Month: May 2023

Pakistan Foreign Affairs Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Thursday said he is leading his country’s delegation at the Shangai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) meeting in Goa.

Zardari said his decision to attend the meeting underlines Pakistan’s strong commitment to the SCO charter.
“On my way to Goa, India. Will be leading the Pakistan delegation at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization CFM. My decision to attend this meeting illustrates Pakistan’s strong commitment to the charter of SCO,” Bilawal tweeted a video on Thursday.

“During my visit, which is focused exclusively on the SCO, I look forward to constructive discussions with my counterparts from friendly countries,” Zardari added.

The Pakistan politician is attending the SCO conclave at the invitation of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.

Zardari will be the first foreign minister to visit India after a gap of nearly 12 years. In 2011, then Pakistan foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar visited India.

The Pakistan High Commission in India today tweeted: “FM @BBhuttoZardari departs from #Karachi to participate in the #SCO Council of Foreign Ministers.”

Previously, Pakistan Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch during a weekly presser stated: “Our participation at the meeting reflects Pakistan’s continued commitment to the SCO charter and process and the importance that Pakistan accords to the region in its foreign policy priorities.”

Earlier today, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov arrived at Goa’s Dabolim airport to attend the two-day-long SCO Foreign Ministers’ meeting.

Lavrov, who was accompanied by a delegation is scheduled to hold a bilateral with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.

Lavrov is also expected to have several bilateral meetings with his counterparts of other SCO countries.

The SCO Foreign Ministers’ meeting which is slated for Friday (May 5) is significant because it is taking place amid the backdrop of escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine, particularly in the aftermath of an alleged assassination attempt on Russian President Vladimir Putin, which Russia has blamed on Ukrainians.

The theme of India’s Chairmanship of SCO in 2023 is ‘Secure-SCO’. India attaches special importance to SCO in promoting multilateral, political, security, economic and people-to-people interactions in the region.

SCO, an intergovernmental organization established in 2001.

The SCO members include Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan besides India. (ANI)

Polling for the first phase of the Uttar Pradesh’s Municipal Corporation elections began at 7 am on Thursday amid tight security arrangements.

According to official figures, in the UP urban body elections, 2 crores 40 lakhs voters will use their right to vote to choose/elect 10 mayors, 820 councillors, 103 municipal council presidents, 2,740 member municipal councils, 275 presidents including 3,645 municipal council members in the 37 districts of Uttar Pradesh.
In the first phase, voting will be held in 37 districts of 9 divisions and 10 municipal corporations. In 10 municipal corporations, voting will be held in 830 wards, 9,699 polling places and 2,658 polling stations are set up in Municipal Corporations.

The first phase of voting will be held in 37 districts Shamli, Muzaffarnagar, Saharanpur, Bijnor, Amroha, Moradabad, Rampur, Sambhal, Agra, Firozabad, Mathura, Mainpuri, Jhansi, Jalaun, Lalitpur, Kaushambi, Prayagraj, Fatehpur, Pratapgarh, Unnao, Hardoi, Lucknow, Rae Bareli, Sitapur, Lakhimpur Kheri, Gonda, Bahraich, Balrampur, Shravasti, Gorakhpur, Deoria, Maharajganj, Kushinagar, Ghazipur, Varanasi, Chandauli and Jaunpur of 9 divisions of Uttar Pradesh i.e. Saharanpur, Moradabad, Agra, Jhansi, Prayagraj, Lucknow, Devipatan, Gorakhpur and Varanasi.

In 10 municipal corporations, voting will be held in 830 wards, 9699 polling places and 2658 polling stations are set up in Municipal Corporations.

There are 63,03,542 male and 53,62,151 female voters in Municipal Corporation.

The polling for the second phase will take place on May 11 to elect representatives for the posts across 760 local bodies in the state. The counting of votes will take place on May 13. (ANI)

Heavy security was deployed at the Jantar Mantar site here in the national capital on Thursday after a ruckus broke out late last night between protesting wrestlers and some police personnel.

