Home Blog Page 403

World Bank cuts Pakistan’s growth projection by 2 per cent after floods

By
ANI
-
World Bank Pakistan floods GDP
Image: Reuters

The World Bank has estimated that Pakistan’s GDP growth will slow down from 5 per cent in the fiscal year 2022 to around 2 per cent in the fiscal year 2023 following one of the most devastating floods in the country’s history.

It also projected that poverty would go up by 2 to 4.5 pc while committing USD 2 billion in loans for flood-affected areas, reported The News International.

In the South Asian region, Pakistan’s macroeconomic projection remains second worst after Sri Lanka where the GDP growth was projected to go negative.

“Without creating buffers on internal and external fronts, the economies in South Asia will be facing challenges like Sri Lanka,” Hans Timmer, World Bank Chief Economist for South Asia said while addressing a virtual news conference from Washington DC on the occasion of launching WB’s Fall 2022 Economic Outlook for South Asia on Thursday.

The WB projected a massive downward revision in the GDP growth rate to 2 per cent for Pakistan against an official projection of 5 pc, hiking inflation up to 23 pc against the target of 11.5 pc, budget deficit of 6.9 pc of GDP against official estimates of 4.9pc and primary deficit at negative 3 pc of GDP against the official target of surplus 0.2 pc of GDP for the current fiscal year provided Islamabad remained under the existing IMF arrangement of Extended Fund Facility (EFF), reported The News International.

The WB has projected that poverty would go up by 2 to 4.5 pc, pushing 5.8 million to 9 million people below the cruel clutches of the poverty line in Pakistan.

“The floods have heightened macroeconomic risks. Continued policy tightening has become more challenging on account of floods. The government will face challenges in implementing the planned fiscal consolidation, given the extensive relief and recovery needs. Additional downside risks include unexpected damages resulting from the still-evolving flooding situation that could further reduce output and worsen economic imbalances; political pressures that undermine the implementation of a coherent and prudent macroeconomic policy mix; unanticipated deterioration of external conditions; and risks associated with large fiscal and external financing needs,” the WB’s Pakistan Development Update, launched here at the Bank Office on Thursday, said.

To manage these uncertainties, the WB suggested that the government should adhere to sound economic management, while carefully targeting any new expenditures to the poor and maintaining progress on critical structural reforms, including in the energy sector, reported The News International.

Women’s Asia Cup 2022: Shefali, Mandhana helps India to reach 159/5 against Bangladesh

By
ANI
-
Women's Asia Cup India Bangladesh
Image: Twitter/ @ICC

A half-century from Shafali Verma and a 96-run stand with Smriti Mandhana powered India to a competitive 159/5 in their 20 overs against Bangladesh in their Women’s Asia Cup 2022 match at Sylhet on Saturday.

Batting first, Team India was off to a good start. Openers skipper Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma were dealing in boundaries, taking on Bangladesh bowlers with the attacking mindset they both are known for.

At the end of the powerplay in six overs, India was at 59/0, with Mandhana (31*) and Verma (26*) at the crease. The scoreboard kept ticking and both batters entered their 40s.

At the end of 10 overs, India was at 91/0, with both batters at 44* each. After 12 overs, the 96-run stand between Mandhana and Verma was broken after the former was run out for 47 off 38 balls.

Jemimah Rodrigues was the next batter on the crease. Shafali brought a confidence-boosting half-century, her first in 20 T20Is since March 2021.

The batter hit a nice boundary over deep midwicket, but was dismissed for 55 off 44 balls after being bowled by spinner Rumana Ahmed. India was at 114/2 at this point in 14.5 overs.

At the end of 15 overs, India was at 115/2. Rumana’s brilliant bowling helped Bangladesh make a comeback in the match, taking the wickets of Richa Ghosh (4) and Kiran Navgire (0). Four of India’s batters were back in the hut at 125 runs in 17 overs.

Rodrigues, who was keeping one end steady all this while, was joined by Deepti Sharma. The duo helped India gather 29 more runs before Salma Khatun dismissed Deepti for 10 off 5 balls after being caught by Sanjida Akter at short third man.

Pooja Vastrakar joined Rodrigues for the last few balls. India finished at 159/5 in 20 overs, with Rodrigues (35*) and Pooja Vastrakar (1*). Rumana (3/27) was the leading bowler for Bangladesh. Khatun also got 1/16 in her three overs.

Brief Scores: India: 159/5 in 20 overs (Shafali Verma 55, Smriti Mandhana 47, Rumana Ahmed 3/27).

