#GlobalPicks Pakistan: Jamaat-e-Islami announces nationwide protest against hike in petroleum products price: Islamabad [Pakistan], August 17 (ANI): Jamaat-e-Islami ameer Sirajul Haq has announced a nationwide protest from Friday over an increase in the price of petroleum products, Pakistan-based The News International reported.

In a statement on Wednesday, Sirajul Haq condemned Pakistan’s caretaker government’s decision to increase price of petroleum products. He… https://colombogazette.com/2023/08/29/pakistan-jamaat-e-islami-announces-nationwide-protest-against-hike-in-petroleum-products-price/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon

#GlobalPicks “I feel pity that she is being used”: Nirmal Khanna on Mushaal Malik’s appointment in Pakistan’s cabinet: Jammu (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], August 19 (ANI): Nirmal Khanna, wife of Squadron Leader Ravi Khanna who was allegedly killed by Yasin Malik and his accomplices at Rawalpora in 1990, said on Saturday that it is a pity that Mushaal Malik is being used for personal politics by the government of Pakistan.

Pakistan’s caretaker Prime Minister… https://colombogazette.com/2023/08/29/i-feel-pity-that-she-is-being-used-nirmal-khanna-on-mushaal-maliks-appointment-in-pakistans-cabinet/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon

#GlobalPicks China’s investment firm misses payments amid concerns of financial crisis: Beijing [China], August 19 (ANI): Raising concerns regarding the financial crisis triggered by the downturn in China’s real estate market, Chinese investment firm Zhongrong Trust , which managed USD 87 billion worth of funds for corporate clients and wealthy individuals as of the end of 2022, had failed to pay the interest and principal on several investment products, CNN reported.… https://colombogazette.com/2023/08/29/chinas-investment-firm-misses-payments-amid-concerns-of-financial-crisis/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon

#GlobalPicks India’s Reliance Industries signs MoU with Brookfield to manufacture renewable power equipment in Australia: Brookfield Asset Management, a global alternative asset manager, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Reliance Industries.

The MoU aims to explore opportunities for manufacturing renewable energy and decarbonisation equipment in Australia, fostering the nation’s energy transition and fostering sustainable development. Australia’s… https://colombogazette.com/2023/08/28/indias-reliance-industries-signs-mou-with-brookfield-to-manufacture-renewable-power-equipment-in-australia-2/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon

#GlobalPicks India adopted unconventional approach to its G20 Presidency: EAM Jaishankar: Stating that multiple challenges confront the G20 grouping, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that India adopted an unconventional approach to its Presidency, making it much more connected with people.

A major highlight of the second day of the Think20 (T20) Summit in Mysuru on Tuesday was a virtual address by Jaishankar, followed by a high-level interaction with him.… https://colombogazette.com/2023/08/28/india-adopted-unconventional-approach-to-its-g20-presidency-eam-jaishankar/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon

#GlobalPicks Violence in Manipur: an ethnic conflict, not a religious one: Manipur is a state in North-East India, covering an area of 22,327 sq km and which is home to approximately 3 million people. It is often referred to as India’s “Gateway to the East.”

For many years the former princely state has seen violence and unrest based along ethnic lines, a problem that has its roots in India’s independence in August 1947, after 90 years of British rule.

The… https://colombogazette.com/2023/08/27/violence-in-manipur-an-ethnic-conflict-not-a-religious-one/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon

#GlobalPicks ‘Sponge Cities’ and Flood Management in China: Issues and Challenges: By Ramnath Reghunadhan

During July-August 2023, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) was hit by heavy rainfall and devastating floods, caused by the remnants of Typhoon Doksuri, which saw widespread destruction of many cities in the country’s northern as well as southern regions. The flooding was the result of what is considered to be the heaviest rainfall in Beijing for more than a… https://colombogazette.com/2023/08/27/sponge-cities-and-flood-management-in-china-issues-and-challenges/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon

#GlobalPicks Total foreign loans rise to $2.8bn in July: With the provision of additional $2 billion time deposits from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and $508 million as a guaranteed loan from China for Pakistan Air Force to inject “Dragon” multirole fighter aircraft Pakistan’s total foreign loans jumped up to $2.8 billion during the first month (July 2023) of the current fiscal year.

These two major foreign loans have pushed up the foreign loans up to $2.8… https://colombogazette.com/2023/08/27/total-foreign-loans-rise-to-2-8bn-in-july/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon

#GlobalPicks From Moon to Budgets: India’s Lunar Exploration Triumphs, Sri Lanka’s Missed Opportunities: By Y P Prakash
India’s Strategic Lunar Missions Contrast with Sri Lanka’s Costly Ventures and Underutilized Infrastructure, Highlighting Investment Priorities and Technological Futures

Over the course of several years, the investment in India’s space exploration missions has seen both accomplishments and financial considerations. In 2008, the pioneering… https://colombogazette.com/2023/08/26/from-moon-to-budgets-indias-lunar-exploration-triumphs-sri-lankas-missed-opportunities/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon

#GlobalPicks India, Nepal sign 4 MoUs on education, water supply and sanitation facilities: Kathmandu [Nepal], August 4 (ANI): The Indian embassy in Kathmandu and the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration of Nepal on Friday signed four Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) to undertake the developmental projects, which will be built under the grant assistance of India.

