President Droupadi Murmu on Friday unveiled the trophies of Durand Cup Tournament 2025 at a ceremony held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre.
The 2025 edition of the Durand Cup will be held from July 23 to August 23 across six venues in West Bengal, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, and Jharkhand.
Organised by the Eastern Command of the Indian Army on behalf of the three Services, the tournament features matchups between Services teams and some of India’s top football clubs. In recent editions, the Durand Cup has also witnessed international participation, with Army teams from neighbouring countries joining the competition.
Speaking at the event, the President emphasized the unifying power of sports, highlighting how they promote discipline, determination, and team spirit.
“Sports have the unique power to connect people, regions, and countries. In India, they serve as a powerful tool for national integration,” she said, noting the collective pride felt when the Indian tricolour is raised at international events.
Highlighting the enduring popularity of football, President Murmu said the sport is more than a game – it is a passion that inspires millions. “Football is about strategy, endurance, and teamwork. Events like the Durand Cup nurture this spirit and provide a vital platform for emerging talent,” she added.
She also lauded the role of the Armed Forces in sustaining and promoting the legacy of the Durand Cup, Asia’s oldest football tournament, which continues to play a key role in developing the sport in India.
Harts Road is closed following a serious crash this evening.
Police were called to the Harts Road and Leeston and Lake Roads intersection at around 7.40pm after a report of a vehicle colliding with two pedestrians.
There are reports of serious injuries.
The road is closed while emergency services are at the scene.
Motorists are advised to avoid the area and expect delays.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Deloitte China announced 75 winners of the 2025 China’s Best Managed Companies awards program in Beijing on July 4. The combined 2024 revenue of the winners hit approximately 3.2 trillion yuan.
Among those awarded, 12 are new winners, 13 platinum winners have received the award for seven consecutive years, 11 companies have won for five consecutive years and 6 for six consecutive years, with 33 other consecutive-year winners.
“The winning companies this year cover multiple industries including consumer, industrial manufacturing, technology, life sciences, energy, real estate, education, and finance,” said Zhao Jian, lead partner of the Deloitte China BMC Program. “The BMC program is not only a long-standing selection activity but also a platform and window for showcasing excellent enterprises.”
Wang Tuoxuan, Deloitte China North & West China managing partner said this year’s BMC results demonstrate the strong vitality and adaptability of outstanding private enterprises under pressure.
“China’s private economy is at a critical juncture of shifting growth drivers and enhancing resilience,” said Wang. Despite complex and changing external challenges, a group of outstanding private enterprises have been embracing change, internalizing the national strategic direction of high-quality development, and accelerating new quality productive forces as the core driver for their transformation and upgrading.
As co-organizer and strategic academic partner of the BMC program, Professor Hui Kai-Lung, acting dean of HKUST Business School, added. “The deep resonance between excellent management practices and business education innovation is reshaping the growth paradigm of Chinese enterprises. These companies are not only industry benchmarks but also living textbooks for business education.”
“2025 is the final year of the 14th Five-Year Plan and the planning year for the 15th Five-Year Plan,” said Liu Xiao, co-publisher of Harvard Business Review China (Chinese edition) in his interpretation of the BMC list. “Facing the dual challenges of global value chain restructuring and accelerating technological revolution, enterprises not only need technological breakthroughs, innovation in production factors, and deep industrial transformation and upgrading, but also a corresponding paradigm shift in development to foster the emergence of new quality productive forces.”
With a history of 32 years and a network spanning nearly 50 countries and regions, BMC is co-launched by Deloitte, Bank of Singapore, HKUST Business School and Harvard Business Review, with an aim to find companies with systematic and excellent management capabilities.
Archaeologists on Thursday unveiled a 3,500-year-old city in Peru that likely served as a trading hub linking Pacific coast cultures with those in the Andes and Amazon, flourishing around the same time as early civilizations in the Middle East and Asia.
Drone footage released by researchers shows the city center is marked by a circular structure on a hillside terrace, with remains of stone and mud buildings constructed some 600 meters (1,970 feet) above sea level.
The urban center, named Peñico, is located in the northern Barranca province and was founded between 1,800 and 1,500 BC. It is close to where the Caral civilization, the oldest in the Americas, developed 5,000 years ago.
Caral, comprised of 32 monumental structures, is considered a contemporary of civilizations in Egypt, India, Sumeria and China. However, unlike them, it developed in complete isolation, according to researchers.
Ruth Shady, the archaeologist who led the research into Peñico, said the newly unveiled city is key because experts believe it emerged after the Caral civilization was devastated by climate change.
“They were situated in a strategic location for trade, for exchange with societies from the coast, the highlands and the jungle,” Shady said.
Archaeologist Marco Machacuay, a researcher with the Ministry of Culture, said at a news conference that Peñico’s importance lies in it being the continuation of the Caral society.
After eight years of studies, researchers have identified up to 18 structures in Penico, including ceremonial temples and residential complexes.
The walls of a central plaza stand out for their sculptural reliefs and depictions of the pututu, a conch shell trumpet whose sound carries over long distances.
In other buildings, researchers found clay sculptures of human and animal figures, ceremonial objects and necklaces made from beads and seashells, they added.
Peru is a center of ancient cultures and home to archaeological sites such as the Inca ruins of Machu Picchu in Cusco and the mysterious Nazca lines located in the desert region along the country’s central coast.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Trinidad and Tobago this week highlights India’s efforts to deepen ties with the Caribbean nation. The partnership, built on historical connections dating back nearly two centuries, now spans development cooperation, trade, digital payments, and cultural exchange.
Trade and Investment: Unlocking New Opportunities
The Trade Agreement signed between India and Trinidad and Tobago in January 1997, which grants Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to each other, has laid a strong foundation for expanding economic ties. Trinidad and Tobago’s strategic economic role in the Caribbean, supported by bilateral and regional trade agreements, offers Indian exporters a gateway to the wider Caribbean market and beyond.
Bilateral trade between the two nations has shown encouraging resilience and steady growth, rising from $264 million in 2020–21 to $341 million in 2024–25. India’s major exports to Trinidad and Tobago include vehicles and parts, iron and steel, pharmaceutical products, and plastic goods. In return, India imports mineral fuels and oils, bituminous substances, mineral waxes, iron and steel, ores and ash, and aluminium from Trinidad and Tobago.
A notable milestone came in 2024 when Trinidad and Tobago became the first Caribbean nation to adopt India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI). This step is set to enhance digital payments infrastructure and promote greater financial inclusion.
In recent years, India’s active participation in trade and investment conventions in Trinidad and Tobago has underlined the shared commitment to explore new opportunities. Sectors such as tourism, pharmaceuticals, information technology, renewable energy, and education are emerging as key areas for collaboration, signalling the growing potential of this bilateral economic partnership.
Strengthening Institutional Frameworks and Development Cooperation
The bilateral partnership between India and Trinidad and Tobago is anchored in institutional mechanisms such as the Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) and Foreign Office Consultations (FOC). The first JCM was held in 2011 in New Delhi, while the latest round of FOC took place in Port of Spain in August 2021, enabling both sides to chart the way forward for expanding collaboration.
