First technical team from India arrives in Maldives
The government confirmed on Thursday that a team of Indian technical personnel have landed in Maldives to replace military troops that have been operating aircraft there.
The development indicates a compromise between the Modi government and the recently elected Muizzu government on the contentious issue of Indian troops stationed in the Maldives that had become the target of the “India Out” campaign run by the ruling party.
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India must build 'deep national strengths' to drive its transition towards leading power: EAM Jaishankar
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has said that in the next 25 years,
India must build "deep national strengths" that will drive its transition towards a developed economy and leading power.
Flagging the dangers of dependence on a limited number of suppliers, challenges of technology, and "weaponisation of market dominance", he asserted that the country's goals and ambitions cannot be determined by "the goodwill of others”.
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India’s manufacturing PMI inched up to 56.9 in February
India’s manufacturing sector continued its recovery in February from an 18-month low in December, with production levels and sales rising at the fastest pace in five months, as per the seasonally adjusted HSBC India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI).
A reading of over 50 on the PMI, which rose from 56.5 in January to 56.9 last month, indicates an expansion in activity. New export orders grew at the highest pace in 21 months, but employment levels changed little as firms felt existing staff strengths were enough to cope with the workload.
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Rs 39k crore deals to buy missiles, air defence guns inked
In booster dose for the combat capabilities of the armed forces before the fiscal ends, the defence ministry on friday linked five major capital acquisition contracts for missiles, air defence guns, aero-engines and radars worth Rs 39,125 core.
The biggest contract was for the Rs 19,519 crore procurement of over 220 BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, with an etended-range of 450-km for frontline warship, inked with Indo- Russian joint venture BrahMos Aerospace.
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LeT intel chief Cheema, 26/11 key conspirator, dies in Pakistan
LeT's intelliegence chief Azam Cheema (70) died following a heart attack in Faisalabad. But his death still stoked speculation galore in Pakistan's jihadi circles, especially in the wake of mysterious killings of several LeT operatives in recent months.
Pakistan has accused Indian agencies of being behind the killings of a number of LeT operatives, a charge denied by India.
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BAPS Hindu Temple Opens in Abu Dhabi: Know Dress Code and other Dos and Don'ts
The Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) Hindu Temple in Saudi Arabia capital Abu Dhabi, which opened to the public today, issued a series of guidelines to visitors regarding preferred clothing, bans and photography rules.
BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, commonly known as BAPS, is a Hindu religious and social organization. It was founded in 1907 by Shastriji Maharaj, a spiritual leader of the Swaminarayan sect of Hinduism. BAPS operates a global network of approximately 1,550 temples, spanning from the iconic Akshardham temples in New Delhi and Gujarat capital Gandhinagar to Swaminarayan temples worldwide.
As it happened: China’s ‘two sessions’ 2024 – Premier Li Qiang sets GDP target of around 5% for the year
China’s top legislature, the National People’s Congress (NPC), opens its annual meeting on Tuesday.Premier Li Qiang will deliver his first government work report at the meeting, offering a glimpse into the central government’s economic goals and foreign policy as well as its approach towards social issues, Hong Kong affairs and Taiwan.
This year’s gathering comes as concerns about China’s economy intensify following market slides and faltering growth figures last year.
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China says 'normal ties' with Maldives are not to 'target' any third party
China promised Tuesday to collaborate with Maldives to establish a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership with the island nation, underscoring that their regular cooperation does not “target” any third party and will not be interfered with by any third party.
At a press conference here, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning was asked about China’s military accord with the Maldives. She directed the media to the appropriate Chinese authorities for further information.
Hong Kong customs arrests 2 men arriving from Canada on suspicion of smuggling HK$18 million in cannabis buds into city
Two men, aged 48 and 67, were arrested by Hong Kong customs officers for smuggling cannabis buds worth HK$18 million into the city. They were lured into bringing 87 kg of cannabis buds in four suitcases from Canada, transiting through Tokyo
The suspects, Canadian passport holders, landed in Hong Kong after flying from Vancouver. Customs officers detected the drugs during X-ray examination, leading to the discovery of 155 vacuum bags containing cannabis buds
This case marked the largest passenger marijuana trafficking incident at the airport in a decade. The seized drugs had an estimated street value of HK$18 million. The customs officers have been vigilant due to an increase in drug seizures at the airport
Hong Kong customs seized a total of 179.5kg of cannabis at the airport in January and February, showing a significant increase compared to the previous year. Most of the seized drugs originated from North America or Thailand.
The authorities have intensified efforts to combat drug trafficking activities, with severe penalties for such crimes in Hong Kong. Trafficking in dangerous drugs can lead to life imprisonment and hefty fines
Mission Divyastra: India test-fires Agni-5 missile
India successfully test-fired the Agni-5 missile equipped with Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicle (MIRV) technology, allowing a single missile to deploy multiple warheads at different locations
This test signifies India's entry into a select group of nations with MIRV capability, showcasing the country's growing technological prowess and indigenous development in avionics systems and high accuracy sensor packages
Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the DRDO scientists for their achievement in Mission Divyastra, highlighting the significance of this technological advancement
PM Modi's outreach to Putin helped prevent 'potential nuclear attack’ on Ukraine
The United States reached out to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other world leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, to seek their intervention to avert a potential nuclear strike by Russia as Moscow's war against Ukraine raged in 2022.
