Author: Arif ArifArman

INTERNATIONAL DESK: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday (local time) met his French counterpart Catherine Colonna who shared her enthusiasm for making Prime Minsiter Narendra Modi’s visit to the Bastille Day a success. Both of them also exchanged views on Indo-Pacific and G20. “Glad to meet French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna. Share her enthusiasm for making PM Narendra Modi’s visit to the Bastille Day a success. Exchanged views on the Indo-Pacific and G20,” tweeted Jaishankar. On the 25th anniversary of the India-France Strategic Partnership, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to attend this year’s Bastille Day Parade as Guest…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: Implementation of schemes under the Holistic Agriculture Development Plan ( HADP) of the Jammu Kasmir government would double the agricultural output of the Union territory and give a fillip to its agricultural export, said Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), Agriculture Production Department, Atal Dulloo while reviewing HADP implementation with the heads of Project Grounding and Monitoring Committees. The ACS, while addressing the meeting held in this regard, exhorted the officers to implement HADP in its entirety keeping its aims and objectives in mind. He asked them to complete all the preliminary work beforehand regarding issuing of tenders, procurement and…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Mansukh Mandaviya on Saturday addressed the inaugural session of the G7 Health Ministers’ Meeting in Nagasaki. He highlighted the fact that India’s G20 Presidency Health Priorities and G7 health agendas are perfectly aligned. Union Minister Mandaviya noted that the G7 discussions prioritised health emergency preparedness, access to medical countermeasures, and digital health to achieve UHC (Universal Health Coverage). He tweeted, “Addressed inaugural session of the G7 Health Ministers’ Meeting in Nagasaki. India’s G20 Presidency Health Priorities & G7 health agendas are perfectly aligned. We have prioritized Health Emergency Preparedness, Access to…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary Dr Arun Kumar Mehta on Saturday said that the success of the G20 event is a collective responsibility of every official in the government. “In a run-up to the upcoming G-20 Tourism Working Group meeting scheduled to be held here, Chief Secretary, Dr Arun Kumar Mehta today impressed upon the officers that the success of the international event is the collective responsibility of all of us and each of us should fulfil our responsibility fully,” the press release said. During the meeting, J-K’s Chief Secretary said that all the management plans for the…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: Highlighting the healthcare reforms by the central government, Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Saturday said that the last nine years have turned India into a cost-effective medical destination and this has been possible because of several pathbreaking healthcare reforms. Addressing the inaugural session of the 42nd annual conference of the National Medicos Organisation (NMO) organised at AIIMS Kalyani, West Bengal, Jitendra Singh said that previously India was hardly known for any preventive healthcare but today India is recognized as the vaccination hub of the world. He also said that Medico organisations can collaborate with the government for ensuring…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: The 8th meeting of Agriculture Ministers of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member countries was held on Saturday via video conferencing under the chairmanship of Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Narendra Singh Tomar. Russia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, China and Pakistan participated in it, along with India. Tomar said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s emphasis is on the overall development of agriculture in the country through technology. Tomar said in order to maintain the normal functioning of the food supply chain in the present conditions, there is a need for close contact and cooperation between various countries for food…

ZOOMBANGLA DESK: The country is experiencing huge loadshedding to the tune of over 2000 MW today (Saturday) as gas shortage forced the authorities to shut down a number of gas-fired power plants. According to official sources, the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) had to resort to about 2051 MW loadshedding at 12noon when power generation was 10,749 MW against a demand of 12,800 MW. But many officials unwilling to speak on the record believe that the loadshedding was even more than 2000 MW. “This happened as we are not getting adequate gas supply that forced many plants to go for…

