BRICS Summit, 2024, at night After six years, Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping will have formal meetings.

During the BRICS summit in Russia on Wednesday, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will have their first formal meeting since border tensions broke out in eastern Ladakh in May 2020, according to PTI.A day after China and India reached a deal on military patrols along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri made the statement. According to the newspaper, the agreement is regarded as a significant step in attempts to resolve the four-year military standoff between the two countries. "I can confirm that there will be a bilateral meeting between PM Modi and President Xi Jinping tomorrow (Wednesday) on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit," Misri was quoted as saying by PTI.This will be Modi and Xi's first formal meeting since tensions erupted along the border, notwithstanding their brief niceties at the 2022 G20 summit in Indonesia. According to a PTI report, the two leaders last spoke casually during the BRICS meeting in Johannesburg in August 2023.  

BRICS Summit 2024 LIVE PM Modi said India is prepared to offer all assistance in resolving the issue in Ukraine.

On the fringes of the BRICS, PM Modi is scheduled to meet bilaterally with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin.Today, October 22, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi left for Kazan, Russia, where he would attend the 16th BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) summit. The trip will last two days. The conference, which Russia is hosting, is perceived as an effort by non-Western nations to demonstrate their influence in the midst of the Ukrainian war. The grouping was extended during its summit in Johannesburg last year, and this will be its maiden summit. Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates were among the new members.In his discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that India is prepared to offer all assistance in the pursuit of a peaceful resolution to the Russia-Ukraine dispute. The prime minister told the Russian leader in his televised opening statement that New Delhi "fully supports" the early restoration of regional peace and stability.Additionally, Modi said that his second trip to Russia in as many months demonstrated "close" cooperation and a strong sense of confidence between the two nations."We stay in close communication on the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. We think that issues should be settled amicably, as I already stated," the prime minister stated. "We are totally in favor of peace and stability returning as soon as possible. Humanity comes first in whatever we do. In the future, India is prepared to offer any assistance feasible," he declared.  

ChinaJoy 2024 Mobile App Advertising Event

What is ChinaJoy Event and all about the event? Shanghai, China hosts ChinaJoy, officially known as the China Digital Entertainment Expo and Conference, every year as a digital entertainment event. This exhibition is the biggest of its kind in Asia and China for video games and digital entertainment. Organizers: Game Connection & ChinaJoy Date: 26-28 July, 2024 Venue: Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC) ADZ Junction Media Exhibition Details: Booth #IG-061, Hall #5 at ChinaJoy ChinaJoy, 2024 event is divided and categorized in two parts which are: - Indie Game Expo: To present their games and network with publishers and investors, foreign game creators are welcome to come to ChinaJoy's exclusive Indie Game Expo. Indie Game Development Awards: submit your games for publisher assessment and win one or more to gain the recognition you deserve. Why China Joy? A major event for the digital entertainment sector, China Joy showcases the newest in gaming, hardware, software, and related services. It serves as a center for knowledge sharing, networking, and looking into new business ventures. With cutting-edge trends and technologies on exhibit, this year looks to be especially intriguing.What is ChinaJoy Event and all about the event? Shanghai, China hosts ChinaJoy, officially known as the China Digital Entertainment Expo and Conference, every year as a digital entertainment event. This exhibition is the biggest of its kind in Asia and China for video games and digital entertainment. Organizers: Game Connection & ChinaJoy Date: 26-28 July, 2024 Venue: Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC) ADZ Junction Media Exhibition Details: Booth #IG-061, Hall #5 at ChinaJoy ChinaJoy, 2024 event is divided and categorized in two parts which are: - Indie Game Expo: To present their games and network with publishers and investors, foreign game creators are welcome to come to ChinaJoy's exclusive Indie Game Expo. Indie Game Development Awards: submit your games for publisher assessment and win one or more to gain the recognition you deserve. Why China Joy? A major event for the digital entertainment sector, China Joy showcases the newest in gaming, hardware, software, and related services. It serves as a center for knowledge sharing, networking, and looking into new business ventures. With cutting-edge trends and technologies on exhibit, this year looks to be especially intriguing. Read more about the upcoming biggest event of 2024 which is happening in Shanghai, Chaina at the end of July, 2024.  

