Month: June 2022

Sri Lankan government had given its approval to make the use of another USD 70 million from the USD 1 billion Line of Credit (LoC) extended by India during the ongoing crisis to import essential food items.

Sri Lanka’s Trade Minister Nalin Fernando said that this would be in addition to USD 180 million worth of food commodities that were already imported from India under the same facility.
“Once we get these items, we will have food required for at least another couple of months. Besides, we got approval to use another USD 70 million from the same credit facility to import food commodities in the near future,” Fernando said as quoted by Daily Mirror.

A day earlier, India provided a humanitarian consignment worth more than SLR 3 billion to Sri Lanka, which is facing the worst economic crisis since its independence.

According to the High Commission of India in Colombo, the consignment comprises rice, milk powder and essential medicines.

“From the people of #India to the people of #SriLanka!!! High Commissioner, Hon’ble Ministers @Keheliya_R, Nalin Fernando, MPs, various dignitaries and officials welcomed a large humanitarian consignment worth more than SLR 3 billion from #Tuticorn today. The 15,000 MT consignment consists of rice, milk powder and essential medicines,” the High Commission said in a tweet.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, the high-level Indian delegation led by Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra visited Sri Lanka and underscored that the recent economic, financial and humanitarian assistance of over USD 3.5 billion to the island country was guided by New Delhi’s “Neighbourhood First” Policy.

The delegation comprising Ajay Seth, Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, V Anantha Nageswaran, Chief Economic Advisor and Kartik Pande, Joint Secretary, Indian Ocean Region, Ministry of External Affairs was in Colombo on Thursday.

The delegation had meetings with Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe during the visit. The talks between the two sides were held in a frank, cordial and constructive manner, the High Commission of India

Colombo said in a statement.”The Indian delegation underscored that the unprecedented recent economic, financial and humanitarian assistance of over USD 3.5 billion to the people of Sri Lanka was, guided by ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi,” it said in a statement.

Both sides had a productive exchange of views on the current economic situation in Sri Lanka as well as India’s ongoing support.

Under its Neighbourhood First policy, India was among the first few countries to extend its aid to Sri Lanka to mitigate the unprecedented economic crisis.

New Delhi has provided a concessional loan of USD 1 billion to Sri Lanka for the supply of food, fuel, medicines, and other essential items.

Moreover, United Nations-backed multi-sector agencies are also responding to the most urgent needs arising from the recent crisis. (ANI)

Amid the reports of Shiv Sainiks allegedly ransacking the offices of rebel legislators, Mumbai Police on Saturday imposed section 144 of CrPC in the city.

Mumbai Police issued a high alert and directed all police stations to ensure security at all political offices in the city. It has been directed that officer-level Police personnel shall visit every political office to ensure their safety.
Shiv Sena workers protested against rebel MLAs of the party and burnt effigies outside the party office in Kharghar.

Shiv Sena workers ransacked the office of rebel party MLA Tanaji Sawant in Pune on Saturday. Sawant is one of the rebel Shiv Sena MLAs of the Eknath Shinde faction and is currently camping in Guwahati, Assam.

“Our party workers vandalised Tanaji Sawant’s office. All traitors and rebel MLAs who have troubled our chief Uddhav Thackeray will face this type of action. Their office will also be attacked. No one will be spared,” said Sanjay More, Shiv Sena Pune city head.

Following this, Pune Police issued an alert and directed all police stations to ensure security at offices related to Shiv Sena leaders in the city.

Meanwhile, rebel Shiv Sena leader and state cabinet minister Eknath Shinde on Saturday wrote to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray over the alleged ‘malicious’ withdrawal of security of family members of the 38 MLAs camping with him in a Guwahati hotel.

In his letter to Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and State Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil, Shinde claimed that the security provided to the MLAs at their residence as well as to their family members as per the protocol has been illegally and unlawfully withdrawn, as an act of revenge.

However, Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil refuted Shinde’s claim of withdrawal of security.

“Neither the Chief Minister nor the Home Department has ordered the withdrawal of security of any MLA. The allegations being levelled through Twitter are false and completely baseless. No MLA’s security has been withdrawn. Keeping in view the prevailing situation, the Home Department has decided to provide security at the residence of MLAs to keep their families safe,” said Patil.

Shinde along with 38 party MLAs and nine independent MLAs are campaigning at Radisson Blu Hotel in Guwahati in BJP-ruled Assam from June 22.

