Page 12 - Video Gallery

Watch: Multiple explosions heard during Ashraf Ghani's oath taking ceremony in Kabul

Kabul (Afghanistan), Mar 09 (ANI): Multiple explosions were reported during Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani's oath taking ceremony in Kabul on March 09. People in large numbers were present at the time of explosions. Ghani was sworn-in as the President of Afghanistan for the second time. More details are awaited.

Hazara minority facing persecution in Afghanistan, Pakistan: Woman Activist

Geneva (Switzerland), Mar 08 (ANI): A Hazara woman activist has demanded an urgent intervention by international community to protect the minority community facing persecution in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Derakhshan Qurban Ali, a human rights activist, shows concern over rising sectarian and terrorist attacks by the Taliban, ISIS and other Sunni extremist grounds on Hazara minority. Speaking to ANI on the sidelines of 43rd session of UN Human Rights Council, Derakhshan condemned the Friday's (March 06) deadly attack on Hazaras in Kabul, in which 32 people were killed and dozens injured. The commemoration ceremony attended by top political leaders of Afghanistan was held to remember Abdul Ali Mazari, a Shia leader who was killed by the Taliban in 1995. ISIS claimed responsibility of the attack, which was carried out week after a peace deal signed by the Taliban and the United States. Derakhshan said, "This is an issue that is greatly concerning not just for Hazaras, for all Afghans, fo

Baloch, Sindhi and Pashtun activists lambast Pak Army for human rights violations

Geneva (Switzerland), Mar 07 (ANI): Activists from Balochistan, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces of Pakistan have lambasted Pakistan Army for carrying out human rights violations during the 43rd session of Human Rights Council. Qambar Malik Baloch, a human rights activist from Balochistan told the Council in his intervention, "Thousands of the Baloch political activists are being illegally detained in Iranian and Pakistani prisons. The whereabouts of thousands of forcibly disappeared persons are not known. Thousands have been the victim of the kill and dump policy of the Pakistani state". Dua Naz Kalhoro, a Sindhi political activist also blamed Pakistan and its army for human rights violations on people in Sindh province. She said, "We want to draw the Council's attention to our deep concern about illegal grabbing of hundreds of thousands of acres of land of indigenous Sindhi people in Pakistan". Shahi Sadat, a Pashtun political activist told the Council, "In Pakistan, Pashtuns

Kashmiri intellectual welcomes lifting of restrictions on internet and social media in JandK

Geneva (Switzerland), Mar 06 (ANI): A Kashmiri writer and director of European Foundation for South Asian Studies (EFSAS) Junaid Qureshi has welcomed the step to lift a ban on social media and restoration of broadband internet service by the administration in Jammu and Kashmir. He said, "Removing of these restrictions is of course a very good step. I think these steps should continue". Restrictions were imposed in the Union Territory on August 5 last year after the Parliament moved a motion to abrogate Article 370. Qureshi also strongly criticised the recent statement by Prime Minster of Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) Raja Farooq Haider Khan that Kashmir was a nuclear flash-point in South Asia and the possibility of war between India and Pakistan could not be ruled out. He said, "That's war mongering, that is advocating for getting people killed. I think Prime Minister of so-called Azad Kashmir or PoK is more worried about his own position after these measures being taken in Jammu a

Nepal PM Oli undergoes successful renal transplant

Kathmandu (Nepal), Mar 05 (ANI): Nepal Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli successfully underwent his second kidney transplant surgery at a hospital on Wednesday. The 68-year-old prime minister's condition was stable and was kept under medical supervision at a post-operative ward in the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital. A team of doctors, led by Dr Prem Raj Gyawali, a consultant urologist and kidney transplant surgeon performed the transplant, which took five hours to complete. Oli, who is also the chairman of the ruling Nepal Communist Party, was hospitalised on Monday. He underwent dialysis on Tuesday to remove toxins ahead of the transplant. This was Oli's second kidney transplant. The first was performed in India in 2007, after both his kidneys had failed. Oli also underwent an appendicitis surgery in November last year.

Coronavirus cases outside of China exceed 12,600: WHO

New Delhi, Mar 05 (ANI): The World Health Organization (WHO) has registered over 2,100 new cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) outside of China, whereas the total number of infected people has exceeded 12,600. The WHO, in its new coronavirus disease situation report, said that the number of confirmed cases outside of China had risen by 2,103 to 12,668 in 76 countries, reported Sputnik. It said the death toll outside of China had gone up by 48 to 214. In India, the number of positive cases of coronavirus has reached to 28 as of now. While Spain, Chile, Poland, Hungary, and the Faroe Islands have reported their first cases of coronavirus, the number of people infected in Iran has increased from 2,336 to 2,922, with the death toll reaching 92. A dog of an infected person in Hong Kong has tested positive for the disease, which means the virus is likely to be transmitted from humans to animals. Hence, all pets of coronavirus patients in Hong Kong will now be quarantined for two weeks, starting

