Asia
India test-fires latest version of BrahMos supersonic cruise missile
India Thursday successfully test-fired the latest version of its BrahMos supersonic cruise missile that can be launched from submarines, ships, aircraft or land.
The missile was launched from Integrated Test Range (ITR) off the coast of the eastern state of Odisha, the state-run Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) said in a statement.
“BrahMos supersonic cruise missile with increased indigenous content and improved performance was successfully test fired... In this text book flight, the missile followed the predicted trajectory meeting all mission objectives," the DRDO said.
“The flight test is a major milestone in the way forward for BrahMos programme. The highly manoeuvrable missile cruised at supersonic speed for its maximum range and all mission objectives were met," it added.
According to the agency, the missile was equipped with the advanced indigenous technologies and followed a modified optimal trajectory for enhanced efficiency and improved performance.
Read: No foreign leader at India's Republic Day parade this year
Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh took to Twitter to congratulate the military scientists behind the successful flight test. "The BrahMos supersonic cruise missile with increased indigenous content and improved performance was successfully test fired today."
One of the fastest supersonic cruise missiles in the world that can fly at a speed of 2.8 Mach or almost three times the speed of sound, BrahMos is a joint venture between Russia's NPO Mashinostroyeniya and DRDO, who together have formed BrahMos Aerospace.
India's new COVID-19 infections hit 8-month high, total tally above 38 mln
India's COVID-19 tally rose to 38,218,773 on Thursday, as 317,532 new cases were registered during the past 24 hours across the country, showed the federal health ministry's latest data.
This is the seventh consecutive day when more than 200,000 new cases and the first day when over 300,000 new cases were registered in a day in the country in more than eight months.
Read: India reports 258,089 new COVID-19 cases
Besides, as many as 491 deaths were recorded since Wednesday morning, taking the death toll to 487,693.
Currently there are 1,924,051 active cases in the country with an increase of 93,051 during the period. This is the 23rd consecutive day when the number of active cases rose amid the third wave in the country.
A total of 35,807,029 people have recovered and been discharged from hospitals so far, with 223,990 new recoveries.
Read: India extends ban on political rallies till Jan 22
Meanwhile, the country's Omicron tally has reached 9,287, as an increase of 3.63 percent was seen since Wednesday. Most of the Omicron cases have been reported from the states of Maharashtra, West Bengal, Rajasthan and Delhi.
First aid flights leave for Tonga after big volcano eruption
The first flights carrying fresh water and other aid to Tonga were finally able to leave Thursday after the Pacific nation's main airport runway was cleared of ash left by a huge volcanic eruption.
A C-130 Hercules military transport plane left New Zealand carrying water containers, kits for temporary shelters, generators, hygiene supplies and communications equipment, New Zealand's Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta said.
Australia also sent a C-17 Globemaster transport plane with another to follow that were carrying humanitarian supplies. The flights were all due to arrive in Tonga on Thursday afternoon.
Read:Tsunami threat recedes from huge Pacific volcanic eruption
The deliveries will be done with no contact because Tonga is desperate to make sure foreigners don't bring in the coronavirus. It has not had any outbreaks of COVID-19 and has reported just a single case since the pandemic began.
"The aircraft is expected to be on the ground for up to 90 minutes before returning to New Zealand,” Defense Minister Peeni Henare said.
Japan also said it would send emergency relief, including drinking water and equipment for cleaning away volcanic ash. Two Hercules aircraft and a transport vessel carrying two CH-47 Chinook helicopters would leave possibly Thursday, the Defense Ministry said.
Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi told reporters that his ministry “will do everything we can for the disaster-hit people of Tonga.”
U.N. humanitarian officials report that about 84,000 people — more than 80% of Tonga’s population — have been impacted by the volcano’s eruption, U.N. spokesman Stéphane Dujarric said, pointing to three deaths, injuries, loss of homes and polluted water.