Among the four projects, three will be in the education sector and one project in… https://colombogazette.com/2023/08/25/india-nepal-sign-4-mous-on-education-water-supply-and-sanitation-facilities/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon

#GlobalPicks General Munir’s plan for hybrid regime could backfire: The decision of the hybrid regime of Sharif-Munir to oust Imran Khan from politics might just boomerang in the next few weeks.

The objective of locking up former Prime Minister Imran Khan in prison on the Toshakhana case might be to clear the ground for the next favourite of the Generals but public opinion and anger brewing among the serving and retired military personnel could undo the Munir-Sharif… https://colombogazette.com/2023/08/25/general-munirs-plan-for-hybrid-regime-could-backfire/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon

#GlobalPicks China faces international criticism after its vessel fired water cannon on Philippine boats: Beijing [China], August 8 (ANI): China is facing international backlash after one of its coast guard vessels used a water cannon against a Philippine boat in the South China Sea on Saturday, CNN reported.

Analysts say the incident escalated an already tense situation and could lead the United States and its allies to accelerate plans for joint patrols in the… https://colombogazette.com/2023/08/25/china-faces-international-criticism-after-its-vessel-fired-water-cannon-on-philippine-boats/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon

#GlobalPicks What to Know About China’s Real Estate Crisis: By J. Edward Moreno

Tremors in China’s real estate market are shaking the country’s economy, as well as the world, which has come to rely on China as a reliable engine of growth.

Major developers are faltering as they face huge losses, struggle with mountains of debt and miss payments to lenders. A long-running building boom that propelled China’s growth has come to a halt, threatening the jobs and savings… https://colombogazette.com/2023/08/25/what-to-know-about-chinas-real-estate-crisis/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon

#GlobalPicks Purges Don’t Move Policy in China: The removal of Qin Gang from his post as China’s foreign minister after a weeks-long disappearance fostered a few zesty rumors. Talk of affairs, conspiracies, and corruption has bounced around the net even as other policymakers have been replaced. But whatever sparked Qin’s fall, the impact on Chinese foreign policy and governance will be insignificant—as many of the purges party rule tends to invite are.

The former… https://colombogazette.com/2023/08/25/purges-dont-move-policy-in-china/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon

#GlobalPicks August inflows: India defies market volatility with strong foreign investment: India attracted the highest level of foreign investment so far in August compared to emerging and developed markets, even after key stock indices declined eight times during the past 14 trading sessions.

Foreign investors put in $1.11 billion in domestic equities in August so far, while pulling out their investments from other markets. Taiwan posted the highest outflows at $3.9… https://colombogazette.com/2023/08/25/august-inflows-india-defies-market-volatility-with-strong-foreign-investment/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon

#GlobalPicks Sri Guru Arjan Dev ji: The Martyred Saint: The foundation stone of the new religion, based on equality and ‘seva’ was laid down by Guru Nanak, whilst it was consolidated by his three successors. Nonetheless, Guru Arjan took up the task of putting it on a solid footing by setting out to build Haminder Sahib at the very spot where his father had constructed the clay tank of ‘Amrit’ and also set up the town Amritsar around it.

The core of Sikhism is equality… https://colombogazette.com/2023/08/25/sri-guru-arjan-dev-ji-the-martyred-saint/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon

#GlobalPicks Pakistan issues notice to suspend gas obligation with Iran due to sanctions: slamabad , August 7 (ANI): Pakistan has issued a notice to Iran to suspend its obligation on the competition of the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project as long as US sanctions on Tehran remain in place, reported Dawn.

“Pakistan has issued a Force Majeure and Excusing Event notice to Iran under the Gas Sales and Purchase Agreement (GSPA), which resultantly suspends Pakistan’s… https://colombogazette.com/2023/08/21/pakistan-issues-notice-to-suspend-gas-obligation-with-iran-due-to-sanctions/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon

#GlobalPicks Sacred Site Mystique: Unveiling the Spiritual Wonders: Thimphu [Bhutan], August 5 (ANI): Pilgrimage sites have always been an integral part of human life and its journey on the earth. Renowned for their historical significance, pilgrimage destinations have evolved into sacred spaces, holding deep spiritual value, according to The Bhutan Live.

From majestic landscapes to architectural wonders, these sites have witnessed profound activities and influential… https://colombogazette.com/2023/08/21/sacred-site-mystique-unveiling-the-spiritual-wonders/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon

#GlobalPicks China calls on Russia to investigate ‘violation of rights’ of its citizens: Moscow [Russia], August 5 (ANI): The Chinese Embassy in Moscow criticised Russia for its treatment of Chinese citizens, who were refused entry into the latter country and called to investigate the incident of ‘violation of rights,’ TASS News Agency reported.

On its WeChat page, the Chinese Embassy said that on July 29 the Russian side denied entry to five Chinese citizens and… https://colombogazette.com/2023/08/21/china-calls-on-russia-to-investigate-violation-of-rights-of-its-citizens/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon

#GlobalPicks China has fallen into a psycho-political funk: by James Kynge

Sly, Soviet-style jokes are enjoying a subtle revival on Chinese social media platforms. Their art resides in being too obscure for censors to understand yet clear enough for cynics to chuckle at their mockery. Some are so esoteric that their satire is confirmed only by the censors’ decision to delete them — echoing the cat-and-mouse dynamic that distinguished dissident humour in the former… https://colombogazette.com/2023/08/21/china-has-fallen-into-a-psycho-political-funk/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon