World

US State Secy, EU Representative discuss ‘strong cooperation’ on China
30Jan mmBy Mike TrudellNo Comments
China, World

US State Secy, EU Representative discuss ‘strong cooperation’ on China

While discussing ways to further US-EU bilateral ties, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell agreed to continue 'strong cooperation' on issues related to China."Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the European Commission Josep Borrell today to discuss ways to repair, revitalize, and raise the level of ambition in the US-EU relationship," the State Department said in a statement."The Secretary and the High Representative also agreed to continue strong US-EU cooperation on issues related to China," the statement said.Blinken thanked Borrel for the European Union's leadership in various areas and emphasized the United ...
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Nepalese businessmen protest against ‘undeclared blockade’ by China
30Jan mmBy Mike TrudellNo Comments
China, World

Nepalese businessmen protest against ‘undeclared blockade’ by China

Suffering huge loses, local businessmen in Nepal have launched a protest in Rasuwa against China’s ‘undeclared blockade’ of cross-border trade.During the demonstration, businessmen gathered in front of the Rasuwagadhi Customs Office holding placards with messages such as “ensure smooth movement of containers”, “ensure the safety of Nepalis living at the border”, “abide by international trade laws”, “abide by trade and transit agreements”, “take initiative for easy trade with China”, and “end undeclared blockade”.They said that importing Chinese goods through the crucial Rasuwagadhi border was very difficult. Nepali businessmen have also complained that they had to pay a hefty bribe to Chinese agents to import goods across the border.Earlier, locals had staged a protest against China at Tat...
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India aims to tackle terrorism, climate change with US under Biden’s administration: MEA
29Jan mmBy Mike TrudellNo Comments
World

India aims to tackle terrorism, climate change with US under Biden’s administration: MEA

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday said that the country will closely work with the United States on combating the scourge of terrorism, maritime security, cybersecurity, and peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region under President Joe Biden’s administration.At a press briefing, MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said that India-US will continue to remain engaged at all levels to further strengthen the India-US comprehensive global strategic partnership.“PM had congratulated then-President-elect Biden on his election on November 8. They had a telephone call on November 17 where both leaders exchanged views on working together on shared priorities and global challenges,” said Srivastava.Srivastava recalled how Prime Minister Modi held a telephone conversation wi...
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India sends 6 lakh doses of COVID-19 vaccines to Sri Lanka, Bahrain
29Jan mmBy Mike TrudellNo Comments
World

India sends 6 lakh doses of COVID-19 vaccines to Sri Lanka, Bahrain

Under the “Vaccine Maitri” initiative, India on Thursday sent six lakh doses of its coronavirus vaccine, ‘Covishield’, to Sri Lanka and Bahrain.After receiving the vaccines, Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa tweeted: “Received 500,000 COVID-19 vaccines provided by people of India at BIA today (28). Thank you! PM Shri Narendra Modi and people of India for the generosity shown towards People of Sri Lanka at this time in need.”This comes days after Sri Lanka’s drug regulatory body — National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA)–gave a go-ahead to Oxford Astrazeneca’s vaccine.Bahrain has received 1 lakh Covishield vaccine developed by the Serum Institute of India (SII) as a gift from India.“Bahrain receives Made-in-India vaccines. A testimony to our long-standing fraternal ties,” tweete...
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Russia removes travel restrictions from India, Finland, Vietnam, Qatar
27Jan mmBy Mike TrudellNo Comments
World

Russia removes travel restrictions from India, Finland, Vietnam, Qatar

The travel restrictions from India, Finland, Vietnam and Qatar imposed due to the coronavirus pandemic have been removed by Russia.Confirming the news, the Russian Embassy tweeted: "For citizens of Finland, Vietnam, #India & Qatar the restrictions on entry to Russia, imposed due to spread of COVID19, are being lifted. The corresponding order was signed by Chairman of the Russian Government Mikhail Mishustin on January 25, 2021”.The Russian government's press statement specified that citizens of these states and those who have a residence permit will be allowed to enter Russia through air checkpoints. Russian citizens, in turn, can also fly to any of these countries.Russia had imposed travel restrictions on March 16, 2020, amid a surge in coronavirus cases in the country. Russia has reg...
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China’s dam-building over Brahmaputra risks water war with India
25Jan mmBy Mike TrudellNo Comments
Asia, China, World