Delhi Police said that DCPs of all districts in Delhi have been asked to be on alert in their districts, especially in the border areas. They said that Police have received inputs that a large number of people can reach Jantar Mantar where the wrestlers are protesting.
Special care is to be taken on roads which go towards Central Delhi, barricades have been put up at several places, Delhi Police said.

The Supreme Court is set to hear the plea of seven women wrestlers against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in a sexual assault case.

The protestors say they will not leave the protest site until Singh, who is also a BJP MP, is arrested.

Heavy security was seen deployed at the protest site today after wrestlers alleged they were manhandled and abused by police personnel at the site on Wednesday. The grapplers also alleged that some policemen were drunk and pushed and abused women protestors.

In their response, the Delhi Police said that supporters of the protesting grapplers turned aggressive after they were prevented from bringing in folding beds to the site, which led to a chaos. Following Wednesday’s rain the wrestlers wanted to bring in mattresses to sleep.

“Folding beds were brought to the protest site in Jantar Mantar. Since there was no permission, we didn’t allow it, so some of the supporters of the protesting wrestlers tried to take out the beds from the truck and this led to an altercation,” Deputy Commissioner of Police, Pranav Tayal said.

DCP Tayal said that Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Somnath Bharti who came to the protest site along with folding beds without permission was detained along with two others after a minor altercation took place.

Delhi Commission for Women chief Swati Maliwal arrived at Jantar Mantar to meet wrestlers this morning.

“I have come to meet the girls (wrestlers) again since it is my duty. Wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik told us they were being tortured, and there were police officers who were drunk and misbehaved with them. I am concerned for their safety. Why is Delhi Police protecting Brij Bhushan? Why is Delhi Police not arresting him?” Maliwal told mediapersons.

Maliwal on her Twitter account had claimed that she was not allowed to meet with the protesting grapplers last night.

Congress leader Deepender Singh Hooda also posted on his Twitter handle that he was detained by the Delhi Police at Jantar Mantar. In a tweet in Hindi, Hooda said that he was taken to the Vasant Vihar Police Station yesterday.

In a tweet today, the Delhi Police said that Maliwal was briefly stopped at the barricade yesterday and immediately let go.

“Hon’ble Chairperson DCW was stopped at the barricade by an officer and let go immediately. She is presently inside at the protest site. There is no restriction on individual entry to Jantar Mantar,” DCP New Delhi tweeted.

DCP Tayal had yesterday in response to the wrestlers claims said that the wrestlers have been asked to file a complaint and a medical check-up of the policeman would be conducted on whom “drunk” allegations were raised.

“We have told the wrestlers to give complaint on their grievances and will take appropriate action…medical check-up of the policeman on whom they’ve raised allegations, being conducted…,” the DCP said.

Wrestlers have alleged that drunk Delhi Police personnel manhandled them when they wanted to bring in mattresses to sleep at night after daylong rain.

“We were bringing the beds since we were facing trouble sleeping due to rain. Sakshi is crying. This is the respect they are giving to our daughters, abusing them,” Olympic medalist Bajrang Punia had told ANI yesterday.

World Championships and Commonwealth Games medalist Vinesh Phogat also accused the policemen of being drunk, pushing, and abusing women protestors.

“He was drunk. He hit someone on his head. He abused me and pushed several women protestors,” claimed Vinesh.

Ace wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, Sakshee Mallikh and other top grapplers have been protesting against sexual harassment charges against the WFI chief and they are demanding the arrest of Brij Bhushan.

Earlier on Wedneday, the Indian Olympic Association president PT Usha visited the wrestlers sitting on a protest for the last 12 days.

On April 30, Delhi Police registered two FIRs against WFI president Singh over allegations of sexual harassment and exploitation of female wrestlers by him. (ANI)

India-born Ajay Banga has been elected as the World Bank’s next president. A 25-member executive board elected the ex-Mastercard CEO who was nominated for the post by US President Joe Biden in late February.