Communications with Tonga remain limited after Saturday's eruption and tsunami appeared to have broken the single fiber-optic cable that connects Tonga with the rest of the world. That means most people haven’t been able to use the internet or make phone calls abroad, although some local phone networks are still working.
A navy patrol ship from New Zealand is also expected to arrive later Thursday. It is carrying hydrographic equipment and divers, and also has a helicopter to assist with delivering supplies.
Officials said the ship's first task would be to check shipping channels and the structural integrity of the wharf in the capital, Nuku'alofa, following the eruption and tsunami.
Another New Zealand navy ship carrying 250,000 liters (66,000 gallons) of water is on its way. The ship can also produce tens of thousands of liters of fresh water each day using a desalination plant.
Three of Tonga’s smaller islands suffered serious damage from tsunami waves, officials and the Red Cross said.
Read:Indonesia raises Semeru volcano alert, fearing new eruption
The U.N.’s Dujarric said “all houses have apparently been destroyed on the island of Mango and only two houses remain on Fonoifua island, with extensive damage reported on Nomuka.” He said evacuations are underway for people from the islands.
According to Tongan census figures, Mango is home to 36 people, Fonoifua is home to 69 people, and Nomuka to 239. The majority of Tongans live on the main island of Tongatapu, where about 50 homes were destroyed.
Dujarric said the most pressing humanitarian needs are safe water, food and non-food items, and top priorities are reestablishing communication services including for international calls and the internet.
Tonga has so far avoided the widespread devastation that many initially feared.
Strategy to woo the ‘Stans’: Why Central Asia is important to India?
India had invited the leaders of five Central Asian countries - Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan to be the collective Chief Guests at India’s Republic Day parade and celebrations on the 26th of the month, but on January 18, 2022, news broke that the ‘Stans’ of Central Asia were not coming after all.
In the wake of the surge in Covid infections, India cancelled the plan and has decided to have a virtual meet instead, eports India Today.
Read: Strong fundamentals and reforms helped India attract highest FDI
It had been a tactical move on New Delhi’s part to invite the leaders of all five nations to be co-chief guests at the parade as the five ‘Stans’ are considered very crucial to an energy-hungry India. The Central Asian countries between them have huge reserves of oil, natural gas and uranium that India, with its very high energy import dependency, simply cannot ignore.
Over the past 30 years, since the time the ‘Stans’ stopped being Soviet Socialist Republics and became independent nations in their own rights, India has tried to develop strategies to harness their resource potential.
Read: India’s tourism gets a huge push at Expo 2020 Dubai
India was one of the first countries to accord recognition to the newly independent ‘Stans’ and the then Prime Minister of India Narasimha Rao visited the region twice, once in 1993 and then again in 1995, and trade and security treaties were signed. But despite three decades having passed, trade between India and the region still hovers around a relatively paltry $2-billion mark where China, whose influence has been growing in the last decade, in comparison, trades goods worth over $100 billion.
Strong fundamentals and reforms helped India attract highest FDI
Even as the jury is still out on the extent of capital account convertibility, the reforms in the capital account have been strong enough to attract among the highest foreign direct investment (FDI), finds a study by RBI economists.
An analysis of the recent trends in FDI flows at the global level and across regions/countries suggests that India has generally attracted higher FDI flows and continued to remain among the top attractive destinations for international investors in line with its robust domestic economic performance and gradual liberalisation of the FDI policy as part of the cautious capital account liberalisation process, reports The Economic Times.
" An empirical analysis of factors influencing inward FDI, considering major countries in terms of its FDI stock position in India reflects that inward FDI is significantly influenced by the trade openness, economic growth prospects, market size, labour cost and capital account openness of the host countries" said a study published in the Reserve Bank of India's latest monthly bulletin.
Besides, foreign trade had a substantial share in the business where import intensity in purchase remained higher than export in sales for foreign subsidiary companies, the study notes.
