Eritrea breakthrough as UN sanctions lifted
An arms embargo, asset freeze, and travel ban were imposed in 2009 amid claims Eritrea supported al-Shabab militants in Somalia. Eritrea always denied the accusations.
The resolution, drafted by the UK, was backed by the US and its allies.
The UN vote comes amid a thaw in relations between Eritrea and its neighbours following years of conflict.
BBC World Service Africa editor Mary Harper says the politically repressive state had long been a global pariah, and was likened by some commentators to North Korea.
Eritrea agreed a peace deal with Ethiopia in June following two decades of animosity, while the leader of Eritrea and the UN-backed government in Somalia recently signed a joint cooperation agreement.
Narendra Modi in Singapore LIVE updates: PM felicitates winners of first India-Singapore Hackathon
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is in Singapore for a two-day visit, participated in the ASEAN-India Breakfast Summit and underlined the need for maritime cooperation and centrality of trade for the prosperity of the strategic Indo-Pacific region on Thursday. He visited the country Wednesday when he delivered his keynote address at the prestigious Fintech Festival and held separate bilateral meetings with the premiers of Singapore, Australia and Thailand. He discussed ways to further strengthen ties, including in areas of trade, defence and security.
“Cementing old bonds in pursuit of a glorious future. Had a great interaction with ASEAN leaders at the ASEAN-India Informal Breakfast Summit. We are happy that ties with ASEAN are strong and are contributing to a peaceful and prosperous planet,” Modi tweeted.
On Wednesday, PM Modi pitched India as a favourite destination for investment and said that financial inclusion has become a reality for 1.3 billion Indians. In his keynote address, Modi said the technology has transformed governance and delivery of public services in India and unleashed innovation, hope and opportunities. Modi also launched APIX (Application Programming Interface Exchange), a global Fintech platform with Deputy PM of Singapore T Shanmugaratnam after his address at the event, PTI reported.
Over 1.7 million foreigners visited India on e-visa in 2017: MHA
More than 1.7 million foreigners visited India on e-visa last year and the number of tourists availing the popular scheme this year is likely to cross two million mark, home ministry said on Wednesday.
USD 105,558,496 has been received as e-visa fees in 2017 by the government and USD 137,527,270 (Rs 993 crore approx) till October 31 this year. The number of foreigners who visited India with e-visa has gone up from 447,000 in 2015 to 1.7 million in 2017. The figure for 2018 is 1.87 million till October 31 this year and it may touch two million mark by the end of the year, a Home Ministry official said.
The e-visa facility now covers practically all the countries of the world, 166 as of now, and foreigners can arrive at any of the designated 26 airports and five seaports in India without interacting with any official before checking in at the immigration counter.
GSAT-29 launch successful: ISRO takes another step closer to country’s first manned mission
The Indian Space Research Organisation on Wednesday successfully launched its latest communication satellite GSAT-29, which was put in its orbit by India’s heavy-lift rocket Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-Mk III). The GSLV Mk III is the designated rocket for India’s first human spaceflight proposed for 2022. Today’s launch was a key test to the GSLV Mk III as it carried the GSAT-29 weighing 3,423 kg and placed it into Geo Transfer Orbit (GTO) just over 16 minutes into its flight.
The GSLV Mk III took flight as scheduled for 5.08 pm from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh. This was the third flight undertaken by ISRO’s most powerful rocket.
The GSLV Mk III has so far undergone one experimental and one developmental flight and Wednesday’s flight was the second developmental flight for the rocket.
World Diabetes Day 2018: Foods which are good for diabetics
Diabetes is a chronic disease which is largely affected by the patient’s lifestyle and eating pattern. While it cannot be cured completely, diabetes can be curbed to a large extent with the help of proper medical assistance, diet and regular exercise. Often diabetics are advised to have small and frequent meals to ensure that the blood sugar level is under control.
As the world observes World Diabetes Day 2018 on November 14, we have listed down some of the most important foods that a person suffering from diabetes should include in their diet.
Children’s Day 2018: How Jawaharlal Nehru showered love upon kids
Happy Children’s Day 2018: From 1964 onwards, his birthday has been celebrated throughout India as Children’s Day—a day to remember the first Prime Minister of India, who loved children as much as he loved his country.
(Excerpted with permission from Jawaharlal Nehru by Aditi De, published by Puffin Books.)
When Jawaharlal was a child, he dreamt of a world where India stood tall and proud on the world stage. He did not know then that he would shape an independent India, alongside the Mahatma.
