Asia

J&K LG reviews master plan for Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine
18Mar mmBy Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia

J&K LG reviews master plan for Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine

The Lieutenant Governor of the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, on Thursday reviewed the master plan of the Durga Bhawan and extended Mata Vaishno Devi shrine area.As per a statement, an MoU was signed between Shrine Board and CPWD (Central Public Works Department) for the construction of a Durga Bhawan.Sinha, who is also the Chairman of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, was briefed about the master plan of the Bhawan, salient features of Durga Bhawan, planning and design for intermediate locations, and other relevant details of the project.He directed the CEO of the shrine board to ensure timely completion of the Durga Bhawan so that pilgrims could benefit from the facility at the earliest.He further directed that a PERT chart be formulated and strictly followe...
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China to conduct trial of two Canadian nationals for alleged espionage
15Mar mmBy Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia

China to conduct trial of two Canadian nationals for alleged espionage

Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, who were prosecuted in China for suspected crimes undermining China's national security, will soon be tried, according to sources.The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokespersons have reiterated the status of both cases addressing Kovrig and Spavor and China's judicial authorities have released information about the cases.According to media reports, Canadian nationals Kovrig was accused of having used an ordinary passport and business visa to enter China to steal sensitive information and intelligence through contacts in China since 2017, while Spavor was accused of being a key source of intelligence for Kovrig.Another source has said that previously due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the hearings for both cases have yet to commence, and the court will push forward ...
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Japan slams Beijing over electoral changes in Hong Kong
15Mar mmBy Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia

Japan slams Beijing over electoral changes in Hong Kong

Japan has expressed its concerns regarding China’s decision to change the electoral system in Hong Kong, saying that the resolution passed by China's National People's Congress to change the electoral system in Hong Kong is a major setback to the city's autonomy and that it "cannot overlook" the resolution."The decision this time will further undermine the confidence in the 'one country, two systems' framework, as provided for in the Hong Kong Basic Law and the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration," Japan's foreign ministry said in a statement on Friday.The ministry said that Japan's concerns were growing due to the recent arrest and prosecution of a number of opposition politicians and activists.It also called on Beijing to hold elections in Hong Kong that were open to candidates "represen...
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Bangladesh govt approves proposal to import 150,000 tons of rice from India
11Mar mmBy Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia

Bangladesh govt approves proposal to import 150,000 tons of rice from India

India will be sending 150,000 tons of rice to Bangladesh as the latter has approved a proposal under the direct procurement method (DPM) to procure rice from different sources.Bangladesh Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal said that the government is trying to procure rice from different sources so that no problems arise in future.The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved three separate proposals to procure 350,000 tons of rice under the DPM from India, Thailand and Vietnam.The approval came during the eighth meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on Wednesday, held virtually with FM Kamal in chair.After the meeting, the finance minister told the reporters that the proposal was approved in principle for procuring 150,000 tons of non-basmati boiled rice under the D...
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Seamless transport connectivity with India may boost Bangladesh’s income: World Bank
11Mar mmBy Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia

Seamless transport connectivity with India may boost Bangladesh’s income: World Bank

A recent report by the World Bank has estimated that the transport connectivity between India and Bangladesh has the potential to increase the latter's national income by as much as 17 per cent.The report titled 'Connecting to Thrive: Challenges and Opportunities of Transport Integration in Eastern South Asia' analyses the Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal (BBIN) Motor Vehicles Agreement (MVA), compares it with international best practices and identifies its strengths as well as gaps for seamless regional connectivity.The report states that seamless transport connectivity between India and Bangladesh has the potential to increase national income by as much as 17 per cent in Bangladesh and 8 per cent in India."Thick border slows down transport and economies and easing border restriction generat...
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India could regain status of world’s fastest-growing economy this year: Report
10Mar mmBy Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia

India could regain status of world’s fastest-growing economy this year: Report

A recent report has said that India’s economy should be back to life in 2021 after a recession induced by COVID-19 and allow the country to reclaim its status as the fastest-growing major economy if the OECD projection of 12.6 per cent expansion in GDP is realized.“India’s economy plunged into recession for the first time in nearly a quarter of a century. However, it recorded a rise in GDP of 0.4 per cent in the final three months of 2020, ending its recession. For 2020 as a whole, the Indian economy contracted by about 7 per cent,” the report by CNN Business said on Tuesday.India’s gross domestic product is projected to expand by 12.6 per cent during the country’s fiscal year starting in April, according to a forecast released by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (...
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China refutes reports on cyber-attacks against India’s power grid
2Mar mmBy Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia

China refutes reports on cyber-attacks against India’s power grid

China on Monday refuted claims that it had initiated cyber-attacks against India’s power grid resulting in massive power outages and said that it is ‘firmly opposed’ to such irresponsible and ill-intentioned practices.“As a staunch defender of cyber security, China firmly opposes and cracks down on all forms of cyber-attacks,” Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at a press briefing.“Speculation and fabrication have no role to play on the issue of cyber-attacks, as it is very difficult to trace the origin of a cyber-attack. It is highly irresponsible to accuse a particular party when there is no sufficient evidence around, China is firmly opposed to such irresponsible and ill-intentioned practice,” Wang added.A report by a US-based cybersecurity firm claimed that Chinese-...
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Pakistan tightens security in Balochistan to protect CPEC projects
27Feb mmBy Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia

Pakistan tightens security in Balochistan to protect CPEC projects

Pakistan military has increased the security in Balochistan province amid a rise in attacks on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects.“We have raised two division-size security settlements which are dedicated to providing security to CPEC, besides that, we have increased the number of paramilitary troops’ units from one to two in the province to ensure security,” said Major General Babar Iftikhar, Director General of the military’s media wing Inter-Services Public Relations.The security for the CPEC has been beefed up directly and indirectly by providing more security to CPEC projects and enhancing security in the whole province to ensure smooth work at CPEC projects after recent attacks on the facility.Though Balochistan is the largest province of Pakistan with ample natural res...
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India to invest 530 million for reconstruction 25 health posts in Nepal
27Feb mmBy Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia

India to invest 530 million for reconstruction 25 health posts in Nepal

The Embassy of India in Nepal on Friday said that it has signed four Memorandums of Understandings (MoUs) with Nepal for the reconstruction of total 25 health posts“Twelve health posts are located in Dhading district and 13 are located in Sindhupalchowk district and these health posts, damaged during the 2015 earthquake will be reconstructed at a cost of NR 530 million,” said a release from the Indian Embassy.“On the same occasion, four Contract Agreements, award the work to successful bidders were also signed between CLPIU (Building) and Contractors,” it further added.Head of Development Partnership and Reconstruction wing of the Embassy of India, Nepal and Project Director of Central Level Project Implementation Unit (Building) of National Reconstruction Authority signed the agreement, a...
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Hong Kong govt calls for tighter supervision of city’s public broadcaster
24Feb mmBy Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia, USA

Hong Kong govt calls for tighter supervision of city’s public broadcaster

In a move which is seen as an attempt to curtail freedom of the press, the Hong Kong government has called for tighter supervision of city’s public broadcaster.In a 157-page report, the Hong Kong government accused the public broadcaster Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) of often reporting critically on officials and lacking transparency and objectivity.The report came hours after the government announced that the head of the public broadcaster would leave his post six months before his tenure ended. However, his replacement is a civil servant from outside the broadcasting service with no journalism experience.For supporters of Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement, RTHK’s troubles signalled the fate of independent journalism under an intensifying crackdown on dissent. Often compared to the B...
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