Page 86 - Video Gallery

Social activist breaks hunger strike after rape accused Franco Mulakkal's arrest

Kochi (Kerala), Sep 22 (ANI): Social activist Stephen Mathews ended his hunger strike after the arrest of former Jalandhar Bishop Franco Mulakkal in Kerala nun rape case. Franco Mulakkal was earlier arrested after three days of interrogation. Stephen Mathews was on hunger strike since last more than 10 days demanding arrest of Mulakkal.

Kashmiris hold protest at UNHRC, demand Pakistan to dismantle terror infrastructure

Geneva (Switzerland), Sep 21 (ANI): Political activists from Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) hold a massive protest in front of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) office in Geneva against gross human rights violations and exploitation of water resources by Pakistan in the region. The protestors also demanded Islamabad to dismantle terror infrastructure in PoK, as these are used against people in Kashmir Valley. The protest was organised by the United Kashmir People's National Party (UKPNP) during the 39th session of the UN Human Rights Council. They shouted anti-Pakistan slogans and demanded Islamabad to allow the people of PoK and Gilgit Baltistan live freely and with dignity. The protesters were holding banners saying "Stop Human Rights Violations in PoK and Gilgit Baltistan" and "Save Neelum and Save Muzaffarabad". They also accused Pakistan for sponsoring terrorists like Hafiz Saeed and Syed Salahuddin and dismantle terror infrastructure.

US welcomes India-Pakistan foreign ministers' meeting

New Delhi, Sep 21 (ANI): The United States has welcomed India's acceptance of Pakistan's proposal for a meeting between of the foreign ministers of the countries on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), calling it 'terrific news'. While addressing a press conference, US State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert said, "I think that's terrific news for the Indians and Pakistanis to be able to sit down and have a conversation together." Citing the letters exchanged between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, Nauert added that the conditions will hopefully boost bilateral relationship in the future. "We saw the reports about the positive messages being exchanged between Pak PM and PM Modi. We hope that the conditions will be set for a good, strong relationship, a good, strong bilateral relationship in the future," she added. Imran Khan, in a letter to Prime Minister Modi, had proposed a meeting between Swaraj and Qureshi, on the si

44 dead in Tanzania ferry accident

New Delhi, Sep 21 (ANI): At least 44 people were killed after a passenger ferry carrying hundreds of people capsized on Lake Victoria in Tanzania on Thursday. The ferry overturned between the two islands in Lake Victoria, which is the largest lake in Africa, passing through Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda, CNN reported. According to local media, the exact number of those on board was not known as the boat was believed to be carrying people beyond the stipulated capacity. The ferry was believed to be carrying between 400 to 500 people. Emergency response teams pulled 37 people out of the water during rescue operations, which was stopped due to poor visibility.

Hope India and Pakistan settle differences through dialogue: Chinese Consul General

Kolkata (West Bengal), Sep 21 (ANI): On the occasion of 69th Chinese National Day, Chinese Consul General Ma Zhanwu in Kolkata said, "We hope that India and Pakistan settle their differences through dialogue." He said this on the sidelines of the meeting scheduled between External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her Pakistan counterpart at United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.

PoK remains breeding ground for Pakistan-backed terrorists: Kashmiri activists

Geneva (Switzerland), Sep 21 (ANI): Political activists from Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) have shown concern over growing extremism and terrorist activities in the region during an event on the sidelines of the 39th Session of the UN Human Rights Session in Geneva. Shaukat Ali Kashmiri, exiled chairman of United Kashmir People's National Party said, "PoK has remained a hub of terrorism for decades. Pakistan's agencies have created terrorists' infrastructure in the area to carry out terrorist activities in other part of the Kashmir. It has become a launching pad. We have complete information that Pakistan has not changed its policies, it is merely statements by them to mislead the international community, but terrorist camps are running under the patronage of state of Pakistan". Another human rights activist from PoK, Dr. Shabir Choudhry said, "They have got a license to intimidate and frighten people. If need to be, they kill them". Several political activists have highlighted the i

Venkaiah Naidu praises Indian community for 'promoting Indian values' in Romania

Bucharest (Romania), Sep 21 (ANI): Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu arrived in Romania's Bucharest city for the last leg of his three-nation tour. During his visit, Naidu addressed the Indian community in Romania. In his address, Vice-President Naidu said, "Each one of you has become a part of Romania's unique fabric and its progress. There's strong interest in Romania about Indian culture. All of you are playing important role in promoting Indian values." After completing his bilateral engagements, the Vice President will depart for India.