The US was preparing rigorously to prevent the possibility of a nuclear attack, as they feared that the Kremlin could resort to nuclear weapons, which would be the first time since the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings in 1945.
The outreach to PM Modi and other world leaders played a key role in containing the potential crisis.
The Biden administration engaged with non-allies, including India, to discourage Russia from using nuclear weapons, as they were concerned that Russian President Putin might use tactical or battlefield nuclear weapons.
The US officials believed that showing international concern, particularly from key countries like India and China, was a helpful and persuasive factor in deterring Russia from using nuclear weapons.
The fact that India, China, and others weighed in may have had some effect on Russia's thinking, although this could not be demonstrated positively
Maldives to buy drones from Turkey, will build new military base
Maldives has purchased surveillance drones from Turkey for the first time to patrol its vast exclusive economic zone3.
The country is establishing a new military base to support Turkish military drone operations, as reported recently5.
This move signifies a significant development in Maldives' defense capabilities and surveillance efforts.
The drones acquired from Turkey will be utilized for monitoring the maritime area of the Maldives.
The decision to procure drones from Turkey highlights a strategic partnership between the Maldives and Turkey in enhancing security measures.
Cutting pay of Hong Kong’s civil servants could trigger exodus, economists and political analysts warn
Hong Kong's Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po decided against trimming the pay of government workers in the 2023-24 budget, opting for zero growth in headcount.
Economists and political analysts have warned that cutting the pay of civil servants could trigger an exodus, as the city relies on them to implement economy-boosting projects and retain talent.
The deficit-hit government faces pressure to save taxpayers HK$40 billion (US$5.11 billion), but the need to retain civil servants and their importance in the economy make significant pay cuts difficult.
Some experts argue that cutting civil servants' pay would be the most effective way to save money, while others suggest focusing on areas that can help the most.
Political parties, such as the Democratic Party and the Bauhinia Party, have backed the idea of cutting the pay of high-ranking officials, with some suggesting a 10 per cent reduction for those earning HK$150,000 a month or more
Deal to procure 24 bullet trains from Japan to be concluded by month end
India will seal the deal for procuring 24 E5 Series Shinkansen trains (bullet trains) from Japan by this month end. Going by the accelerated pace of progress, the railway is confident of the first train operation starting in June-July 2026 in Gujarat.
Sources said the National High Speed Rail Corporation Ltd (NH0SRCL) will bid out all contracts, including the procurement of trains and operating system, by Aug 15 this year
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British Airways vows to re-establish presence in Hong Kong and other Asian markets as part of £7 billion transformation plan
British Airways aims to re-establish its presence in Asian markets such as Hong Kong, mainland China and Japan in the coming years with new aircraft and enhanced services as part of the carrier’s £7 billion (HK$69.5 billion) transformation plan, the largest in its history.
The airline also revealed on Monday night at an event in London that direct flights between the UK’s capital and two key Asian destinations, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur, would be respectively reinstated in October and November.
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China’s ‘two sessions’ 2024: what Foreign Minister Wang Yi had to say about US relations, Taiwan and wars in Ukraine and Gaza
Foreign Minister Wang Yi warned that conflict between China and the United States would have “unimaginable consequences” when he faced the world’s media on Thursday.
In a press conference during the “two sessions” – the annual meeting of the national legislature and top political advisory body – he fielded more than 20 questions on global issues ranging from Taiwan and the wars in Ukraine and Gaza as well as the relationship between the two superpowers.
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Stiffer penalties for sedition under Hong Kong’s new Article 23 bill and no need to prove ‘incitement to violence’ for accused to be found guilty
Stiffer maximum penalties for the offence of sedition that will more than triple the current two years of imprisonment to seven years are being proposed under Hong Kong’s new domestic security bill.
The offence of seditious intention will also no longer require the element of incitement of violence to constitute a crime, according to the new legislation that was presented to the Legislative Council on Friday for scrutiny by lawmakers.
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Hong Kong lawmakers speed through first scrutiny of domestic security bill that carries stiffer penalties for treason and insurrection
Lawmakers have sped through their first scrutiny of Hong Kong’s domestic security legislation which has been on the back burner for decades, pledging to fast track the bill laying down 39 offences with penalties, including life imprisonment for newly listed crimes such as treason and insurrection.
The full draft underwent its first and second readings in the Legislative Council just hours after it was gazetted on Friday, reflecting the urgency placed upon it by the local and central governments to complement the Beijing-imposed national security law and plug loopholes in the existing overall legal framework.
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Drafted by:
Daney Antonio Martin (B.A. I.R., 1st Year) (Region Head)Jiah Malik (B.A. I.R. 1st Year)
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