“The Board looks forward to working with Mr Banga on the World Bank Group Evolution process,” the bank said in a statement published shortly after the board voted to approve his leadership for a five-year term.
Banga, a finance and development expert, will take over the role on June 2. He was the sole contender to replace departing World Bank chief David Malpass whose term ends early next month.

Sources familiar with the process said that Banga won the board’s approval after several meetings in recent weeks and a formal interview on Monday.

US President Joe Biden congratulated Ajay Banga on his resounding approval by the World Bank’s Board of Governors. He stated that Banga will be a “transformative leader, bringing expertise, experience, and innovation to the position of World Bank President.”

“I want to congratulate Ajay Banga — my nominee for the next President of the World Bank — on his resounding approval by the Bank’s Board of Governors,” US President Joe Biden said in a statement released by the White House.

“Ajay Banga will be a transformative leader, bringing expertise, experience, and innovation to the position of World Bank President. And together with World Bank leadership and shareholders, he will help steer the institution as it evolves and expands to address global challenges that directly affect its core mission of poverty reduction–including climate change,” he added.

Biden said Ajay Banga will also be integral in bringing together the public and private sectors, alongside philanthropies, to usher in the fundamental changes in development finance that this moment requires.

Biden said that he looked forward to working with Banga in his new role and supporting his efforts to transform the World Bank.

Over the course of his career, Ajay Banga has become a global leader in technology, data, financial services and innovating for inclusion.

He became an advisor to General Atlantic’s climate-focused fund, BeyondNetZero, at its inception in 2021. Previously, Ajay Banga served on the Boards of the American Red Cross, Kraft Foods and Dow Inc. He has worked closely with Vice President Harris as the Co-Chair of the Partnership for Central America.

Banga is a co-founder of The Cyber Readiness Institute and served as a member of President Obama’s Commission on Enhancing National Cybersecurity. He is a past member of the U.S. President’s Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations.

He was awarded the Foreign Policy Association Medal in 2012, the Padma Shri Award by the President of India in 2016, the Ellis Island Medal of Honor and the Business Council for International Understanding’s Global Leadership Award in 2019, and the Distinguished Friends of Singapore Public Service Star in 2021. (ANI)

Actor Ranveer Singh attended The North London derby between Premier League giants Arsenal and Chelsea at the Emirates on Tuesday.

Attending the sell-out clash in London as an ambassador for the English Premier League in India, Ranveer cheered the players on, demonstrating his love for the beautiful game.

The Bollywood star met football legends Patrick Vieira, Cesc Fabregas and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink pitchside during Arsenal-Chelsea game.

Taking to Instagram story, the actor dropped an image of himself at the Emirates stadium. He wrote, “The Glorious Emirates Stadium! Home of the Gunners!@plforindia @premierleauge #ARSCHE.”

Ranveer also shared a picture with British-Somali long-distance runner, Mohamed Farah, captioning his post as, “Best times with @hussein_mofarah.”

The 37-year-old also posted videos from his love-match experience at the stadium, with a caption that read, “Let’s Go, wait till the end.”

Previously, on his partnership with the Premier League, the actor said, “I am honoured to take on an ambassador role with the Premier League. I look forward to sharing my passion for football and hope to help develop and grow the fan base of the sport in India.”

Ranveer has visited the UK on a number of occasions as part of his efforts to promote the EPL to football fans back home in India.

Meanwhile, on the work front, Ranveer Singh was last seen in ‘Cirkus’, which failed to impress the audience.

He will be seen next in Karan Johar’s directorial ‘Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani’ opposite Alia Bhatt.

The film will mark his first on-screen collaboration with Alia since the smash-hit ‘Gully Boy’. Shabana Azmi, Jaya Bachchan, Dharmendra will also play pivotal roles in the film.

