Author: Kamala Nambiyar

During a meeting with the United States-ASEAN Business Council (US-ABC) delegation in Jakarta, Indonesia’s Minister of Communication and Digital, Meutya Hafid, emphasised the government’s commitment to advancing technology and digital infrastructure as a foundation for economic expansion. Minister Hafid was joined by Deputy Minister of Communications and Technology Nezar Patria and Secretary General Mira Tayyiba, highlighting the government’s unified commitment to fostering international cooperation. The discussions mark a significant step in strengthening Indonesia-U.S. economic relations and reaffirm Indonesia’s position as a dynamic player in the global digital economy. By leveraging international partnerships, Indonesia seeks to drive technological advancements, create employment opportunities, and…

Top Ukrainian military commander’s comments come after Russia’s quickest monthly gains since start of war. What we know on day 984 Source

In a move that can cause fresh tensions in the region, Sri Lanka has allowed the Chinese Navy training ship, Po Lang, to dock at its port, despite a 12-month moratorium imposed earlier this year on foreign research vessels, following security concerns raised by India and the United States. Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath explained the decision to permit the Po Lang—a three-masted tall ship with a crew of 130. He emphasized that the vessel is classified as “a training vessel and not a research craft.” He stated that there has been no change in the policy regarding research vessels. The…

As Sri Lanka gears up for the 2024 presidential elections, the political landscape is alive with a peculiar sort of buzz. The National People’s Power (NPP), formerly known as the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), is making waves with Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) at the helm. The JVP, sporting a rebranded logo – the Compass – seems to have mastered the art of political chameleonism. But beware, dear voter, for while the façade may change, the essence remains troublingly the same. Let’s first examine the heart of the matter – the economy. Sri Lanka’s economic woes are no secret. The island…

All men in Russia are required to do a year-long military service, or equivalent training during higher education, from the age of 18. Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree setting out the routine spring conscription campaign, calling up 150,000 citizens for statutory military service, a document posted on the Kremlin’s website showed on Sunday (31 March). All men in Russia are required to do a year-long military service, or equivalent training during higher education, from the age of 18. In July Russia’s lower house of parliament voted to raise the maximum age at which men can be conscripted to 30…

Indian street food has always been known for its distinctive flavours. But recent years have seen food sellers experiment with more and more unusual combinations of ingredients as vloggers and social media influencers try to create moments that go viral. Freelance journalist Om Routray reports on this rather unusual trend. At the Odeon Shukla Paan Palace in the heart of Delhi, customers line up with their mouths wide open, eyes closed in fear and anticipation as Vijay Shukla, the store owner, pushes a flaming paan into their mouths in one swift move. Paan, a betel nut leaf with slaked lime,…

Rescue workers drilling to free 41 workers trapped in a tunnel in India’s Uttarakhand state are close to breaking through to them, officials say. On Wednesday evening, officials said they were confident the workers could be rescued by Thursday afternoon. The workers were building the tunnel when a part of it caved in on 12 November due to a landslide. Authorities established contact with the trapped men hours later and were supplying them with provisions. These included oxygen, dry food and water through a pipeline that was laid for supplying water to the tunnel for construction work. Officials have been…

“Mum, can I please play for a bit longer?” That is the refrain that six-year-old Vanraj’s mother, Pakhi Khanna, is bracing herself to deal with for the next couple of days in the Indian capital Delhi. The 38-year-old has cut her son’s outdoor playtime to 30 minutes from two hours; his classes have shifted online this week, and football coaching has been called off. Vanraj is among thousands of schoolchildren in Delhi whose schedules have abruptly changed due to air pollution rising to alarming levels. Over the past few days, Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) – which measures the level…

The air quality in India’s capital Delhi has fallen to poor levels and is expected to deteriorate further in the coming days, officials have said. Delhi is one of the world’s most polluted cities through the year. But its air turns especially toxic in winter due to various factors, including burning of crop remains by farmers, low wind speeds and bursting of firecrackers during festivals. The polluted air causes severe health issues to Delhi residents every year. On Monday, the level of PM 2.5 – fine particulate matter that can clog lungs and cause a host of diseases – was…

Cricket’s most famous rivalry resumes as hosts India take on arch-rivals Pakistan in the ongoing World Cup in Ahmedabad. The match on Saturday has been described as the “blockbuster event” of the tournament – millions will tune in to watch the clash and the 132,000-capacity stadium is expected to be full. Both sides have made confident starts in the tournament, winning their first two matches. But India v Pakistan is one competition where past performances don’t guarantee a win. It’s the ultimate test of skill, preparedness, strategy and above everything else, nerves. With millions of cheering fans who see the…