Indonesian Telecoms Industry Analysis Report 2024–2031: Indosat and Tri Indonesia Merger, XL Axiata Acquires Link Net, Towecos Consolidation, 5G Service Launch, FTTH Investments

May 21, 2024, Dublin (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ResearchAndMarkets.com is now introducing the "Indonesia Telecoms Industry Report 2024-2031" study to its database.Welcome to the Indonesia Telecoms Industry Report, which provides a thorough analysis of one of the telecom markets with the quickest rate of growth in the globe. The telecom industry is crucial to national economies because it attracts significant infrastructure funds and spurs economic growth, especially as data infrastructure becomes more and more important in our connected world. Due to its defensive nature, the Indonesian telecoms industry is likely to stay stable despite political unpredictability and the economic impact of inflationary pressure.Important Developments Discussed in the Report on the Indonesian Telecom Sector: Combination of Tri Indonesia and Indosat Link Net is purchased by XL Axiata merging with Towecos introduction of 5G services Strong increase in consumer fixed broadband services is driven by FTTH developments.By 2031, 78% of Indonesia's mobile subscriptions are expected to be 5G users. It is anticipated that the Indonesian market would have close to 300 million 5G users by 2031.The telecommunications sector in Indonesia is a thriving mobile-only market with four major network providers and a near-monopolistic fixed-line provider. Robust economic foundations support the whole industry, establishing Indonesia as one of the world's fastest-growing telecom markets. Both mobile and fixed broadband subscribers are the main drivers of the increase. The publisher projects that mobile subscriptions will continue to rise rapidly after a brief dip in 2018 between 2024 and 2031. There will be a steady increase in fixed broadband subscribers together with a rise in household penetration.Increased data usage, more smartphone penetration, improved services, more affordable options, and broader coverage are the primary factors propelling the telecom industry's expansion. Indonesia is making large capital expenditure investments to extend its 4G coverage and fiber-optic network. The telecom industry has seen a sharp increase in investment, and this trend is anticipated to continue through 2023–2030.The publisher projects robust total telecom industry development through 2031, requiring higher capital expenditures outside of Java and phasing out 3G statewide to make way for 4G to be available to all Indonesians.  

King Charles to attend Easter service in first major event since cancer diagnosis

The king is undergoing treatment and had suspended almost all his public engagements since his diagnosis.King Charles III and Queen Camilla will attend an Easter service at the chapel at Windsor Castle on Sunday, Buckingham Palace officials said Tuesday, in the first major appearance for the 75-year-old king since he was diagnosed with cancer in February. Officials said Charles and Camilla will be accompanied by members of the royal family at St. George's Chapel. The event is expected to be smaller than usual. Prince William and Kate, the Princess of Wales, who announced last week that she is also undergoing cancer treatment, are not expected to attend. The king is undergoing treatment and has suspended almost all his public engagements since his diagnosis. Officials didn’t disclose what form of cancer Charles has but said it’s not related to his recent treatment for a benign prostate condition. Officials have said the monarch is continuing with state business, including regular weekly meetings with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and won't be handing over his constitutional role as head of state. On Tuesday, Charles was shown meeting community and faith leaders from across the U.K. at Buckingham Palace to hear about their work of boosting social cohesion amid heightened international tensions.  

EAM S Jaishankar defends Indias ties with Russia

India and Russia have always had a good relationship, and both nations have gone above and beyond to protect one another’s interests, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar stated on Sunday, rejecting the idea that Moscow is leaning closer to China.Speaking with Singapore’s Indian community, Jaishankar suggested that India consider its relations with Russia and other nations from an Indian viewpoint. “So, tell me has Russia helped us or harmed us? Has Russia at crucial moments contributed or obstructed? Going ahead, are there gains to be made from Russia or is it only damages which will come out?” he asked. “So, if I do my calculations from my perspective and my experiences, I will get the answer. And the answer in this case is that Russia is a country with which we have always had a positive relationship,” he said. “Both India and Russia have taken that extra care to look after each other’s interests. So, I think we should have that confidence as we go forward,” he said while answering a question. The ties between India and Russia remained strong notwithstanding Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. India has not yet condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and it has been maintaining that the crisis must be resolved through diplomacy and dialogue.On a question on the US presidential election in November and India’s equation with the country after that, Jaishankar said: “I prefer to be patient”. Jaishankar said he is confident that India can get along with whoever is President of the US.  