Read: No foreign leader at India's Republic Day parade this year
FDI in India initially picked up in the mid and late nineties following a series of policy measures to liberalise and strengthen the FDI environment in the country. But they slowed down after the global financial crisis of 2008 because it affected India macro-economic fundamentals which continued till FY '2013-14. FDI again got a major push during September 2014 after the government launched the ‘Make in India’ initiative to facilitate investment, foster innovation and build best in class manufacturing infrastructure.
The reform made a positive foreign investment climate in India and helped in increasing growth in FDI inflows mainly due to strong investment in top three industry recipients viz., ‘manufacturing’, ‘communication’ and ‘financial services', the study notes. During 2015 to 2019, India received a cumulative FDI inflow to the extent of $ 173.3 billion and the share of top five investing countries in India stood at 76.7 per cent. Three major sectors viz., ‘manufacturing sector’, ‘communication services’ and ‘financial services’ together accounted for more than 50 per cent share in FDI inflows amounting US$ 89.6 billion during 2015-2019
Read: India seeks FBCCI's cooperation in boosting bilateral trade
Over the period the quality of FDI data has also improved in lines with globally best standards. A number of information bases on FDI Statistics for India have become available. Global concepts help in understanding the statistical methodologies that countries employ in compiling the statistics and the resultant statistics can be used for cross-country comparison though countries with liberal investment schemes experience major challenges in estimation of foreign investment.
No foreign leader at India's Republic Day parade this year
For the second consecutive year, India will not have a foreign leader as the chief guest at its Republic Day parade.
Sources told UNB that a tentative decision was taken not to invite a foreign dignitary as the chief guest at this year's Republic Day parade due to the rising cases of Covid in the country.
Last year too, India did not have a foreign leader as the chief guest at its Republic Day parade -- for the first time in five decades.
India honours January 26 every year, the day on which the country's Constitution came into effect in 1950, replacing the Government of India Act (1935) as the governing document and thus, turning the nation into a newly formed republic.
Aslo read: Indian MP Shashi Tharoor, 6 journos booked for sedition over Republic Day rampage
However, like last year, India has decided to scale down the Republic Day parade this year in the wake of Covid. The spectator strength has been brought down to 24,000 from 1,15,000 in pre-Covid times, sources said.
Last year, India invited British Prime Minister Boris Johnson for the Republic Day parade, but he cancelled his visit a fortnight before amid a surge in Covid cases at home.
In 1966 too, India did not invite any foreign leader was due to the sudden demise of then Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, following which Indira Gandhi was sworn in as the country's first female PM on January 24 that year, two days ahead of Republic Day.
Also read: Bangladeshi tri-service contingent leads India's Republic Day parade
Hong Kong to cull 2,000 hamsters as some test COVID-positive
Hong Kong authorities said Tuesday that they will cull some 2,000 hamsters after several of the rodents tested positive for the virus at a pet store where an infected employee was working.
Officials said they would also stop the sale and import of the rodents in the city. The move came after the pet shop employee tested positive for the delta variant on Monday. Several of the hamsters tested positive for the coronavirus as well.
Even though authorities acknowledged that there is “no evidence” that pets can transmit the coronavirus to humans, as a precautionary measure, customers who had purchased hamsters from the affected store after Jan. 7 will be traced and must be subject to mandatory quarantine.
They must also hand over their hamsters to authorities to be put down.
Also read: Bangladesh experiences alarming week as Covid escalates
Authorities said that all pet stores selling hamsters in Hong Kong must cease operations and that around 2,000 of the small animals will be culled in a humane manner.
Customers who bought hamsters in Hong Kong from Dec. 22 will also be subject to mandatory testing and are urged not to go into the community until their tests have returned negative.
For now, authorities said they would not rule out transmission between human and animals.
Hong Kong police on Monday arrested two former flight attendants for allegedly leaving their homes when they should have been in isolation for possible coronavirus infections, which were later confirmed.
