Asia

Up to 1 billion people in Asia to face lethal heatwave conditions by 2050 due to climate change: Report
20Dec By Desk TeamNo Comments
Asia, China, Singapore, World

Up to 1 billion people in Asia to face lethal heatwave conditions by 2050 due to climate change: Report

BANGKOK: Up to 1 billion people in Asia could live in areas experiencing lethal heatwaves by 2050 as a result of worsening climate change, according to a new report by consulting firm McKinsey Global Institute (MGI). The modelling in the report outlines that severe heat is just one of the major risks forecast for the continent under RCP8.5, a worst-case scenario situation that could result without collective action to reduce carbon emissions. Without vastly improved action to reach the goals of the Paris Agreement, Asia is expected to see temperature rises of more than two degrees from pre-industrial levels. While much of the risk lies in subcontinental Asian countries such as India, Bangladesh and Pakistan, Southeast Asia would also face more frequent, dangerous heat conditions, ...
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Union Secretary DPIIT chairs meet regarding registration of manufacturing, service sector units under IDS-2017 of J&K
18Dec mmBy Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia

Union Secretary DPIIT chairs meet regarding registration of manufacturing, service sector units under IDS-2017 of J&K

Union Secretary of Indian Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Dr Guruprasad Mohapatra recently chaired a meeting of Empowered Committee for consideration of registration of manufacturing and service sector units under Industrial Development Scheme-2017 of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.Joint secretary DPIIT, Rajinder Ratnoo made a detailed presentation on the subject.Commissioner Secretary Industries & Commerce, J&K Manoj Kumar Dwivedi; Director Industries & Commerce, Jammu, Anoo Malhotra; and Director Industries & Commerce, Kashmir, Mehmood Shah attended the meeting through video conferencing while Director DPIIT, Sampa Saha, officers of DPIIT, concerned officer of J&K, Uttrakhand and Himachal Pradesh particip...
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UAE-India Food Security Summit: Lulu group inks MoU with Fruit Master Agro Fresh J&K
18Dec mmBy Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia, Market

UAE-India Food Security Summit: Lulu group inks MoU with Fruit Master Agro Fresh J&K

In a significant development, Jammu and Kashmir’s Fruit Master Agro Fresh and Dubai based Lulu group signed an MoU during the UAE-India Food Security Summit for supply of apple and other fruits for super markets of Lulu group across the Gulf Countries.During B2B sessions in the Summit, a meeting between a delegation from Jammu and Kashmir led by Navin Choudhary, Principal Secretary Agriculture and Horticulture, and top management of Lulu group led by its Chairman and Managing Director, Yousuf Ali, several decisions were taken to promote export of agriculture and horticulture products from the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir to entire gulf region using stores of Lulu group.Group of leading entrepreneurs from Jammu and Kashmir made representation to potential UAE importers where ...
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Singapore revises growth outlook again as Q3 GDP shrinks at slower 5.8% amid COVID-19
18Dec By Desk TeamNo Comments
Asia, China, Market, Singapore, World

Singapore revises growth outlook again as Q3 GDP shrinks at slower 5.8% amid COVID-19

SINGAPORE: The Singapore economy is expected to shrink between 6 per cent and 6.5 per cent this year, said the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) on Monday (Nov 23) in another revision to its 2020 outlook after growth data confirmed a smaller-than-expected contraction in the third quarter. Its previous estimate, announced in August, was for the economy to contract between 5 per cent and 7 per cent amid the blow from the COVID-19 pandemic. Policymakers also offered for the first time a glimpse of their economic forecast for 2021 – a recovery into positive growth territory, with the economy envisaged to expand between 4 per cent and 6 per cent next year partly on the back of a low base. For the third quarter, Singapore’s gross domestic product (GDP) contracted by 5.8 per cent on a y...
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Don’t chase India’s market rally — the good news is ‘already priced in,’ HSBC says
18Dec By Desk TeamNo Comments
Asia, Market, Singapore, World

Don’t chase India’s market rally — the good news is ‘already priced in,’ HSBC says

A pedestrian speaks on a mobile phone as he looks at share prices on a digital broadcast outside the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) in Mumbai on November 10, 2020. SINGAPORE — India's markets may have rallied to historic levels, but investors may want to stay away from chasing the rally for now, says HSBC Private Banking, which is currently underweight on India. "Our view at this stage is that a lot of the good news is already priced in to the Indian market as of now," James Cheo, chief market strategist for Southeast Asia at the firm, told CNBC's "Street Signs Asia" on Monday. As of Friday's close, both the Nifty 50 and S&P BSE Sensex sat close to all-time highs that were touched on Nov. 25, according to Refinitiv Eikon. India's markets were closed on Monday for a holiday. The recent ral...
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J&K: Winter sports activities commence at Gulmarg
16Dec mmBy Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia

J&K: Winter sports activities commence at Gulmarg

In the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, Tourism Director of Kashmir, Nisar Ahmad Wani kick started winter sports activities at Gulmarg.With early snow coming as a blessing, tourism stakeholders are upbeat to welcome the tourists and ski enthusiasts this season to Gulmarg.“Early snow has come as a blessing and we are ready to host tourists and winter enthusiasts in Kashmir Valley in general and Gulmarg in particular and today we are officially beginning. The Ski resort is ready and in coming days, many more events will be organized,” said Nisar Ahmad Wani.He said that this season, number of Ski courses for boys and girls are slated to be organized for which large number of applications have already been received.He said initially, four groups from within J&K and two groups f...
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J&K: Third national level Sufiyat conference held in Srinagar
16Dec mmBy Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia

J&K: Third national level Sufiyat conference held in Srinagar

The third National Level Sufiyat Conference titled, ‘Sufism-700 years roots in Kashmir’, was inaugurated by chairman of Kashmir Society International, Khwaja Farooq Renzushah in Srinagar city of the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.According to a statement, Renzushah complimented all the participants “on the extraordinary success of the series of these national level conferences which have rightly scripted new history in the field of Sufi literature in Kashmir.”He said that Kashmir Society International which is in MoU with Kashmir University “had the honour to present at the first national level conference on November 11, 2020 with 111 high valued books on Tasawuf. Similarly, at the 2nd National level Sufiyat conference, 51 Books on Tasawuf were scripted.”During the function, a...
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J&K: Young poet Aroosa Ashraf’s book launched at DPS Srinagar
14Dec mmBy Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia

J&K: Young poet Aroosa Ashraf’s book launched at DPS Srinagar

A poetry book titled ‘The Fifth Chamber of Heart’ by Aroosa Ashraf was released at Delhi Public School (DPS), Srinagar in the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.The book, published by FreshCode Books, traverses a wide variety of themes including mental illness, emotions, melancholy, sadness, betrayal and heartbreak.The book by the 18-year-old poet details her journey and despair of hopelessness. Recounting her journey, Aroosa said, “Sentences came into my mind and when I started saying them aloud, it eventually came out as a poem. That is how it all started.”Several dignitaries including poets Dr Gazanfar Ali, Inayat Gul and radio jockey RJ Rafiya, besides family of the author, students and people from various walks of life participated in the event.Speaking on the occasion, RJ Ra...
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J&K sets sight on Middle Eastern market for its horticulture produce
14Dec mmBy Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia, Market

J&K sets sight on Middle Eastern market for its horticulture produce

With a view to promote Kashmir horticulture produce across the globe, a delegation of top government officials along with progressive fruit growers are participating in UAE-India Food Security Summit 2020 to be held in Dubai.The delegation led by the Principal Secretary, Agriculture production, Naveen Chowdhary, Director Horticulture Kashmir, Aijaz Ahmad Bhat along with dozens of progressive farmers will have B2B interactions with multinational companies and international buyers.As per the officials, the potential buyers which the J&K delegation would be targeting will include Lulu supermarket, Choitram supermarket, Carrefour supermarket, Taj Hotels catering Dubai, Al Adil supermarket, Waitrose supermarket and Emirates airline catering services.Director Horticulture Kashmir, Aijaz Ahma...
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Biden picks longtime China critic Katherine Tai as top U.S. trade official
14Dec By Desk TeamNo Comments
Asia, China, World

Biden picks longtime China critic Katherine Tai as top U.S. trade official

Katherine Tai speaks during a House Ways and Means Committee meeting to consider the US-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) trade agreement in 2019. CSPAN President-elect Joe Biden on Thursday named Katherine Tai, a trade lawyer with a history of taking on China, as his incoming administration's pick for the United States' top trade representative. If confirmed by the Senate, Tai would inherit a critical, Cabinet-level position tasked with enforcing America's import rules and brokering trading terms with China and other nations. Tai, who is Asian-American, would also be the first woman of color to serve as the USTR. She is fluent in Mandarin. In choosing Tai, the senior trade lawyer on the House Ways and Means Committee, the Biden team likely signals an intent to return to a more multilateral trade app...
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