India’s development partnership with Trinidad and Tobago has grown steadily in recent years. During the COVID-19 pandemic, India extended critical medical support by supplying 40,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine under the Vaccine Maitri initiative, along with essential medical equipment and aid.
Beyond healthcare, India’s assistance has strengthened other priority areas as well. A $1 million India-UNDP project supported the deployment of telemedicine and mobile healthcare robots in Trinidad and Tobago. An additional $1 million was allocated for agro-processing machinery to boost food processing capacity. In line with its commitment to regional food security, Indian cooperatives have also supplied rice and edible oil to the Caribbean nation.
Cultural Bonds: A Living Heritage
Cultural connections between the two countries remain vibrant, anchored by the Indian diaspora’s enduring ties to its ancestral roots. Hindi language education continues to flourish, with the support of Hindi teachers and local institutions. Nearly 300 students enrolled
President Donald Trump said Washington will start sending letters to countries on Friday specifying what tariff rates they will face on imports to the United States, a clear shift from earlier pledges to strike scores of individual deals.
Acknowledging the complexity of negotiating with over 170 nations, Trump told reporters before departing for Iowa on Thursday that the letters will be sent to 10 countries at a time, laying out tariff rates such as 20% to 30%.
“We have more than 170 countries, and how many deals can you make?” Trump said. “They’re very much more complicated.”
The Republican president said he expected “a couple” more detailed agreements with other countries after Wednesday’s announcement of a trade deal with Vietnam.
However, he said he preferred to notify most other countries of a specific tariff rate, skipping detailed negotiations.
Trump’s comments underscored the challenges of completing trade agreements on everything from tariffs to non-tariff barriers such as bans on agricultural imports.
Top Trump aides said in April they would work on 90 deals in 90 days, an ambitious goal that was met with skepticism from trade experts familiar with arduous and time-consuming trade deals of the past.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Bloomberg Television that about 100 countries are likely to see a reciprocal tariff rate of 10% and predicted a “flurry” of trade deals announced before a July 9 deadline when tariffs could rise sharply.
If 10% tariffs were given to 100 countries, that would be fewer than originally envisioned by the Trump administration.
Its original reciprocal tariff list showed 123 jurisdictions that would be given a 10% tariff rate – mostly small countries, along with some territories such as Australia’s uninhabited Heard and McDonald Islands.
Trump sent markets into a tailspin on April 2 with sweeping reciprocal tariff rates ranging from 10% to 50%, although he temporarily reduced the tariff rate for most countries to 10% to allow time for negotiations through July 9.
Many countries with an initial 10% duty rate have not had any negotiations with the Trump administration, with the exception of Britain, which reached a deal in May to keep a 10% rate and won preferential treatment for some sectors including autos and aircraft engines.
Major trading partners now involved in negotiations were hit with much higher tariff rates, including 20% for the European Union, 26% for India and 24% for Japan. Other countries that have not engaged in trade talks with the Trump administration face even higher reciprocal tariffs, including 50% for the tiny mountain kingdom of Lesotho, 47% for Madagascar and 36% for Thailand.
Trump on Wednesday announced an agreement with Vietnam that he said cuts U.S. tariffs on many Vietnamese goods to 20% from his previously threatened 46%. Many U.S. products would be allowed to enter Vietnam duty free.
The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting on Wednesday unveiled a draft policy aimed at reforming how television viewership is measured in India. Acknowledging that audiences now consume content across cable, DTH, smart TVs, mobile apps, and streaming platforms, the proposed guidelines seek to modernize the outdated Television Rating Points (TRP) system by allowing multiple agencies to operate alongside BARC.
Drafted amendments to the 2014 policy were released on July 2 and will undergo a 30-day public consultation. These changes are designed to remove restrictive provisions that have hindered competition, opening the field to new players and technologies. Notably, the Ministry plans to ease conflict-of-interest restrictions while strengthening the governance framework for rating organisations.
Currently, India’s television audience is measured through approximately 58,000 people-meters—just 0.025% of the estimated 230 million TV households—limiting the system’s ability to capture diverse viewing patterns. Additionally, the existing setup fails to track viewership across connected devices, a challenge in an era where mobile and smart TV consumption is rising rapidly.
To address these deficiencies, the draft amendments propose replacing stringent clauses that restrict advisory roles and confine broadcasters or advertisers from investing in rating agencies. By fostering a more competitive environment, the government hopes to facilitate technology upgrades, enhance data accuracy, and ensure TRP outcomes better reflect evolving audience preferences.
Stakeholders including viewers, broadcasters, and advertisers have been invited to submit feedback by the end of the consultation window via sobpl-moib@nic.in. The draft amendments and existing policy guidelines are accessible on the Ministry’s official website.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
TIANJIN, July 4 (Xinhua) — “It struck me with its beautiful, well-kept areas, where modernity and history are concentrated,” said Viktor Galanov, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of Belarus, who is taking part in a meeting in the northern Chinese city. According to him, the state is making “maximum efforts to maintain the environmental situation in such a large city.”
The sixth meeting of heads of ministries and departments of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states responsible for environmental protection was held in Tianjin on Thursday, July 3. “Cooperation for green, sustainable and low-emission development of the SCO member states” was its main theme. Following the meeting, the heads of delegations signed a joint statement and adopted the Initiative to Strengthen Cooperation between the SCO Member States in the Field of Sustainable Development.
SCO Deputy Secretary General Janesh Kane called these documents “important,” which, according to him, will not only facilitate a joint response to challenges in the field of ecology and the environment within the SCO, but will also have a positive impact on green global development.
Like V. Galanov, he paid tribute to China’s efforts to ensure sustainable development by combating pollution, improving air quality, large-scale afforestation, and combating desertification. China’s progress in these areas is enormous, the deputy secretary general noted.
“Our delegation recently visited the cities of Yinchuan and Beijing to get acquainted with and study China’s experience in the field of afforestation and combating desertification. We are also interested in implementing joint projects in the field of solid waste disposal. I would like to emphasize that China serves as an example of a systematic approach to environmental protection for us, and our country is striving to adapt these approaches in national policy,” said Deputy Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Kazakhstan Mansur Oshurbayev.
According to him, Tianjin, as one of the largest cities in China, has significant experience in combating air and water pollution, as well as waste management. “We hope to establish a partnership with the city of Tianjin in the field of urban ecology, digital monitoring of the environment, and attract investment and know-how to implement joint projects on green technologies,” Mansur Oshurbayev added.
Uzbekistan and China have established close cooperation in combating desertification, stated Aziz Abdukhakimov, Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of Uzbekistan. In his opinion, such cooperation facilitates the transfer of technologies and knowledge from China, which demonstrates high rates of development in the field of green economy, to the countries of Central Asia.