The two arrived from the U.S on Dec. 24 and 25. While in medical surveillance, they had “conducted unnecessary activities,” according to a government statement posted late Monday.
While the statement did not name their employer, the arrests came after flagship carrier Cathay Pacific said it had fired two crew members for breaching coronavirus protocols. Both later tested positive for the omicron variant.
Cathay previously said the actions of the crew who had broken coronavirus protocols was “extremely disappointing” and apologized for the disruption. The company had to cut back on flights — both passenger and cargo — in January amid tightened virus curbs.
The duo have been released on bail and will have their case heard in court on Feb. 9. If convicted of violating anti-epidemic regulations, they could face up to 6 months imprisonment and a fine of up to 5,000 Hong Kong dollars ($642).
Also read: Australian life expectancy rises despite COVID-19: study
Hong Kong has been grappling with a local omicron outbreak traced to several Cathay Pacific crew members who had dined at bars and restaurants across the city before later testing positive for the omicron variant.
Previously in Hong Kong, certain air and sea crew members could isolate at home under certain quarantine exemptions. Regulations tightened Dec. 31 require crew members to isolate in a designated quarantine hotel for about a week to safeguard public health.
Cartoonist Narayan Debnath, creator of several Bengali comics, dies at 97
Cartoonist Narayan Debnath, the creator of Bengali comic characters 'Bantul The Great', 'Handa Bhonda' and 'Nonte Phonte', died in Kolkata on Tuesday morning after a prolonged illness, said the hospital where he was undergoing treatment.
He was 97, reports NDTV.
Read:Pandit Birju Maharaj, legendary Kathak dancer, dies at 83
Debnath, a Padma Shri awardee, died at 10.15 am, an official of the hospital said.
He was admitted to the private hospital on December 24 and was on ventilator support.
Twin earthquakes in western Afghanistan kill at least 22
Two earthquakes rattled Afghanistan’s western Badghis province along the border with Turkmenistan on Monday afternoon, killing at least 22 people, a local official said.
There were fears the death toll could rise further as the first rescuers reached some of the remote villages struck by the temblors in what is one of Afghanistan’s most impoverished and underdeveloped regions.
Bas Mohammad Sarwari, chief of the province’s culture and information department, said scores of homes were destroyed in the quakes.
Read: Afghan police rescue physician from kidnappers' clutch, arrest 8 suspects
The U.S. Geological Survey registered a magnitude 5.3 quake at 2 p.m. and a second, magnitude 4.9 at 4 p.m. local time. They struck 41 kilometers (25 miles) east and 50 kilometers (31 miles) southeast of Qala-e-Naw, the provincial capital.
Sarwari says frightened residents were fleeing their homes for safety.
The more powerful of the temblors hit Qadis district in the southern tip of the province, where the majority of the damage and deaths occurred, according to Sarwari. Officials were still gathering information. By nightfall only four villages had been heard from, he said. The first 4.9 quake was centered in Muqur district, he said.
“Tomorrow we have plan to send rescue teams as well as assistance for the affected families,” he said.
Read: N. Korea fires 2 suspected missiles in 4th launch this year
Sarwari said the tremors were felt across the province. Some homes in Qala-e-Naw, the provincial capital, suffered cracks but no major injuries or widespread damage, he added.
Xi stresses common development, win-win cooperation
Chinese President Xi Jinping said Monday that different countries and civilizations may prosper together on the basis of respect for each other, and seek common ground and win-win outcomes by setting aside differences.
Xi made the remarks while delivering a special address at the 2022 World Economic Forum virtual session.
The right way forward for humanity is peaceful development and win-win cooperation, said the Chinese President.
He called for following the trend of history, working for a stable international order, advocating common values of humanity, and building a community with a shared future for mankind.
"We should choose dialogue over confrontation, inclusiveness over exclusion, and stand against all forms of unilateralism, protectionism, hegemony or power politics," Xi said.