“Congress believes in fighting against those who spread hatred”, says Rahul Gandhi

By
ANI
-
Congress Rahul Gandhi Bharat Jodo Yatra
Image: PTI

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi held an interaction with the masses as the Bharat Jodo Yatra resumed from Mayasandra, Tumakuru in Karnataka on Saturday and said that the party believes in fighting against those who spread hatred. He also highlighted the fact that the community of the person spreading hatred doesn’t matter.

“My view is that it doesn’t matter who the person spreading hatred is, it doesn’t matter which community they come from, spreading hatred and violence is an anti-national act and we’ll fight against such people,” said Congress MP Rahul Gandhi.

Stressing on the integrity and unity in the country he said,” Our constitution states: Bharat is a union of states. It means all our languages, states and traditions have an equally important space. That is the nature of our country.”

The Congress leader also jibed at the opposition and said, ” I have always stood for a certain idea, that disturbs the BJP and RSS. Thousands of crores of media money and energy have been spent to shape me in a way which is untruthful and wrong. That will continue as that machine is financially rich and well-oiled.”

This was his third press interaction during the march. The yatra is in its Karnataka leg and marked its 31st day today. The march began at around 6. 40 am, informed veteran Congress leader Jairam Ramesh.

“Day 31 of #BharatJodoYatra started at around 640am. Today @RahulGandhi will be having his third press interaction so far during the Yatra at Turuvekere at 1 pm. We have entered Tumkur district now,” tweeted Congress leader Jairam Ramesh.

The Congress veteran also outlined the party’s upcoming schedule during the yatra and informed that there will be polling booths during the march as over 40 PCC will be travelling along.

“40 PCC delegates are involved in the India Jodo Yatra. For these, polling booths will be set up at the campsite itself. Rahul Gandhi and other Bharat Jodo travellers will vote in this camp,” said Jairam Ramesh in a statement.

He also informed that the Bharat Jodo Yatra will have a grand rally on October 15 and will be halted on October 17 due to party presidential polls. The party leader also underlined that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will celebrate Diwali in the camp and the march will be on hold due to Diwali.

Earlier on October 7, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi claimed that the teachers raised the issue of the Kannada language and culture being “under attack”. He said that “our education system is under systematic attack from adverse ideological forces and that attack has reached now our curriculum.”

The Former Congress President said that he interacted with the teachers and students, who told him their concerns. “I spoke to the teachers and students. The teachers said why government schools are being neglected. Why our culture, our ‘Kannada’ language is under attack? Why the glory of the history of Karnataka is being erased from textbooks Why our culture and history is being attacked and damaged?” Rahul said.

He said that the new NEP 2020 had been specially designed to undo everything that has been done in the past 75 years. He continued to add that Communalisation and Centralisation and Commercialisation were the only agendas behind these monumental changes effected by the State and Central Governments. T

he Wayanad MP suspected that there were many deliberate and designed efforts to destabilize the education system and subvert the Constitution through these drastic measures.

The MP from Wayanad is currently leading Bharat Jodo Yatra- the 3,500-km march from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, covering as many as 12 states. The Yatra started from Kanyakumari and will end in Kashmir the next year by covering 25 km every day.

According to Congress, the ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ is being held to combat the divisive politics of the BJP-led Centre and to awaken the people of the country to the dangers of economic inequalities, social polarisation and political centralisation.

Notably, all the party MPs, leaders and workers along with Rahul Gandhi are staying in containers. Sleeping beds, toilets and ACs are also installed in some of the containers.

During the journey, the temperature and environment will differ in many areas. The Congress suffered a debacle in the assembly polls held earlier this year and the Yatra is seen as an attempt to rally the party rank and file for the upcoming electoral battles.

Nashik Bus Fire: PM Modi, CM Shinde announces ex-gratia

By
ANI
-
Naashik Bus Fire Accident PM modi CM Shinde
Image: PTI

President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde condoled the loss of lives in the accident in which a bus collided with a truck and caught fire in Nashik city in the early hours of Saturday.

At least 11 persons, including a child, died and over 20 people were injured after a Mumbai- bound bus caught fire after a collision with a trailer truck in Maharashtra’s Nashik this morning said the city police adding that the injured people have been taken to hospital, as per the police.

Prime Minister Modi and chief minister Shinde also announced ex gratia for the kin of the deceased. “I am deeply saddened to learn of the death of many people in a bus fire in Nashik.

In this accident, I express my deepest condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. I wish the injured people a speedy recovery,” President Murmu said in a tweet.