China’s dam-building over Brahmaputra risks water war with India

In a move which could lead to conflicts between China and India, Beijing is planning to build a mega-dam on the Yarlung Zangbao, the world's highest river, which flows through Tibet and eventually becomes the Brahmaputra when it enters India.   The Yarlung Zangbao Dam plan is moving ahead without China discussing or entering into water-sharing agreements with downstream India or Bangladesh. Bangladesh, which maintains cordial relations with China, too protested over the Yarlung Zangbao Dam.Bertil Linter, a Swedish journalist, in an opinion piece wrote that precise technical details regarding the mega-dam on the Yarlung Zangbo River are lacking, but regional media reports indicate it will likely dwarf the massive Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River and generate three times as much electri...
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China adopts law giving coastguards power to fire foreign vessels in disputed waters
25Jan mmBy Mike TrudellNo Comments
China, Singapore, World

China adopts law giving coastguards power to fire foreign vessels in disputed waters

China’s top legislative body, the National People's Congress Standing Committee, has passed a law that gives power to its coastguard to fire on foreign vessels and demolish structures built in disputed waters.Although it is yet to be ascertained whether the law will be applied to all waters claimed by Beijing but the move is expected to escalate tensions between China and its neighbours in the East and South China Seas.The law was passed on Friday and empowers the coastguard to use "all necessary means" to deter threats posed by foreign vessels in waters "under China's jurisdiction". It will also allow the coastguards to launch pre-emptive strikes without prior warning if commanders deem it necessary.Under the new bill, coastguard personnel can demolish structures built or installed by oth...
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Iran to launch COVID-19 vaccination campaign soon: Rouhani
23Jan mmBy Mike TrudellNo Comments
World

Iran to launch COVID-19 vaccination campaign soon: Rouhani

Iran will launch its COVID-19 vaccination campaign in the near future and the use of foreign-made vaccines will be necessary, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani announced on Saturday.According to Rouhani, the use of foreign vaccines is a necessity until locally-made ones become available. No further information about what vaccines may be used during the inoculation campaign was provided.Earlier in January, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared a ban on imports of COVID-19 vaccines from the United Kingdom and the United States.Meanwhile, Iranian officials have confirmed that Tehran held negotiations on the potential procurement of vaccines with Moscow, Beijing, and New Delhi.Iran began the human trials of its first domestic coronavirus vaccine in late December and said that no...
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China’s illegal ‘profiteering’ in power sector leads to blackouts in Pakistan: Report
23Jan mmBy Mike TrudellNo Comments
China, World

China’s illegal ‘profiteering’ in power sector leads to blackouts in Pakistan: Report

A recent report has claimed that the billions which China has invested in Pakistan’s power sector and all the deals made with Pakistan contributed to the recent nationwide blackout, which is likely to return in future.A report of the nine-member committee headed by Muhammad Ali, a former chairperson of the Security and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) of April 2020 FM Shakil, in an opinion piece said the report has made startling revelations about widespread malpractice in the power sector.The report exposed the extent of Independent Power Producer (IPP) corruption, including among Chinese units installed under a government-to-government arrangement for China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) related operation.The report traced 100 billion Pakistani rupees (USD 625 million) in annual...
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Take action against China, top Republicans tell US President Joe Biden
23Jan mmBy Mike TrudellNo Comments
China, World

Take action against China, top Republicans tell US President Joe Biden

In retaliation to Beijing’s sanctions against outgoing American officials, top Republicans of the US have urged US President Joe Biden to take tougher action against China.Michael McCaul, the leading Republican of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, on Friday tweeted that Beijing had shown its true colours by sanctioning US officials for telling the truth – that the Communist Party was “guilty of crimes against humanity and genocide”.“I strongly urge the Biden administration to quickly condemn these baseless, impotent sanctions and make good on its early commitments to prioritise strategic competition with the [Communist Party],” he said.China had announced sanctions against a list of US individuals and their families just minutes after Biden was sworn in on Thursday.The list included for...
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