Asia

J&K: Doda, Ramban districts now ‘terrorism-free’, say police
22Jan mmBy Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia

J&K: Doda, Ramban districts now ‘terrorism-free’, say police

In the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), two out of three districts in Chenab Valley are now free from terrorism, the police said on Thursday."There are three districts in the Chenab Valley. Out of these, Doda and Ramban are now militancy-free while an area in Kishtwar district still has a militancy presence. We are trying our best to make the area militancy-free as soon as possible," said Abdul Jabbar, Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) of Doda/Kishtwar/Ramban (DKR) Range.The DIG was in Doda to review the security preparations ahead of the Republic Day celebrations. He remarked that at the present time, there is a very peaceful situation in Chenab Valley."I also had a crime review meeting to check the law and order and state of militancy in the zone," he said, a...
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Pakistan should withdraw anti-dumping duty imposed on BOPP from UAE: WTO
20Jan mmBy Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia

Pakistan should withdraw anti-dumping duty imposed on BOPP from UAE: WTO

Pakistan should withdraw the antidumping duty imposed on Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene Film (BOPP) from the United Arab Emirates, the World Trade Organization (WTO) said in a report.As per the WTO panel issues report regarding Pakistan duties on BOPP film from the UAE, the WTO found that Pakistan’s final determination of 9 April 2015 and sunset review determination of 1 December 2016 is inconsistent with a number of Articles of the Anti-Dumping Agreement.The dispute concerns a challenge to successive anti-dumping duty measures that Pakistan adopted on imports of biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) film from, among other sources, the United Arab Emirates.The WTO report recommended that Pakistan bring its measures into conformity with its obligations under the Anti-Dumping Agreement.I...
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China: GDP growth slowest in more than four decades
20Jan mmBy Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia, China

China: GDP growth slowest in more than four decades

Official data released on Monday has showed that China’s GDP grew at the slowest pace in more than four decades in 2020 after the coronavirus pandemic hit the world.Coronavirus, which has ravaged the world economy, first emerged in central China in 2019. But China also became the first country to bounce back after imposing strict lockdowns and virus control measures.The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said last year was a “grave and complex environment both at home and abroad” with the pandemic having a “huge impact”.The 2.3 per cent expansion in 2020 was a marked slowdown from 2019’s revised growth of 6.0 per cent — itself already the lowest in decades — with the country hit by weak domestic demand and trade tensions.In the last three months of 2020, China’s economic rebound continued...
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India, Japan sign Memorandum of Cooperation to help promote movement of skilled workers
19Jan mmBy Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia

India, Japan sign Memorandum of Cooperation to help promote movement of skilled workers

With an aim to promote the movement of skilled workers from India to Japan, a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) on “Basic Framework for Partnership” was signed by New Delhi and Tokyo on Monday.The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that the MoC covers 14 categories of specified skills under which skilled workers from India who meet the skills requirement and Japanese language tests would be eligible for employment in Japan on a contractual basis.“Harsh Vardhan Shringla, Foreign Secretary and Suzuki Satoshi, Ambassador of Japan to India, signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) between the Government of India and Government of Japan on a Basic Framework for Partnership for Proper Operation of the System Pertaining to ‘Specified Skilled Worker (SSW)’ on 18 January 2021 in New Delhi...
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At just 50.38% efficacy, China’s covid-19 vaccine far less effective than initially reported
18Jan mmBy Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia, China

At just 50.38% efficacy, China’s covid-19 vaccine far less effective than initially reported

In a major setback to be the dominant vaccine supplier to developing countries, Brazilian researchers announced that China’s Sinovac vaccine was far less effective than originally touted.According to data made available by Brazil's Butantan Institute, a São Paulo-based public institute, the efficacy of Sinovac’s CoronaVac in a late- stage trials was at just 50.38 percent, nearly 30 percentage points lower than what the initial data showed.The Butantan Institute initially said that late-stage trials had found the CoronaVac vaccine to be between 78 percent and 100 effective.After a number of scientists accused the trial’s organizers of misleading the public, the institute revealed researchers had separated the cases into six categories: asymptomatic, very mild, mild, two levels of moderate, ...
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Tejas Aircraft far better than China-Pak JF-17 fighters: Indian Air Force Chief
15Jan mmBy Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia, China