Ukraine sees power outages after largest missile barrage of the year

Several Ukrainian regions suffered power outages after the largest Russian missile and drone strike on the country’s energy infrastructure so far this year, prompting President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to again urge foreign allies to accelerate military aid. Ukraine’s air defense intercepted less than a half of the 88 missiles, which affected electricity generation and transmission systems across the country early Friday, Zelenskyy said on his Telegram channel. Most of an estimated 63 drones were taken down. Moscow’s goal is to disable Ukraine’s power system via the same means as last year, Energy Minister German Galushchenko said in an emailed statement. “Russia’s missiles are not facing delays like military aid packages to our state. Shahed drones don’t have indecision like some politicians,” Zelenskyy said as he urged Ukraine’s allies not to delay with providing weapons, which will in turn help protect citizens. Meanwhile, the International Monetary Fund has approved the next disbursement to Ukraine within a $15.6-billion loan programme, a move that bolsters the nation’s finances as aid from the US, its key ally, remains stalled. The lender’s executive board met on Thursday to give final assent to providing about $880 million in the latest installment to Kyiv. This is the first of four tranches for a total amount of more than $5.3 billion scheduled to be released this year.The IMF continues to lend to Ukraine under a four-year loan package sealed a year ago. At least two people were killed and eight wounded in the western city of Khmelnytskyi after the attacks, the Interior Ministry said. Six people were injured and three are missing in Zaporizhzhia, where missiles struck residential buildings.   One of the remaining power lines that link the occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant to the Ukrainian power grid automatically switched off because of disruptions in transmission, the nuclear operator Energoatom said on Telegram.   The Dnipro hydro power plant in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine’s largest, was also targeted, causing a fire, said operator Ukrhydroenergo, adding that there was no risk to the dam.Thermal power plants run by the energy producer DTEK were seriously damaged, the company said in a statement. Ukrainian Railway reported that several areas of its network lost power and trains were being sent on roundabout routes.  

Meta, Microsoft, X join forces against Apples App Store payment plans

In a rare joint filing, the companies said Apple’s plan “comports with neither the letter nor the spirit” of a 2021 ruling which found iPhone maker in violation of California unfair competition laws and required it to allow app developers to direct users to their own payment systems.Echoing arguments by Epic Games Inc. in its long-running antitrust fight with Apple over the App Store, the companies said Apple’s plan “imposes new restrictions on app developers that ensure the price competition that the injunction was designed to promote will never materialize.” The filing marks the latest volley in the back-and-forth over Apple’s tight control over its app marketplace, which is one of the world’s two dominant stores alongside Alphabet Inc.’s Google Play. An appeals court last year upheld the 2021 decision by an Oakland trial judge who found Apple’s business model violated California law by limiting developers from communicating about their alternative payment systems, which could wind up costing users less. Apple takes a cut from every purchase made on its app store.Epic, maker of the popular Fortnite game, and Apple had both asked the Supreme Court to review the lower-court rulings, but the high court declined in January. Apple said at the time it would let all third-party apps sold in the US include an outside link to a developer website to process payments for in-app purchases. But Epic last week asked for Apple to be held in contempt of court, claiming the company made outside links “commercially unusable” by imposing new fees. Apple’s plan — which is nine pages and 2,900 words — describes “dozens of requirements and limitations to which developers must adhere to be eligible to include an external purchase link within their apps,” according to the filing from Meta, Microsoft, X and Match. Apple previously said it is complying with the court order while continuing to protect the privacy and security of its app store users. Though Apple is allowing app makers to include an outside link to alternative payment systems, the company is still attempting to collect a 12% or 27% revenue share from developers that opt out of the system.  