ZOOMBANGLA DESK: Bangladesh and Mauritius are keen to work together in different sectors, including tourism, education, agriculture, communications, connectivity and ICT, to explore the possible areas of collaboration and investment between the two countries. They came up with the common opinion as the visiting Mauritian President Prithvirajsing Roopun paid a country call on Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin at Bangabhaban here this evening. During the meeting, both the Presidents called for joint investment in two country’s potentials sectors, including trade and commerce, President’s press secretary Md Joynal Abedin told BSS after the meeting. Mauritius President, who is currently in Dhaka on…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: Under China’s Belt and Road Initiative, Beijing built the Pokhara international airport in Nepal in January but since it came into operation, there are no signs of the airport receiving any international flights, The Annapurna Express reported. According to the airport authorities, although the talks are ongoing with China, India and other countries, the chances of international airlines making flights to and from Pokhara airport in the near future appear slim. Without international flights, the airport cannot make sufficient income to sustain itself. According to officials in the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), the airport should conduct…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: Australia’s Blacktown City Council has cancelled Sikhs For Justice’s propaganda referendum event in Sydney, after hundreds of complaints about threats posed by the event, The Australia reported on Friday. The propaganda event was scheduled to be organised at Blacktown Leisure Centre Stanhope. The booking has now been cancelled after security agencies’ advice. A Blacktown City Council spokesperson told The Australia Today: “Council’s decision is in no way an endorsement of, or criticism of, any political position relating to the internal affairs of India or Pakistan and must not be represented as support for any particular political position,” he…

SPORTS DESK: Bangladesh youth women’s handball team got off to a winning start in the 3rd edition of four-nation Bangabandhu IHF Challenge Trophy Women’s (U-17) beating the Maldives by 48-10 goals held today (Saturday) at Shaheed Captain M Mansur Ali National Handball Stadium in the city. The winners’ dominated the first period of play as they took a healthy 27-5 goals lead at the breather. Bangladesh’s skipper Mst. Marfe, led from the front, as she scored highest 16 goals in the match. She was well supported by Runa Layla and Dipa Rani, who scored 10 and 7 goals respectively in…

Michael Kugelman: The highlights this week: An ambitious connectivity project aims to better link India to the Middle East, former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan is detained months ahead of national elections, and communal violence flares in the Indian state of Manipur. Linking India to the Middle East Last weekend, national security advisors from India, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and the United States met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh to discuss an ambitious connectivity project to link the Middle East to India through roads, rails, and seaports. The idea emerged during meetings of the I2U2…

INTERNATIONAL DESK:The Jammu and Kashmir government has started adventure activities ahead of the G20 meeting to boost tourism in Kashmir. In the run-up to the coming G 20 event and as stakeholder participation, Secretary of Tourism Syed Abid Rasheed Shah along with other officers of the tourism department inaugurated the hot air balloon, cycling and trekking expedition and other activities on the banks of world famous Dal lake at Zabarwan Park, Boulevard road. “On the occasion, a number of officials, tourists and school children were present, aiming to participate in these adventure activities including Air ballooning, Cyclothon organised by the…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is focussing on indigenous development in different emerging technologies including Artificial Intelligence and quantum technology. The Prime Minster approved on April 19 the National Quantum Mission for domestic development of technologies in secure communications, healthcare responses and disaster management through better predictions. The mission, from 2023-24 to 2030-31, will cost Rs 6,003.65 crore and will nurture scientific and industrial R&D, besides creating a vibrant and innovative ecosystem in quantum technology (QT) in India. Already India had been recognised a global leader in digital technology and IT enabled services, this…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC) has made two oil and gas discoveries in Mumbai offshore, the company said in a statement on Thursday. The company has named these discoveries ‘Amrit’ and ‘Moonga’, which are about 100 km and 30 km from the landfall points, respectively. Both these discoveries are located in the blocks the company won under the new Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP) in the last few years. The company didn’t give more details on the discoveries as it is engaged in a detailed assessment currently. It has notified the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH) about…

ZOOMBANGLA DESK: Australian assistant minister for foreign affairs Tim Watts has said that Bangladesh and Australia work closely together to promote their shared interests in regional peace and security, and have a growing trade and investment relationship. ‘I look forward to continuing discussions on our political and economic cooperation while in Bangladesh,’ he said. The Australian assistant minister is representing Australia at the 6th Indian Ocean Conference in Bangladesh, said the Australian High Commission in Dhaka. The conference is the flagship forum for key partners in the Indian Ocean region to discuss regional cooperation, growth, and security. This year’s conference…

