Month: October 2023

Canadian PM says India’s actions making life hard for millions of people; US and UK back Canada in dispute with India over diplomats

Manish Kumar

Canadian PM Justin Trudeau said the Indian government’s crackdown on Canadian diplomats was making normal life difficult for millions of people in both countries.  Trudeau said the expulsion of some of Canada’s diplomats will hamper travel and trade and pose difficulties for Indians studying in Canada.  The U.S. State Department on Friday backed Canada in the dispute over diplomats.  Analysts say the U.S. and the UK do not want to damage ties with India, which they view as a counterbalance to their main Asian rival China.  Canada withdrew 41 diplomats…

NCCF is playing an important role in fulfilling Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Sahakar se Samriddhi’

Manish Kumar

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah addressed the Board of Directors of National Cooperative Consumers Federation of India Limited (NCCF) in New Delhi. Shri Amit Shah said that NCCF should become self-reliant by achieving a turnover of Rs 50,000 crore by the year 2027-28. He said that NCCF should emphasize on making Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) and other cooperative institutions across the country its members so as to ensure that the proportion of cooperatives in the share of capital of NCCF is relatively higher. Union…

PM launches India’s first Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh

Manish Kumar

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the priority section of Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS Corridor at Sahibabad RapidX Station in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh today. He also flagged off the Namo Bharat RapidX train connecting Sahibabad to Duhai Depot, marking the launch of the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) in India. Shri Modi dedicated to the nation, two stretches of east-west corridor of Bengaluru Metro. The Prime Minister also travelled on board the Regional Rapid Train Namo Bharat. Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said that today is a historic moment for…

China developing nuclear missiles capable of hitting targets in US: Pentagon

Manish Kumar

China has more than 500 nuclear bombs in its arsenal and is developing new Inter-Continental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) that will significantly improve its nuclear-capable missile forces, the Pentagon said  In its latest report on China sent to the US Congress, the Pentagon said that over the next decade, China will continue to rapidly modernize, diversify, and expand its nuclear forces.  China may be exploring the development of conventionally armed intercontinental-range missile systems, the report said.  China is expanding the number of its land, sea, and air-based nuclear delivery platforms while…

Biden draws direct link between Putin and Hamas as he urges aid for Israel and Ukraine

Manish Kumar

Joe Biden has drawn a direct, provocative link between Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and Hamas’s attack on Israel as he urged Americans not to walk away from their role as “a beacon to the world”. In only the second Oval Office address of his presidency, Biden said he would ask Congress to provide aid for both Israel and Ukraine and denounced the scourge of antisemitism and Islamophobia at home. The president’s 15-minute address sought to weave the Ukraine and Middle East conflicts together to convince war-weary voters and hard-line Republicans…

1200 people including 18 Nepali evacuated under Operation Ajay, says MEA

Manish Kumar

Amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, India has evacuated at least 1,200 people stranded in the war-torn country.   “We will fly more flights if demanded,” MEA Spokesperson, Arindam Bagchi added.  India advocates for a two-state solution where both Palestine and Israel have a direct conversation in order to end the conflict.   The international community must stand together in combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,” said Bagchi.  Bagchi also maintained that India has been providing humanitarian aid to not only Israel but also Palestinians who have been facing…

Italy PM splits from partner: “My relationship which lasted almost 10 years, ends here,” Meloni wrote

Manish Kumar

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Friday she had separated from her television journalist partner Andrea Giambruno.  Andrea Giambruno has drawn criticism in recent weeks for sexist comments made on and off air.  “My relationship with Andrea Giambruno, which lasted almost 10 years, ends here,” Meloni wrote on her social media accounts.  The couple have a seven-year-old daughter.  The TV journalist had already been widely criticised in August for apparent victim-blaming comments following a gang rape case.  Meloni had said after that episode that she should not be judged…

ISRO’s journey towards its human space flight programme ‘Gaganyaan’ will start with the launch of a test vehicle mission

Manish Kumar

The launch of a single-stage liquid rocket on Saturday will signal ISRO’s journey towards its ambitious human space flight programme, Gaganyaan.  ISRO aims to send humans into space on a Low Earth Orbit of 400 km for a three-day Gaganyaan mission and bring them safely back to Earth.  The Crew Module System is a habitable space with an Earth-like environment in space for the crew.  The success of this test flight would set the stage for the remaining qualification tests and unmanned missions, leading to the first Gaganyaan programme with…

Canada removes 41 diplomats after India threatens to revoke their immunity

Manish Kumar

As many as 41 Canadian diplomats departed India ahead of the diplomatic immunity deadline set by New Delhi.  The diplomatic drawdown came after India sought “parity” in the strength of Canada’s diplomatic presence by bringing down those stationed in the country from 62 to 21.  The Global Affairs Canada statement said “This mass expulsion will impact our operations, and client service will be affected.”   Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly said that Canada will “continue to engage” with India, as “Now more than ever, we need to have…

Hamas Claims Several Killed and Widespread Destruction after Israel Strikes Gaza Church

Manish Kumar

Tragedy struck in central Gaza City as the Greek Orthodox Saint Porphyrius Church compound became the latest target of an Israeli air attack.  Women, Children Among Dead.  Orthodox Church Slams Israel, expressed its “strongest condemnation” of this attack.  Biden Reaffirms Support for Israel, and Ukraine.  Gaza Situation Deteriorates  Tragedy struck in central Gaza City as the Greek Orthodox Saint Porphyrius Church compound became the latest target of an Israeli air attack on Thursday night. The devastating Israeli bombardment on this historic church has resulted in eight confirmed fatalities, with dozens…