Amid the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict, Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly has said that Palestinian civilians living in Gaza were suffering a "collective punishment" from Israel's retaliatory military campaign for the attacks launched by Hamas on October 7. "What has taken place, all Palestinians in Gaza have to pay for it," Madbouly said. Israel's response to the massacre that left over 1,200 people dead and hundreds more taken hostage "was unbelievable," he said at a conference organised by the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Riyadh on Monday. More than 80 per cent of the health facilities in Gaza have been destroyed, he said, while an "estimated 7,000 [people] remain under the rubble." The Prime Minister said that it would take "decades" for Gaza to recover. On Sunday, the Hamas-controlled health authority put the number of people killed in the Gaza Strip since the start of the war at 34,454. The figures it publishes make no distinction between civilians and militants and are almost impossible to verify independently. The WEF conference underway in Saudi Arabia's capital is focusing on topics including health, the environment and finance. Several Western and Arab foreign ministers were due to meet on the fringes of the conference to discuss the Gaza war. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
29 April,2024 05:57 PM IST | Cairo | mid-day online correspondentThe UK government's new legislation require all internet-connected smart devices to meet minimal security standards beginning on Monday. These steps are designed to safeguard consumers and organisations against hacking and cyber-attacks. Manufacturers will be barred from using easily guessable default passwords such as "admin" or "12345". If a common password is discovered, users will be requested to change it when they set up the device, reported PTI. According to the report, Which?, a UK house with smart gadgets might face more than 12,000 hacking attempts in a single week. The new legislation are intended to provide consumers better peace of mind regarding the security of their devices. Viscount Camrose Jonathan Berry, UK Minister for Cyber, described the rules as "world first" and emphasised their importance in protecting personal privacy, data, and funds, the report added. "From today, consumers will have greater peace of mind that their smart devices are protected from cyber criminals, as we introduce world first laws that will make sure their personal privacy, data and finances are safe," said UK Minister for Cyber Viscount Camrose, Jonathan Berry. Manufacturers must ensure that equipment with internet or network access, such as cellphones and connected fridges, are safeguarded from hackers and cybercriminals under the new law. The laws are part of the UK government's GBP 2.6 billion National Cyber Strategy, which aims to safeguard and promote Britain online. UK Data and Digital Infrastructure Minister Julia Lopez emphasised the country's commitment to being a global leader in online safety, the PTI report further stated. "Our pledge to establish the UK as the global standard for online safety takes a big step forward with these regulations, moving us closer to our goal of a digitally secure future," said UK Data and Digital Infrastructure Minister Julia Lopez. The regulations, which are part of the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure regime, aim to strengthen the UK's resilience to cyberattacks while also protecting the economy from malicious influence. In addition to password security, manufacturers will be required to offer contact information for reporting bugs and vulnerabilities, and retailers must educate customers about the estimated period for security updates.
29 April,2024 05:41 PM IST | London | mid-day online correspondentBritish Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has reappointed a leading Indian-origin academic in the field of environmental science as the Trustee of the Natural History Museum Board in London. Yadvinder Malhi, a University of Oxford professor, was formally reappointed earlier this month for a second four-year term. The unpaid advisory role will see him continue his mission to oversee the institution's role to champion the natural world. "I am very pleased to serve for a further four years on the Board of the Natural History Museum. My goal is to support this amazing, respected and much-loved institution in its research and public and policy engagement," said Professor Malhi. He added: "This can enable it to maximise the contribution it can make, with the unique leverage it has, to tackle what I believe is the most fundamental question of our century: how can we understand and restore our relationship with the natural world so that people and nature thrive within a vibrant biosphere and a stable climate?" Malhi, who was conferred a CBE for his services to ecosystem science in the late Queen Elizabeth II's Birthday Honours List in 2020, is Professor of Ecosystem Science at the School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford. He is also Director of Oxford's Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery and a Jackson Senior Research Fellow at Oriel College, University of Oxford. "His research interests focus on how the living world is responding to global environmental change including climate change, how protecting and working with nature can help mitigate and adapt to climate change and how we can enable nature recovery at scale and reverse the ongoing global decline in biodiversity," the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) said of Malhi. "Much of his research has focused on tropical forests and savannas, but recent work has also explored the challenge of nature recovery in the UK," it notes. Malhi, in his mid-50s, is a past-President of the British Ecological Society and the Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation and is passionate about increasing global equity in the practice of science and conservation. When he was first appointed to the Natural History Museum Board in May 2020, he shared that he has been "enthralled" by it since his first visits as a child. His appointment has been made in accordance with the UK Cabinet Office's Governance Code on Public Appointments, which requires that any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years is declared. Malhi has not declared any political activity that would fall under holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation or candidature for election. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