Romania siding with India on major issues: Venkaiah Naidu

Ploiesti (Romania), Sep 20 (ANI): Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, who is on his last leg of three-nation European tour, said that Romania and India are supporting each other on larger issues. "Romania is siding with India on issues like fighting terrorism, supporting India in getting a seat at United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and completion of negations of India with European Union", said Vice President Naidu while addressing Chamber of Commerce and Industry Prahova in Romania's Ploiesti.

39th session of UNHRC: Sindhis hold protest against Human Rights violations by Pakistan

Geneva, Sep 20 (ANI): The World Sindhi Congress held a protest in front of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) accusing Pakistan for violating human rights in Sindh province. The protestors were seen raising slogans against the Pakistan Army and blamed it for enforced disappearances of large number of Sindhi political activities. The protest held during the ongoing 39th session of UN Human Rights Council was joined by Baloch, Pashtun and activists from Pakistan occupied Kashmir. The protesters also raised slogans against the multi-billion dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and demanded the Pakistan government to stop constructing dams in Sindh, Balochistan and Gilgit Baltistan.

Indian Ambassador to Nepal says facilities excellent for Kailash-Mansarovar pilgrims

Simikot (Nepal), Sep 20 (ANI): Simikot, the gateway to Mansarovar, hosts about 12,000 Indian Pilgrims every year. The Himalayan District of Humla, regarded as one of the most rural districts of Nepal, has only one District Hospital - the Humla District Hospital, which is incapable of hosting serious medication and lack proper facilities and equipment. In his quest to improve the medical facilities at the hospital, Tashi Lama, a resident Doctor in the Humla District Hospital interacted with Indian Ambassador Manjeev Singh Puri and hoped for a collaboration with the Indian Embassy to improve the health facility there. Puri also met some pilgrims returning from Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and asked them about their experiences.

N Korea's denuclearisation will be completed by 2021: Mike Pompeo

New Delhi, Sep 20 (ANI): After North Korea committed itself to dismantle its nuclear missiles, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that denuclearisation of North Korea will be completed by 2021. Pompeo also hoped that the nuclear talks between the two countries would result in long-lasting peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. Pompeo welcomed reaffirmation of complete denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula while congratulating North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and South Korean president Moon Jae-in on their successful meeting. He said, "We welcome President Moon and Chairman Kim's reaffirmation of the Singapore joint statement of complete denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula, including the permanent dismantlement of all facilities at Yongbyon in the presence of US and IAEA inspectors." Pompeo has invited his North Korean counterpart, Ri Yong-ho for a meeting in New York next week.

Construction of Dam on Indus River is illegal, unethical, says Sindhi activists

Geneva (Switzerland), Sep 20 (ANI): Sindhi political activists have strongly opposed the construction of Kalabagh Dam on the Indus River and call it an 'illegal, unethical and immoral' attempt by Pakistan to deny life to Sindhi people. A side-event titled "Construction of Dam - denial of life to Sindhi People" was held during the ongoing 39th Session of UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on Wednesday. Lakhu Luhana, Secretary General of World Sindhi Congress said that the should be raised on international forums, calling this is 'illegal, unethical and immoral'. Sindhis believe Kalabagh Dam is tantamount to a death warrant for Sindh which cannot be accepted under any compulsion. Dr. Hidayatullah Bhutto, political activist, and UK and Europe organizer of World Sindhi Congress said, "They are building dams against our wishes and we Sindhi's don't want any dam on the upper stream because it has affected our lives, our whole culture, our lifeline is destroyed. So, we are against every single

Committed to peaceful and harmonious living together: Venkaiah Naidu

Romania, Sep 20 (ANI): Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Wednesday attended the Romania India Business Forum. Speaking on the occasion, VP Naidu said, "India believes in 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam', which means world is one family. Share and care is the core of Indian philosophy and with that the country is moving forward. There may be some aberrations here and there, I don't deny that. With a vast country like India, these things are unfortunately blown out of proportion by certain vested interests who are not able to digest growth of India. Don't worry about it, as a country we are committed to peaceful and harmonious living together. We are trying to have the best of relations with all the countries, including with one of our neighbour who is trying to trouble us by aiding, abetting, funding, training terrorism."

No formal communication yet on Kartarpur corridor: Pakistan Foreign Ministry

Islamabad (Pakistan), Sep 19 (ANI): On the ongoing fiasco over talks between India and Pakistan on Kartarpur Sahib corridor, Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Mohammad Faisal cleared the air and said that there was no formal communication with India on the issue. On the bilateral meeting between the two Prime Ministers, he said that no talks have been initiated so far. His remark comes after Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu claimed that Pakistan is willing to open the corridor on the occasion of 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak next year.