The film is scheduled to hit theatres on July 28, this year. (ANI)

Several Indian celebs, on Wednesday, took to their social media handles and mourned the demise of veteran actor and director Manobala.

Taking to Twitter, legendary actor Rajinikanth wrote in his local language, “I am deeply saddened by the passing away of my dear friend Manobala, a famous director and actor. My condolences to his family. May his soul rest in peace.”

Actor Kamal Haasan wrote in his local language, “The news of the passing away of a good friend who was a director, actor and producer, Manophala is a great sadness. His primary identity was that of an enthusiast of cinema. My condolences to his bereaved family, friends and fans.”

Actor Radikaa Sarathkumar tweeted, “I am so heartbroken, just this morning I called and enquired to where he was to go and visit him. Shocked beyond belief. Shared so much with him professionally and on a personal level we both learnt, laughed, fought, ate together and had long conversations about many things, he was a talented person, cld adapt well to all situations. Will miss him.”

Actor Karthi wrote, “Extremely shocked to hear this news. A man who can be everywhere and for everyone. Miss you Manobala sir. #RIP”

Vijay Sethupathi shared a picture and wrote, “#RIPManobala sir.”

Actor Santhanam wrote, “A good soul gone too soon. Rest in peace @manobalam Sir.”

Reportedly, the actor passed away at around 1 pm on May 3rd after suffering from a liver-related ailment for the past ten days. He was 69 and is survived by his wife Uma and son Harish. (ANI)

Cricketer Virat Kohli never misses a chance to share moments with his better-half Anushka Sharma. The former captain of the Indian national cricket team took to Instagram on Wednesday to post a smiling picture from his day out with his wife in Delhi.

“Out and about in delhi @anushkasharma,” he wrote.

The couple were relaxing in the beautiful rainy weather of the national capital. Anushka can be seen dressed in a black Zip Hoodie and Virat looked smart in Grey T-shirt.

As soon as the picture was uploaded, the Indian batter’s fans and industry friends chimed in the comment section.

One of the users wrote, “Do Dil Ek Dilli”.

Another commented, “Best batsman and the best couple in the world”

Another Comment came from the offical account of delhi Capitals, “Welcome home, King”.

The couple landed in Delhi for Virat’s IPL match in the national capital. Delhi Capitals will face Royal Challengers Bangalore on May 6. Ahead of the match, Virat took some time off and went out with his wife, Anushka Sharma.

The ‘Rab ne bana di jodi’ actor , on the other hand, will be seen in her brother Karnesh Sharma’s produced film ‘Chakda Xpress’.The actor has two more big Bollywood projects confirmed to release soon. (ANI)

People associated with the tourism industry in Pakistan are facing loss of millions of rupees due to lack of tourists in the valley. Those involved in hotels, restaurants and jeep businesses have been badly affected by the floods caused by the recent rains, reported The News on Sunday (TNS).

The tourism sector of Swat Valley took a hit at the very beginning of the business season this year due to flooding caused by heavy rains.
On April 18, a heavy downpour caused flooding in the Swat River’s Daral Khwar stream and affected business of hotels and shops in the Bahrain Bazaar, reported TNS.

Swat Valley is one of the major tourist attractions in Pakistan. It is known as the Switzerland of Pakistan, it has one of the oldest civilizations in history and one of the most beautiful scenery one could ever see.

The weather patterns and recent rain spells indicate that climate change is among the major challenges the tourism sector will have to adapt to.

Swat, Dir and Chitral are three districts particularly vulnerable to climate change. Nestled in the Hindu Kush mountain range, these areas are regularly struck by flash floods, glacial lake outburst floods (GLOF) and land sliding, reported TNS.

Last year’s devastating floods had already washed away the bridge on Daral Khwar, Bahrain, which was a vital link that provided travellers access to the picturesque Kalam Valley, a major tourist attraction in Swat. The bridge has still to be repaired.

