Asia

Indian Foreign secy’s visit to Bangladesh centred on Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s anniversary, diplomatic ties
Asia, Business

Indian Foreign secy’s visit to Bangladesh centred on Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s anniversary, diplomatic ties

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has said that during the visit of Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla to Bangladesh, the discussions centred on the 100th birth anniversary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 2020 and 50 years of the liberation of Bangladesh, and the establishment of diplomatic ties between India and Bangladesh in 2021.“Discussions during the meeting centred on the importance of the 100th birth anniversary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 2020 and the 50 years of the liberation of Bangladesh and the establishment of diplomatic ties between India and Bangladesh in 2021. India plans to issue a commemorative stamp on Bangabandhu during Mujib Barsho. The two countries also propose to hold joint events on the occasion. PM Modi had paid tributes to B
Five big lies of Pakistan exposed: Indian Mission at UN
Asia

Five big lies of Pakistan exposed: Indian Mission at UN

Exposing Pakistan for its lies, India lashed out at the Imran Khan led government at UN saying that Pakistan has put out a false statement claiming that their envoy Munir Akram spoke at the United Nations Security Council while the session was not open to non-members.“We have seen a statement put out by the Pakistan Mission to the UN, claiming that these remarks were made by the Permanent Representative of Pakistan at the UN Security Council. We fail to comprehend where exactly did the Permanent Representative of Pakistan make his statement since the Security Council Session today was not open to non-members of the Security Council”, Indian mission at UN said in a statement.The statement further says that the detailed statement exposed the ‘five big lies’ being peddled and pushed by Pakist
J&K: House construction resumes after 12,000 people get first installment under development scheme
Asia

J&K: House construction resumes after 12,000 people get first installment under development scheme

Under a central government development scheme, around 12,000 people have received the first installment of Rs 50,000 each in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district for the construction of their houses."We have set a target of 100 per cent coverage. To begin with, the first installment has been given to 12,000 people of the district," said Sushil Kumar Khajuria, Assistant Commissioner Development of Rural Development department, Rajouri."The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) initiative is supporting people here to build their own houses with the help of Jammu and Kashmir administration. It is a big relief for poor as they can live safely in Pukka houses," he said.“Earlier, there were some people in the district who could not build a pucca house of their own”, Panchayat officer Abdul Khabbir s
Nepal govt’s links with China affecting its autonomy: Report
Asia

Nepal govt’s links with China affecting its autonomy: Report

A recent report has raised concerns that China’s nexus with the top establishment in the Nepal government has raised doubts over the KP Oli government’s autonomy and ability to take independent decisions.The foreign policy of the Himalayan nation is the latest entrant to fall victim to China's strategic expansionism.In January 2019, the day when China condemned United States' move to slap economic sanctions on Venezuela, the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) also issued a similar statement denouncing Washington and its allies. This was probably the first time Kathmandu had taken a stand pertaining to US policies in Latin America.Another worrying trend noticed in Nepal is the deteriorating human rights condition of Tibetan refugees residing in Nepal. Nepal shares a long border with Tibet a
Nabbed IS terrorist recruited on behest of Pak’s ISI, has Afghanistan links: Sources
Asia

Nabbed IS terrorist recruited on behest of Pak’s ISI, has Afghanistan links: Sources

Islamic State terrorist Abu Yusuf, who was nabbed by security forces in Indian capital New Delhi was in contact with Yusuf-al-Hindi - also known as Safi Armar – Indian Mujahideen's absconding terrorist who hails from Bhatkal, Karnataka, sources have revealed.Yusuf-al-Hindi has been running the Khorasan module of Islamic State from Afghanistan, in collaboration with Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).A per reports, after Indian Mujahideen was exposed in India, Yusuf-al-Hindi built the IS' Khorasan module with absconding terrorists of IM at the behest of Pakistan's ISI. IS Khorasan was given the responsibility of 'shaking Delhi', on behalf of the ISI.Yusuf-al-Hindi, also known as Safi Armar, had chosen Abu Yusuf for this task. Abu used to stay in touch with other terrorists present
Over 10.98 lakh stranded Indians repatriated so far: Ministry of Civil Aviation
Asia, Singapore, World