Most SCO countries have natural advantages in the field of green energy. They have rich resources of solar, wind and hydropower, noted Director General of the China-Eurasia Economic Cooperation Fund Lei Wentao. China, which is among the world leaders in the field of green energy technology and equipment production, is ready to cooperate to disseminate best practices and successful experience in this area. Work on the implementation of green energy projects is already underway in the regions of Central Asia and the Middle East, he said. -0-
A man in his 50s has died from lyssavirus in New South Wales after being bitten by a bat several months ago.
This is Australia’s fourth human case of bat lyssavirus and the first confirmed case in NSW since the virus was first identified in 1996 in a black flying fox in Queensland.
So what is lyssavirus? And how can you protect yourself if you come into contact with a bat?
A close relative of rabies
Australian bat lyssavirus belongs to the Rhabdoviridae family, the same group of viruses that causes rabies.
The virus has been confirmed in all four mainland flying fox species (Pteropus alecto, P. poliocephalus, P. scapulatus and P. conspicillatus) as well as the yellow-bellied sheathtail bat (Saccolaimus flaviventris), a species of microbat.
However, serological evidence – where scientists test for antibodies in bats’ blood – suggests other microbats could be susceptible too. So we should be cautious with all Australian bat species when it comes to lyssavirus.
Rare, but potentially deadly
Unlike rabies, which causes roughly 59,000 human deaths annually, predominantly in Africa and Asia, human infection with bat lyssavirus is extremely rare.
Australian bat lyssavirus, as the name suggests, is unique to Australia. But other bat lyssaviruses, such as European bat lyssavirus, have similarly caused rare human infections.
There’s no risk associated with bat faeces, urine, blood, or casual proximity to roosts.
If someone has been exposed, there’s an incubation period which can range from weeks to more than two years. During this time the virus slowly moves through the body’s nerves to the brain, staying hidden and symptom-free.
Treating the virus during the incubation period can prevent the illness. But if it’s not treated, symptoms are serious and it’s invariably fatal.
The nature of the illness in humans mirrors rabies, beginning with flu-like symptoms (fever, headache, fatigue), then quickly progressing to severe neurological disease, including paralysis, delirium, convulsions, and loss of consciousness. Death generally occurs within 1–2 weeks of symptom onset.
There’s no effective treatment once symptoms develop
If someone is potentially exposed to bat lyssavirus and seeks medical attention, they can be treated with post-exposure prophylaxis, consisting of rabies antibodies and the rabies vaccine.
This intervention is highly effective if initiated promptly – preferably within 48 hours, and no later than seven days post-exposure – before the virus enters the central nervous system.
But no effective treatment exists for Australian bat lyssavirus once symptoms develop. Emerging research on monoclonal antibodies offers potential future therapies, however these are not yet available.
So what’s the best protection? And what if a bat bites you?
Pre-exposure rabies vaccination, involving three doses over one month, is recommended for high-risk groups. This includes veterinarians, animal handlers, wildlife rehabilitators, and laboratory workers handling lyssaviruses.
It’s important for members of the public to avoid all direct contact with bats. Only vaccinated, trained professionals, such as wildlife carers or veterinarians, should handle bats.
Public education campaigns are essential to reduce risky interactions, especially in bat-populated areas.
If you get bitten or scratched by a bat, it’s vital to act immediately. Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water for at least 15 minutes, apply an antiseptic (such as betadine), and seek urgent medical attention.
This tragic case in NSW underscores that while extremely rare, bat lyssavirus is an important public health threat. We need to see enhanced public awareness and ensure vaccination for high-risk groups, alongside ongoing bat monitoring and research into new treatments.
Vinod Balasubramaniam does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
The Education Bureau announced today that the selection process for the fourth cohort under the School Nominations Direct Admission Scheme (SNDAS) is complete, with 335 students accepting university offers.
A total of 814 valid nominations were received from 420 secondary schools for the fourth cohort, the bureau said.
The eight University Grants Committee (UGC)-funded universities participating in the scheme then arranged interviews for the nominated students and carefully considered their merits.
Firm offers were made to 342 successful nominees prior to the release of this year’s Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) Examination results. Of these nominees, 335 accepted their offers and will begin studies in their chosen undergraduate programmes, across a wide spectrum of disciplines, in September.
Secretary for Education Choi Yuk-lin said she was pleased to note the encouraging results of the fourth cohort, in particular the continuing increase in the number of offers made to the nominees.
She thanked the secondary schools and universities for their support for the SNDAS as well as their recognition of students’ multifaceted talents, and for cultivating more talent for Hong Kong.
Ms Choi highlighted that talent in diversified skills and knowledge is the key to Hong Kong’s future development.
In addition to stressing that the Government has always placed great emphasis on nurturing young people, she added that it is striving to enhance the city’s education system and creating diverse opportunities for students to reach their full potential in different areas.
Separately, each of the eight UGC-funded universities will be invited to nominate SNDAS admittees demonstrating an outstanding performance in arts, sports and/or community service for awarding scholarships in addition to the firm offers made.
Additionally, to promote a culture of multifaceted excellence, the Home & Youth Affairs Bureau has launched the Multi-talent Development Scholarship for admittees of the SNDAS demonstrating outstanding achievements in arts, sports and/or community service on top of the firm offers made under the SNDAS.
Each awardee, not subject to means testing, will be granted a scholarship of $10,000 per year across his or her four-year tuition period.
The scheme’s fifth round will open to Secondary 6 students who will sit for the next HKDSE Examination and start their undergraduate studies in September 2026. Details will be announced in due course.
The Education Bureau announced today that the selection process for the fourth cohort under the School Nominations Direct Admission Scheme (SNDAS) is complete, with 335 students accepting university offers.
A total of 814 valid nominations were received from 420 secondary schools for the fourth cohort, the bureau said.
The eight University Grants Committee (UGC)-funded universities participating in the scheme then arranged interviews for the nominated students and carefully considered their merits.
Firm offers were made to 342 successful nominees prior to the release of this year’s Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) Examination results. Of these nominees, 335 accepted their offers and will begin studies in their chosen undergraduate programmes, across a wide spectrum of disciplines, in September.
Secretary for Education Choi Yuk-lin said she was pleased to note the encouraging results of the fourth cohort, in particular the continuing increase in the number of offers made to the nominees.
She thanked the secondary schools and universities for their support for the SNDAS as well as their recognition of students’ multifaceted talents, and for cultivating more talent for Hong Kong.
Ms Choi highlighted that talent in diversified skills and knowledge is the key to Hong Kong’s future development.
In addition to stressing that the Government has always placed great emphasis on nurturing young people, she added that it is striving to enhance the city’s education system and creating diverse opportunities for students to reach their full potential in different areas.
Separately, each of the eight UGC-funded universities will be invited to nominate SNDAS admittees demonstrating an outstanding performance in arts, sports and/or community service for awarding scholarships in addition to the firm offers made.
Additionally, to promote a culture of multifaceted excellence, the Home & Youth Affairs Bureau has launched the Multi-talent Development Scholarship for admittees of the SNDAS demonstrating outstanding achievements in arts, sports and/or community service on top of the firm offers made under the SNDAS.