29 April,2024 05:20 PM IST | London | PTIA Hamas delegation has arrived in Cairo for talks on a possible cease-fire and prisoner exchange agreement with Israel. The three-member committee travelled from Doha to investigate the most recent plan, which includes releasing hostages in return for Palestinian detainees detained by Israel. According to sources, the deal involves releasing 33 hostages in return for several hundred Palestinian detainees, including women, the elderly, and the injured. Hamas demands the release of 50 detainees for every soldier and 30 for every civilian, the IANS report stated. According to the report, under the proposed accord, Israel would withdraw from a crucial road that separates the Gaza Strip into two parts, allowing residents of the northern sector to return. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces issues within his administration, with the far-right coalition partners threatening to withdraw support if the deal proceeds. During the war, the vast majority of Gaza's nearly 2.2 million inhabitants evacuated to the south, the report added. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may have to choose between a hostage deal and the survival of his government, the IANS report added. Israel's far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, leader of the Religious Zionist Party, vowed to dissolve the cabinet on Sunday if the current hostage situation was resolved and a military operation in Rafah was halted. Netanyahu's political survival relies on his far-right coalition partners. With IANS inputs
29 April,2024 04:58 PM IST | Cairo | mid-day online correspondentUS Secretary of State Antony Blinken has urged Israel to increase the flow of humanitarian aid into the besieged Gaza Strip. Blinken, on his sixth journey to the Middle East since the Israel-Hamas conflict began, emphasised the importance of addressing the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. Speaking to Gulf Cooperation Council foreign ministers in Riyadh, Blinken emphasised the urgency of reaching a cease-fire deal to alleviate civilian suffering and create space for a long-term settlement. He acknowledged some improvements but emphasised the urgent need for additional aid. Blinken emphasised the dangers that relief workers face and the significance of keeping them safe. He also expressed concern about the crisis spreading throughout the region and urged against allowing the Israel-Hamas conflict to grow further. "The most effective way to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, to alleviate the suffering of children, women and men, and to create space for a more just and durable solution is to get a cease-fire and the hostages out," he said and added, "But we're also not waiting on a cease-fire to take the necessary steps to meet the needs of civilians in Gaza." He further said, "We have seen measurable progress in the last few weeks, including the opening of new crossings and increased volume of aid delivery to Gaza and within Gaza, and the building of the US maritime corridor, which will open in the coming weeks. But it is not enough. We still need to get more aid in and around Gaza." "We need to improve deconfliction with humanitarian assistance workers. And we have to find greater efficiency and greater safety and deconfliction is at the heart of that. And, finally, we have to make sure that we're focusing not just on inputs, but on impact," he added. Blinken's tour comes at a time when emotions are high and there are renewed concerns about the Middle East crisis. The Biden administration is pressing Israel to avoid a massive military campaign in Gaza, emphasising the necessity of preventing the crisis from spreading throughout the region. The situation remains dangerous, with serious concerns of future escalation. Blinken's visit attempts to address these issues and provide answers to the current dilemma. With AP inputs
29 April,2024 04:49 PM IST | Riyadh | mid-day online correspondentPakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday met the International Monetary Fund chief Kristalina Georgieva and discussed a new loan programme for the cash-strapped country, Sharif's office said. In a meeting on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Special Meeting in Riyadh, the premier thanked Georgieva for her support to Pakistan in securing the USD 3 billion standby arrangement (SBA) from IMF last year that was now nearing its completion, Dawn newspaper reported. According to the state-run PTV News post on X, this was the first meeting between the prime minister and Georgieva since his re-election, reported news agency PTI. They last met in Paris in June 2023 on the margins of the Summit for New Global Financial Pact. The IMF Executive Board is expected to meet on Monday to decide on the final tranche of USD 1.1bn under SBA, the post said. The pair discussed further programmes to ensure gains made in the past year were consolidated and the economic growth trajectory remained positive. Georgieva shared her institution's perspective on the ongoing programme with Pakistan, including the review process. Pakistan secured the USD 3 billion IMF programme in June last year, which helped it avert a sovereign default. Separately, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif highlighted the "global inequity" in healthcare while speaking at a panel discussion on 'Redefining Global Health Agenda' during the special meeting of WEF. The premier said that when he visited Saudi Arabia in 2003, he was "struck by a very nasty cancer". He said that he was then flown to New York and had to undergo surgery costing "thousands of dollars", reported PTI. "And I wondered how many people in my country can afford this kind of expensive treatment " not very many," he said. Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif said that when he came back to Pakistan, he was elected the chief minister of Punjab and his government built hospitals specialising in kidney and liver diseases as well as cancer. "Today, I think the first and foremost problem is global inequity," he said, adding that the Covid-19 pandemic had "exposed" these imbalances and gaps. "Imagine the global North and the global South; distribution of vaccines and so on and so forth," he said. He further said that climate change had "completely changed the landscape". " Pakistan does not contribute (to) even a fraction of emissions. Yet we are on the red list of climate change and in 2022, we experienced the worst floods in Pakistan (")and we had to invest hundreds and billions of rupees to rehabilitate people." Talking about polio, he said that Pakistan was a "great beneficiary" of the Bill Gates Foundation. "If I did not acknowledge Bill Gates' generosity here, it would not be fair to myself and fair to him. This is the prime minister's second trip to Saudi Arabia in less than a month. He last went on a three-day visit to the kingdom, which was his first foreign visit since he was re-elected as premier, reported PTI. The invitation was extended by Saudi Arabia's Prime Minister and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and WEF Executive Chairman Prof Klaus Schwab, the Foreign Office (FO) said. In a post on X on Sunday, Prime Minister Shehbaz said he looked forward to "important discussions on pressing challenges of our times" during the special meeting. Separately, Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif held a meeting on Sunday with Islamic Development Bank (IDB) President Muhammad Sulaiman Al Jasser, where they both agreed upon the earliest completion of various ongoing projects of the IDB in Pakistan. During the meeting, held on the sidelines of the WEF moot, the premier thanked the IDB for investing $1 billion in various projects during the previous PML-N-led tenure, a statement on PML-N's X account said. Meanwhile, in a consultative meeting with Saudi federal ministers and other Riyadh officials, Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif lauded the SIFC's role in the Kingdom's investment in Pakistan, Radio Pakistan stated. The premier stressed the need to work tirelessly day and night for the country's progress and prosperity, warning that there was no room for laziness. During the session, the prime minister received detailed briefings from various relevant ministries, regarding progress in investment with the Saudi government, the report added. (With inputs from PTI)
29 April,2024 10:46 AM IST | Islamabad | mid-day online correspondentThe White House on Sunday said US President Joe Biden had again spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as pressure builds on Israel and Hamas to reach a deal that would free some Israeli hostages and bring a cease-fire in the nearly seven-month-long war in Gaza, reported Associated Press. The White House said that Biden reiterated his "clear position" as Israel plans to invade Gaza's southernmost city of Rafah despite global concern for more than 1 million Palestinians sheltering there. The US opposes the Rafah invasion on humanitarian grounds, straining relations between the allies. Israel is among the countries U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will visit as he returns to the Middle East on Monday. Biden also stressed that progress in delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza be "sustained and enhanced," according to the statement, reported Associated Press. The call lasted just under an hour, and they agreed the onus remains on Hamas to accept the latest offer in negotiations, according to a U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity because the official wasn't authorized to comment publicly. There was no comment from Netanyahu's office. A senior official from key intermediary Qatar, meanwhile, urged Israel and Hamas to show "more commitment and more seriousness" in negotiations. Qatar, which hosts Hamas' headquarters in Doha, was instrumental along with the US and Egypt in helping negotiate a brief halt to the fighting in November that led to the release of dozens of hostages. But in a sign of frustration, Qatar this month said that it was reassessing its role. An Israeli delegation is expected in Egypt in the coming days to discuss the latest proposals in negotiations, and senior Hamas official Basem Naim said in a message to The Associated Press that a delegation from the militant group will also head to Cairo. Egypt's state-owned Al Qahera News satellite television channel said that the delegation would arrive on Monday. The comments by Qatar's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari in interviews with the liberal daily Haaretz and Israeli public broadcaster Kan were published and aired Saturday evening. Al-Ansari expressed disappointment with Hamas and Israel, saying each side has made decisions based on political interests and not with