After an 18-month hiatus, Chinese President Xi Jinping has appointed senior diplomat Xu Feihong as the new ambassador to India. The appointment comes at a critical time, with ongoing border tensions between the two countries. Meet Xu Feihong Xu Feihong, a 60-year-old seasoned diplomat, was serving as assistant minister for financial and administrative affairs in the Chinese foreign ministry prior to his appointment. With 37 years of experience in diplomacy, Xu has held various diplomatic posts, including ambassadorships to Afghanistan and Romania. Background and Specialisation While Xu’s tenure in South Asia was limited to his ambassadorship in Afghanistan from 2010…
Author: Rudra Pratap Singh
In the midst of diplomatic tensions between India and the Maldives, the archipelago nation’s Tourism Minister, Ibrahim Faisal, issues a heartfelt appeal to Indian tourists. As the Maldives grapples with a significant decline in Indian tourist arrivals, Faisal’s plea underscores the importance of maintaining strong bilateral ties and revitalizing the Maldivian tourism industry. The Plea for Harmony Faisal’s impassioned plea urges Indian tourists to continue visiting the Maldives despite the strained relations between the two countries. He emphasizes the historical ties between India and the Maldives and assures Indian visitors of a warm welcome. The Decline in Tourist Arrivals Derogatory…
In a move that has escalated tensions amidst the ongoing war in Gaza, Israeli authorities have enforced a closure of Al Jazeera’s offices in Jerusalem. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the cabinet’s decision, citing the broadcaster’s alleged threat to national security—a claim vehemently denied by Al Jazeera. The raid on the Qatari broadcaster’s office at the Ambassador hotel in Jerusalem was conducted by police on Sunday, resulting in the confiscation of equipment. Israel’s Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi publicised the raid with a video showing the police action. Despite the government’s decision, which was broadcasted via the Israeli satellite service Yes,…
Once again, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) finds itself grappling with the wrath of nature as heavy rainfall and thunderstorms sweep across the region, causing widespread disruption and prompting authorities to take swift action to mitigate the impact. Recurring Storms: Echoes of Recent Chaos Just two weeks after Dubai experienced unprecedented storms that brought life to a standstill, the UAE faces another bout of extreme weather. The National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) has been closely monitoring the situation, heightened by memories of the chaos unleashed by the previous downpour. Flight Disruptions: International Travel Affected International flights bear…
Renowned economist Sanjeev Sanyal recently highlighted the critical importance of policies and reforms in fueling India’s economic growth trajectory. In a podcast titled SparX, Sanyal emphasized that India’s current economic momentum is not a matter of chance but a result of deliberate efforts and structural reforms implemented over the past decade, particularly under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Economic Growth: A Result of Earned Efforts Sanyal’s remarks underscored the fundamental principle that economic growth is not inherent but earned through effective policies and governance. He dismissed the notion of growth as a “God-given” phenomenon, emphasizing that sustained growth…
The hallowed halls of academia have become the battleground for a clash of ideologies at Columbia University, where a Gaza Solidarity Encampment has sparked a heated debate over free speech, campus policies, and the rights of students to peacefully protest. As tensions escalate and negotiations falter, the university’s decision to suspend students participating in the protest has drawn widespread attention and criticism, raising profound questions about the limits of dissent and the role of universities in fostering dialogue and engagement. The genesis of the controversy lies in the encampment, a symbol of solidarity with Palestine amid Israel’s ongoing war on…
In a candid and exclusive interview with News18, Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a poignant message that resonated far beyond the political corridors of power. With Mumbai standing as the economic heartbeat of India, Modi’s impassioned plea for stability in Maharashtra struck a chord with citizens and policymakers alike, underscoring the imperative of safeguarding Mumbai’s economic future amidst the tumult of political upheaval.The Prime Minister’s words carried a weighty significance, as he drew a sobering parallel between the rise and fall of Kolkata, once a bastion of economic prowess, now a cautionary tale of political mismanagement. Modi’s warning reverberated with…
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak finds himself at the center of a political storm, as speculation swirls regarding the possibility of an early general election amidst a turbulent period for the Conservative Party. Against the backdrop of a damaging defection by one of his own MPs and looming local elections, Sunak’s refusal to categorically rule out a July poll has set tongues wagging and political pundits speculating.The defection of Dan Poulter, a doctor and Member of Parliament for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, to the Opposition Labour Party has dealt a significant blow to Sunak’s government. Poulter’s decision to switch…
The recent tumultuous events surrounding Kotak Mahindra Bank have shaken the foundations of the financial world, sparking a cascade of repercussions that reverberate far beyond the confines of the trading floor. The bank’s share price, once buoyed by investor confidence and bullish market sentiment, now finds itself in freefall, plummeting by a staggering 10.85% to close at ₹1,643 levels on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) on Thursday. This precipitous decline comes hot on the heels of a seismic regulatory intervention by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), which has barred Kotak Mahindra Bank from onboarding new customers via online and…
In the sprawling expanse of southern China, multiple days of relentless rainfall have plunged the region into chaos. The once vibrant landscapes now lie submerged beneath murky floodwaters, as deadly torrents sweep through villages and towns, leaving destruction and despair in their wake. At the heart of this unfolding tragedy is Guangdong province, an economic powerhouse and home to over 127 million people. Here, the relentless deluge has forced more than 110,000 individuals to flee their homes, seeking refuge from the rising waters that threaten to upend their lives. The toll of this disaster is measured not only in human…