Each awardee, not subject to means testing, will be granted a scholarship of $10,000 per year across his or her four-year tuition period.
The scheme’s fifth round will open to Secondary 6 students who will sit for the next HKDSE Examination and start their undergraduate studies in September 2026. Details will be announced in due course.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
A cache of 35 remarkably well-preserved wooden tools has been unearthed in southwest China, dating back around 300,000 years, offering new insights into early human technology in East Asia.
The discovery at the Gantangqing site in Yunnan Province, detailed in a study published Friday in the journal Science, marks the earliest known evidence of complex wooden tool technology in East Asia.
Alongside the wooden artifacts, a wealth of associated cultural relics, including stone implements, antler “soft hammers,” animal fossils and plant remains, was also found during the excavation.
According to an international research team, led by experts from the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology (IVPP) under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the wooden tools were mainly used for foraging plant roots and stems.
Although early humans have used wood for over a million years, wooden artifacts are quite rare in the archaeological record, particularly during the Early and Middle Pleistocene.
The research team determined that human activity at the site took place between 360,000 and 250,000 years ago, highlighting the diversity and complexity of early human production and survival strategies.
The wooden tools, mainly crafted from pine, bear cutting and scraping marks indicative of activities like branch pruning and shaping. Polished streaks and fractures at their tips further attest to their use.
Soil residues found on some tool tips contain plant starch grains, confirming that these wooden tools were primarily used for digging up underground plant foods.
The findings highlight the crucial role of bamboo and wooden tools in the lives of ancient humans in East and Southeast Asia, and reveal, for the first time, the nature of ancient human gathering economies, said Gao Xing from IVPP, the paper’s corresponding author.
Compared to wooden tool sites in Europe, which generally feature medium-sized hunting gear, Gantangqing stands out for its broader and more diverse array of small, hand-held tools.
The sophistication of these wooden tools underscores the importance of organic artifacts in interpreting early human behavior, particularly in regions where stone tools alone have painted a more “primitive” technological picture.
The site also yielded stone tools, predominantly small scrapers, which were mainly used for crafting wooden tools and butchering prey, according to the study.
The use of wooden tools likely reflects the inhabitants’ shift from stone to wooden implements due to limited stone resources.
Four deer antler fragments identified as “soft hammers” show clear usage marks, indicating that East Asian stone tool technology in the early and middle Paleolithic was more advanced than previously thought and challenging the notion that it lagged significantly behind Western technology, according to Gao.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday it would probably be known in 24 hours whether the Palestinian militant group Hamas has agreed to accept what he has called a “final proposal” for an Israel-Hamas ceasefire in Gaza.
The president also said he had spoken to Saudi Arabia about expanding the Abraham Accords, the deal on normalization of ties that his administration negotiated between Israel and some Gulf countries during his first term.
Trump said on Tuesday Israel had accepted the conditions needed to finalise a 60-day ceasefire with Hamas, during which the parties will work to end the war.
He was asked on Friday if Hamas had agreed to the latest ceasefire deal framework, and said: “We’ll see what happens, we are going to know over the next 24 hours.”
A source close to Hamas said on Thursday the Islamist group sought guarantees that the new U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal would lead to the end of Israel’s war in Gaza.
Two Israeli officials said those details were still being worked out. Dozens of Palestinians were killed on Thursday in Israeli strikes, according to Gaza authorities.
The latest bloodshed in the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict was triggered in October 2023 when Hamas attacked Israel, killing 1,200 and taking about 250 hostages, Israeli tallies show.
Gaza’s health ministry says Israel’s subsequent military assault has killed over 56,000 Palestinians. It has also caused a hunger crisis, internally displaced Gaza’s entire population and prompted accusations of genocide at the International Court of Justice and of war crimes at the International Criminal Court. Israel denies the accusations.
A previous two month ceasefire ended when Israeli strikes killed more than 400 Palestinians on March 18. Trump earlier this year proposed a U.S. takeover of Gaza, which was condemned globally by rights experts, the U.N. and Palestinians as a proposal of “ethnic cleansing.”
ABRAHAM ACCORDS
Trump made the comments on the Abraham Accords when asked about U.S. media reporting late on Thursday that he had met Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman at the White House.
“It’s one of the things we talked about,” Trump said. “I think a lot of people are going to be joining the Abraham accords,” he added, citing the predicted expansion to the damage faced by Iran from recent U.S. and Israeli strikes.
Axios reported that after the meeting with Trump, the Saudi official spoke on the phone with Abdolrahim Mousavi, chief of Iran’s General Staff of the Armed Forces.
Trump’s meeting with the Saudi official came ahead of a visit to Washington next week by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
People on Guam are “disappointed” and “heartbroken” that radiation exposure compensation is not being extended to them, says the president of the Pacific Association for Radiation Survivors (PARS), Robert Celestial.
He said they were disappointed for many reasons.
“Congress seems to not understand that we are no different than any state,” he told RNZ Pacific.
“We are human beings, we are affected in the same way they are. We are suffering the same way, we are greatly disappointed, heartbroken,” Celestial said.
The extension to the United States Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) was part of Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” passed by Congress on Friday (Thursday, Washington time).
Downwind compensation eligibility would extend to the entire states of Utah, Idaho and New Mexico, but Guam – which was included in an earlier version of the bill – was excluded.
All claimants are eligible for US$100,000.
Attempt at amendment Guam Republican congressman James Moylan attempted to make an amendment to include Guam before the bill reached the House floor earlier in the week.
“Guam has become a forgotten casualty of the nuclear era,” Moylan told the House Rules Committee.
“Federal agencies have confirmed that our island received measurable radiation exposure as a result of US nuclear testing in the Pacific and yet, despite this clear evidence, Guam remains excluded from RECA, a program that was designed specifically to address the harm caused by our nation’s own policies.
“Guam is not asking for special treatment we are asking to be treated with dignity equal to the same recognition afforded to other downwind communities across our nation.”
Moylan said his constituents are dying from cancers linked to radiation exposure.
From 1946 to 1962, 67 nuclear bombs were detonated in the Marshall Islands, just under 2000 kilometres from Guam.
New Mexico Democratic congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández supported Moylan, who said it was “sad Guam and other communities were not included”.
Colorado, Montana excluded The RECA extension also excluded Colorado and Montana; Idaho was also for a time but this was amended.
Pacific Association for Radiation Survivors (PARS) members at a gathering . . . “heartbroken” that radiation exposure compensation is not being extended to them. Image: RNZ Pacific/Eleisha Foon
Celestial said he had heard different rumours about why Guam was not included but nothing concrete.
“A lot of excuses were saying that it’s going to cost too much. You know, Guam is going to put a burden on finances.”
But Celestial said the cost estimate from the Congressional Budget Office for Guam to be included was US$560 million while Idaho was $1.4 billion.
“[Money] can’t be the reason that Guam got kicked out because we’re the lowest on the totem pole for the amount of money it’s going to cost to get us through in the bill.”