Gaza Civil Defense: Israel refuses to allow access to wounded in Gaza City

In a statement, spokesperson for the organisation Mahmoud Basal says that Israel refuses to coordinate with international groups such as the Red Cross in order to allow rescue crews access to “hundreds” of wounded Palestinians in the vicinity of al-Shifa Hospital in north Gaza.“The occupation’s decision to prevent coordination is an extension of the policy of slow execution of innocent and wounded citizens under siege,” Basal says. On Monday, Israeli forces launched a new assault on the medical complex and its surrounding area, killing at least 90 people and detaining hundreds. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says preparations are under way for the invasion of Rafah, but an operation “will take some time”. In a video statement, Netanyahu said he will soon approve a plan for the evacuation of about 1.5 million Palestinian civilians from fighting areas after having greenlit the military’s operation. He said he appreciated the support of US President Joe Biden, who he asked to present proposals on humanitarian assistance and other aspects of the war.The army would “continue to operate in Khan Younis, in the central camps, for the elimination and capture of senior Hamas officials as we just did in Shifa Hospital, while eliminating hundreds of terrorists”, Netanyahu added. “As I promised you time and time again – we are determined to achieve absolute victory, and we will achieve it,” he said.  

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Russia confirms naval chief replaced after Black Sea failures

Russian state media confirmed on Tuesday that the Kremlin replaced the head of the country’s navy following a string of successful Ukrainian attacks on its Black Sea fleet.Adm. Alexander Moiseyev was for the first time officially introduced as acting commander in chief of the Russian Navy during celebrations marking Submariner Day in Kronshtadt, a town and a naval base on Kotlin Island, just west of St. Petersburg, according to state news agency TASS. Born on April 16, 1962 in Borskoye, Kaliningrad region, Moiseyev had served “for many years in nuclear submarines of the Northern Fleet from combat element group engineer to missile submarine commander, submarine force commander and submarine forces commander,” according to his Russian Defense Ministry biography. In 2011, Moiseyev was awarded the title of Hero of the Russian Federation for courage and heroism shown in the line of duty, according to the Defense Ministry. He has also been awarded two orders of courage and a number of other awards and medals, according to the ministry. Moiseyev replaces Adm. Nikolay Yevmenov, according to TASS, whose future had been the subject of speculation for weeks due to Russia’s repeated losses in the Black Sea. While the situation on the frontlines of the ground fighting between Russia and Ukraine has been static for months, save for a few Russian victories, the successes in the Black Sea have been a bright spot for the Ukrainian military. Ukraine claimed last month that it had disabled a third of the Russian Black Sea fleet in attacks which have most involved underwater drones. The salvos are aimed at isolating the Crimean Peninsula to make it more difficult for Russia to sustain its military operations there and on the Ukrainian mainland. Moscow seized Crimea 10 years ago in violation of international law, so the attacks there carry symbolic significance as well as strategic value. Pushing back Russia’s fleet has also allowed Kyiv to open a maritime corridor to export of grain and other commodities to the global market. But those losses have prompted the Kremlin to redouble its efforts to fortify the Black Sea Fleet. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu effectively admitted that Ukraine had taken advantage of vulnerabilities in the Black Sea Fleet during a visit to its command post. According to a statement from the ministry, Shoigu ordered the Russian navy to add more firepower to war ships to counter Ukrainian drones and train personnel “during the day and at night.” It’s unclear when exactly Moiseyev was appointed to replace Yevmenov. The palace intrigue inside Russia’s military is, like much of the country’s authoritarian politics, notoriously opaque.  

Israel’s war on Gaza live: Imminent famine an ‘entirely manmade disaster’

UN chief Antonio Guterres says a new report warning that famine is now imminent in northern Gaza is an “appalling indictment” of the situation on the ground.In a statement released on X, Reporters Without Borders, also known by its French name Reporters sans frontieres (RSF), has called the arrest of Al Jazeera Arabic’s Ismail al-Ghoul “part of Israel’s ongoing crackdown on the press”. “RSF demands the release of correspondent Ismail a-Ghoul, arrested by the army at Al-Shifa hospital,” the statement reads, saying that he was beaten and his equipment destroyed.We’ve been reporting all day on intense fighting at and near al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. The Qassam Brigades, Hamas’s armed wing, has reported on its Telegram channel that its fighters have been engaged in “fierce clashes” with Israeli forces in the area since dawn. The group said it targeted “a number of Zionist vehicles, causing deaths and injuries among their ranks”.The organisation’s global humanitarian director, Unni Krishnan, says that according to the IPC’s analysis in December, famine could be prevented if a cessation of hostilities occurred in the Gaza conflict and increased humanitarian aid entered the enclave, but that did not happen. “This horrific situation was entirely avoidable, and it’s not too late to take action to prevent more children from dying. We fully agree with the IPC warning: Waiting for a confirmation that famine is occurring or has actually occurred to take radical measures is indefensible,” Krishnan said. He added that his organisation “more urgently than ever before” calls for an “immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire and a massive increase in humanitarian assistance”. “Israeli restrictions on aid, siege tactics, and Israeli military attacks against civilians, humanitarian aid, health and relief workers must cease immediately. The starvation of the civilian population is illegal under international humanitarian law.”    