The Prime Minister’s office tweeted, “Anguished by the bus tragedy in Nashik. My thoughts are with those who have lost their loved ones in this mishap. May the injured recover at the earliest. The local administration is providing all possible assistance to those affected.” PM further said that the ex-gratia of Rs two lakh will be given from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) to the kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to those injured in the accident.

Chief minister Shinde also announced ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh to the next of kin of each of the deceased. Shinde further said that the state government would bear the expenses of the treatment for the injured people in the unfortunate accident.

Guardian Minister of Nashik, Dada Bhuse told to the agencies that the passenger bus was headed to Mumbai from Yavatmal when it collided with a truck which was on its way to Pune from Nashik. “All the injured are being treated in Nashik and the state government will bear all the medical expenses of those injured. CM has announced ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh rupees each to the next of kin of those who died in this unfortunate incident. I am also going to the spot to assess the situation, Bhuse said.

“A luxury bus and a trailer truck collided with each other. A fire broke out due to the impact. 11 casualties so far. 30 people had started from Yavatmal and 19 people boarded the bus in the middle. They are being identified,” Nashik Police Commissioner Jayant Naiknavare said.

All senior officials including Collector, Municipal Commissioner, and Police Commissioner are on the spot to coordinate rescue operations, the official said.

Nashik Administration has set up a control room and issued contact numbers for disaster management and the district civil hospital to give and receive more information about the victims in the mishap.

Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadanavis offered his condolence to the families and said, “Deeply pained to know about the unfortunate accident of a private bus and tanker in Nashik. Heartfelt condolences to families who lost their loved ones. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured.”

He further said that all the injured were admitted to Civil Hospital and provided immediate assistance and for the coordination, MLA Devyani Pharande Tai too at the hospital. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased.

“A road accident in Nashik (Maharashtra) is heartbreaking. I offer my condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in this horrific accident and pray for the speedy recovery of those who are injured,” Shah said.

AFC U-17 Asia Cup Qualifier: India defeat Myanmar by 4-1

By
ANI
-
AFC U17 Asia Cup India Myanmar
Image: AIFF media

India made it a hat-trick of wins in their ongoing AFC U-17 Asian Cup 2023 Qualifiers campaign on Friday, defeating Myanmar 4-1 in their match at the Prince Saud Bin Jalawi Stadium in Al Khobar.

All four strikes for India came in the later part of the first half as captain Vanlalpeka Guite and forward Thanglalsoun Gangte scored two goals apiece to take their side to another comprehensive victory.

The first half began as a battle of attrition with no major chances being created. Both sides looked to build up from the back and control possession. The first shot on target came in the 21st minute through Korou Singh, who shot from the edge of the penalty area but it did not have sufficient power.

Six minutes later, the first breakthrough came as Guite’s free-kick from long range beat everyone in the penalty box and flew past the goalkeeper into the net. The goal sparked the game into life as India proceeded to score three more goals in a 12-minute spell.

Lalpekhlua was brought down in the penalty area in the 32nd minute and Gangte was on hand to slam home a powerful spot-kick. Two minutes later, Guite added his second as Korou intercepted the Myanmar goalkeeper’s pass and the Indian skipper latched on to the loose ball and finished tidily.

A teasing cross from the right found an unmarked Gangte inside the penalty area three minutes from the break, but his shot went over the crossbar. However, the forward registered his second goal of the evening in the 44th minute after finding the goalkeeper out of position and beating him with an instinctive finish from outside the box.

India picked up from where they left off in the second half, creating a flurry of attacks and posing questions to the opposing defence. At the hour mark, against the run of play, Myanmar pulled a goal back as Htoo Wai Yan’s shot took a deflection and found the back of the net.

Head coach Bibiano Fernandes made a series of changes as India continued to have the attacking momentum. In the 70th minute, substitute Boby Singh squared the ball to Gangte, who finished with aplomb but the goal was ruled out as the winger was offside in the build-up.

The match eventually drew to a close with the 4-1 scoreline in favour of the Indian side. In their next encounter, the Young Colts will go up against hosts Saudi Arabia on Sunday at the same venue.

90th Indian Air Force Day celebration begin in Chandigarh

By
ANI
-
Indian Air Force Day Chandigarh
Image: Twitter

The Indian Air Force on Saturday began celebrations to mark its 90 years of foundation at the Sukhna Lake. This is the first time that the annual parade and fly-past is being held outside Delhi-NCR.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh wished the force early this morning. “Greetings and best wishes to all courageous IAF air warriors and their families on the Indian Air Force Day. The IAF is known for its valour, excellence, performance and professionalism. India is proud of its men and women in blue. Wishing them blue skies and happy landings,” Singh tweeted.

