nigerians-flee-to-niger-to-escape-boko-haram-attacks

Nigerians flee to Niger to escape Boko Haram attacks

Niger is facing a massive influx of Nigerian refugees fleeing deadly attacks by Islamist group Boko Haram. The UN says at least 115,000 people have crossed the border from Nigeria since April 2013. Dec 16, 2014
pakistan-sells-out-pok-resources-to-china

Pakistan Sells Out PoK Resources to China

Muzaffarabad, December 16, 2014: Pakistan goes ahead with Chinese projects in PoK defying local resistance, Islamabad selling Pakistan's natural resources to China without consent of Kashmiris. Notwithstanding India's objections and International norms to China-backed developmental projects in PoK, Pakistan is going ahead with its plans, including the multi-billion dollar Sino-Pak economic corridor. Chinese strategy vis--vis PoK appears to be heading toward gaining tacit control of the region - both militarily and politico-diplomatically. By increasing investments and sponsoring various "development projects" in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of PoK, the activities involving several thousand Chinese personnel belonging to the construction corps of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) seem to point towards an expansionist Chinese geo-strategic agenda in the region. China's Western Highway, also known as the Lhasa-Kashgar/Xinjiang Highway connects Xinjiang to Tibet. From Quilanaldi, the road branches off to the Khunjerab Pass and, subsequently, becomes the Karakoram Highway right up to Gilgit. Pakistan is also selling off mines in the region. Locals are here very angry. Dec 16, 2014
india-condemns-terror-attack-on-innocent-children-in-peshawar

India condemns terror attack on innocent children in Peshawar

New Delhi, Dec 16 (ANI): Cutting across party lines, Indian political and social leaders on Tuesday condemned the attack by a terror outfit on a Pakistani school, terming it as 'inhuman', and adding that the Islamic Republic has fallen prey to its own Frankenstein's monster. Leaders Shashi Tharoor, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Sanjay Raut, Arvind Kejriwal, Former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, Former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda and Former External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid condemned the attack. Child Rights Activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner Kailash Satyarthi also condemned the attack. The ongoing attack on Peshawar's Army Public School by the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), has reportedly led to the death of 130 people, including at least 100 students. Dec 16, 2014
students-pen-longest-letter-to-pm-modi-on-the-2nd-anniversary-of-delhi-gang-rape

Students pen longest letter to PM Modi on the 2nd anniversary of Delhi gang rape

New Delhi, Dec 16 (ANI): Students on Tuesday (December 16) penned the longest letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking safety for women and faster penalty of the accused as the country observes the second anniversary of the brutal gang rape of a 23-year-old physiotherapy student on a bus in New Delhi. A poll published by a newspaper said 90 percent of 2,557 women surveyed, did not see any improvements in safety. The same survey found 86 percent of respondents avoided going out alone after dark. Police and government officials argue that a host of measures have been introduced to improve safety, but add that violence against women is a far more deep-rooted problem which cannot be solved easily. Dec 16, 2014
mass-conversion-row-accused-nand-kishore-balmiki-arrested

Mass conversion row accused Nand Kishore Balmiki arrested

Agra, Dec 16 (ANI): The Agra police on Tuesday arrested Nand Kishore Balmiki, who was the main accused in the alleged forced re-conversion case of over 100 people to Hinduism. Balmiki surrendered himself at the Hari Parbat police station on Tuesday morning, the Agra police said. The police said that further investigator is on in the case. Dec 16, 2014
indian-army-observes-victory-day-in-jandk

Indian Army observes Victory Day in JandK

Srinagar, Dec 16 (ANI): Indian army on Tuesday commemorated Victory Day and paid respects to the soldiers killed in the 1971 war against Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir. December 16 marks the 45th anniversary of the 1971 IndiaPakistan war, the first war the Indian army had won after World War-II. General Officer Commanding (GOC) of Kashmir-based 15 Corps of the Indian army, Lieutenant General Subrata Saha, paid his respects to the soldiers by laying a wreath at a memorial and said the nation won the war after many sacrifices. Saha said that to mark the day some events have been organised to honour and preserve the contribution of the deceased soldiers. Meanwhile, in Nagrota town in Jammu district, General Officer Commanding (GOC) of Kashmir-based 16 Corps of the Indian army, Lieutenant General KH Singh, also paid tribute to the soldiers. Dec 16, 2014
sc-rejects-bail-pleas-of-accused-italian-marines

