&w=3840&q=100)
India closes airspace for Pakistan-operated aircraft, airlines, military flights
Six days after Pakistan blocked Indian flights from its airspace, India has responded in kind by taking a similar move. India has issued a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) on Wednesday, closing its airspace for Pakistan-operated aircraft, airlines and military flights.
This follows rising tensions after a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, where 26 tourists were killed by terrorists. The attack was religiously motivated and happened shortly after a provocative speech by Pakistan's army chief, General Asim Munir.
(More to follow)

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Indian Express
6 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Nepal stand on trade through Lipulekh not justified: MEA
A day after India and China agreed to the re-opening of border trade through the three designated points, Nepal has objected to the border trade through Lipulekh Pass. Nepal has disputed the Indian claim over Lipulekh in the past. Nepal PM K P Sharma Oli had in 2020 opposed it, passing a map in Parliament, showing the area as part of Nepal. In response to Nepal's stand, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, 'Border trade between India and China through Lipulekh pass commenced in 1954 and has been going on for decades… such claims are neither justified nor based on… evidence.' He said that India remains open to constructive interaction on resolving the boundary issues.


Hindustan Times
6 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Review: Asia After Europe by Sugata Bose
In college, a professor often went on diatribes against Eurocentrism, the practice of viewing the world through the lens of the hegemonic West. While he earnestly taught us the prescribed syllabus for philosophy students, he bemoaned its overwhelming focus on Western philosophy at the expense of, say, Indian, Arab, or Chinese thought. The Asian future: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the G20 Summit in New Delhi on September 9, 2023. (HT Photo) 288pp, ₹699; Harvard University Press However, even as he exhorted us to be aware of our Western blinkers, he acknowledged the impossibility of completely discarding them within our current modes of knowledge production and dissemination. After all, he was railing in English, the link language for us students from across India. But in doing so, he left us with an appreciation of the assumptions that constitute the bedrock of our worldview, what kinds of knowledge we privilege, and the indigenous thinkers and systems we remain unaware of. While this idea has a long lineage in academic circles, it has not always filtered down to the public sphere. In some cases, it has done so in a rather perverse manner. Take the case of the Indian extremists who use the idea of 'decolonisation' to justify parochialism and subjugate minorities. Ironically, their worldview and ideals derive heavily from European fascist ideology. So, in the very act of highlighting their identity in opposition to the West, they adopt European frameworks of identity and nationalism. That is why I think my professor would have approved of Sugata Bose's Asia After Europe: Imagining a Continent in the Long Twentieth Century. Through the works of scholars and political leaders across Asia and the interactions between them, it explores their visions of Asian solidarity and universalism, and the evolution of Asian thought, politics, and art. They not only challenged European colonial precepts, but also conceptualised alternatives to dominant European narratives and debates. In the book, we encounter Okakura Tenshin, José Rizal, Jamaluddin al-Afghani, and Benoy Kumar Sarkar, among other luminaries of the 20th century and earlier. These names might not be as familiar to non-scholars as some of the more notable ones who figure in Bose's account, such as Rabindranath Tagore and Chiang Kai-shek. Yet, they are no less fascinating. Rizal was a Filipino writer and nationalist, whom the Spanish colonial government executed in 1896. He became a unifying symbol of Asian resistance against Western imperialist domination. Okakura, a Japanese art critic and champion of Asian unity, travelled to India and had close links with Swami Vivekananda and Rabindranath Tagore. Al-Afghani, born in Iran, was a 'proponent of Islamic fraternity rather than Asian solidarity', though Bose emphasises that there was significant overlap between the two. Al-Afghani travelled across West and South Asia, and in the latter, stressed Hindu-Muslim unity against the British. Sarkar, an 'energetic, globe-trotting Indian intellectual', visited China and Japan, met intellectuals and politicians there, and extensively documented his journeys and geopolitical insights. The book succinctly captures attempts to forge an Asian identity and consciousness, visions of Asian solidarity, and the schisms caused by intra-Asian wars and conflicts. It provides a refreshing account of Asian histories in relation to each other, often without the Western lens that most works on the continent adopt. Asia has now bypassed other regions as the largest producer, exporter, importer, and consumer of goods. With many heralding the 21st century as the Asian century, Bose's book highlights what potential connections and collaborations between Asian nations could look like. He also explores what it would take for the continent to chart a future that 'expands and not destroys the aspirations of humanity'. In the preface, the author says that he has written the book 'in an accessible literary style for a broad readership'. Indeed, interesting anecdotes, such as about Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru rushing to help Chinese First Lady Madame Chiang put on her shoes during a visit to Shantiniketan, make Bose's historical exploration and arguments engaging. While the book largely eschews jargon and does not require an intimate knowledge of 20th-century history, it would have been good if it had provided more context for the non-scholar. Take, for example, the idea of Asia vis-a-vis Europe. While European nations' collective participation in the European Union and free movements across borders in the Schengen zone have lately reinforced the notion of the continent as a unified entity, it is an idea with a long history. Of course, plenty of myth-making and propaganda over centuries have helped shape it. For example, Europeans assert their antecedence in Greek and Roman empires, while conveniently glossing over how Arab scholars mediated their engagement with these civilisations. They claim the continent is built on Enlightenment ideals (natural law, liberty, rationalism, tolerance, etc.) despite their history of colonisation and perpetuating atrocities on the rest of the world. So, while the notion of Europe might be perverted and self-serving, there is some narrative underpinning it, no matter how flawed. What would an analogous conception of Asia look like? Can one find — or invent — common features among its disparate nations? Are there any unifying links between countries thousands of miles apart, say, Japan and Jordan? There are no clear answers, more so given that the idea of Asia as a singular landmass is also an arbitrary European construct. Historian Sugata Bose (Samir Jana/HT Photo) Nevertheless, the author explores several responses to these questions, such as Sarkar's 'three-fold basis of Asiatic Unity' and pan-Asian art and cultural initiatives, among others. While these are quite illuminating, I wish he had further investigated the meta-critiques regarding what constitutes Asia, especially the continent's conceptions that do not merely rely on Europe as a frame of reference. Besides, the book predominantly focuses on Japan, India, and China, with only fleeting references to the other countries that make up the continent. Would an idea of Asia defined largely by these three regional powers be representative of the entire region? Or would it replicate the hegemonic influence of wealthy western European nations over the idea of Europe? A deeper exploration of these debates would have helped better contextualise Bose's cogent and insightful account. Syed Saad Ahmed is a journalist and communications professional. In 2024, he was selected as a Boston Congress of Public Health Thought Leadership Fellow. He speaks five languages and has taught English in France.