civilians' welfare in mind. He didn't reveal details on the talks other than to say they have "effectively stopped," with "both sides entrenched in their positions." Al-Ansari's remarks came after an Egyptian delegation discussed with Israeli officials a "new vision" for a prolonged cease-fire in Gaza, according to an Egyptian official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to freely discuss developments, reported Associated Press. The Egyptian official said that Israeli officials are open to discussing establishing a permanent cease-fire in Gaza as part of the second phase of a deal. Israel has refused to end the war until it defeats Hamas. The second phase would start after the release of civilian and sick hostages, and would include negotiating the release of soldiers, the official added. Senior Palestinian prisoners would be released and a reconstruction process launched. Negotiations earlier this month centered on a six-week cease-fire proposal and the release of 40 civilian and sick hostages held by Hamas in exchange for freeing hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, reported Associated Press. A letter written by Biden and 17 other world leaders urged Hamas to release their citizens immediately. In recent days, Hamas has released new videos of three hostages, an apparent push for Israel to make concessions. The growing pressure for Hamas and Israel to reach a cease-fire deal is also meant to avert an Israeli attack on Rafah, the city on the border with Egypt where more than half of Gaza's 2.3 million population is seeking shelter. Israel has massed dozens of tanks and armored vehicles. The planned incursion has raised global alarm. "Only a small strike is all it takes to force everyone to leave Palestine," Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas asserted to the opening session of the World Economic Forum in Saudi Arabia, adding that he believed an Rafah invasion would happen within days. But White House national security spokesman John Kirby told ABC that Israel "assured us they won't go into Rafah until we've had a chance to really share our perspectives and concerns with them. So, we'll see where that goes." The Israeli troop buildup may also be a pressure tactic on Hamas in talks. Israel sees Rafah as Hamas' last major stronghold. It vows to destroy the group's military and governing capabilities. Aid groups have warned that an Rafah invasion would worsen the already desperate humanitarian situation in Gaza, where hunger is widespread, reported Associated Press. About 400 tons of aid arrived Sunday at the Israeli port of Ashdod " the largest shipment yet by sea via Cyprus " according to the UAE. Also on Sunday, World Central Kitchen said it would resume operations in Gaza on Monday, ending a four-week suspension after Israeli military drones killed seven of its aid workers. The organization has 276 trucks ready to enter through the Rafah crossing and will also send trucks into Gaza from Jordan, a statement said. It's also examining if the Ashdod port can be used to offload supplies, reported Associated Press. The war was sparked by Hamas' attack on Oct. 7 into southern Israel, which killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians, according to Israeli authorities, who say another 250 people were taken hostage. Hamas and other groups are holding about 130 people, including the remains of about 30, Israeli authorities say. Israel's retaliatory assault on Hamas has killed more than 34,000 people, most of them women and children, according to health authorities in Gaza, who do not distinguish between civilians and combatants in their tally. The Israeli military blames Hamas for civilian casualties, accusing it of embedding in residential and public areas. It says it has killed at least 12,000 militants, without providing evidence. (With inputs from Associated Press)
29 April,2024 10:41 AM IST | Tel Aviv | mid-day online correspondentA conviction for former President Donald Trump on any criminal charges he is facing across four separate cases will not prevent him from running for the White House but it will cost him the support of a third of his own Republican party voters and Independents, according to polls, and deprive him of his own vote, reported news agency IANS. Trump is currently on trial in Manhattan in a case of falsification of business records in regard to hush-money he allegedly paid an adult porn star in 2016 for not going public with their affair. Conviction for Donald Trump: He is facing 34 charges in the case He is facing 34 charges in the case, each of which carries the punishment of four years in jail. But a conviction will not land him in prison immediately as he will be able to appeal it in the appellate court and eventually the Supreme Court, reported IANS. The other three cases have not gone on trial yet. A Reuters/Ipsos poll in February found that while the majority of Americans - 55 per cent - will not vote for Trump if he is either convicted or is in jail, a third of Republicans - 32 per cent - said they won't, and 24 per cent said they were not sure yet of what they will do, reported IANS. A vast majority of Democrats - 90% - said they won’t vote for him if he was convicted or jailed. Conviction for Donald Trump: Independent voters are critical Another poll by Ipsos, done with Politico magazine in Month, found that a third of Independent voters said they would be less likely to support Trump if he were to be convicted in the Justice Department’s case against him for trying to subvert the 2020 election through the January 6 insurrection and the Manhattan case of falsifying business records, reported IANS. Independent voters are critical in determining the electoral outcomes in the handful of swing states that decide the presidential election every cycle. The poll did not