SC rejects bail pleas of accused Italian marines

New Delhi/ Kochi, Dec 16 (ANI): India's apex court on Tuesday (December 16) denied bail applications of two Italian marines accused of killing Indian fishermen in 2012. According to media reports, Massimiliano Latorre has been in Italy since September for medical treatment. He has sought extension of his stay as he has to undergo heart surgery. Salvatore Girone had asked to be allowed to go back to his family for Christmas. Intervener in the case, Subhash Chandran, said the court had decided against granting bail since proceedings in the case had been hanging for too long due to the marines' absence. Earlier in September, the Court had allowed Latorre to go back to Italy after suffering a brain stroke. Chandran said that Latorre's bail was going to expire in January 2015. Latorre and Girone have been charged with murder but deny killing anyone or aiming directly at the boat of Indian fishermen. Dec 16, 2014
84-children-killed-in-taliban-school-attack

84 children killed in Taliban school attack

Peshawar, Dec 16 (ANI): At least 84 children have been killed in a Taliban attack on a school in the Pakistani city of Peshawar on Tuesday (December 16), an official said. Troops surrounded the building and an operation was under way to rescue the remaining children, the army said. A journalist at the scene said he could hear heavy gunfire from inside the school. Pervaiz Khattak, Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the province of which Peshawar is the capital, said 84 children had been killed. In an atmosphere of uncertainty, students who had been rescued were frisked by soldiers before being allowed to move away from the site of the attack. One rescued student described the scene. Pak Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who reached the spot, condemned the attack. Dec 16, 2014
goi-condemns-attack-on-innocent-children-in-peshawar-no-definition-for-terrorism-mea

GoI condemns attack on innocent children in Peshawar, no definition for terrorism: MEA

New Delhi, Dec 16 (ANI): The Spokesperson of MEA, Syed Akbaruddin said on Tuesday that the Indian government condemns attack on innocent children at a school in Peshawar. Akbaruddin said that it was the most unfortunate militant attack on children and is highly condemnable. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also condemned the act through twitter. Dec 16, 2014
billawar-rally-dynastic-politics-like-termite-eating-democracy-says-modi

Billawar rally: Dynastic politics like termite eating democracy, says Modi

Billawar, Dec 16 (ANI): Addressing a rally in Kathua district’s Billawar town, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday described dynastic politics as a "termite" that eats away the foundations of democracy. Holding corruption, bad governance and nepotism responsible for the problems being faced by the people of Jammu and Kashmir, he said dynastic politics was the root cause of all these problems. Attacking Cong, NC and PDP, Modi said that J&K people have now got an alternative. Dec 16, 2014
japan-introduces-its-pop-music-and-food-to-the-world

Japan introduces its pop music and food to the world

Japan, Dec 16 (ANI): Horipro, the Japanese talent production company, is now eyeing ASEAN and India. Recently, its famous actor and artist gathered in Singapore for the Anime Festival Asia 2014, and annual event with participation of some 90,000 people. The event was held jointly by Singapore cooperation SOZO and Horipro. Horipro executes not only talent business but also plural business including talent goods sales and production of its own content. It was displayed at an exhibition. Actor of Japanese comic, Death Note, Hayato Kakizawa also participated at the event marked by musical performances and caught the attention of fans. Some fans also interacted with Kakizawa. They were attracted by his performance and attitude. Dec 16, 2014
social-activists-await-laws-to-ensure-women-safety-two-years-post-delhi-gang-rape-case

Social Activists await laws to ensure women safety two years post Delhi gang rape case

Lucknow/ Chennai, Dec 16 (ANI): India on Tuesday observed the second anniversary of brutal gang rape of 23-year-old trainee physiotherapist in a moving bus in New Delhi, a case that led to nationwide protests and forced authorities to tighten laws on sex crimes. Social Activist Sudha Ramalingam said all the steps taken so far have failed to make women feel safer. Faced with criticism over apathy and insensitivity to crimes against women, Delhi's 80,000-strong police force has also attempted a revamp of sorts. Meanwhile, Social Worker Aparna Yadav urged the politicians to aware the masses, especially women, of the Criminal Laws Amendment Act. Social Activist Shaina NC also said that befitting tribute to the victim is still waiting. It would be complete when we use technology available to us. Dec 16, 2014