The IAF will conduct an hour-long air show at the lake with participation by nearly 80 military aircraft and helicopters, including the recently inducted indigenously-built Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) “Prachand” will showcase their aerial prowess during the fly-past.

It is for the first time that the IAF decided to hold its annual Air Force Day parade and fly-past outside the Delhi NCR. The Chief of Air Staff will unveil the new pattern of combat uniform for IAF personnel, officials said on Friday.

Light Combat Helicopter Limited Series Production (LSP) is an indigenously designed, developed and manufactured state-of-the-art modern combat helicopter containing approximately 45 per cent indigenous content by value which will progressively increase to more than 55 per cent for the SP Version.

The new chopper is capable of aerial combat and will help the force combat slow-moving aircraft, drones and armored columns during conflicts. Besides LCH ‘Prachand’, several other aircraft including Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, Sukhoi, Mig-29, Jaguar, Rafale, IL-76, C-130J and Hawk will be part of the fly-past.

Among helicopters, Advanced Light Helicopter Dhruv, Chinook, Apache and Mi-17 will be part of the aerial display.

Also, on the eve of Air Force Day 2022, the Chief of Defence Staff and the three Service Chiefs laid wreaths at the National War Memorial, paying homage to those who made the supreme sacrifice in service of the nation.

Air Force Day marks the official induction of the Indian Air Force (IAF) in 1932. Every year, the day is celebrated in the presence of the Indian Air Force chief and senior officers.

The Air Force was officially raised as the supporting force of the Royal Air Force of the United Kingdom in 1932 and the first operational squadron was created in 1933.

Major operations undertaken by the IAF include Operation Vijay, Operation Meghdoot, Operation Cactus and Operation Poomalai since 1950.

Maharashtra: Bus caught fire in Nashik; 11 dead, 38 injured

By
ANI
-
Nashik Bus Fire
Image: PTI

At least eleven people are feared dead, including one minor and 38 were injured after a bus caught fire in Maharashtra’s Nashik on Friday night, said the city police.

Injured people have been taken to hospital, as per the police. “We are still trying to ascertain the exact number of deaths with the doctor’s confirmation,” Nashik Police said.

Earlier, eight people were reported dead.

Further details are awaited.

Harbhajan Singh alleges illegal activities by PCA, wrote letter to stakeholders

By
ANI
-
Harbhajan Singh PCA Illegal Activities
Image: PTI

Former India cricketer Harbhajan Singh has alleged illegal activities by the Punjab Cricket Association and has apprised the stakeholders about it. The Indian cricketing legend is the chief advisor to PCA.

“For the last week or ten days, I have been receiving numerous complaints from cricket lovers in Punjab and several stakeholders that the PCA under the present President is resorting to a lot of illegal activities which is against transparency and the spirit of cricket administration. I learnt that yesterday, complaints in this regard have been lodged with the Ombudsman,” Harbhajan Singh wrote in his letter to stakeholders.

Harbhajan Singh is also a member of the Rajya Sabha. Harbhajan has requested to stop the illegal activities immediately to restore the integrity of the Punjab Cricket Association.

“These are against the BCCI Constitution, guidelines of the PCA and the violation of transparency and ethical norms in the administration of sports bodies. To hide their illegal activities, they are not organizing formal meetings of the PCA and are taking all the decisions suo moto which serve their selfish motives,” further wrote in that letter.

Harbhajan Singh has played 103 Tests, 236 ODIs and 28 T20Is for India. The off-spinner has taken 417 wickets in Tests, 269 wickets in ODIs and 25 wickets in T20Is. The Turbanator is also a member of the 2007 T20 World Cup-winning team and also played an integral role in the 2011 50-over World Cup.

The legendary spinner announced his retirement from international cricket in 2020. He was honored alongwith Yuvraj Singh by naming stands after them in Mohali during the first T20I against Australia as both the cricketers played junior cricket for Punjab before making it to the India U-19 and then into the senior national team.

Delhi High Court agrees to allow Sikh candidates wear kara, kirpan for govt exam

By
ANI
-
Delhi High Court Sik Candidates Exams
Image: PTI

The Delhi Subordinate Services Selection Board (DSSSB) on Friday informed the Division bench of the Delhi High Court that it has issued revised guidelines that allow Sikh candidates who want to appear in the examination while wearing kara and/or kirpan.

DSSSB also informed that it has decided to allow Sikh candidates to appear in examinations with kara (matelic bangle) or kirpan subject to them arriving at the examination Centre at least one hour prior to the reporting time.

However, the board also apprised the bench that if during the screening any candidate is found carrying objectionable/suspicious article, he or she will not be permitted to sit in the concerned examination.

