Modi takes oath as PM for 3rd term

Narendra Modi took oath as the Prime Minister of India for the third time, equalling a feat that only Jawaharlal Nehru achieved in the past.

India’s forex reserves jump $4.84 billion to hit fresh all-time high of $651.5 billion: RBI

India’s forex reserves jumped USD 4.837 billion to a new all-time high of USD 651.51 billion for the week ended May 31, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said on Friday. In the previous reporting week, the overall reserves had dropped USD 2.027 billion to USD 646.673 billion.

IndiGo to operate more flights from India to Central Asian cities

India’s largest airline IndiGo is doubling flights from Delhi to Almaty and Tbilisi starting on August 16, 2024, and to Tashkent starting on August 17, 2024. The airline will then operate daily flights from Tashkent, Almaty, and Tbilisi, up from the previous schedule of 4 flights per week to Tashkent and 3 flights per week to Almaty and Tbilisi.

Speculations abound ahead of Dalai Lama’s US visit

Although the Dalai Lama’s planned visit to the US sometime later this month after Jun 20 is stated to be to get his knee problem fixed, speculations abound as to whether political leaders, including especially President Joe Biden, will meet him during this contentious election year.

Amid China threats, US announces sales of F-16 parts to Taiwan

The Pentagon announced on Wednesday that the US Department of State had cleared two possible sales to Taiwan of F-16 parts and supporting equipment, valued at a total of USD 300 million for Taiwan.

TRISHNA – ISRO announces Indo-French thermal-imaging mission for climate and water monitoring

Space agency ISRO has announced a joint Indo-French infrared earth observation satellite mission, TRISHNA (Thermal Infra-Red Imaging Satellite for High-Resolution Natural Resource Assessment), to monitor surface temperature and water management around the world.

Biden apologizes to Ukraine’s Zelenskyy

U.S. President Joe Biden on Friday for the first time publicly apologized to Ukraine for a monthslong congressional holdup in American military assistance that let Russia make gains on the battlefield.

In the aftermath of floods...

People were seen cleaning their houses after the floodwaters receded. A small boy appeared distressed as his textbooks were washed away by the floodwaters. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Global concerns mount over China’s expansive surveillance and censorship

China’s extensive surveillance and censorship have raised global concerns, with the government’s tight control over the internet, media, and public discourse often seen as a breach of freedom of speech. The Great Firewall of China restricts access to global platforms, limiting information flow.

Taiwan holds vigil for China’s 1989 Tiananmen crackdown

Hundreds gathered in Taiwan on Tuesday night to commemorate the 35th anniversary of China’s deadly crackdown at Tiananmen Square, after the island’s President Lai Ching-te vowed that the memory of those killed would not disappear.

Over 50 world leaders extend congratulations to PM Modi on his third consecutive term victory

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has received an overwhelming wave of congratulatory messages from over 50 world leaders following his historic victory in securing a third consecutive term in office, said the sources familiar with the matter.

PM Modi resigns

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday tendered his resignation along with the Council of Ministers to President Droupadi Murmu.

Man attacked over blasphemy allegation dies

A Christian man, who was badly injured in a mob attack in Sargodha after being accused of committing blasphemy, died late on Sunday night after fighting for his life at a hospital for eight days.

Brands and celebrities hit by TikTok cyber-attack

TikTok says it is addressing a cyber-attack that targeted several brands and celebrities. The video-sharing app, which is owned by Chinese company ByteDance, told the BBC that a ’’very limited’’ number of accounts had been compromised.

Hong Kong police arrest street artist hours before anniversary of Tiananmen Square massacre

The Chinese law enforcement agencies on Monday detained a street artist from Causeway Bay in Hong Kong merely hours before the 35th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Massacre, Voice of America (VOA) reported on Tuesday.

India gives NDA third term, Modi a message

The people have spoken and the NDA which claimed 294 Lok Sabha seats is set to return for a third term but the mandate is not exactly what Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who spearheaded the BJP campaign, may have hoped for.

LGBTQ community shows strong support for PM Modi in Indian General Election

In a surprising turn of events, a recent poll conducted by a popular gay dating app has revealed substantial support for the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) among India’s LGBTQ+ community.

Citing political misuse Pak SC shuns live-streaming of NAB amendments case

The Pakistan Supreme Court on Saturday cited potential political misuse - the probability that the hearings might be misused or exploited for ulterior or personal purposes in the verdict to stop live-streaming NAB laws case, reported Dawn.

China state firms targeted by U.S. lawmakers for allegedly helping Iran

Republican legislators on the House of Representatives’ influential China-focused committee on Friday urged the U.S. to investigate six Chinese state-owned companies for allegedly helping Iran evade U.S. sanctions.

Kashmir tourism sets new records with over 11 lakh visitors in six months

The Kashmir Valley has welcomed an impressive influx of over eleven lakh tourists in the first six months of this year, according to officials from the tourism department. Data shows that among the 1,155,289 visitors, 22,612 were foreign tourists. Officials anticipate a further increase in international tourist arrivals from June onwards.

The South China sea risks a military crisis

Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. drew a red line during his keynote address at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on Friday, saying that the death of any Philippine citizen in the country’s ongoing standoff with Beijing in the South China Sea would be “very, very close to … an act of war.” In such an event, “we would have crossed the Rubicon,” he said, responding to an audience question about U.S.-Philippine mutual defense.

China lands on Moon’s far side in historic sample-retrieval mission

The Chang’e 6 touched down in the South Pole-Aitken Basin at 06:23 Beijing time on Sunday morning (22:23 GMT Saturday), the China National Space Administration (CNSA) said.

India’s Modi could win third term, polls predict

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to win a third consecutive term in office, exit polls suggest.

RuPay’s global acceptability advances as Maldives to introduce India’s global card payment services

New Delhi, Times of Oman: When UAE’s President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan swiped a card embossed with his name to mark the start of the RuPay service in Abu Dhabi this February in the presence of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it was a precursor of things to come.

Taiwan remains vigilant amid concerns of Chinese civilian vessel threat: Expert

Amid escalating concerns raised by foreign experts regarding China’s purported preparations for a potential invasion of Taiwan using civilian vessels, a Taiwan defence expert has affirmed the nation’s readiness to counter such threats, Focus Taiwan reported.

What Trump’s conviction means for the election

Former United States President Donald Trump has been found guilty in a historic criminal hush-money trial, in a decision that could shake up the 2024 election campaign.

Major ‘make In India’ Defence deals on centre’s agenda post-elections

Several crucial ‘Made in India’ defence projects, including the procurement of additional K-9 Vajra self-propelled howitzers and fighter aircraft engines, are set to be on the Centre’s agenda for final approval following elections.

Europe’s business chiefs see EU-China relations worsening

A majority of Europe’s chief executives believe relations between Europe and China will worsen over the next three years, with the EU’s de-risking strategy and Beijing’s close ties with Moscow cited as the greatest areas of friction.

Space tech startup Pixxel on course to launch 6 satellites, using ISRO, SpaceX rockets

Bengaluru-based space tech start-up Pixxel is on course to launch six satellites in 2024, as it had shared earlier, using rockets of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Elon Musk-owned SpaceX, said chief executive officer (CEO) Awais Ahmed.

Person dies after being sucked into airplane engine in Amsterdam airport

A person has died after falling into a running aircraft engine at Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport, police say.