Notably, the Eknath Shinde faction, earlier on Friday, gave notice of a no-confidence motion against Deputy Speaker Narhari Jhirwal, after the Uddhav Thackeray faction submitted a plea before the deputy speaker to disqualify the rebel MLAs. (ANI)

As rebel MLAs led by Eknath Shinde named their group ‘Shiv Sena Balasaheb’ amid the ongoing tussle with the Uddhav Thackeray faction, the Maharashtra Chief Minister on Saturday said that the former faction can take their own decisions but no one should use Balasaheb Thackeray’s name.

Earlier today, former Minister of State for Home and rebel MLA Deepak Kesarkar told ANI that Eknath Shinde-led MLAs have formed a new group ‘Shiv Sena Balasaheb’.
Addressing party leaders during the national executive committee meeting in the Shiv Sena Bhawan, Thackeray said, “Some people are asking me to say something but I’ve already said that they(rebel MLAs) can do whatever they want to do, I won’t interfere in their matters. They can take their own decision, but no one should use Balasaheb Thackeray’s name.”

The Chief Minister later left the Shiv Sena Bhawan with Minister Aaditya Thackeray after the conclusion of the meeting.

Notably, the decision of the Shinde faction comes at a time when Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray was holding the executive meeting of Shiv Sena. The Shiv Sena-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government continues to be in a combative mode with 38 of its rebel MLAs are camping in Guwahati.

The Shiv Sena rebel MLAs of Eknath Shinde faction on Saturday named their group as ‘Shiv Sena Balasaheb’.

Former Minister of State for Home and rebel MLA Deepak Kesarkar told ANI that Eknath Shinde-led MLAs formed a new group ‘Shiv Sena Balasaheb’.
The decision comes at a time when Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray was holding the executive meeting of Shiv Sena. The Shiv Sena-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government continues to be in a combative mode with 38 of its rebel MLAs are camping in Guwahati.

There have been reports of Shiv Sainiks allegedly ransacking the offices of rebel legislators. Shiv Sena workers ransacked the office of rebel party MLA Tanaji Sawant in Pune on Saturday. Sawant is one of the rebel Shiv Sena MLAs of the Eknath Shinde faction and is currently camping in Guwahati, Assam.

“Our party workers vandalised Tanaji Sawant’s office. All traitors and rebel MLAs who have troubled our chief Uddhav Thackeray will face this type of action. Their office will also be attacked. No one will be spared,” said Sanjay More, Shiv Sena Pune city head.

Following this, Pune Police issued an alert and directed all police stations to ensure security at offices related to Shiv Sena leaders in the city.

Mumbai Police also issued a high alert and directed all police stations to ensure security at all political offices in the city. It has been directed that officer-level Police personnel shall visit every political office to ensure their safety.

Meanwhile, rebel Shiv Sena leader and state cabinet minister Eknath Shinde on Saturday wrote to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray over the alleged ‘malicious’ withdrawal of security of family members of the 38 MLAs camping with him in a Guwahati hotel.

In his letter to Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and State Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil, Shinde claimed that the security provided to the MLAs at their residence as well as to their family members as per the protocol has been illegally and unlawfully withdrawn, as an act of revenge.

However, Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil refuted Shinde’s claim of withdrawal of security.

“Neither the Chief Minister nor the Home Department has ordered the withdrawal of security of any MLA. The allegations being levelled through Twitter are false and completely baseless.No MLA’s security has been withdrawn. Keeping in view the prevailing situation, the Home Department has decided to provide security at the residence of MLAs to keep their families safe,” said Patil.

Shinde along with 38 party MLAs and nine independent MLAs are campaigning at Radisson Blu Hotel in Guwahati in BJP-ruled Assam from June 22.

Notably, CM Uddhav Thackeray has called a meeting of the party’s national executive committee on Saturday. The meeting will be held in Shiv Sena Bhavan which the Chief Minister will join virtually.

Besides, Shinde has also called a meeting at Radisson Blu Hotel in Guwahati on Saturday afternoon to discuss further strategy, said sources.

Eknath Shinde faction, earlier on Friday, gave notice of a no-confidence motion against Deputy Speaker Narhari Jhirwal, after the Uddhav Thackeray faction submitted a plea before the deputy speaker to disqualify the rebel MLAs.