Business Standard
32 minutes ago
- Business Standard
How Go4Explore Is Powering the Gen Z Travel Revolution in India
VMPL New Delhi [India], August 20: Travel has become more than a leisure activity for India's youth--it has become a lifestyle, a statement, and a path to self-discovery. Riding this wave of change, Go4Explore has emerged as one of the most dynamic youth-centric travel platforms, inspiring Gen Z to explore the world in ways that are adventurous, meaningful, and community-driven. Founded with the vision of making authentic travel experiences accessible to all, Go4Explore is bridging the gap between traditional travel agencies and the new-age demands of young travelers. From budget-friendly backpacking adventures to immersive cultural experiences and curated group trips, the platform is enabling Indian youth to embrace the freedom of exploration without the constraints of conventional travel. Transforming the Travel Culture for Gen Z Unlike older generations who prioritized luxury or convenience, Gen Z seeks authenticity, connections, and memorable stories. Go4Explore has tapped into this cultural shift by: * Curating Offbeat Journeys - From hidden Himalayan villages to unexplored coastal escapes, the company takes travelers beyond the usual tourist map. * Fostering a Vibrant Community - Through group expeditions, treks, and digital communities, Go4Explore connects like-minded travelers, transforming solo journeys into lifelong friendships. * Balancing Affordability with Experience - Understanding that Gen Z values smart spending, the platform offers cost-effective packages without compromising on adventure or safety. * Promoting Sustainability - By encouraging eco-conscious practices, local collaborations, and responsible tourism, Go4Explore is building a travel culture that respects both nature and communities. Building India's Youth Travel Movement Go4Explore has grown from being just a travel brand into a youth movement. Today, thousands of young Indians choose Go4Explore not just for its trips, but for the sense of belonging it creates. Be it solo backpackers discovering themselves, students looking for quick getaways, or professionals seeking to break away from urban chaos, the platform caters to diverse travel aspirations. A spokesperson from Go4Explore shared, "Travel is no longer about ticking destinations off a list--it's about experiences that shape identity, relationships, and perspectives. Gen Z is at the heart of this shift, and Go4Explore is proud to be their trusted partner in making every journey count." Looking Ahead With India witnessing a surge in experiential and youth-led travel, Go4Explore is scaling rapidly. The company is expanding its itineraries across India and international destinations, offering flexible travel plans and strengthening its digital presence. Its community-first approach ensures that every trip becomes more than a journey--it becomes a story worth sharing. As the travel industry evolves, Go4Explore's focus on authenticity, inclusivity, and sustainability positions it as a trailblazer for India's Gen Z travelers. By redefining the meaning of exploration, the brand is not just organizing trips--it is powering a generational revolution in travel. About Go4Explore Go4Explore is India's ultimate youth travel partner, specializing in adventurous, offbeat, and community-driven travel experiences. With a mission to inspire Gen Z to explore the world on their own terms, the platform blends affordability, safety, and unforgettable memories. From backpacking across India to global expeditions, Go4Explore is creating a movement that celebrates freedom, exploration, and community.