Certain zip codes The bill also extends to communities in certain zip codes in Missouri, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Alaska, who were exposed to nuclear waste.
Celestial said it’s taken those states 30 years to be recognised and expects Guam to be eventually paid.
He said Moylan would likely now submit a standalone bill with the other states that were not included.
If that fails, he said Guam could be included in nuclear compensation through the National Defense Authorization Act in December, which is for military financial support.
The RECA extension includes uranium workers employed from 1 January 1942 to 31 December 1990.
This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.
Attributable to Detective Senior Sergeant Brett Humphrey:
Police investigating a missing person’s report in Whanganui are seeking sightings of a vehicle of interest.
Kahukura Dilpreet Wati Woods Gill, known as Kahu, was last seen in the Matahiwi area on Friday 27 June 2025, and he is believed to have been using a white 2002 Mazda Atenza saloon, registration EQR994.
He remains missing, and active enquiries are ongoing to determine his last known movements.
As part of these, Police are seeking sightings of Mr Gill and this white car in the Whanganui/Rangitikei areas between Friday 27 June and Tuesday 1 July.
If you can help, please call 105 or go online to 105.police.govt.nz, using “Update Report,” quoting reference number 250702/3842.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday paid tribute to Swami Vivekananda on his death anniversary, honouring his enduring legacy as a spiritual visionary, philosopher, and cultural icon.
“I bow to Swami Vivekananda Ji on his Punya Tithi. His thoughts and vision for our society remains our guiding light. He ignited a sense of pride and confidence in our history and cultural heritage. He also emphasised on walking the path of service and compassion,” PM Modi said in a post on X.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also remembered Swami Vivekananda, highlighting his role in reviving India’s spiritual and cultural pride.
Hailing him as “the pioneer of the renaissance of Indian wisdom, philosophy, and cultural pride,” Amit Shah wrote on X:
“On the Nirvana Day of Swami Vivekananda, the pioneer of the renaissance of Indian knowledge, philosophy, and cultural pride, I offer my respectful tribute. Swamiji not only inspired the people of the country towards spiritual advancement but also awakened moral strength and self-confidence among the youth. He reinstated the Indian knowledge tradition on the global stage and gave the clarion call to the youth: “Arise, awake, and stop not until the goal is reached. Swami Vivekananda, who regarded education as the cornerstone of social development, will always remain a guiding force in the path of nation-building.”
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also paid homage, describing Swami Vivekananda as “an inspiration not only for the youth of India but for the entire world.”
“On the death anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, I pay my heartfelt tribute to him. He is an inspiration not only for the youth of India but for the entire world. We are fully committed to fulfilling his dream of building a prosperous and progressive India,” Singh posted on X.
Born on January 12, 1863, Swami Vivekananda was a revered monk, philosopher, and disciple of the mystic saint Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa.
A leading figure in India’s spiritual and national renaissance, he championed the ideals of fearless living, self-realisation, and service to humanity.
His teachings, rooted in Vedanta philosophy, continue to influence India’s social and political thought. He urged people—especially the youth—to realise their inner strength and work toward the upliftment of society.
On May 1, 1897, Swami Vivekananda established the Ramakrishna Mission to promote the values and teachings of his Guru. The mission remains one of India’s most respected spiritual and philanthropic institutions.
His iconic address at the World’s Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893 introduced India’s ancient spiritual wisdom to the West, earning him international acclaim. His message of universal brotherhood and religious tolerance continues to resonate globally.
Swami Vivekananda’s powerful exhortation, “Arise, awake, and stop not till the goal is reached,” remains one of the most enduring mantras of motivation, urging individuals to pursue their goals with resolve, self-awareness, and unwavering commitment.
Swami Vivekananda passed away on July 4, 1902, at the age of 39.
More than 12,300 pilgrims had darshan at the sacred Amarnath shrine on Thursday, marking a successful start to this year’s Amarnath Yatra, officials said.
On Friday morning, another batch of 6,411 pilgrims departed from Jammu amid unprecedented security arrangements. According to officials, the pilgrims set out from the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in two heavily guarded convoys comprising 291 vehicles.
Of the latest batch, 2,789 pilgrims are en route to the Baltal base camp, while 3,622 are heading to the Nunwan base camp near Pahalgam, officials added.
The enthusiasm among the devotees was palpable, as they chanted “Bum Bum Bhole” and “Har Har Mahadev,” unfazed by recent threats. Many yatris said their determination to undertake the pilgrimage was rooted in faith and devotion to Lord Shiva, whose spiritual call they had come to heed.
This year’s Yatra is being held under a tightened security grid in the wake of the brutal April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, where Pakistan-backed militants killed 26 civilians after targeting them based on their religious identity. To prevent any repeat of such incidents, the government has deployed an additional 180 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), augmenting the existing presence of the Indian Army, BSF, CRPF, SSB, and local police.
All transit camps and the complete pilgrimage route—from Jammu to the cave shrine—are under constant security surveillance, with multi-tier protection in place.
Demonstrating their support, local Kashmiris were among the first to welcome the Yatra. In a heartwarming gesture, residents greeted the first batch of pilgrims with garlands and placards at Qazigund, shortly after they emerged from the Navyug Tunnel into the Valley. The warm reception sent a strong message of solidarity and unity in the face of violence.
The 38-day-long pilgrimage, which began on July 3, will conclude on August 9, coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan. Devotees can undertake the journey via two routes—either the traditional 46-kilometre trek from Pahalgam or the shorter 14-kilometre Baltal route. The Pahalgam path takes four days to complete and involves stops at Chandanwari, Sheshnag, and Panchtarni, while the Baltal route allows pilgrims to return the same day.
The cave shrine, located 3,888 metres above sea level in the Kashmir Himalayas, houses a naturally formed ice stalagmite believed to represent Lord Shiva. According to Hindu mythology, it was inside this cave that Lord Shiva revealed the secret of immortality to Goddess Parvati.
More than 12,300 pilgrims had darshan at the sacred Amarnath shrine on Thursday, marking a successful start to this year’s Amarnath Yatra, officials said.
On Friday morning, another batch of 6,411 pilgrims departed from Jammu amid unprecedented security arrangements. According to officials, the pilgrims set out from the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in two heavily guarded convoys comprising 291 vehicles.
Of the latest batch, 2,789 pilgrims are en route to the Baltal base camp, while 3,622 are heading to the Nunwan base camp near Pahalgam, officials added.
The enthusiasm among the devotees was palpable, as they chanted “Bum Bum Bhole” and “Har Har Mahadev,” unfazed by recent threats. Many yatris said their determination to undertake the pilgrimage was rooted in faith and devotion to Lord Shiva, whose spiritual call they had come to heed.
This year’s Yatra is being held under a tightened security grid in the wake of the brutal April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, where Pakistan-backed militants killed 26 civilians after targeting them based on their religious identity. To prevent any repeat of such incidents, the government has deployed an additional 180 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), augmenting the existing presence of the Indian Army, BSF, CRPF, SSB, and local police.