Over 10.98 lakh stranded Indians repatriated so far: Ministry of Civil Aviation

Under the Vande Bharat Mission, over 10, 98,000 Indians stranded abroad due to coronavirus pandemic have been repatriated so far, India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation said."Over 10, 98,000 stranded Indians have been repatriated under Mission Vande Bharat since 6th May. This would not have been possible without the continued support of all stakeholders. Thank you!" the Civil Aviation said in a tweet.Earlier, Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said that India is negotiating with 13 countries including Australia, Italy and Japan to establish bilateral air bubble arrangements for flight operations.The air bubbles arrangement between the two countries helps airlines to operate international flights with certain restrictions. India has so far established air bubbles arrangements with the U
Cyclists throng Dal Lake to maintain fitness amid pandemic
Asia

Cyclists throng Dal Lake to maintain fitness amid pandemic

In the coronavirus induced lockdown, cycling has emerged as the favourite new sport for many in several parts of the country, including Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar.Every morning and evening, numerous people come for cycling near the banks of the Dal Lake in order to keep themselves fit amid the deadly COVID-19 pandemic."This is a revolution that has taken over the entire country. In the last two to three years, more and more people have taken to cycling. The COVID-19 induced lockdown has brought so many people out of their homes and I am glad that the youth have opted for this activity so well," said Khalid Hussian, Joint Secretary of the Jammu and Kashmir Cycling Association.Dr Anwar Hussain, a doctor and a cyclist, said the increase in physical activity is beneficial for boosting immuni...
Siam Cement leads SE Asian firms eyeing Oct IPOs
Asia, Business, Singapore, World

Siam Cement leads SE Asian firms eyeing Oct IPOs

Siam Cement leads SE Asian firms eyeing Oct IPOs SINGAPORE/HONG KONG: Siam Cement Group Packaging's initial public offering (IPO) is looking to raise 50% more than a previously targeted $1 billion, boosted by higher valuations, sources with knowledge of the matter said. The firm joins other companies in Malaysia and Philippines preparing to list next month, signalling a revival in investor interest in Southeast Asia's underperforming markets. The sources said cash-rich funds and investors were keen to allocate money to sectors viewed as long-term beneficiaries in pandemic-hit markets. They said Siam Cement Group Packaging was looking to line up cornerstone investors for its IPO, which is now likely to raise $1.5 billion, up from an estimated $1 billion when the company announced plans ...
J&K youth should direct activism towards development: Manoj Sinha
Asia

J&K youth should direct activism towards development: Manoj Sinha

Jammu and Kashmir’s newly appointed Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has said that the youth of Jammu and Kashmir should "direct their activism towards development to become future leaders of the country"."Lt Governor Manoj Sinha said that youth has the power of transformation, his own student life was marked with activism; he asked the youth of Jammu and Kashmir to direct their activism towards development as future leaders of the country," said a tweet by the official handle of the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), Jammu and Kashmir government.Referring to the abrogation of Article 370, Sinha said that the constitutional changes in 2019 had led to 50 decisions which will usher in a new era of normalcy and development in the Union Territory and also laid down the five
India’s Ram temple to boost tourism in Sita’s birthplace Janakpur
Asia

India’s Ram temple to boost tourism in Sita’s birthplace Janakpur

With the construction of Ram Mandir beginning in Ayodhya, Nepal’s tourism is expected to spike in Janakpur- the birthplace of Sita, which became a part of the Ramayana Circuit in 2018.Devotees, coming to Ayodhya, would have Janakpur as one of the spots in their pilgrimage- boosting the economy of the region by giving more employment opportunities to the people of Nepal."As Janakpur is already included in Ramayana Circuit, the temple construction will attract a greater number of tourists here. After visiting the temple at Ayodhya people would like to visit the house of Mata Janaki. This will boost the tourism sector of our place," said Sushil Karna, a social activist from Janakpur."It is a matter of pride for Hindus around the world as a Ram Temple is being built in Ayodhya, the birthplace