Russia Begins Voting As Ukraine Steps Up Border Attacks

Officials in Moscow warned against any protests during the March 15-17 presidential vote, after calls from the opposition for anti-Putin demonstrations on Sunday.Russia began voting on Friday in an election set to prolong President Vladimir Putin's rule by six more years, as Kyiv branded the vote a "farce" and launched a barrage of deadly attacks on border regions. Officials in Moscow warned against any protests during the March 15-17 presidential vote, after calls from the opposition for anti-Putin demonstrations on Sunday. The Kremlin says the vote will show that the country is fully behind his assault on Ukraine and polling stations have been set up in Russian-held territories.Ahead of the election, Kyiv ramped up its aerial bombardment of Russian regions just across their shared border. The Russian National Guard said it was fighting off attacks from pro-Ukrainian militias in Kursk, the latest in a string of border clashes. "I am convinced: you realize what a difficult period our country is going through, what complex challenges we are facing in almost all areas," Putin said in an address to Russians on the eve of the vote. "And in order to continue to respond to them with dignity and successfully overcome difficulties, we need to continue to be united and self-confident." Polling stations opened in Russia's easternmost Kamchatka peninsula at 8:00 am local time on Friday and are set to close at 8:00 pm (1800 GMT) on Sunday in Kaliningrad -- a Russian exclave bordering Poland and Lithuania.All of Putin's major critics are dead, in prison or in exile, and authorities blocked the few genuine competitors who tried to stand in the contest. Alexei Navalny, Putin's most high-profile opponent over the last decade, died in February in an Arctic prison colony. He was serving 19 years for "extremism", a sentence widely seen as retribution for his campaigning against the Kremlin leader. Moscow prosecutors warned against protests during the election. "The organization of and participation in these mass events are punishable by virtue of the legislation in place," they said in a statement posted on Telegram. Navalny's widow, Yulia Navalnaya, has called for rallies outside polling stations on Sunday, the final day of voting. Kyiv has this week launched some of its most significant aerial attacks since the start of the two-year conflict. The governor of Russia's Belgorod region, Vyacheslav Gladkov, said that at least three separate waves of aerial attacks had killed two people, wounding several others. He accused Ukraine of trying to "sow panic, distrust, anger, and resentment, in order to break the unit of our society". Pro-Ukrainian paramilitaries also claimed to be escalating attacks and incursions in Russian border regions. In a joint statement, three pro-Kyiv volunteer groups -- claiming to consist of anti-Kremlin Russians who have taken up arms -- called on authorities to evacuate civilians from the regions of Belgorod and Kursk. "Civilians should not suffer from the war and any casualties in the process of fighting will be on the conscience" of the regions' governors, they added. Russia has denied militias' claims to have gained ground. The National Guard said its units had beaten back one such attack near the village of Tyotkino in Kursk. The defense ministry said it had fended off another by Ukrainian forces trying to enter Belgorod via the village of Spodariushino, without saying when the clash had happened.  