During his years of studying at school and college in England, he learnt that it was fine for people to be different. That Asia could be as strong as European powers.
That India could find its own voice though it was ruled by the British.
One of his favourite poems was by the Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, from his Gitanjali published in 1910.
Notes of a Dream: Here’s what happened on the night AR Rahman won an Oscar
Born as AS Dileep Kumar, AR Rahman’s life could as well be scripted. From being compelled to shoulder the responsibilities of his household at a tender age, converting to Islam at the age of 23 to emerging as one of the most successful music composers in India and finally walking upto the stage and collecting an Oscar in 2011, Rahman’s story was waiting to be told.
With the help of the reclusive composer, author Krishna Trilok has written Notes Of A Dream, an authorised biography of Rahman The book, published by Penguin, traces the highs and lows in his life and makes for a compelling read.
How Binny Bansal's surprise exit from Flipkart unfolded
Months after Sachin Bansal exited from Flipkart, following its acquisition by the US retail company Waltmart Inc in May, his close friend and Flipkart Group CEO Binny Bansal also stepped down from the company he co-founded in 2007. Binny resigned from Flipkart, which is India's largest e-commerce company by market share, following an investigation by the parent company Walmart over the allegations of "serious personal misconduct". The surprise announcement by Walmart followed an email from Binny, denying the allegations, and the company board confirming Flipkart CEO Kalyan Krishnamurthy's induction as the Flipkart's Group CEO.
In a statement issued by Walmart, the company said: "...Binny Bansal announced his resignation as CEO of Flipkart Group, effective immediately. Binny has been an important part of Flipkart since co-founding the company, but recent events risked becoming a distraction and Binny has made a decision to step down."
Narendra Modi in Varanasi: All about National Waterway-1 in 10 points
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in Varanasi on Monday for inaugurating key infrastructure projects. These projects included two roadways and an inland waterway.
In Varanasi, PM Modi received a large container vessel that left Kolkata inland port on October 30 carrying cargo belonging to PEPSICO (India).
This is the first time that a container vessel travelled on inland waterways on the Ganga. This waterway has been named National Waterway-1. PM Modi also dedicated a multi-modal terminal to the nation.
NATIONAL WATERWAY-1: 10 POINTS
1
National Waterway-1 is an inland water transport route between Haldia in West Bengal to Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh. The National Waterway-1 is aided with differential global positioning system (DGPS), river information system (RIS), river training and conservancy works.
2
The Haldia-Varanasi stretch of the National Waterway-1 has been developed with technical assistance and investment support from the World Bank. The total estimated cost of the project is Rs 5,369.18 crore. The cost of the project was shared between the Indian government and the World Bank on 50:50 ratio.
3
The project involves construction of three multi-modal terminals - at Varanasi, Sahibganj and Haldia, two inter-modal terminals and five roll-on-roll-off or Ro-Ro terminal pairs. It also has a new navigation lock at Farakka, assured depth dredging, integrated vessel repair and maintenance facility.
4
Operation, management and further development of the terminal is proposed to be entrusted to an operator on public-private partnership model. The selection of the operator is at an advanced stage through an international competitive bidding. The process is expected to be complete by December end.
5
The Varanasi inland port on Ganga river where PM Modi received the container vessel has been newly developed. It is the first multi-modal terminal on the Ganga.
Rs 75 commemorative coin to mark 75th anniversary of Tricolour hoisting by Bose
The government announced it will release a Rs 75 commemorative coin on the occasion of 75th anniversary of hoisting of Tricolour for the first time by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose at Port Blair.
A notification in this regard has been issued by the Ministry of Finance.
"The coin of seventy-five rupees denomination shall only be coined at the Mint for issue under the authority of the central government on the occasion of '75th Anniversary of Hoisting of Tricolour' for the first time by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose at Port Blair," said the notification.
The 35 gram coin will be composed of 50 percent silver, 40 percent copper, and 5 percent each of nickel and zinc.
This coin will bear the portrait of 'Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose' saluting the flag on the background of cellular jail.
A numeral 75th along with inscription “anniversary” will be depicted below the portrait.
There will be inscription in both Devanagari script and English saying 'First Flag Hoisting Day'.
On December 30, 1943, Bose had hoisted the Tricolour for the first time at Cellular Jail, Port Blair.
On October 21, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had hoisted the National Flag at Red Fort and unveiled the plaque to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of formation of Azad Hind Government, formed by Bose.