cover views about the two other cases, mishandling of classified documents and trying to overturn the 2020 vote count in Georgia. A conviction would not, however, stop him from running. The US Constitution only lays down three qualification rules for running for President: 35 years of age, a natural-born citizen, and a resident of the US for 14 years, reported IANS. There are no rules on criminals and felons, and although some states have barred felons from running, these rules do not apply to elections for federal offices. But a conviction will take away his vote in Florida, where he lives. Conviction for Donald Trump: He could switch to New York state People convicted of a felony are disenfranchised by Florida state law till the completion of the jail sentence or payment of a fine. Felons can, however, apply for a waiver from the Governor. He could, however, switch to New York state where he has lived most of his life to keep his vote because of the more permissive rules, which allow felons to vote during parole or probation, reported IANS. But if he is imprisoned, he will lose his vote. Only the states of Vermont, Maine, and Washington DC allow felons to vote. Conviction for Donald Trump: The four cases against Trump Falsification of business records, Manhattan, New York: Trump faces 34 charges of falsifying records to pay Stormy Daniels, an adult film star, to keep quiet about an affair they had in 2005 (he has denied the affair). The money was paid to Daniels by Michael Cohen, a one-time fixer for Trump, and he was later reimbursed as legal fees. Mishandling of classified documents: The US Justice Department has charged Trump with 40 counts for carrying away classified documents from the White House at the end of his term. He had held on to them despite requests from the National Archives, which is the custodian of all presidential records. President Joe Biden was also found later to have carried away classified documents after his two terms as Vice President in 2016, reported IANS. January 6 efforts to overturn 2020 presidential election: The US Justice Department has also charged Trump with four counts for instigating supporters to attack the US Capitol, home to the US Congress, to stop a joint sitting of the two chambers to prevent the certification of Biden as the winner of the 2020 presidential election, reported IANS. Georgia state efforts to overturn 2020 vote count: The former President faces 13 counts of conspiring with his accomplices over the vote count in the state to overturn his defeat to Biden into victory. (With inputs from IANS)
29 April,2024 09:55 AM IST | Washington | mid-day online correspondentIn a series of tense confrontations, more than 200 individuals found themselves in handcuffs following protests at Northeastern University, Arizona State University, Indiana University, and Washington University in St Louis, The New York Post (NYT) reported. These events, unfolding against the backdrop of heightened tensions in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, underscore the challenges faced by universities nationwide as they grapple with the increasingly visible demonstrations and encampments on their campuses, reported ANI. Since April 18, when Columbia University in New York City saw the New York Police Department dismantle a protest encampment, over 700 protesters have been arrested across US campuses. Among the recent wave of arrests, one notable figure stands out: Jill Stein, the Green Party's 2024 presidential candidate, alongside her campaign manager and another staff member, were apprehended at Washington University in St Louis, according to NYT. At Northeastern University in Boston, the scene unfolded early Saturday morning as Massachusetts State Police officers moved in to dismantle an encampment on the campus's Centennial Common. The encampment, which had drawn over 100 supporters, faced repeated requests from the university administration to vacate the area. Despite these calls, many students remained steadfast, reported ANI. The Northeastern spokeswoman, Renata Nyul, expressed concerns over the encampment, alleging that it had been "infiltrated by professional organisers" and decrying the use of "virulent antisemitic slurs." However, protesters vehemently denied these claims, pointing to a video that suggested it was a pro-Israel counterprotester who had used offensive language. As tensions escalated, the arrests began, with more than 100 protesters detained. While the exact number of students among those arrested remains unclear, the university assured that students presenting their university IDs were being released, reported ANI. Alina Caudle, a sophomore at Northeastern University, reiterated the protesters' demands for transparency regarding the university's investments and urged divestment from companies allegedly supporting Israel's actions in Gaza. She emphasized the diverse composition of the encampment, noting significant participation from Northeastern students, as well as support from Jewish students and faculty, reported ANI. Similar scenes unfolded across the country. In Boston, Boston Police officers arrested 118 people at Emerson College, while at Arizona State University, 69 individuals were detained for setting up an unauthorised encampment. At Indiana University Bloomington, where tensions had already flared earlier in the week with the arrest of 33 protesters, an additional 23 were apprehended on Saturday, reported ANI. Universities grappled with differing approaches to managing the protests. While some sought to de-escalate tensions, others, like the University of Southern California and Emory University, opted for swift police intervention to disperse encampments and detain protesters. The heightened police presence was evident on Saturday across several campuses, although not all