Asia

H&M forced to shut 20 stores in China over remarks on Xinjiang cotton: Report
4Apr mmBy Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia

H&M forced to shut 20 stores in China over remarks on Xinjiang cotton: Report

Soon after giving out a statement on forced labour in Xinjiang, Swedish fashion retailer H&M was forced to close 20 stores in China.Recently, several companies including H&M and Nike are facing pressure after they said that they were concerned about allegations that forced labour has been used to produce cotton in Xinjiang.The ruling Communist Party lashed out at H&M, Nike and other shoe and clothing brands last week after the United States, the European Union, Britain and Canada imposed travel and financial sanctions on officials accused of abuses in Xinjiang in China’s northwest.H&M has shut down about 20 of its 500 outlets in the communist country. Some of the closures might have been the result of Chinese landlords forcing out the shops, while local consumers vowed to b...
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Reconstruction of 2 schools in Nepal begins with Indian aid
3Apr mmBy Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia

Reconstruction of 2 schools in Nepal begins with Indian aid

The Indian embassy in Kathmandu on Friday said that the reconstruction of two government schools in Nepal has begun with Indian assistance on Friday.“The ‘bhoomi pooja’ for the reconstruction of Shree Harisiddhi Secondary School at Roshi Rural Municipality and Shree Siddheshower Secondary School at Mahabharat Rural Municipality were carried out today,” said a statement by the Indian embassy.The Shree Harisiddhi Secondary School is being reconstructed at a cost of Nepali rupees (NRs) 28.4 million and Shree Siddheshower Secondary school is being reconstructed at a cost of NRs 39.6 million.These schools will be built as per earthquake-resilient reconstruction norms of the Nepal government.“The new infrastructure of Harisiddhi Secondary School will include a single three-storied block with nin...
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China used Twitter, Facebook more than ever for Xinjiang Propaganda in 2020: Research
1Apr mmBy Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia

China used Twitter, Facebook more than ever for Xinjiang Propaganda in 2020: Research

A new research by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute has said that the Chinese government’s propaganda activity on Twitter and Facebook over its policies toward ethnic minorities in Xinjiang reached an all-time high in 2020, as Beijing sought to portray its approach, including use of widespread internment camps, as beneficial to the remote northwestern region.According to the research, the frequency of tweets about Xinjiang from Chinese state media and diplomatic Twitter accounts increased to an average of nearly 500 tweets per month in 2020, up from about 280 per month in 2019.“Since early 2020, there’s been a stark increase in the Chinese Government and state media’s use of US social media networks to push alternative narratives and disinformation about the situation in Xinjiang. ...
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Pak PM responds to PM Modi’s letter saying Pakistan also desires ‘peaceful relations’
31Mar mmBy Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia

Pak PM responds to PM Modi’s letter saying Pakistan also desires ‘peaceful relations’

In reply to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s greetings for Pakistan Day, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said that people of his country also “desire peaceful and cooperative relations.”Prime Minister Modi had written to Khan on March 23 extending greetings on the occasion of Pakistan Day. “As a neighbouring country, India desires cordial relations with people of Pakistan, for this environment of trust, devoid of terror and hostility is imperative,” PM Modi had written.Responding to Modi, Pakistan PM through a letter said: “Thank you for your letter conveying greetings on Pakistan Day. The people of Pakistan commemorate this Day by paying tribute to the wisdom and foresight of our founding fathers in envisioning an independent, sovereign state where they could live in freedom and r...
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Pakistan begins lockdowns as covid-19 spreads again; Lahore epicentre
23Mar mmBy Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia

Pakistan begins lockdowns as covid-19 spreads again; Lahore epicentre

The Health Minister in Pakistan’s Punjab, Dr Yasmin Rashid, on Monday said that the country is imposing micro-smart lockdowns (strictly restricted movement) in various cities of Punjab to rein in the spread of Covid-19 pandemic.She warned that the Covid-19 positivity rate has been consistently on the rise and witnessed 12 per cent increase. “Punjab government has issued new SOPs for public places, bazaars (markets) and other activities that involved gatherings,” she said.Dr Yasmin Rashid further said that Lahore was becoming epicentre of the novel coronavirus, as 1,824 new cases have been reported.She assured that there’s no need to panic because the government has enough facilities to manage the increasing infections.Dr Rashid further informed that National Command Operation Center’s (NCO...
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Pak High Commission funding HefazatIslam to protest against Indian PM: Bangladesh Chhatra League chief
21Mar mmBy Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia

Pak High Commission funding HefazatIslam to protest against Indian PM: Bangladesh Chhatra League chief

Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) president Al Nahean Khan Joy has alleged that Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka is “secretly funding” hardline Islamist organisation Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh to stage protests against India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.Taking to Twitter, Joy, the president of BCL, the student wing of Bangladesh ruling Awami League, said: “Pak Flag of Pakistan HC #Dhaka’s #SecretFunding for @HIBofficial @Hefazot to protest against India Flag of India & its PM @narendramodi. We, #secular & #democratic people of #Bangladesh condemn this attempt by Pak agency #ISI. #Shame on @GovtofPakistan, protector of #Terrorists around the globe”.Ahead of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Bangladesh, a massive rally was taken out on Friday in Bangladesh’s capital D...
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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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