Author: Karnavati Bakshi

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has issued an order to ban suicides, according to several media reports. The dictator called the act “treason against socialism”, and ordered local officials to take preventive measures. The number of North Korean citizens who end their lives has increased by 40% this year compared to last year. “There are a lot of factors of internal unrest in North Korea due to the difficulties people face,” a spokesman for South Korea’s national intelligence service said. The confidential suicide ban order was given in a series of emergency meetings across the country, Radio Free Asia reported. There have been…

The Indian health ministry has denied reports of a major leak of personal data from its Covid vaccination database. In a statement it said “all such reports are without any basis and mischievous in nature”, but it has ordered an official investigation into the matter. The health ministry’s CoWin database contains the personal details of millions of people. There does, however, appear to be some disagreement within the Indian government over the alleged data breach. The Minister of Electronics and Technology, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, released a statement via Twitter saying an initial investigation had already indicated that there had been a…

China firmly opposes the G7 joint statement out of Hiroshima and has complained to summit organiser Japan, the Chinese foreign ministry said on May 20. The ministry said that the G7, disregarding China’s concerns, had attacked it and interfered in its internal affairs, including Taiwan, the ministry said in a statement. China has expressed its strong dissatisfaction and has lodged stern representations with summit host Japan, the statement added. Source: REUTERS

In keeping with India’s G20 Presidency and on-going meetings of G20 countries, the Ministry of Tourism is set to host the G20 Tourism Expo in Jaipur, Rajasthan from April 23 to 25, 2023. The G20 Tourism Expo is being organised simultaneously with the 12th edition of Great Indian Travel Bazaar (GITB). GITB is co-organized by Ministry of Tourism, Government of India along with Department of Tourism, Government of Rajasthan and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). The special G20 Tourism Expo will include panel discussions, ambassadors’ roundtable, cultural eventing, game of golf and other programmes. The inaugural…

The Bharat Jodo Yatra formally concluded on Monday with a function at the Jammu and Kashmir Congress headquarters in Srinagar. It was followed by a rally led by Rahul Gandhi at the Sher-e-Kashmir Stadium – where the Congress and other like-minded parties are expected to join. The Congress’ Bharat Jodo Yatra (BJY) ended on Sunday in Srinagar with a flag-hoisting ceremony at the iconic Lal Chowk’s clock tower. The Rahul Gandhi-led yatra concluded along with other Congress leaders in Jammu and Kashmir after passing through 12 states and two union territories over 150 days. Here’s a look back at the…

Veer Guardian 23: Indian Air Force (IAF) and Japanese Air Self Defence Force (JASDF) are set to hold their maiden bilateral air exercise, “Veer Guardian 23”. Veer Guardian 23: Indian Air Force (IAF) and Japanese Air Self Defence Force (JASDF) are set to hold their maiden bilateral air exercise, “Veer Guardian 23”, from January 16 to 26 at Hyakuri air base and Iruma air base in Japan. The IAF is fielding four Su-30MKI fighters from No. 220 squadron under the Western Air Command and one IL-78 mid-air refueller, along with a contingent of around 150 personnel who will be transported by two C-17 transport aircraft.…