resulted in arrests. At the University of Pennsylvania, campus police officers were stationed along barricades as over 100 protesters gathered in an encampment, with a smaller group of pro-Israel counterprotesters nearby, as reported by the NYT. At the California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt, officers maintained a presence on the closed campus following a protest that saw demonstrators occupy two buildings earlier in the week, reported ANI. Apart from arrests, universities implemented additional measures to exert pressure on protesters. Harvard University restricted access to its historic Harvard Yard, permitting entry only to those with university IDs. Despite the suspension of a pro-Palestinian group, protesters erected an encampment within the yard, reported ANI. In response, Harvard's dean of students issued a warning to students participating in the encampment, threatening disciplinary action. Similarly, Cornell University suspended four students connected with a pro-Palestinian encampment on campus, with further disciplinary actions anticipated, reported ANI. Nick Wilson, one of the suspended students at Cornell, reflected on the significance of the suspension, interpreting it as a testament to the impact of their movement. Despite the challenges posed by these disciplinary measures, Wilson expressed optimism, viewing the suspension as evidence of the fear instilled in institutions like Cornell by the burgeoning movement, The New York Post reported. (With inputs from ANI)
29 April,2024 09:45 AM IST | Washington, DC | mid-day online correspondentUnion Minister for Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal has stated that India has always been a trusted partner for Nepal's development, reported news agency ANI. While addressing the third Nepal Investment Summit, Piyush Goyal in a video message stated that Nepal and India have a strong bond and India always has been a trustworthy friend in Nepal's development. Goyal also reiterated that Nepal and India not only share a border but also a deep-rooted friendship and a vision for a prosperous future, reported ANI. While addressing the inaugural session of the Investment Summit, Indian Ambassador to Nepal, Naveen Srivastava, assured of encouraging Indian companies to invest in Nepal. In his address to the opening session of the Third Nepal Investment Summit 2024 in Kathmandu on Sunday, Srivastava emphasized that promoting investment in Nepal from India would not only boost trade facilities but also create more trade opportunities. He highlighted the significance of Nepal's export of power to India to enrich bilateral relations, reported ANI. He reiterated India's commitment to enhancing investment in Nepal in the coming days. He said that Nepal and India are actively collaborating in various sectors, including the establishment of integrated check posts, trans-border electricity transmission facilities and energy trade, reported ANI. Srivastava said, "It is a matter of great satisfaction that India is today the biggest cumulative investor in Nepal with more than 33 per cent of Nepal's FDI stock currently amounting to nearly Nepali rupees 89 billion." Meanwhile, Stating that the oppostion has totally failed, Union Minister and BJP's candidate from Mumbai North Lok Sabha constituency Piyush Goyal said that the country is safe and moving towards prosperity under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Earlier in the day, Piyush Goyal held a roadshow in an open jeep with people turning up in large numbers, reported ANI. Voting in Mumbai North for Lok Sabha polls will be held on May 20. "This rally is an indication that the people of Maharashtra have taken the resolve to support Mahayuti and take us through victory. Under the leadership of PM Modi, there is massive development, and the country is safe and moving towards prosperity...The Opposition has completely failed...," he told ANI during his roadshow. Gopal Shetty is a two-time MP who has represented Mumbai North constituency in 2014 and 2019. Maharashtra has 48 Lok Sabha seats, the second-largest after Uttar Pradesh. The first and the second phases of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections are over. While the first phase took place on April 19, the second phase was conducted on April 26. Next, the elections in Maharashtra will be held on May 7, May 13, and May 20. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP won 23 out of 25 contested seats, while the undivided Shiv Sena secured 18 out of 23 seats. The undivided NCP, part of the opposition alliance, contested 19 seats and won four. Following the split in the Shiva Sena 2022, the Eknath Shinde faction aligned with the BJP. The counting of votes will be held on June 4. (With inputs from ANI)
29 April,2024 08:45 AM IST | Kathmandu (Nepal) | mid-day online correspondentAn Indian-American radiologist who drove his family off the cliff had a ‘psychotic breakdown’ and believed his children were at risk of being sex trafficked, a psychologist testified regarding the case, according to San Francisco Chronicle. The radiologist, Dharmesh Patel, drove the Tesla carrying his wife and two children off a San Mareo County cliff, resulting in the crash that took place last January.The expert witness called by Patel’s lawyers, Dr Mark Patterson, in his testimony on Wednesday this week said that he had met Patel many times since the January 2, 2023 crash. He said that he had diagnosed him with major depressive disorder with a single episode of psychotic features and anxious distress, according to San Francisco Chronicle. “Patel had been hearing footsteps and thought he was being followed in the weeks before the crash,” Patterson said. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
29 April,2024 07:43 AM IST | Washington | AgenciesADVERTISEMENT