Political activists in Geneva seek UN's intervention to stop 'genocide' in Balochistan

Geneva (Switzerland), Mar 05 (ANI): A group of Baloch political activists held protest outside the United Nations office in Geneva to seek intervention by the human rights body to stop 'genocide' in Balochistan, the largest province of Pakistan. The demonstration held during the ongoing 43rd session of UN Human Rights Council, which was organised by Baloch Voice Association. They were holding banners saying "Balochistan is bleeding", "Free Balochistan" and "Stop enforced disappearances". Naela Quadri Baloch, President of World Baloch Women' Forum said, "Its almost 70 years, United Nations standing here and its almost 70 years that Pakistan has occupied Balochistan and they are doing our genocide. Actually, what's going on in Balochistan can be described in one word i.e., genocide". Activists say many of those abducted were killed and they mutilated bodies were found in isolated places. Munir Mengal, the president of Baloch Voice Association, who organised the event said, "The people i

India lambasts Pak at UNHRC over its interference in Kashmir

Geneva (Switzerland), Mar 05 (ANI): Vimarsh Aryan, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of India to UNOG in Geneva, Switzerland during Right of Reply (RoR) raised issues pertaining to Pakistan and stated that Pak delegation is raising false and fabricated concerns for rights of human rights defenders. "The biggest threat to the human rights of our people including defenders in JandK comes from the pernicious cradle of global terrorism which is Pakistan and whose top leadership has openly acknowledged the same," said First Secretary. He further added, "This Council is responsible for promotion and protection of all human rights universally. However, ironically, what we heard from Pakistani delegation was an attempt to polarise and politicize this august forum. Pakistani delegation is raising false and fabricated concerns for rights of human rights defenders elsewhere, however, unfortunately, legitimate human rights defenders in Pakistan are bearing the brunt of real draconian laws, as w

Nepal PM Oli to undergo second kidney transplant in Kathmandu hospital

Kathmandu (Nepal), Mar 04 (ANI): Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli arrived at hospital to undergo kidney re-transplant on March 04. Prime Minister Oli underwent his first kidney transplant on 2007 at Apollo Hospital, New Delhi, India. As PM Oli undergoes transplant in a Nepali hospital, a doctor from Delhi's Apollo Hospital will be present during the transplant.

South East Asia will not see peace until Pak stops transpiring terrorism: US State Department Spokesperson

Washington DC (US), Mar 04 (ANI): Spokesperson for US State Department Morgan Ortagus on Pakistan's role in bringing peace in South East Asia region said, "There will be no peace in Afghanistan or South-East Asia without Pakistan ensuring that terrorism does not transpire from their premises or from Afghanistan."

India has been crucial partner for US in Afghanistan: State Department Spokesperson

Washington DC (US), Mar 04 (ANI): Spokesperson of the US State Department Morgan Ortagus on India's role in Afghanistan said, "India has been a crucial partner for us in Afghanistan for 20 years, we know that we will be partners for decades to come." US signed peace deal with Afghanistan to withdraw troops from the region.

Pro-CAA protest held outside UN, protestors also demand justice for minorities in Pakistan

Geneva (Switzerland), March 04 (ANI): A group of Hindus from India and Pakistan were joined by other activists in support of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) during a protest seeking justice for minorities in Pakistan at Broken Chair in front of the UN office in Geneva. The protest was held during the ongoing 43rd session of United Nations Human Rights Council. The protesters seek justice for Hindu, Christian and other minorities in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, who have been facing persecution for the past several decades.

Pakistan misusing Kashmir for its political agenda, say EU experts

Geneva (Switzerland), Mar 03 (ANI): European experts have lambasted over Pakistan for "misusing" Kashmir for its political agenda at a side event during the 43rd session of UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on Monday. They joined the platform with political and social activists from Jammu and Kashmir, PoK and Gilgit Baltistan at an event titled "Weaponising Kashmir: Misused Kashmir for its political agenda". Brian Toll, former director at European Commission said, "It is clear that Pakistan has issues with India because Pakistan is not a secular democratic state with the same kind of diverse constitution and diverse ethnicity which India has and India is feeling proud of having". Paulo Casaca, Executive Director of a Brussels based South Asia Democratic Forum said, "The key of the matter is for Pakistan to acknowledge that since 1947 it has been occupying unlawfully big part of former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir and it should sort out the issue directly, bilaterally with India"

'CPEC costing human lives, resources in Balochistan', say activists at UN

Geneva (Switzerland), March 03 (ANI): Baloch political activists spoke at an event titled: "CPEC: The exploitative project's human cost in Balochistan" on the sidelines of the ongoing 43rd session of UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. During the event, Baloch political activists have alleged that the people in Balochistan are paying a heavy price for the multibillion dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Incidents of enforced disappearances, tortures and killings have seen a sharp rise in Balochistan since the launch of CPEC project. Pakistan army has carried out operations in the areas where the project passes through as they have to provide a clean path to China. Balochistan is a resource rich region with huge reserves of minerals and gas, but it remains poor because of exploitative policies of Islamabad. It has given a birth to freedom movement in Balochistan.