ZOOMBANGLA DESK: Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) in a special bulletin today said the Cyclonic storm “MOCHA” (Pronunciation: MOKHA) over Southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining area moved Northwards, intensified into a severe cyclonic storm over the same area and was centered at 6pm today. “The severe cyclonic storm “MOCHA” over Southeast Bay and adjoining central Bay moved Northwards, intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm over central Bay and adjoining Southeast Bay and was centered at 6am today about 1095 KMS South Southwest of Chattogram port, 1025 Kms South-Southwest of Cox’s Bazar port, 1055 Kms South Southwest of Mongla port…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: Amid political instability and economic crisis, the State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) foreign reserves continue to decline due to loan repayment, reported Geo News. The foreign exchange reserves continued their downward trend and fell to USD 4.38 billion in the week ending May 5, central bank data showed on Thursday. Pakistan’s foreign reserves have declined sharply in recent months to a critically low level. The current reserves are not sufficient for even a month’s imports- a position that has remained the same as the country faces an acute balance of payments crisis, reported Geo News. In its weekly…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday issued notices to the federal government and others over the suspension of internet services across the country as protests broke out after the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, ARY News reported. The Lahore High Court, while hearing the petition, filed by Lawyer Abuzar Salman Khan Niazi, has sought a reply from the authorities by May 22. In the petition, lawyer Abuzar Salman pleaded before the court to order the restoration of internet services and social media platforms, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, as per ARY News. The petition said, “This…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: The arrest of former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has shifted the limelight from the issue of elections in the country quite effectively as the ongoing political turmoil is the talk of the town, Asian Lite reported. Pakistan is in utter chaos as a country, which was already under extreme economic crisis, is also facing political turmoil. It is now facing public outrage against the government and Army. The army has gathered its own forces under the command of Pakistan Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Asim Munir, whose appointment Imran had fought to stop both while he was…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: In a major boost towards the testing and authentication of Pashmina, a state of art equipment OFDA 4000 stands procured by the Handicrafts and Handloom Department Kashmir, an official statement said. The equipment was inaugurated by Director Handicrafts and Handlooms Kashmir, Mahmood Ahmad Shah, on Wednesday at the Pashmina Testing and Quality Certification Centre, Bagh e Ali Mardan Khan Nowshera, Srinagar, the statement added. On this occasion, Director was briefed that the equipment was unique and its availability would enhance the testing process for the classification of Pashmina and other fibres. He was also informed that the testing…

ZOOMBANGLA DESK: Bangladesh and India have expressed satisfaction at the level of bilateral cooperation in various fields. This satisfaction was expressed when Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar today paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the latter’s official residence Ganabhaban. PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the meeting. “Both sides have expressed satisfaction at the level of bilateral cooperation in various fields,” he said. During the meeting, they discussed the South Asian regional economy amid the emerging situation in the backdrop of the post-Covid and Ukraine War. Besides, they also discussed the 6th…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: Eight years into the major infrastructure project China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), with which China has gained access to the Arabian Sea and the Persian Gulf, Beijing is ready to invest and strive more, as it plans to push its State sector and autonomous enterprises into investing more even as they run losses in their projects abroad, Port Plus.si reported. In Pakistan, the ambitious plan takes into consideration the lack of capacity, necessary infrastructure, inadequate human and technical capabilities, and security threats to its installations and personnel from Gilgit-Baltistan in the north to Balochistan in the south of Pakistan.…

ZOOMBANGLA DESK: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday urged the rich countries to support the efforts to ensure universal healthcare for the lagging behind countries of the world. “Rich countries must step forward to ensure universal healthcare. In this connection, funds (finance) have to be disbursed,” she said. The prime minister said this while addressing a high level programme titled ‘Accelerating Universal Health Coverage Towards Smart Bangladesh’ at Hotel InterContinental. She said that many countries are still lagging behind. They need assistance. Enough fund should be created to support health and nutrition in areas that are not yet developed or…