Court orders release of Nawaz Sharif, Maryam, Safdar

New Delhi, Sep 19 (ANI): The Islamabad High Court on Wednesday suspended the sentences of former Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and son-in-law Captain (retd) Muhammad Safdar Awan in the Avenfield case. According to GeoNews, a two-judge bench comprising Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb heard the petition challenging the verdict in the Avenfield reference and suspended it due to lack of evidence in the case. The court also directed the three persons, currently lodged in Adiala Jail, to submit bail bonds worth Rs 0.5 million each. Several Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders including Shehbaz Sharif, Pervaiz Rashid, and Khurram Dastgi were present at the hearing.

VP Venkaiah Naidu meets Prez of Romanian Senate

Bucharest (Romania), Sep 19 (ANI): Vice President Venkaiah Naidu met President of Senate of Romania Calin Popescu-Tariceanu along with the delegation. Both dignitaries shared their experiences of working with democratic institutions. Later, VP Naidu and Calin witnessed the exchange of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between both the countries. The Vice President arrived in Bucharest, capital of Romania earlier today. Romania is the last leg of VP Naidu's three-nation visit. He has already visited Serbia and Malta where he signed various Memorandum of Understandings (MOUs) and held delegation-level talks. He will be in Romania from September 18 to 20.

Nepal hospital asks for collaboration with Indian Embassy for Indian Pilgrims

Humla (Nepal), Sep 19 (ANI): Simikot, the gateway to Mansarovar, hosts about 12,000 Indian Pilgrims every year. The route, considered shorter and cheaper in comparison to others, faces no problems but health has always been of concern on this route. The Himalayan District of Humla, regarded as one of the most rural districts of Nepal, has only one District Hospital - the Humla District Hospital, which is incapable of hosting serious medication and lack proper facilities and equipment. In his quest to improve the medical facilities at the hospital, Tashi Lama, a resident Doctor in the Humla District Hospital interacted with Indian Ambassador Manjeev Singh Puri and hoped for a collaboration with the Indian Embassy to improve the health facility there. : Indian Ambassador to Nepal, Manjeev Singh Puri traveled to Humla from 14th to 16th of September, 2018 to examine the ground reality prevailing in Himalayan District.

Kim, Moon affirm to build peace on Korean Peninsula

New Delhi, Sep 19 (ANI): North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and South Korean president Moon Jae-in on Tuesday agreed to continue their efforts to ensure long-lasting peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula. After the first day of the inter-Korean summit here, President Moon said at the banquet dinner, "The complete denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula and the establishment of peace are key agenda items. There could be some challenges to this new approach. "But Chairman Kim and I have trust and friendship. This (peace and denuclearisation process) has just begun. We will be able to create a future nobody has experienced." On the other hand, Kim said that his meeting with President Moon would serve as a "historic chance" for the Korean people, who want to see the strengthening of inter-Korean relations and building peace on the peninsula, Yonhap News Agency reported. "This time, I and President Moon Jae-in will discuss various issues, related to following up with the Panmunjom Decl

VP Venkaiah Naidu meets President of Chamber of Deputies of Romania

Bucharest (Romania), Sep 19 (ANI): Vice President Venkaiah Naidu on Wednesday met President of the Chamber of Deputies of Romania Liviu Dragnea at the Palace of Parliament in Bucharest along with the delegation. Both the dignitaries shared their experiences of working with democratic institutions. The Vice President arrived in Bucharest, capital of Romania earlier today. Romania is the last-leg of VP Naidu's three-nation visit. He has already visited Serbia and Malta, where he held delegation level talks. He will be in Romania from September 18 to 20.

European academics and experts castigate Pakistan for sponsoring terrorism in Kashmir

Geneva (Switzerland), Sep19 (ANI): European academics and experts have targeted Pakistan for sponsoring terrorism, while highlighting factual and analytical errors of report on Jammu and Kashmir by OHCHR at Geneva. Speaking at a side event titled 'Preventing and Combating Growing Terrorism in South Asia', during the 39th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, Paul Stott, Lecturer at the University of Leicester and in the Centre for International Studies and Diplomacy at SOAS, University of London and Research Fellow of EFSAS, discussed a range of issues primarily focusing on Pakistan's strategic interest and the flaws of the recent report on Jammu and Kashmir by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). He discussed many of the analytical and methodological flaws found in the recently published report and the implications that had not been expressed as well as the fact that the Report only covers the situation in Jammu and Kashmir d