Nepal police arrest man who hurled shoe at Nepali leader Prachanda

Kathmandu (Nepal), Feb 02 (ANI): Nepal police arrested a 22-year-old man who flung shoe at the ruling Nepal Communist Party chairperson, Pushpa Kamal Dahal "Prachanda", during a public function on Sunday. It was not immediately clear why the youth, who hailed from remote mountainous Jumla district, threw the shoe. Party leaders said Prachanda, a former Nepal prime minister, narrowly escaped the shoe attack. The incident took place when Prachanda was coming back to his seat after addressing the event organised to mark the 1st death anniversary of communist leader Bharat Mohan Adhikari. The youth, a son of a former Maoist combatant, has been arrested and kept at Singh Durbar Police Circle.

Global COVID-19 toll above 3,000 with fresh cases in China mainland

New Delhi, Mar 02 (ANI): Global deaths due to coronavirus outbreak rose above 3,000 with the new count in China mainland rising to 2,912. The National Health Commission said that the latest deaths were all in the worst-hit province of Hubei with most of those in its sealed-off capital of Wuhan after 202 additional infections were reported, along with 42 new death cases, according to Al Jazeera. Meanwhile, Iran announced 11 more deaths from coronavirus bringing its death toll to 54, the most outside China. The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also said that four people passed away overnight on Sunday while 476 new cases of the virus were confirmed. In total, 22 people have now died from COVID-19 in South Korea with 4,212 people infected. The number of people infected in Italy - the centre of the outbreak in Europe - jumped to 1,694, while the number in France increased to 130. With the outbreak deepening, the staff at the Louvre in Paris voted to close the hugely popular

35 more coronavirus deaths reported in China

New Delhi, Mar 01 (ANI): As many as thirty-five people have died from the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in mainland China in the past 24 hours, bringing the country's death toll up to 2,870, the country's National Health Commission informs.The latest figures from the commission show that 41,625 people have recovered from the disease. Of the 35,329 who are currently being treated for pneumonia caused by the new coronavirus, 7,365 are in grave condition.In the past 24 hours, 573 new coronavirus cases have been registered in China, with the total number of confirmed cases standing at 79,824.

'Pak Army Epicenter of International Terrorism' poster displayed at Broken Chair in Geneva

Geneva (Switzerland), Feb 29 (ANI): A banner with the slogan - 'Pakistan Army Epicenter of International Terrorism' - has been put up at the iconic Broken Chair during the 43rd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva. It aimed to draw attention to global terrorism emanating from Pakistan and to urge the United Nations to take immediate steps to deal with the threats to global security. A protest is scheduled to be held by Baloch and Pashtun activists in front of the United Nations Office of Geneva at Broken Chair against the involvement of the Pakistani military establishment in breeding terror outfits. Since 9/11 Mumbai terror attack, Pakistan has been the epicentre of international terrorism, and the region of North Waziristan, which borders Afghanistan, used to be a hub of local and international terrorists linked to groups such as Al-Qaeda and Taliban.

Sindhi, Baloch, Pashtuns protest against atrocities by Pak Army in Geneva

Geneva, Feb 26 (ANI): Sindhi, Baloch and Pashtuns protested against the atrocities by Pakistan Army, at 'Broken Chair' in Geneva where the 43rd session of UN Human Rights Council is underway. Sindhi, Baloch, and Pashtuns are the three ethnic groups in Pakistan who are fighting for creating an independent state. The demonstrations at Broken Chair were done with the slogan "Pakistan Army Stop Atrocities against Sindh, Baloch and Pashtun". In the past decade, many mass graves with more than 100 bodies were discovered in Balochistan.

Protesters stage protest outside UN office in London to seek justice for Mahek Kumari

People from Indian diaspora gathered outside UN office in Holborn, London to register their protests against the injustice done to a Hindu minor Mahek Kumari. A petition was delivered to the UN. Mahek Kumari, a minor Hindu girl, was forcibly converted and married to a Muslim man in Pakistan's Sindh province. The protesters called Pakistan as abuser of human rights and demanded justice for Mahek Kumari. Mahek was abducted by a Middle aged man, Ali Raza, from the Jacobabad district of Sindh province on January 15. The girl said she was forced to accept Islam causing a widespread furore among the Islamic fanatics. Some Pakistani clerics want the minor girl dead after she retracted her previous statement in the court, where she said that she had accepted Islam of her own free will. The clerics blamed 14-year old Mahek of murtad, or an act of Apostasy, and are demanding death punishment, accusing her of insulting Islam. Meanwhile, the court which is yet to announce the verdict has send Mah