On the other hand, Thackeray convened a meeting of the district chiefs virtually wherein he said that the rebel MLAs who are camping in Guwahati want to “break the party”. (ANI)

Shiv Sena workers ransacked the office of rebel party MLA Tanaji Sawant in Pune on Saturday, amid intensifying political turmoil in the state.

Sawant is one of the rebel Shiv Sena MLAs of the Eknath Shinde faction and is currently camping in Guwahati, Assam.
The Shiv Sena workers allegedly vandalised Sawant’s office in Balaji area of Katraj in Pune

“Our party workers vandalised Tanaji Sawant’s office. All traitors and rebel MLAs who have troubled our chief Uddhav Thackeray will face this type of action. Their office will also be attacked. No one will be spared,” said Sanjay More, Shiv Sena Pune city head.

Following this, Pune Police issued an alert and directed all police stations to ensure security at offices related to Shiv Sena leaders in the city.

Mumbai Police also issued a high alert and directed all police stations to ensure security at all political offices in the city. It has been directed that officer-level Police personnel shall visit every political office to ensure their safety.

Meanwhile, rebel Shiv Sena leader and state cabinet minister Eknath Shinde on Saturday wrote to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray over the alleged ‘malicious’ withdrawal of security of family members of the 38 MLAs camping with him in a Guwahati hotel.

In his letter to Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and State Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil, Shinde claimed that the security provided to the MLAs at their residence as well as to their family members as per the protocol has been illegally and unlawfully withdrawn, as an act of revenge.

However, Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil refuted Shinde’s claim of withdrawal of security.

“Neither the Chief Minister nor the Home Department has ordered the withdrawal of security of any MLA. The allegations being levelled through Twitter are false and completely baseless,” said Patil.

Shinde along with 38 party MLAs and nine independent MLAs are campaigning at Radisson Blu Hotel in Guwahati in BJP-ruled Assam from June 22.

Notably, CM Uddhav Thackeray has called a meeting of the party’s national executive committee on Saturday. The meeting will be held in Shiv Sena Bhavan which the Chief Minister will join virtually.

Besides, Shinde has also called a meeting at Radisson Blu Hotel in Guwahati on Saturday afternoon to discuss further strategy, said sources.

Eknath Shinde faction, earlier on Friday, gave notice of a no-confidence motion against Deputy Speaker Narhari Jhirwal, after the Uddhav Thackeray faction submitted a plea before the deputy speaker to disqualify the rebel MLAs.

On the other hand, Thackeray convened a meeting of the district chiefs virtually wherein he said that the rebel MLAs who are camping in Guwahati want to “break the party”. (ANI)

Owing to greater opportunities with cheaper prices over land purchasing rights, labour wages, and operational expenses for factories and warehouses, Vietnam may replace China as the factory of the world in near future.

As Omicron flare-ups in China’s manufacturing hubs, like Guangdong Province and Shanghai, disrupted supply chains, Vietnams Q1 economic figures appear to show promising outlook amid the pandemic, reported Global Times.
According to Vietnams General Statistics Office, Vietnams economy expanded by 5.03 per cent in Q1 of 2022, compared with the same period of last year, surpassing China which grew 4.8 per cent. Whats more, Vietnams foreign trade rose to USD 176.35 billion in Q1, a year-on-year rise of 14.4 per cent. In comparison, China’s Q1 foreign trade rose 10.7 per cent in yuan terms.

Moreover, foreign investors and other foreign-owned businesses are pouring money into the Vietnamese market. Recently, Vietnamese media reports that business mogul Li Ka-shing invested billions in Vietnam’s infrastructure after retreating from the UK, reported Global Times.

As Southeast Asia eases its epidemic restrictions and China continues to battle Omicron flare-ups in its major cities, a new wave of headlines emerged over whether factory orders will continue to flow out of China, and if China should have a sense of crisis as global manufacturing may be weaning off dependence on the worlds second largest economy and turning to countries like Vietnam.

China began its reform and opening-up in 1978. Vietnam followed China’s footsteps and started its own market reform known as “Doi moi” in 1986. For the past decades, economic growth on both countries has been remarkable.

But the eruption of a trade war between the US and China in 2018 has accelerated a fourth wave of industrial chain transfer, with countries like Vietnam and Mexico emerging as the biggest winners of the trade disputes.