Putin Didn Threaten To Use Nukes, US Took Him Out Of Context

Putin said in the interview published on Wednesday that Russia was technically ready for nuclear war and that if the U.S. sent troops to Ukraine, it would be considered a significant escalation of the conflict.The Kremlin said on Thursday that comments on nuclear weapons that Russian President Vladimir Putin made in an interview with state media did not constitute a threat to use them, and accused the U.S. of deliberately taking the remarks out of context. Putin said in the interview published on Wednesday that Russia was technically ready for nuclear war and that if the U.S. sent troops to Ukraine, it would be considered a significant escalation of the conflict. Commenting on Putin's words, White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters that Washington understood that the Russian leader was restating Moscow's nuclear doctrine, but accused Russia of deploying "reckless and irresponsible" nuclear rhetoric throughout the Ukraine conflict.Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday that Putin had merely been answering a journalist's questions on the subject and restating the already well-known circumstances in which Russia would theoretically be forced to use nuclear weapons. Peskov also drew attention to the fact that Putin had said in the same interview that the idea of using tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine had never crossed his mind. Asked about the White House comments, Peskov said: "This was deliberately taking something out of context. Putin made no threats about the use of nuclear weapons in this interview. The president was just talking about the reasons that could make the use of nuclear weapons inevitable. "These are the reasons that are stated in our relevant documents, which are well known throughout the world. Moreover, everyone in the West deliberately failed to notice his words that it had never occurred to him to use tactical nuclear weapons (in Ukraine), despite the various situations that have developed in the course of the fighting."This is a deliberate distortion of the context and an unwillingness to hear President Putin."  

Israeli Fire Kills 6 Palestinians Awaiting Aid Trucks: Gaza Health Ministry

Palestinians were rushing to get aid supplies at the Kuwait roundabout in northern Gaza City late on Wednesday evening when Israeli forces opened fire, residents and health officials said.Israeli fire killed six Palestinians and wounded dozens of others as crowds of residents awaited aid trucks in Gaza City, Gaza health ministry officials said on Thursday. Palestinians were rushing to get aid supplies at the Kuwait roundabout in northern Gaza City late on Wednesday evening when Israeli forces opened fire, residents and health officials said. The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the incident. The conflict in Gaza has displaced most of the enclave's 2.3 million population and there have been chaotic scenes and deadly incidents at aid distributions as desperately hungry people scramble for food.On Feb. 29, Palestinian health authorities said Israeli forces shot dead more than 100 Palestinians as they waited for an aid delivery near Gaza City. Israel blamed the deaths on crowds that surrounded aid trucks, saying victims had been trampled or run over. In Deir Al-Balah in central Gaza, an Israeli missile hit a house, killing nine people on Thursday, Palestinian medics said. Residents said Israeli aerial and ground bombardments continued overnight on areas across the enclave including in Rafah in the south, where over a million displaced people are sheltering. The war began when Hamas fighters attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people and seizing 253 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. Israel then launched an air, sea, and ground assault that has killed more than 31,000 Palestinians, health authorities in Hamas-run Gaza say. The Gaza health ministry said on Thursday Israeli military strikes across the Gaza Strip had killed 69 Palestinians and wounded 110 others in the past 24 hours. With the war now in its sixth month, the U.N. has warned that at least 576,000 people in Gaza - one quarter of the population - are on the brink of famine and global pressure has been growing on Israel to allow more access to the enclave. Israel denies obstructing aid deliveries into Gaza. It has blamed failures by aid agencies for delays and has accused Hamas of diverting aid. Hamas denies this and says Israel uses hunger as a weapon in its military offensive. A ship carrying aid is currently approaching Gaza in a pilot trial of maritime delivery, that is expected to be followed up by a U.S. military effort to set up a dock on Gaza's coast that will enable distribution of up to two million meals a day.While welcoming aid ships, Palestinian and U.N. officials say maritime deliveries are not a substitute for sending aid through land crossings.  