After taking note of the submissions made by DSSSB, the Bench headed by Chief Justice Satish Chander Sharma also comprising Justice Subramonium Prasad devised to dispose of the matter.

The Division bench was hearing the petition initiated by Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC). The court while deciding to dispose of the case also notes that if the candidate fails to appear less than 1 hour prior to reporting time, Kara/kirpan cannot be allowed inside the exam hall.

Earlier in July months of this year, the Single bench of Justice Rekha Palli had said that, it is expected that not only the DSSSB but all other recruiting agencies who conduct similar examinations will take appropriate steps in this regard well before the conduct of the examinations.

The Court was dealing with a plea challenging the denial of entry to a Sikh woman, for an exam being conducted by DSSSB, for the reason of her wearing a kara.

The DSGMC earlier also wrote a letter to Union Government and Delhi Government in this regard and stated, “Article 25 of the Constitution guarantees the freedom of religion to all but it is often violated. In many instances, it has come to our notice that students wearing ‘Kirpans’ and ‘Karas’ were not permitted to sit inside the examination hall and were asked by authorities to remove them.”

India rescues 50 from Myanmar, 80 from Cambodia from fake job racket

By
ANI
-
Fake Job Racket India Rescue
Image: Twitter / Arindam Bagchi

Around 50 people from Myanmar and 80 from Cambodia who were held captive in fake job rackets have been rescued, India said on Friday and added a word of caution asking citizens to remain extremely careful of dubious jobs they accept.

“Around 50 people have been rescued so far. We are trying to get back others too. We do not have the exact number of people captive in Myanmar. We are in touch with many Indians there,” MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said on Indians stuck in Myanmar.

He further added that some of these have been released from Myanmar’s captivity and some are with Myanmar police as they entered the country illegally. Over instances of similar job rackets in Laos and Cambodia, Bagchi said that our Embassies in Vientiane, Phnom Penh and Bangkok have been helping in repatriating people from there.

“We have issued advisories in this regard. Our embassy in Phnom Penh has issued advisories. I would like to reiterate to everyone to be extremely careful what kind of dubious jobs you accept because once you are stuck there it gets very difficult to bring you back safely. This is a word of caution,” Bagchi noted.

“Around 80 people have been rescued from Cambodia but it is an evolving number,” he added. Earlier, India on Wednesday said that it has rescued around 45 Indians trapped in fake job rackets in Myanmar.

The information was shared by the spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Arindam Bagchi who reiterated that India has been actively pursuing the case of Indians being trapped in fake job rackets in Myanmar.

“Thanks to the efforts of @IndiainMyanmar & @IndiainThailand, around 32 Indians had already been rescued. Another 13 Indian citizens have now been rescued, and reached Tamil Nadu today,” Bagchi had tweeted.

He also said that some more Indian citizens have been rescued from their fake employers and are in the custody of Myanmar authorities and legal formalities have been initiated for their return.

“Some more Indian citizens have been rescued from their fake employers and are in custody of Myanmar authorities for illegal entry into that country. Legal formalities have been initiated to get them repatriated at the earliest,” added Bagchi.

The spokesperson further stated that the details of agents allegedly involved in this job racket have been shared with relevant authorities in various states in India for appropriate action. “Sincere gratitude to all the agencies for ongoing cooperation in rescuing Indian nationals stuck in Cambodia,” tweeted India in Cambodia.

Bagchi further warned Indian citizens to cross-check before accepting dubious employment offers overseas and apply extreme caution against such jobs. Earlier in September, in an advisory to Indian citizens, the MEA had cautioned IT skilled youth who were the targets of such fake job rackets.

“Instances of fake job rackets offering lucrative jobs to entice Indian youths for the posts of ‘Digital Sales and Marketing Executives’ in Thailand by dubious IT firms involved in the call-centre scam and crypto-currency fraud have come to our notice recently by our Missions in Bangkok and Myanmar. The target groups are IT skilled youth who are duped in the name of lucrative data entry jobs in Thailand through social media advertisements as well as by Dubai and India-based agents,” read the MEA statement.

The victims were reportedly taken across the border illegally mostly into Myanmar and held captive to work under harsh conditions. “Indian nationals are advised not to get entrapped in such fake job offers being floated through social media platforms or other sources. Before travelling on tourist/visit visa for employment purposes, Indian nationals are advised to check/verify credentials of foreign employers through concerned Missions abroad, and antecedents of recruiting agents as well as any company before taking up any job offer,” added the statement.

1...402403404...5,577Page 403 of 5,577