Latest news with #CONTINUES
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
4 days ago
- Business
- First Post
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy visits India on June 7-8 to strengthen bilateral ties
During his two-day visit, Lammy is scheduled to hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, and meet External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar at Hyderabad House. read more In a further move to strengthen UK-India ties, David Lammy MP, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom, will visit India from June 7 to 8 this year. During his two-day visit, Lammy is scheduled to hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg and meet External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar at Hyderabad House. He will also engage with Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal at the British High Commission. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
6 days ago
- General
- First Post
Our galaxy can breathe easy: Milky Way may not collide with Andromeda, says new research
The study still indicates a small chance, around 2 per cent, of a direct collision between Milky Way and Andromeda in 4 to 5 billion years. However, humanity will have long ceased to exist by then read more Recent research based on data from the Hubble and ESA's Gaia space telescopes has cast doubts over the long-standing prediction about the collision and merger of the Milky Way with the Andromeda galaxy. The findings suggest that this event is far less certain than previously believed by astronomers and experts. Only 50% chance of collision in next 10 bn years By carefully considering uncertainties in current measurements and including the gravitational effects of nearby galaxies (the Large Magellanic Cloud, which is a massive satellite galaxy currently merging with the Milky Way, and M33, or the Triangulum Galaxy, which orbits Andromeda), researchers discovered that in approximately half of their Monte-Carlo simulations, the Milky Way and Andromeda do not merge within the next 10 billion years. This means there is only about a 50 per cent chance of the two galaxies merging in the next 10 billion years. The galaxy images provided illustrate three potential scenarios for encounters between the Milky Way and Andromeda. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In the top left panel, a wide-field Digitised Sky Survey (DSS) image of galaxies M81 and M82 exemplifies the Milky Way and Andromeda passing each other at large distances. The top right panel shows NGC 6786, a pair of interacting galaxies exhibiting signs of tidal disturbances after a close encounter. The bottom panel displays NGC 520, depicting two galaxies actively merging in a cosmic collision. Animations predicting the collision of these two galaxies in about 4 billion years, followed by their merger 2 billion years later, do not account for uncertainties in various measured parameters. Only 2% chance of direct collision in 5 bn years The study still indicates a small chance, around 2 per cent, of a direct collision between the galaxies in 4 to 5 billion years. However, humanity will have long ceased to exist by then, as the Sun will have rendered Earth uninhabitable in roughly 1 billion years. This differs from previous analysis, which claimed the two galaxies would collide and create cosmic fireworks because they are moving towards each other at a pace of 2,24,000 miles per hour.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
6 days ago
- Business
- First Post
How Pakistan's ‘Islamic solidarity' ploy to stop Indian delegation's visit to Malaysia failed
An Indian delegation led by JD(U) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha reached Kuala Lumpur on Saturday to hold 10 diplomatic outreach events following the launch of Operation Sindoor. Before the briefing, Pakistan reportedly asked Malaysian authorities to cancel all Operation Sindoor events by Indian delegations, citing Islamic solidarity and the Kashmir issue. However, the Malaysian government turned down the request and approved all programmes planned by the nine-member Indian team read more An Indian delegation led by JD(U) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha reached Kuala Lumpur on Saturday to hold 10 diplomatic outreach events following the launch of Operation Sindoor. This was the last leg of the delegation's tour , which also included visits to Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Indonesia. Now, reports suggest that Pakistan asked Malaysian authorities to call off all Operation Sindoor events planned by the Indian delegation. Islamabad is said to have raised the Kashmir issue and brought in a religious angle to back its demand. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD ALSO READ | Why Shashi Tharoor is 'disappointed' with Colombia's take on Operation Sindoor However, Malaysia is reported to have rejected the request, which is being viewed as a strong diplomatic setback for Islamabad. What exactly did Pakistan say in its appeal to Malaysia? How did Kuala Lumpur respond? And what message did the Indian delegation share about Operation Sindoor during their visit? Let's get you the answers to these questions and more. How Pakistan tried to block Indian outreach in Malaysia and failed Pakistan requested Malaysian authorities to call off all 'Operation Sindoor' outreach events by Indian delegations, citing Islamic unity. But Kuala Lumpur turned down the request, sources told NDTV and India Today TV. The Indian delegation was led by JD(U) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha and included BJP MPs Aparajita Sarangi, Brij Lal, Pradan Baruah and Hemang Joshi, Trinamool's Abhishek Banerjee , CPM's John Brittas, Congress leader Salman Khurshid, and former diplomat Mohan Kumar. This was the last leg of the