Pak President To Not Draw Salary During His Tenure, Cites Economic Crisis

Pakistan's newly-elected President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday announced that he would not draw any salary during his tenure as part of his bid to help the cash-strapped country face the challenging economic hardship.Mr Zardari, 68, who took oath as Pakistan's 14th President on Sunday, decided to encourage prudent financial management and not burden the national exchequer, his Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) said in a statement on X. "The President considered it essential not to burden the national exchequer and preferred to forgo his salary," President Secretariat Press Wing said in a press release on Tuesday.Former president Arif Alvi was drawing ₹ 8,46,550 per month, which was fixed by Parliament in 2018. Mr Zardari is one of the richest politicians in Pakistan. Mr Zardari, co-chairman of the PPP, took oath as President of Pakistan for a second term at a ceremony at Aiwan-i-Sadr in Islamabad on Sunday. Separately, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, following the steps of Zardari, also decided to forego his salary while in office citing the economic challenges faced by the country. Taking to X, Mr Naqvi said that he committed to serving the nation in challenging times "in every possible way". Mr Naqvi said that he has decided to forego his salary during the tenure. "In these challenging times, committed to supporting and serving our nation in every possible way," he said in an X post.Debt-struck Pakistan has been reeling under economic pressure with the price of commodities touching sky-high prices. The newly elected government needs a new loan from the International Monetary Fund on an urgent basis, and its politicians, who are often super-rich, use such tactics to win support from the impoverished masses. In February last year, the Cabinet of then-prime minister Shehbaz Sharif gave up their salary and other perks to help the country tackle its possible default on external liabilities.Addressing the maiden cabinet meeting after inducting 19 members on Monday, Prime Minister Sharif said that the first test of the cash-strapped country's newly-elected government is to rein in inflation and prices of food items. Mr Sharif, who was elected for a second term on Sunday, said that bringing inflation under control is the biggest challenge, however, the government together with the provincial administrations would consider ways how to manage the prices of the essentials.Taking stock of the issues and problems affecting the economy and the country, the prime minister asked his Cabinet members to "perform or perish", saying that the time is "now or never". Mr Sharif said the government should make difficult decisions without wasting any time. "Deep surgery is needed as antibiotics will not work," he said. He directed the immediate formation of a committee to control the prices of essential food items. He emphasised that strict action would be taken against unjustified price increases and profiteering in essential commodities.  

India Holds Agni-5 Missile Test, Chinese Vessel On Watch Off Vizag Coast

Within days of India issuing an alert for an impending missile test off the Odisha coast, a Chinese research vessel has raced up India's eastern seaboard and is currently anchored in international waters off the Indian coastline.This test - of the Agni-5 missile which has Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology - took place successfully on Monday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi confirmed the successful test with a post on X (formerly Twitter). The Chinese ship, Xian Yang Hong 01, is now less than 260 nautical miles - about 480 kilometres - off the coast of Visakhapatnam. Incidentally, that's where India bases its three nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines, arguably the most sensitive weapons systems in India's arsenal.There were reports the missile India was planning was the K-4, a nuclear capable missile designed to be launched by submarines. The missile was designed by the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) and is capable of carrying warheads weighing up to 2 tonnes. Ahead of the test a NOTAM alert was issued last week. NOTAM, meaning notice to airmen, are alerts issued to designate an area as a no-fly zone. The alert was for the Bay of Bengal area, which was seen as a clear indication India is planning a missile test that may take place anytime between March 11 and 16. This no-fly zone earmarked in the NOTAM alert spans 3,500 kilometres, well into the south of the Bay of Bengal. China has been monitoring India's activities, including missile tests off the eastern seaboard. Hence, the positioning of Xiang Yang Hong 01, a 4,813-tonne research vessel, and the timing has raised suspicion. NDTV has tracked how the ship has changed its position over the past week before reaching its current location. This vessel entered the Malacca straits on March 6 and was spotted between the Great Nicobar Island and Indian peninsula on March 8. The ship, which went into service in 2016, is about 100 metres long and has a range of 15,000 nautical miles, according to reports in the Chinese state media. It has remote sensing equipment that can enable exploration to depths up to 10,000 metres, the reports say. It is believed that the ship has sensors to detect sub-surface acoustic signatures. This means it may sense sound associated with the of submarines. These sounds can be detected through the ship's sonar and the buoys it deploys, and this may be used to record the acoustic footprints of submarines and possible underwater launches. This information is nothing less than an intelligence goldmine. The Navy has told NDTV that the vessel is "being monitored". "As of now the vessel is operating outside the Exclusive Economic Zone in the Bay of Bengal," it has said.The developments off the Indian coast come weeks after another Chinese ship of the same class set off alarm bells in New Delhi. The Xiang Yang Hong 03, which is now off the Sri Lankan cost and is surveying the region, docked in the Maldives last month. This came amid strained ties between New Delhi and Male after Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu asked Indian troops to leave. Ties between India and the Maldives have touched an all-time low after Muizzu took over as President last year. Following a visit to Beijing, where he met Chinese President Xi Jinping, Muizzu had said, "We may be small, but this doesn't give them the licence to bully us." The remark, which did not name any country, was seen as a swipe at India. India has played down the strain in ties. Asked about the relations between India and the Maldives, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar has said neighbours need each other. "History and geography are very powerful forces. There is no escape from that."Before the Chinese vessel docked in Male last month, the Maldives had said it would not conduct any research but will only come for "rotation and replenishment". India's concerns, however, were not limited to the waters of the Maldives. The ship has been moving in the waters between the Maldives and Sri Lanka in a zigzag manner.    