READ: Chinese President Xi Jinping's remarks at conference marking 50th anniversary of restoration of PRC's lawful seat in UN
Cooperation Amid Global Crisis
He called for solidarity and cooperation of the international community amid a global crisis, saying that "small boats may not survive a storm, but a giant ship is strong enough to brave a storm."
"Facts have shown once again that amidst the raging torrents of a global crisis, countries are not riding separately in some 190 small boats, but are rather all in a giant ship on which our shared destiny hinges," Xi said.
Sunshine of Hope
The Chinese President Xi Jinping called on the world to do everything necessary to clear the shadow of the pandemic and boost economic and social recovery and development, so that the sunshine of hope may light up the future of humanity.
READ: Will strengthen development strategies with Bangladesh: Chinese President
In two weeks' time, China will celebrate the advent of spring in the lunar new year, the Year of the Tiger, Xi said, noting that in Chinese culture, tiger symbolizes bravery and strength, as the Chinese people often refer to spirited dragon and dynamic tiger, or soaring dragon and leaping tiger.
"To meet the severe challenges facing humanity, we must 'add wings to the tiger' and act with the courage and strength of the tiger to overcome all obstacles on our way forward," Xi said.
Ecological Conservation & Economic Growth
China should never grow the economy at the cost of resource depletion and environmental degradation, nor should the country sacrifice growth to protect the environment, said the Chinese President.
Xi described economic development at the cost of environment as "draining a pond to get fish," and sacrificing growth to protect the environment as "climbing a tree to catch fish."
"Guided by our philosophy that clean waters and green mountains are just as valuable as gold and silver, China has carried out holistic conservation and systematic governance of its mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands and deserts," Xi said.
The country does everything it can to conserve the ecological system, intensify pollution prevention and control, and improve the living and working environment for its people, he said.
Future of China's Economy
"We have every confidence in the future of China's economy," Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Monday.
The Chinese economy enjoys a good momentum overall, Xi said, citing that the country's gross domestic product grew by around 8 percent year on year in 2021, achieving the dual target of fairly high growth and relatively low inflation.
Shifts in the domestic and international economic environment have brought tremendous pressure, but the fundamentals of the Chinese economy, characterized by strong resilience, enormous potential and long-term sustainability, remain unchanged, he said.
More Substantially, Equitably
China's development gains will benefit its entire people in a more substantial and equitable way, said the Chinese President.
"The common prosperity we desire is not egalitarianism," Xi said. "To use an analogy, we will first make the pie bigger, and then divide it properly through reasonable institutional arrangements."
"As a rising tide lifts all boats, everyone will get a fair share from development, and development gains will benefit all our people in a more substantial and equitable way," he said. Xi calls on world to follow logic of historical progress, ride tide of times
President Xi called on the world to "move forward by following the logic of historical progress, and develop by riding the tide of development of our times."
Citing a Chinese saying "the momentum of the world either flourishes or declines; the state of the world either progresses or regresses," Xi noted that the world is always developing through the movement of contradictions, and the history of humanity is a history of achieving growth by meeting various tests and of developing by overcoming various crises.
He said the world should learn from comparing long history cycles, and see the change in things through the subtle and minute.
"We need to foster new opportunities amidst crises, open up new horizons on a shifting landscape, and pool great strength to go through difficulties and challenges," he said.
Economic Globalization
President Xi said no "countercurrents" could stop the trend of economic globalization.
"Economic globalization is the trend of the times. Though countercurrents are sure to exist in a river, none could stop it from flowing to the sea," Xi said.
"Driving forces bolster the river's momentum, and resistance may yet enhance its flow. Despite the countercurrents and dangerous shoals along the way, economic globalization has never and will not veer off course," he said.
"Countries around the world should uphold true multilateralism," Xi said. "We should remove barriers, not erect walls. We should open up, not close off. We should seek integration, not decoupling. This is the way to build an open world economy."