Vietnams trade with the US has grown significantly since 2018. The latest data showed Vietnams trade surplus with the US rose to USD 81 billion in 2021 from USD 63 billion in 2020, hitting an all-time high, UK-media reported.

For the foreseeable future, Vietnam will continue to remain an attractive market for foreign investment and a destination for supply chain diversification. (ANI)

Amid the political crisis in Maharashtra, rebel Shiv Sena leader and state cabinet minister Eknath Shinde on Saturday wrote to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray over the alleged ‘malicious’ withdrawal of security of family members of the 38 MLAs camping with him in a Guwahati hotel.

In his letter to Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and State Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil, Shinde claimed that the security provided to the MLAs at their residence as well as to their family members as per the protocol has been illegally and unlawfully withdrawn, as an act of revenge.
“Needless to mention, this sinister move is another attempt to break our resolve and arm-twist us to give in to the demands of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government comprising of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Congress goons,” he said.

He said the threats due to which the MLAs were forced to leave Maharashtra have been compounded by “these actions on the part of MVA leaders”.

“We further state that not only the security of our families and relatives have been compromised by removing the security personnel but also there is an ongoing agenda wherein various lenders of the MVA government are instigating the cadres of their respective parties to take up violence to further intimidate us,” he said.

Shinde alleged that Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut threatened the MLAs by stating that he would make it difficult for the MLAs who have left to return to Maharashtra and move around in the state.

He said the impact of Raut’s statements was borne by two MLAs as their offices were vandalized by the carders of Shiv Sena merely after hours of withdrawing the security from MLAs.

Drawing the example of Punjab, Shinde said “the same scenario had happened in Punjab where the security of several high profile persona was removed by the state government due to which most of the high profile people became targets of gangsters/goons in the state and the withdrawal of security from MLAs is likely to create a similar impact in the state of Maharashtra as well.”

“We state and demand that the security which we are entitled to under protocol should be provided to our families with immediate effect. We further state that if any harm were to come to our family members, the Chief Minister and the leaders of the MVA government like Sharad Pawar, Sanjay Raut and Aditya Thackrey will be responsible for the same,” he added.

Meanwhile, Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil refuted Shinde’s claim of withdrawal of security.

“Neither the Chief Minister nor the Home Department has ordered the withdrawal of security of any MLA. The allegations being levelled through Twitter are false and completely baseless,” said Patil.

Shinde along with 38 party MLAs and nine independent MLAs are campaigning at Radisson Blu Hotel in Guwahati in BJP-ruled Assam from June 22.

Notably, CM Uddhav Thackeray has called a meeting of the party’s national executive committee on Saturday. The meeting will be held in Shiv Sena Bhavan which the Chief Minister will join virtually.

Besides, Shinde has also called a meeting at Radisson Blu Hotel in Guwahati on Saturday afternoon to discuss further strategy, said sources.

Eknath Shinde faction, earlier on Friday, gave notice of a no-confidence motion against Deputy Speaker Narhari Jhirwal, after the Uddhav Thackeray faction submitted a plea before the deputy speaker to disqualify the rebel MLAs.

On the other hand, Thackeray convened a meeting of the district chiefs virtually wherein he said that the rebel MLAs who are camping in Guwahati want to “break the party”. (ANI)

Actor Ajay Devgn, on Saturday pours wishes to his father Late Shri Veeru Devgn on his 88th birth anniversary.

The ‘Runway 34’ actor took to his Instagram account and shared a throwback picture of his father and wrote, “I could never beat his smile… Happy Birthday Papa” followed with a heart emoticon, in the caption.

In the picture, the veteran director can be seen with an adorable smile on his face and wearing black shades.

Soon after the ‘Tanhaji’ actor shared the post, fans swamped the comment section with birthday wishes and heart emoticons.

Veeru Ji was a well-known action director in the film industry who worked in more than 200 films including Lal Baadshah, Mr Natwarlal, Phool aur Kaante and many more. He made his first directorial film ‘Hindustan Ki Kasam’ in the year 1999. The film starred Ajay Devgn, Amitabh Bachchan and Manisha Koirala in the lead roles.

After facing breathing problems and several health issues for a very long time, the veteran action director passed away on the morning of May 27, 2019, at his residence in Mumbai.

Many big Bollywood celebrities including Shah Rukh Khan, Sanjay Dutt, Amitabh Bachchan, Arjun Kapoor, and Suniel Shetty among others offered their condolence.

Meanwhile, on the work front, Ajay Devgn was last seen in his home production ‘Runway 34’ with Amitabh Bachchan and Rakul Preet Singh, which he also directed. The actor will be next seen in Indra Kumar’s next comedy film ‘Thank God’ opposite Sidharth Malhotra and Rakul Preet Singh which is slated to release on the occasion of Diwali this year, along with that he has Boney Kapoor’s ‘Maidaan’, Abhishek Pathak’s ‘Drishyam 2’ and ‘Bholaa’ in his kitty. (ANI)

One of the most loved couples in Bollywood, Malaika and Arjun are currently having the time of their life in Paris! The duo jet off to the French capital to celebrate the latter’s birthday which is on Saturday.

Ready to bring in the birthday festivities, the couple has been sharing pictures on their social media handles. Malaika recently took to her Instagram to share a cool picture of beau Arjun where he is seen giving a side pose for the camera!
Standing next to the entrance of a building, Arjun donned a grey sweatshirt with black joggers. He drizzled a bit of coolness to the outfit with a black beanie. Accessorizing the casual, sporty look further, he wore black sunnies, grey sneakers and a loose locket. Malaika captioned the picture “skinny” and tagged Arjun in it.

Re-sharing the photo, he wrote a hilarious caption “She has finally mastered the art of taking good pictures.”

The couple was spotted at the airport on Thursday evening as they flew off to Paris. Arjun posted a picture of Malaika from inside the aeroplane and captioned it “Loving her excitement”.

Amidst rumours of the couple tying the knot by the end of this year, the couple keeps giving their fans a glimpse of their personal lives on Instagram.

On the work front, Arjun will be seen in Mohit Suri’s much anticipated ‘Ek Villain Returns’, which also stars John Abraham, Disha Patani and Tara Sutaria. The film is a sequel to the 2014 film ‘Ek Villain’ starring Sidharth Malhotra and Shraddha Kapoor.

The cast wrapped up shooting last year and the film was earlier supposed to release on July 8, however makers earlier this month postponed the date to July 29.

Apart from ‘Ek Villain Returns’, Arjun will also be seen in Aasman Bhardwaj’s Kuttey and Ajay Bahl’s The Ladykiller. (ANI)

A high-level UK health official asked British citizens to remain vigilant against the symptoms of Monkeypox when getting involved with new or multiple sexual partners amid the rising number of cases.

On Friday, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) published another technical briefing on the Monkeypox as it stated that the outbreak continues to grow and cases remain primarily in gay, bisexual, or men who have sex with men (GBMSM).
The latest epidemiological data, findings from interviews with patients and preliminary analyses are included to understand how the outbreak is evolving and to inform timely and effective public health interventions.

“UKHSA continues to work with partners including the Terrence Higgins Trust, Stonewall and the GBMSM community to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of Monkeypox. The LGBT Consortium and Pride organisers across the UK have been encouraged to help share public health messaging during Pride month,” the UK Health Security Agency said.

As many as 79 per cent of England cases are known to be London residents and 99 per cent of all confirmed cases are male, with 5 confirmed female cases. The median age of confirmed cases in the UK was 37 years old.

“Of the 813 cases identified in England up to 22 June, 321 (39.5%) had enhanced surveillance questionnaires. The majority (96%) of cases were GBMSM, with further data to indicate transmission is occurring in some sexual networks both internationally and domestically,” the health agency said.

It further said cases frequently reported a history of a sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the last year and 10 or more sexual partners in the last 3 months. Existing links between cases and sexual health services will be used to identify those at the highest risk who are eligible for pre-exposure vaccination.

Dr Meera Chand, Director of Clinical and Emerging Infections, UKHSA said: “If you’ve recently had new or multiple sexual partners, please be vigilant to the symptoms of Monkeypox. Currently, the majority of cases have been in men who are gay, bisexual or have sex with men. However, anyone who has had close contact with an individual with symptoms is also at increased risk.”

“If you are concerned that you may have Monkeypox, don’t go to events, meet with friends or have sexual contact. Instead, stay at home and contact 111 or your local sexual health service for advice,” she added.

Dr Chand further encouraged UK citizens to ensure they exchange contact details with sexual partners, to help them limit further transmission where cases occur. (ANI)