All transit camps and the complete pilgrimage route—from Jammu to the cave shrine—are under constant security surveillance, with multi-tier protection in place.
Demonstrating their support, local Kashmiris were among the first to welcome the Yatra. In a heartwarming gesture, residents greeted the first batch of pilgrims with garlands and placards at Qazigund, shortly after they emerged from the Navyug Tunnel into the Valley. The warm reception sent a strong message of solidarity and unity in the face of violence.
The 38-day-long pilgrimage, which began on July 3, will conclude on August 9, coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan. Devotees can undertake the journey via two routes—either the traditional 46-kilometre trek from Pahalgam or the shorter 14-kilometre Baltal route. The Pahalgam path takes four days to complete and involves stops at Chandanwari, Sheshnag, and Panchtarni, while the Baltal route allows pilgrims to return the same day.
The cave shrine, located 3,888 metres above sea level in the Kashmir Himalayas, houses a naturally formed ice stalagmite believed to represent Lord Shiva. According to Hindu mythology, it was inside this cave that Lord Shiva revealed the secret of immortality to Goddess Parvati.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
SEOUL, July 4 (Xinhua) — South Korean President Lee Jae-myung said on Thursday he is not confident of reaching a trade deal with the United States by the July 8 deadline set by U.S. President Donald Trump, after which he plans to impose new tariffs.
At a press conference marking his 30th day in office, the South Korean leader said tariff talks were clearly not easy. It was hard to say for sure whether they would be completed by July 8, although the government would do its utmost to ensure that they were completed, he added.
Seoul and Washington must come to mutually beneficial results, but it is still necessary to clearly decide what each side requires, the president noted.
Lee Jae-myung said it was difficult for him to talk about the issue because his words could affect the course of the talks, but added that the government would continue to try its best.
Speaking about foreign policy, the president stressed that he “will protect peace and people’s lives through pragmatic diplomacy focused on national interests and based on a strong alliance between the ROK and the US, close cooperation between the ROK, the US and Japan, as well as rapid improvement of relations with China and Russia.” –0–
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
PHNOM PENH, July 4 (Xinhua) — Cambodia saw a significant increase in the number of Chinese tourists visiting the famous Angkor archaeological park in the first half of 2025, according to state-run operator Angkor Enterprise.
A total of 47,571 Chinese tourists visited the UNESCO World Heritage site from January to June, up 25 percent from the same period last year. The Chinese remain the fourth-largest international visitor to Angkor after the US, UK and France.
Angkor Enterprise said that in the first half of 2025, the archaeological park received 567,673 foreign visitors from 171 countries and territories, generating gross revenue of US$26.3 million from ticket sales.
Thong Mengdavid, a lecturer at the Institute of International Studies and Public Policy at the Royal University of Phnom Penh, noted that with 2025 declared the Year of Cambodia-China Tourism, a significant surge in the number of Chinese tourists to Angkor is predicted. –0–
A dodgy number plate ended one man’s run in evading his warrants to arrest.
It was part of a successful night for Police in Flat Bush after nabbing two offenders for a range of incidents.
Counties Manukau East Area Prevention Manager, Inspector Rakana Cook, says at about 1am a vehicle was stopped on Hamill Road.
“Officers noticed the number plate had been tampered with and upon speaking to the driver identified him as a wanted person.
“The man had been wanted by Police since September in relation to a number of alleged offences so it was great work by staff to arrest him and hold him to account for those offences.”
A 35-year-old man has been remanded in custody and will reappear on 11 July charged with possession of drug utensils and driving while forbidden.
Thirty minutes earlier, officers had stopped a vehicle travelling on Flat Bush School Road.
Inspector Cook says the driver was identified and found to be in breach of his bail conditions.
“A search of the vehicle also located a head torch and tools.
“A 28-year-old man was arrested for breaching bail and driving related offences.”
The by-elections will fill a total of 93 vacancies in the Election Committee (EC) membership to be returned by election involving 28 subsectors.
Another 10 vacancies involving five subsectors to be returned by nomination will be filled through supplementary nominations by designated bodies.
The Registration & Electoral Office (REO) issued gazette notices about the nominations and the appointment of Returning Officers (ROs) today.
If the number of validly nominated candidates for a subsector exceeds the number of EC members to be elected for that subsector at the by-elections, a poll for that subsector will be held on September 7.
A person nominated as a candidate must be a registered geographical constituency elector aged 18 or above, who is a registered voter for the relevant subsector or has a substantial connection with that subsector.
The nomination form for the by-elections must be subscribed by no fewer than five voters registered for the subsector concerned.
Each voter may subscribe multiple nominations on a particular subsector but the number of candidates he or she can nominate should not exceed that of EC members to be elected by that subsector at the bypolls.
In the case of a corporate voter, the subscription of the nomination form may only be effected by the corporate voter’s authorised representative.
Starting today, the nomination forms are available at the REO’s two Kowloon offices, located on 8/F, Treasury Building, Cheung Sha Wan; and Unit 2301-03, 23/F, Millennium City 6, Kwun Tong.
The forms can also be picked up at the ROs’ offices, district offices, or downloaded from here.
A nominated person must submit the completed nomination form and an election deposit of $1,000 in person to the respective ROs.
Members of the public may inspect copies of the nomination forms for respective subsectors at the ROs’ offices, and view copies of all the nomination forms at the REO’s Kwun Tong office.
Call the election hotline 2891 1001 for enquiries.
When over 1,000 civil society representatives flocked to Seville this week for a U.N. conference on development financing their expectations were already low, but the four-day event left many frustrated and feeling their voices were stifled.
The once-in-a-decade summit promised to marshall resources that could narrow the estimated $4.3 trillion financing gap needed to help developing countries overcome mounting debt distress, the ravages of climate change or structural inequality, among other hurdles.
However, the world’s richest governments have been slashing aid and bilateral lending while increasingly prioritising defence spending as geopolitical tensions escalate, raising doubts that the cautious optimism expressed by most officials in attendance was realistic.
Several civil society organisations (CSOs) were critical of the measures outlined in a final document, the “Seville Commitment”, which they said was watered down by wealthier nations unwilling to walk the talk. Others lambasted what they described as a private sector-first approach to development.
Arthur Larok, secretary general of ActionAid, said Global South countries were “returning home empty-handed” while Global North governments did so “free from responsibility”.
Still, certain initiatives – such as an alliance to tax the super-rich or plans to slap new levies on premium and private-jet flying – were widely celebrated among CSOs.
Their main complaint was a lack of access, with accusations ranging from difficulties obtaining accreditations to exclusion from key negotiations, prompting CSO delegates to hold a protest at the conference’s venue on its final day.
“We’ve witnessed an unprecedented wave of restrictions and lack of attention to the voice of civil society,” Oyebisi Babatunde Oluseyi, executive director of the Nigeria Network of NGOs, told Reuters, adding a new mechanism was needed to insert their perspective into global decision-making.
U.N. Deputy Secretary General Amina Mohammed acknowledged CSOs’ grievances in Thursday’s closing press briefing and said the U.N. would endeavour to “expand the space” for them.