Tejas Aircraft far better than China-Pak JF-17 fighters: Indian Air Force Chief

Indian Air Force chief RKS Bhadauria on Thursday said that the Indian made light combat aircraft Tejas is far better and advanced than the Chinese-Pakistani JF-17 fighter jets and that the latest Indian jet would be better equipped to carry out Balakot-type airstrikes.The Air Chief said the 83 indigenous fighter jets to be inducted into the force would also be equipped with homegrown weapons such as the Astra beyond visual range air to air missiles and other standoff weapons."Indian aircraft Tejas is far better and advanced than the Chinese and Pakistan joint venture JF-17 fighter," IAF Chief Bhadauria said.The Air Chief further said: "In terms of strike capability, it will have the capability of a standoff weapon which will be even beyond the capability we used that time."Noting the appro...
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Japan to play placeholder role in Asia as Biden gets his house in order
11Jan By Desk TeamNo Comments
Asia, China, Singapore, World

Japan to play placeholder role in Asia as Biden gets his house in order

When U.S. President Donald Trump’s “America First” policy gets the boot on Jan. 20, it will be replaced by Joe Biden’s more outward-looking and cooperative approach in Asia — one in which Japan is widely expected to play an integral part. As Washington looks warily at China’s rise, it will aim for Japan to play a placeholder role as the Biden White House focuses immediately on reining in the coronavirus pandemic that has left about 340,000 dead in the U.S. “They’ll have no choice but to take care of that damage first,” a senior Japanese Foreign Ministry official said on condition of anonymity. “This will be less about (the Asia-Pacific region) being lowered in priority than about repairing that damage.” In the meantime, Tokyo “will continue to act as a ‘placeholder’ for the incoming adm...
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World shares down from record highs as COVID-19 cases top 90 million
11Jan By Desk TeamNo Comments
Asia, China, Market, World

World shares down from record highs as COVID-19 cases top 90 million

Asian shares took a breather on Monday while Treasury yields were at 10-month highs as "trillions" in new U.S. fiscal stimulus plans were set to be unveiled this week, stoking a global reflation trade. LONDON: World shares slipped from record highs on Monday as caution over rising coronavirus cases saw some profit-taking from investors, while Treasury yields remained close to 10-month highs, indicating expectations for global reflation from anticipated U.S. fiscal stimulus. Worldwide coronavirus cases surpassed 90 million on Monday, according to Reuters tally. European shares dipped in early trading, with rising coronavirus cases across the continent and China dragging down commodity stocks. Germany's DAX lost 0.75per cent, Britain's FTSE 100, Italy's FTSE MIB, and France's CAC 40 f...
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Trial to import electricity from Malaysia a ‘useful first step’ as Singapore prepares to connect with regional grid: Experts
8Jan By Desk TeamNo Comments
Asia, Market, Singapore, World

Trial to import electricity from Malaysia a ‘useful first step’ as Singapore prepares to connect with regional grid: Experts

SINGAPORE: A trial which will see Singapore import electricity from Peninsular Malaysia will be a "useful first step" in preparation for further moves to connect to the regional power grid, said experts. Announced in late October, the trial will see Singapore import 100 megawatts (MW) of electricity from Malaysia for two years. This will make up about 1.5 per cent of Singapore’s peak electricity demand. The move is part of Singapore's plan to strengthen the "regional grid architecture", said Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing in a keynote speech delivered at the opening of the Singapore International Energy Week in October. “This will allow the region to share the clean energy sources that different countries may have, and we’ll start this with Malaysia," he said. "Once ...
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India approves signing of memorandum of cooperation with Japan
6Jan mmBy Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia

India approves signing of memorandum of cooperation with Japan

Setting an institutional mechanism for coordination between India and Japan, the Indian Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation with Japan, on a basic framework for the partnership for proper operation of the system pertaining to “Specified Skilled Worker.”According to an official statement, the present Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) will set an institutional mechanism for partnership and cooperation between India and Japan on sending and accepting skilled Indian workers, who have qualified the required skill and Japanese language test, to work in fourteen specified sectors in Japan. These Indian workers would be granted a new status of residence of “Specified Skilled Worker” by Japan.“The MOC would enhance p...
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