delegation's tour, which also included visits to Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Indonesia. PTI Reports said Pakistan tried to derail the visit by bringing up the Kashmir issue. But the effort failed to make an impact. In a bid to appeal on religious grounds, the Pakistani embassy urged Malaysian officials to stop the delegation's 10 scheduled programmes. According to India Today, the request was: 'We are an Islamic country, you are an Islamic country… don't listen to the Indian delegation, cancel all their programmes in Malaysia.' All-Party Parliamentary Delegation, led by Hon'ble MP Mr. Sanjay Kumar Jha visited Torana Gate in Little India, Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur. The Torana Gate, a gift from people of India to the people of Malaysia inaugurated during the visit of Hon'ble Prime Minister @narendramodi… — India in Malaysia (@hcikl) June 1, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Despite the push, the Malaysian government declined the request and cleared all 10 events planned by the nine-member Indian team. India's Operation Sindoor outreach in Malaysia On Monday, India's all-party parliamentary team in Malaysia shared the country's firm stance against terrorism, indicating what it called the 'new normal' of responding strongly to any attack on Indian soil. The group met leaders of the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC), including its President Tan Sri Dato Sri SA Vigneswaran and Deputy President YB Datuk Seri M Saravanan. 'Highlighted India's unwavering stand against terrorism as demonstrated in Operation Sindoor. Conveyed India's new normal of responding firmly against any act of terror on Indian soil. @MIC_Malaysia expressed solidarity with India's position on the fight against cross-border terrorism,' the High Commission of India in Malaysia said in a post on X. The delegation also briefed major Malaysian think tanks and academic bodies such as the Asia Europe Institute, Economic Club of Kuala Lumpur, and Institute of Strategic and International Studies, focusing on the recent terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD On Tuesday, the Malaysian government thanked the Indian parliamentary delegation. PTI They described Operation Sindoor as a precise, calibrated and non-escalatory response, in line with India's 'zero-tolerance' approach towards terrorism. The mission said, 'India will no longer make a distinction between terrorists and the states that support them'. The delegation had earlier met members of Malaysia's Democratic Action Party, led by YB M. Kula Segaran, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform), as well as members of Parti Keadilan Rakyat. The All-Party Parliamentary Delegation, led by Hon'ble MP Mr. Sanjay Kumar Jha, paid a solemn tribute to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, a towering figure in India's struggle for independence at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Indian Culture Centre (NSCBICC) at Brickfields. The… — India in Malaysia (@hcikl) June 1, 2025 'Discussions centred on India's resolute response to terrorism under Operation Sindoor. There was emphasis on India's zero tolerance to terrorism, and the view that 'Water and blood cannot flow together',' the High Commission posted. The remarks referred to India's suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty following the Pahalgam attack. Notably, New Delhi has said the treaty will remain on hold unless Pakistan stops backing terror groups. Malaysia thanks Indian delegation On Tuesday, the Malaysian government thanked the Indian parliamentary delegation and reaffirmed its commitment to peace. The delegation's visit is part of a broader outreach under which India is sending multi-party teams to 33 capitals around the world to reveal Pakistan's terror links. What the Indian delegation told Malaysian leaders Speaking to news agency IANS, JD(U) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha said the all-party team conveyed four key points to Malaysian officials during their visit. 'Firstly, the all-party delegation sent by the government delivered a strong message that the entire country stands united on this issue against terrorism. Secondly, countries across the world unequivocally condemned the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and offered condolences to all 26 victims who died in the massacre. Thirdly, India only targeted terrorist centres and camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir with restraint and precision strikes. Fourth, flights have resumed in Jammu and Kashmir, apart from the Cabinet meeting being held in Pahalgam to review the situation on the ground,' Jha said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee made a strong statement and said that India should now engage with Pakistan solely on the issue of reclaiming Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). 'After what happened on April 22, where 26 people were killed at point-blank range solely based on their religion and gender… I want the ruling dispensation to engage in dialogue with Pakistan only to discuss reclaiming Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Otherwise, these terror attacks will continue,' Banerjee said. CPM's John Brittas said, 'Our mission was to sensitise other countries and convey the message that they must support India in its fight against terrorism.' With inputs from agencies
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
02-06-2025
- Politics
- First Post
Trump open to meeting Putin and Zelenskyy in Istanbul as Russia, Ukraine fail to reach ceasefire