“The U.N. was built to defend human rights – if it cedes to the global trend of shrinking civic space, it’ll undermine its legitimacy,” said Hernan Saenz of Oxfam International.
In a joint declaration on Sunday, the CSOs denounced the international financial system as unjust and called for its “complete overhaul”.
Despite the pervasive discontent, all CSO representatives interviewed by Reuters said they ultimately believed in the U.N. system.
Hirotaka Koike, a board member at the Japan NGO Center for International Cooperation, said he did so because it was the only place where all countries were treated equally.
“Yes, there are bureaucracies; yes, there are a lot of processes. But what else do we have?”
A stretch of State Highway 2 Hawke’s Bay Expressway will be closing overnight for 5 nights early next month.
The closures will allow road surface testing to be carried out as part of the Hawke’s Bay Expressway Road of National Significance (RoNS) project.
The expressway, between the Taradale Road and Pākōwhai Road/Links Road roundabouts, will be closed each night between Sunday 3 August and Friday 8 August. The road will close each night at 8pm and reopen at 5am the following morning. The work will be finished by 5am Friday 8 August.
Work will be completed in sections – one section and one direction each night:
On Sunday night, the work will focus on Taradale Road roundabout to Meeanee overbridge – the northbound lane will remain open
On Monday night, the work will focus on Meeanee overbridge to Taradale Road roundabout – the southbound lane will remain open
On Tuesday night, the work will focus on Meanee overbridge to Pākōwhai Road/Links Road roundabout – the northbound lane will remain open
On Wednesday night, the work will focus on Pākōwhai Road/Links Road roundabout to Meeanee overbridge – the southbound lane will remain open
The 5th night – Thursday – is an extra night only if needed.
During the closures, detours will be in place:
When the closure is Meeanee Rd to Pākōwhai Rd, the detour in place is for all vehicles up to 50MAX. The detour is: Pākōwhai Road to Te Ara Kahikatea, onto State Highway 51, to Awatoto Road then onto Meeanee Road (and reverse). This detour is not suitable for HMPV (that are not 50MAX permitted vehicles). A reminder that Redclyffe Bridge through Waiohiki has an 8 tonne weight restriction.
When the closure is between Meeanee Rd to Taradale Rd, the detour is NOT via SH51 but via Taradale Road, Kennedy Road, Gloucester Street, onto Lee Road and onto Meeanee Road.
Detour maps
NZTA will also take the opportunity to carry out other maintenance activities during the closures.
About the road surface testing
During the overnight closures, project crews will using a piece of equipment to carry out Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD) testing, to test the road surface.
This testing involves dropping a weight onto the surface of the road at various points along the road and measuring what, if any, deflection (bending) of the road is caused by the testing.
Hawke’s Bay Expressway Principal Project Manager Jacob Laird says this simulates the effect of a passing vehicle and helps assess how well the road surface can support traffic loads.
“The detailed design for section 1 of the expressway project is proposing to use the same type of low-noise surfacing for both the two existing lanes and the two new lanes.
“We’re essentially applying the new surface directly over the existing road surface on the current lanes. The testing is simply to confirm whether the existing road surface is strong enough to support the new surface layer. In areas where it’s not, we will focus on renewing those sections of road to ensure they will support the new surface.
“FWD testing is really common on projects like this and is a crucial step in the planning process.
“We appreciate that these closures are likely to cause some disruption and we hope that by doing the testing at night when traffic volumes are lower, together with clear detours, that disruption will be minimised,” says Mr Laird.
The Legislative Yuan passed the draft amendment to some articles of the Electricity Act in the third reading today (May 9). According to the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA), these amendments are made in response to domestic and international energy transition trends, which enable Taiwan Power Company (Taipower) to maintain its current business model, while stimulating the green electricity trading market; regulate emerging electricity resources, such as grid-connected energy storage and demand response; and enhance the supervision mechanism of the electricity trading platform. A total of 12 articles have been newly added or amended. The MOEA expressed its gratitude to the President of the Legislative Yuan, all legislators, and political parties for their support in ensuring the smooth passage of the bill.
According to the MOEA, the draft amendment focuses on four key areas: maintaining Taipower’s integrated business model to ensure stable power supply through the synergy of integrated power generation and grid operations and enhancing investment efficiency; facilitating peer-to-peer sales among retailers of renewable energy to increase operational flexibility for industry participants; regulating grid-connected energy storage systems and demand response services to ensure legal compliance and reduce the setup risks for operators while expanding potential power resources; and enhancing the neutrality of electricity trading platforms by strengthening the monitoring mechanism to ensure openness and transparency, and by allowing independent trading to emerge in response to future market developments.
The MOEA also thanks all stakeholders for their valuable input throughout the legislative process, while pledging to swiftly complete related modifications of subordinate regulations to achieve the objectives of this legislative amendment.
Spokesperson: Deputy Director General, Chih-Wei Wu Energy Administration, Ministry of Economic Affairs Phone: +886-2-2775-7750 / +886-922-339-410 Email: cwwu@moeaea.gov.tw
Business Contact: Director, Yu-Chuan Hsia Energy Administration, Ministry of Economic Affairs Phone: +886-2-2775-7753 / +886-910-668-295 Email: yhhsia@moeaea.gov.tw
Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a rousing welcome as he addressed a large gathering of the Indian diaspora in Trinidad and Tobago on Thursday during his historic visit to the Caribbean nation. The event, attended by over 4,000 people, featured a vibrant Indo-Trinidadian cultural programme and was graced by Trinidad and Tobago PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar, along with members of her Cabinet, Parliament, and other dignitaries.
In a significant gesture, Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar announced that PM Modi would be conferred with The Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, the country’s highest civilian honour, in recognition of his global leadership and efforts to deepen ties between the two nations.
Expressing heartfelt gratitude, PM Modi thanked the people and leadership of Trinidad and Tobago for the honour. He highlighted the special significance of his visit, which coincides with the 180th anniversary of the arrival of Indian indentured labourers in the Caribbean.
In his address, the Prime Minister praised the Indian diaspora for their resilience, cultural richness, and their role in shaping modern Trinidad and Tobago. “You are not just defined by struggle anymore. You are defined by success, service, and values,” he said, adding with humour, “There must be something magical in the doubles and dal poori because you’ve doubled the success of this great nation.”
As a major announcement, PM Modi declared that Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards will now be issued to the sixth generation of people of Indian origin in Trinidad and Tobago — a move that was met with thunderous applause. He also reaffirmed India’s commitment to preserving the legacy of the Girmitiya community, with plans to document their history and hold regular world conferences.
PM Modi touched on India’s rapid growth in sectors such as infrastructure, digital payments, space, and innovation. He noted that India is the fastest-growing major economy and will soon be among the top three economies in the world. He also highlighted key national missions in AI, semiconductors, and quantum computing, positioning them as engines of India’s future growth.
The Prime Minister announced that India’s UPI digital payment system will be adopted in Trinidad and Tobago, making financial transactions seamless and quicker — “ faster than West Indies bowling,” he said.