"Assured Us, But...": Tunnel Rescue Heros SOS After House Demolished

One of the houses that was razed in the Delhi Development Authority's (DDA) recent demolition drive belonged to Vakeel Hasan, a rat-hole miner who played a key role in the Uttarakhand tunnel rescue operation last year. The DDA said that the demolition on Wednesday was part of a broader effort to clear illegal encroachments in the Khajuri Khas area of northeast Delhi. However, Hasan and other residents argue that they were not given any prior notice. Hasan expressed his dismay, stating, "I am Vakeel Hasan. The reward we got for saving 41 from Uttarakhand's Silkyara tunnel was that our house had been demolished. I need help. They have caught me, and my children, and are keeping us in a police station. They have also beaten some of us." Munna Qureshi, another miner involved in the rescue operation, echoed Hasan's sentiments, saying, "The government had assured us that they would give us the privilege of sitting at home, but they have snatched our team member's home." The DDA countered these claims, asserting that prior information had been given to all the residents. Officials also said that the land was designated for planned development. The Silkyara-Barkot tunnel rescue operation gained widespread recognition for its use of rat-hole mining, a practice banned for safety reasons. The miners, including Vakeel Khan and Munna Qureshi, stepped in when high-tech, imported machines failed during the operation in November 2023. Mr Khan, a rat-hole miner employed by a Delhi engineering services company, vividly described the moment of the successful rescue. "They hugged me, cheered in applause, and thanked me profusely," he had said after the trapped workers who spent 17 days in the tunnel were successfully brought out.  

"Fit Is Not Healthy": Entrepreneur Dilip Kumar After Zerodha CEO Suffers Mild Stroke

Entrepreneur Dilip Kumar recently addressed the "crazy theories" that surfaced online after Zerodha co-founder and Chief Executive officer (CEO) revealed that he suffered a mild stroke six weeks ago. Taking to X, Mr Kumar, who claims to have worked with Mr Kamath "closely", debunked a popular myth by explaining that "being fit is not equal to being healthy". He also clarified that fitness is about the ability to perform physical activities such as endurance, stamina, flexibility, power and speed. "Okay, about the recent post by Nithin and all the crazy theories being spread around - there are a few things people should know. First, I work with Nithin closely. We have done workouts and races together. I know him a little more than others making opinions and commentary on social media. So, what should be the takeaway from his post?" Mr Kumar tweeted. In the following post, the entrepreneur explained how one's health encompasses a broader spectrum, including physical, mental and social well-being, where the body's systems operate in harmony. "Being fit is not equal to being healthy. Most people believe being healthy and being fit are one and the same. It's not. They are not synonymous and are distinct states of physical well-being," Mr Kumar wrote. "Being fit means your ability to perform physical activities such as endurance, stamina, strength, flexibility, power & speed. These are a set of attributes that people have or develop to perform a physical activity," he continued. Further, Mr Kumar went on to debunk more misconceptions. "We often look at athletes or movie stars as fit and healthy. But often they are not," he wrote. "You may be a runner, go to gym regularly or get your ten thousand daily steps. Fitness doesn't guarantee health. While being fit can contribute to overall health, it's possible for someone to be physically fit but still experience health issues due to poor nutrition, stress, lack of sleep, or underlying medical conditions,' he explained. Mr Kumar emphasised the importance of a balanced approach to fitness and health in his post as well. "The gap between being healthy and looking fit is a modern-day confusion caused by social media. Fitness is important and can be achieved through specific physical activities. Health considers various dimensions of well-being and is achieved by sustainable long-term practices," he tweeted. "Striking a balance between fitness and health is essential," he added. Notably, Mr Kamath revealed that he suffered a mild stroke six weeks ago. He said although he does not know what exactly caused it, he thinks that a combination of factors including his father's death, poor sleep, exhaustion and overworking could be the reasons.