Trump open to join a peace summit in Istanbul with Putin and Zelenskyy, as Russian and Ukrainian negotiators failed to agree on a ceasefire. The White House stressed Trump's attendance depends on both sides' serious commitment to peace, while fighting and stalemates continue to plague the conflict. read more US President Donald Trump is open to attending a proposed peace summit in Istanbul with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the White House announced on Monday, indicating a potential high-stakes diplomatic intervention as the war continues. 'The president has said he's open to it if it comes to that, but he wants both of these leaders and both sides to come to the table together," US Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said during a press briefing. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The announcement came as Russian and Ukrainian negotiators met in Istanbul for a second round of peace talks . While both sides agreed to a large-scale prisoner exchange, the talks failed to produce a breakthrough on a ceasefire. Ukrainian delegate Sergiy Kyslytsya said Moscow once again rejected Kyiv's proposal for an unconditional halt to hostilities. 'The Russian side continued to reject the motion of an unconditional ceasefire,' he told reporters following the discussions. Russia has consistently resisted ceasefire proposals it views as opportunities for Ukraine to regroup and resupply, particularly as Russian forces press forward in contested regions. After the talks, Russian state news agencies Tass and RIA Novosti published the text of the Russian memorandum, which suggested that Ukraine withdraw its forces from the four regions that Russia annexed in September 2022 but never fully captured as a condition for a ceasefire. As an alternate way of reaching a truce, the memorandum presses Ukraine to halt its mobilization efforts and freeze Western arms deliveries, conditions were suggested earlier by Russian President Vladimir Putin. The document also suggests that Ukraine stop any redeployment of forces and ban any military presence of third countries on its soil as conditions for halting hostilities. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Russian document further proposes that Ukraine end martial law and hold elections, after which the two countries could sign a comprehensive peace treaty that would see Ukraine declare its neutral status, abandon its bid to join NATO, set limits on the size of its armed forces and recognize Russian as the country's official language on par with Ukrainian. Ukraine and the West have previously rejected all those demands from Moscow. In other steps, the delegations agreed to swap 6,000 bodies of soldiers killed in action and to set up a commission to exchange seriously wounded troops. Earlier on Monday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan reiterated his offer to mediate directly between the warring parties and invited Trump to join a potential trilateral summit. 'My greatest wish is to bring both Vladimir Putin and Zelenskyy together in Istanbul or Ankara, and even to bring Mr. Trump to their side, if they accept,' Erdoğan said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD While no date has been set, Trump's openness to the invitation adds a new dimension to the stalled negotiations and could heighten pressure on Moscow and Kyiv to explore diplomatic off-ramps. The White House emphasised that Trump's participation would depend on 'genuine readiness' from all sides to seek a path toward peace. With inputs from agencies
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
02-06-2025
- Business
- First Post
China says US ‘severely' violated May trade truce on tariffs, vows retaliation
Beijing claims recent US actions, including halting sales of chip design software to Chinese firms, advising against using Huawei-made chips, and cancelling visas for Chinese students, violate the terms of a recent trade truce read more China has accused the US of breaching its art of the two nations' agreement on trade. Representational Image China on Monday (June 2) accused the United States of 'severely violating' a recent trade truce and pledged to take strong measures to defend its interests. The Ministry of Commerce said Washington had 'seriously undermined' the agreement reached in May during talks in Geneva, where both countries agreed to lower tariffs on each other's goods. The ministry also cited a breach of consensus from a January phone call between President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Tariff troubles remain The US had reduced tariffs on Chinese imports from 145 per cent to 30 per cent, while China lowered its tariffs on American goods from 125 per cent to 10 per cent. However, Beijing claims recent US actions, including halting sales of chip design software to Chinese firms, advising against using Huawei-made chips, and cancelling visas for Chinese students, violate the terms of the deal. President Trump said Friday (May 30) that China had 'totally violated its agreement with us,' without providing specifics. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer later stated that China had failed to remove non-tariff barriers as agreed, BBC reported. Xi, Trump expected to hold talks soon Despite escalating tensions, Treasury Secretary Bessent and National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett indicated that Xi and Trump could hold talks this week. Both officials said the leaders are willing to engage, though no date has been confirmed. The Trump administration had shifted focus toward negotiating tariffs with other major trading partners including India, Japan, and the European Union, after trade talks with China stalled . Last week, Trump announced plans to double tariffs on steel and aluminum imports to 50 per cent, citing the need to bolster domestic industry and reduce reliance on China. The fragile nature of the current truce shows the challenges in achieving a long-term trade agreement between the world's two largest economies. With inputs from agencies