PM Modi presented a symbolic replica of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya and sacred water from the Sarayu River and the Maha Kumbh to Kamla Persad-Bissessar, reflecting strong spiritual and cultural bonds between the two nations.
The event concluded with a grand cultural showcase by artists from the Mahatma Gandhi Institute for Cultural Cooperation and local organisations, celebrating the deep-rooted India-Trinidad and Tobago connection.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a rousing welcome as he addressed a large gathering of the Indian diaspora in Trinidad and Tobago on Thursday during his historic visit to the Caribbean nation. The event, attended by over 4,000 people, featured a vibrant Indo-Trinidadian cultural programme and was graced by Trinidad and Tobago PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar, along with members of her Cabinet, Parliament, and other dignitaries.
In a significant gesture, Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar announced that PM Modi would be conferred with The Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, the country’s highest civilian honour, in recognition of his global leadership and efforts to deepen ties between the two nations.
Expressing heartfelt gratitude, PM Modi thanked the people and leadership of Trinidad and Tobago for the honour. He highlighted the special significance of his visit, which coincides with the 180th anniversary of the arrival of Indian indentured labourers in the Caribbean.
In his address, the Prime Minister praised the Indian diaspora for their resilience, cultural richness, and their role in shaping modern Trinidad and Tobago. “You are not just defined by struggle anymore. You are defined by success, service, and values,” he said, adding with humour, “There must be something magical in the doubles and dal poori because you’ve doubled the success of this great nation.”
As a major announcement, PM Modi declared that Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards will now be issued to the sixth generation of people of Indian origin in Trinidad and Tobago — a move that was met with thunderous applause. He also reaffirmed India’s commitment to preserving the legacy of the Girmitiya community, with plans to document their history and hold regular world conferences.
PM Modi touched on India’s rapid growth in sectors such as infrastructure, digital payments, space, and innovation. He noted that India is the fastest-growing major economy and will soon be among the top three economies in the world. He also highlighted key national missions in AI, semiconductors, and quantum computing, positioning them as engines of India’s future growth.
The Prime Minister announced that India’s UPI digital payment system will be adopted in Trinidad and Tobago, making financial transactions seamless and quicker — “ faster than West Indies bowling,” he said.
PM Modi presented a symbolic replica of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya and sacred water from the Sarayu River and the Maha Kumbh to Kamla Persad-Bissessar, reflecting strong spiritual and cultural bonds between the two nations.
The event concluded with a grand cultural showcase by artists from the Mahatma Gandhi Institute for Cultural Cooperation and local organisations, celebrating the deep-rooted India-Trinidad and Tobago connection.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a rousing welcome as he addressed a large gathering of the Indian diaspora in Trinidad and Tobago on Thursday during his historic visit to the Caribbean nation. The event, attended by over 4,000 people, featured a vibrant Indo-Trinidadian cultural programme and was graced by Trinidad and Tobago PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar, along with members of her Cabinet, Parliament, and other dignitaries.
In a significant gesture, Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar announced that PM Modi would be conferred with The Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, the country’s highest civilian honour, in recognition of his global leadership and efforts to deepen ties between the two nations.
Expressing heartfelt gratitude, PM Modi thanked the people and leadership of Trinidad and Tobago for the honour. He highlighted the special significance of his visit, which coincides with the 180th anniversary of the arrival of Indian indentured labourers in the Caribbean.
In his address, the Prime Minister praised the Indian diaspora for their resilience, cultural richness, and their role in shaping modern Trinidad and Tobago. “You are not just defined by struggle anymore. You are defined by success, service, and values,” he said, adding with humour, “There must be something magical in the doubles and dal poori because you’ve doubled the success of this great nation.”
As a major announcement, PM Modi declared that Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards will now be issued to the sixth generation of people of Indian origin in Trinidad and Tobago — a move that was met with thunderous applause. He also reaffirmed India’s commitment to preserving the legacy of the Girmitiya community, with plans to document their history and hold regular world conferences.
PM Modi touched on India’s rapid growth in sectors such as infrastructure, digital payments, space, and innovation. He noted that India is the fastest-growing major economy and will soon be among the top three economies in the world. He also highlighted key national missions in AI, semiconductors, and quantum computing, positioning them as engines of India’s future growth.
The Prime Minister announced that India’s UPI digital payment system will be adopted in Trinidad and Tobago, making financial transactions seamless and quicker — “ faster than West Indies bowling,” he said.
PM Modi presented a symbolic replica of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya and sacred water from the Sarayu River and the Maha Kumbh to Kamla Persad-Bissessar, reflecting strong spiritual and cultural bonds between the two nations.
The event concluded with a grand cultural showcase by artists from the Mahatma Gandhi Institute for Cultural Cooperation and local organisations, celebrating the deep-rooted India-Trinidad and Tobago connection.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a rousing welcome as he addressed a large gathering of the Indian diaspora in Trinidad and Tobago on Thursday during his historic visit to the Caribbean nation. The event, attended by over 4,000 people, featured a vibrant Indo-Trinidadian cultural programme and was graced by Trinidad and Tobago PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar, along with members of her Cabinet, Parliament, and other dignitaries.
In a significant gesture, Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar announced that PM Modi would be conferred with The Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, the country’s highest civilian honour, in recognition of his global leadership and efforts to deepen ties between the two nations.
Expressing heartfelt gratitude, PM Modi thanked the people and leadership of Trinidad and Tobago for the honour. He highlighted the special significance of his visit, which coincides with the 180th anniversary of the arrival of Indian indentured labourers in the Caribbean.
In his address, the Prime Minister praised the Indian diaspora for their resilience, cultural richness, and their role in shaping modern Trinidad and Tobago. “You are not just defined by struggle anymore. You are defined by success, service, and values,” he said, adding with humour, “There must be something magical in the doubles and dal poori because you’ve doubled the success of this great nation.”
As a major announcement, PM Modi declared that Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards will now be issued to the sixth generation of people of Indian origin in Trinidad and Tobago — a move that was met with thunderous applause. He also reaffirmed India’s commitment to preserving the legacy of the Girmitiya community, with plans to document their history and hold regular world conferences.
PM Modi touched on India’s rapid growth in sectors such as infrastructure, digital payments, space, and innovation. He noted that India is the fastest-growing major economy and will soon be among the top three economies in the world. He also highlighted key national missions in AI, semiconductors, and quantum computing, positioning them as engines of India’s future growth.
The Prime Minister announced that India’s UPI digital payment system will be adopted in Trinidad and Tobago, making financial transactions seamless and quicker — “ faster than West Indies bowling,” he said.
PM Modi presented a symbolic replica of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya and sacred water from the Sarayu River and the Maha Kumbh to Kamla Persad-Bissessar, reflecting strong spiritual and cultural bonds between the two nations.
The event concluded with a grand cultural showcase by artists from the Mahatma Gandhi Institute for Cultural Cooperation and local organisations, celebrating the deep-rooted India-Trinidad and Tobago connection.