China helping Russia to obtain key technology – media

Western sanctions apparently haven’t hampered the flow of aircraft parts, radios and microchips

Swiss parliamentarians arrive in Taiwan for six-day visit

The first two members of a Swiss multi-party parliamentary delegation arrived in Taiwan Sunday morning for a six-day visit that will include meetings with President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) and other top government officials.

India – The ‘Skills’ Capital of the World

With nearly 65% of its youth in the working age group, India boasts one of the world’s largest young populations, offering the country significant opportunities to channelise this demographic dividend in its industrial revolution 4.0 ... reports Kaliph Anaz

At least 14 Hindu temples vandalised in Bangladesh

A group of unidentified persons vandalised idols of Hindu goddesses in 14 temples in Bangladesh’s Baliadangi upazila on Sunday, Dhaka Tribune reported citing a police officer.

Jacqueline Fernandez to become the face of FairPlay

Popular Bollywood celebrity actress Jacqueline Fernandez has now hopped onto the brand ambassador bandwagon for the well known and widely trusted brand: FairPlay

Pakistan: Security on high alert in Islamabad amid terror threat

Islamabad’s Inspector General of Police (IGP) Akbar Nasir Khan has issued strict orders to keep security on high alert to maintain law and order situation in the capital, a police spokesman said, The News International newspaper reported.

Taliban asks int’l community to recognise ’Islamic Emirate’ of Afghanistan

Taliban has called on the international community to recognise the ’’Islamic Emirate’’ of Afghanistan, claiming that if recognised, the concerns and complaints of the world community will be addressed in a better way, Afghanistan-based Tolo News reported.

Japan strongly suspects China sent three spy balloons into its airspace

Japan said Tuesday it “strongly” suspects three Chinese spy balloons entered its airspace between 2019 and 2021.

First G20 Culture Working Committee meeting to be held in Khajuraho, India

India leading the way in renewable energy

India is on a mission to become a leader in renewable energy. The country is already the world’s third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, and is home to some of the world’s most polluted cities. However, in recent years, India has made significant progress in promoting and investing in renewable energy, and is well on its way to achieving its goal of becoming a leader in this field.

Advances in artificial intelligence raises concerns

Concerns have been raised over the recent advances in artificial intelligence

Former US President Jimmy Carter to receive hospice care

Former US President Jimmy Carter will receive hospice care and ’’spend his remaining time at home with his family’’ instead of additional medical intervention, the Carter Center says.

Blinken warns China’s Wang Yi against aiding Russia, discusses spy balloon incursion

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Saturday warned top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi of consequences should China provide material support to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, saying in an interview after the two met that Washington was concerned Beijing was considering supplying weapons to Moscow.

ICRC turns 160 as work to protect civilians from horrors of conflict continues

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) today (17th February) marked its 160th year of work to bring relief to millions of people adversely affected by armed conflict.

Bruce Willis has dementia, his family announces

Actor Bruce Willis has frontotemporal dementia, his family has announced. In a statement on social media, they said it was a ’’relief to finally have a clear diagnosis’’.

Mozambique pastor dies attempting 40-day Jesus fast

A pastor in Mozambique has died after trying to fast for 40 days, emulating what Christ is said to have done in the Bible.

G20 Presidency will boost India’s global status, power: South Korean envoy

India is making significant progress in every aspect of things and the G20 presidency will boost New Delhi’s global status and power, South Korea n Ambassador Chang Jae Bok said on Monday.

MoUs signed with Tajikistan, Kazakhstan to strengthen cooperation, exchange expertise in field of auditing

The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) on Monday signed two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with auditing authorities of Tajikistan and Kazakhstan on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Supreme Audit Institutions (SCO SAI) Leaders’ meeting.

Global Minority Report: India tops as most inclusive country for religious minorities

In its inaugural assessment on global minorities, the Centre for Policy Analysis (CPA) ranked India #1 amongst nations for how it treated religious minorities. On measures of inclusivity towards religious minorities, India has come out on top.

India-France-UAE discuss taking cooperation forward in defence, energy

India Committed to Preserving and Popularising All Culture and Traditions in Country, Says High Commissioner Kumaran

India is committed to preserving and popularising the culture and traditions of various parts of the country, the Indian envoy in Singapore has said, as he launched a two-day festival on Kashmir.

India ranks 1 among 110 nations for inclusivity measures towards religious minorities: Report

India has been ranked as number one among 110 nations for its inclusivity measures towards religious minorities, as per the Centre for Policy Analysis (CPA) inaugural assessment on global minorities, The Australia Today reported.

India focussing on boosting the country’s aerospace sector

India’s plan to manufacture aero engines is a significant step in boosting the country’s aerospace sector. Currently, India relies heavily on importing aero engines for its aerospace industry, which can be expensive and hinder technological independence. By manufacturing aero engines domestically, India can reduce its dependence on imports and develop its own expertise and capabilities in the field.

Hope to co-host 3rd summit of India Pacific Islands Cooperation forum this year: Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday said India hopes to co-host the third summit of the Forum for India Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) in the coming months.

Australia mine collapse: Two men dead at Dugald River zinc mine

Two miners who went missing after a mine collapsed in Australia have died. Dylan Langridge, 33, and Trevor Davis, 36, were driving 125m (410ft) underground in Queensland’s Dugald River mine on Wednesday when the ground gave way, local media say.

Wikipedia ban shows attempts by Pak authorities to restrict internet access

The Wikipedia ban in Pakistan shows the ’’inconsistent and recurring attempts by Pakistani authorities to restrict internet access, a concerning pattern that ’’undermines the country’s nascent knowledge economy,’’ Al Arabiya Post reported.

General Bajwa asked me to condemn Russian invasion of Ukraine: Imran Khan

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan has said General (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa had asked him to condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine soon after his return from Moscow, Geo News reported.

Expansion of Pak’s huge cabinet will cost even if members work for free

The decision of Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to add numerous Special Assistants to the PM (SAPM) in his cabinet without any clear criteria has received criticism. As experts say that such a decision is an “insensitive” move when the country is in economic crisis, reported Express Tribune.

US blacklists 6 Chinese companies for “spy balloon” episode

As part of its response to a Chinese spy balloon that traversed US airspace last week, the Joe Biden administration on Friday (local time) clamped down on sales of some of its technology to several Chinese aviation and technology companies, reported The New York Times (NYT).

Narendra Modi inaugurates Aero India 2023 with hopes of local production boost

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated the 14th edition of its flagship aero show in Bengaluru, an event seen to be a great business opportunity when New Delhi is looking to push indigenous products, modernise Soviet-era equipment and as domestic carriers add fleet.