tourism Board on Thursday, a total of 10,01,930 tourists arrived Nepal in the period from January to November. Out of them, a total of 2,60,124 Indian tourists visited Nepal via air travel, making them the highest number of international tourists arriving in Nepal. The number of the Indian tourist arrivals in Nepal this year as compared to last year has increased by a hundred thousand - In 2017, the number of Indian tourists stood at 1,60, 832 followed by Chinese tourists with 1,04, 664 persons arriving in Nepal. This year too, China stood second on the list, with 1,34,362 tourist arrivals in the mountainous nation. The number of American Tourists, which stood at 73,650 in 2017, surged to 82,870 in 2018. Tourists from the UK increased to 57,555 from

President Kovind offers prayers at Shri Kali temple in Myanmar

Yangon (Myanmar), Dec 13 (ANI): President Ram Nath Kovind and First Lady Savita Kovind offered prayers at Shri Kali temple in Myanmar's Yangon. They also paid respects to the last Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar at his grave. The President along with his wife will leave for India on December 14.

President Kovind inaugurates India-Myanmar Rice Bio-Park

Nay Pyi Taw (Myanmar), Dec 13 (ANI): President Ram Nath Kovind inaugurated India-Myanmar Rice Bio-Park in Myanmar's capital. The park aims to share India's expertise on using biomass rice to enhance livelihoods of farmers in Myanmar. President Kovind is on his three-day visit to Myanmar. The Indian funded project bids to further strengthening robust ties between the two countries.