The other route, a road link from Bahrain to Kalam was lost in the recent rains. Many tourists who had come to Upper Swat to celebrate Eid with their families were stuck in the area as were the residents of Upper Swat.

The residents of Swat recorded a protest in Mingora City to express their dismay over the situation. They demanded that the authorities step in to clear the roads and repair the bridge. The protesters stressed the need to expedite work on the Bahrain-Kalam road, reported TNS.

The tourism season started early this year because of the Eid holidays. Many people, however, cancelled their plans to visit Swat Valley following the rain-induced floods.

Uzma, a 21-year-old from Peshawar, said she and her family cancelled their plans to visit Swat over the Eid holidays after she received a text message on the situation from the government. “Recent heavy rains, in upper Swat. The Kalam road is closed due to floods in Bahrain. Avoid travelling on the Swat River route,” read the cautionary message.

Rooh-ul Amin, a resident of Charsadda had to cancel the plans after the locals confirmed that the road to Kalam was not in a good condition. Syed Niaz Ali, the owner of a hotel in Kalam, estimates that compared to last year the number of tourists has dropped by at least 80 per cent, reported TNS.

“Reconstruction of the hotels damaged by floods last year has been started. The main problem is that the Bahrain-Kalam road is in a state of disrepair. That discourages tourists from visiting,” said Ali.

The setback is felt, not just by the hotel owners but also by other people associated with Swat’s hospitality sector. Service providers, drivers, tourist guides, porters, local handicrafts industry, trout fishermen and small business owners are just some of the people whose livelihoods are at stake.

The tourism industry in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa received its first shock during the Covid-19 pandemic. It was still reeling from the aftermath when floods inundated the province, last year and caused large-scale devastation. (ANI)

Describing the overnight ‘drone attacks’ on the Kremlin residence of Russian President Vladimir Putin, by Ukraine, a “terrorist attack,” Russia has said it has the “right to retaliate” in a manner, place and time of its choosing, Russia Today quoted statement of President office.

Russia alleged that there were attempts by Ukraine to assassinate President Putin, saying it was a “terrorist attack” while claiming it shot down drones over the residence of Putin.
Russian President Vladimir Putin did not get injured in the overnight drone attacks on Kremlin and Russia considers the drone attacks, an attempt on President’s life, President’s press service announced on Wednesday, Russia Today reported.

According to Putin’s staff, Ukraine launched two drone attacks overnight with the intention of hitting his apartment in the Kremlin.

“The head of State was not in Kermlin at the time of “Ukrainian UAV attack” on Tuesday night,”Kremlin’s Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.

He also said that President Putin is currently working form his residence near Moscow and that his schedule remains unchanged.

The drones were destroyed using electronic warfare measures and caused no casualties or damage, the press service added.

According to a report in Russia Today, the message said, “As a result of this terrorist act, the President of the Russian Federation was not injured. His work schedule has not changed, it continues as usual.”

The Kremlin also noted that the Russian side reserves the right to take retaliatory measures as it sees fit, reported Russia Today.

Peskov added that the incident won’t interfere with the Victory Day parade that is scheduled to take place on May 9 on Red Square.

The Kremlin previously reported that the two UAVs had targeted the Kremlin, but both were shot down before they could pose any damage, according to Russia Today.

Prior to being shot down, both of the UAVs that had targeted the Kremlin, according to the Kremlin, were shot down.

On social media, several viral videos purportedly show a plummet of smoke rising against the nighttime cityscape from the terrirory of the former Russian capital.

The Kremlin press service also said, “Two unmanned aerial vehicles were aimed at the Kremlin. As a result of timely actions taken by the military and special services using radar warfare systems, the devices were disabled.”

The statement said, “We consider this a pre-planned terrorist action and an attempt against the Russian president,” adding that the incident happened “ahead of Victory Day and the parade on May 9, when foreign guests plan to be present.” (ANI)