Nepal, China looking to jointly announce re-measured height of Mount Everest

Nepal, China looking to jointly announce re-measured height of Mount Everest



The Article 1 of the MoU states, "According to the joint statement between the People's republic of China and Nepal on October 13, 2019, the parties shall jointly announce the heigh of mount Zhumulangma/Sagarmatha" with "date and details about the form of the announcement" to be discussed by both.





Nepal and China could soon announce new height for Mount Everest, located in Nepal and Tibet and usually said to be the highest mountain on earth. A draft MoU — Memorandum of Understanding was exchanged between the two countries last month.





The Draft MoU between China's Ministry of Natural Resources and Nepal's Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation (MOLCPA-Nepal) is titled the joint announcement of 'height of mount Zhumulangma/Sagarmatha'. 





The Article 1 of the MoU states, "According to the joint statement between the People's republic of China and Nepal on October 13, 2019, the parties shall jointly announce the heigh of mount Zhumulangma/Sagarmatha" with "date and details about the form of the announcement" to be discussed by both.





While the Draft does not specifically say joint measurement but does mention collaboration in mapping. Article 5 of the draft calls on Beijing and Kathmandu to 'shall establish a communication mechanism to promote the joint collaboration on various activities on surveying, mapping and geoinformation management.'






\ Last year, Nepal mounted an expedition to measure the mountain. This year, China sent an expedition for the same purpose. It is believed that China is keen on the expeditious announcement by both countries on the new height of the highest mountain on the planet.





The Article 4 of the draft document calls for both countries to 'jointly conduct scientific research and engineering cooperation' in the fields of 'Topographic mapping, geographic information system' the region of Mount Everest.





The current elevation of mount Everest is 8,848 m, recognised by India, China and Nepal. It was established by an Indian survey done in 1955. The development is expected to raise eyebrows globally, even as Nepal and China come close to each other.

Category: articles

Read More...

Russian Sukhoi Su-27 fighters intercept US P-8A Poseidon spy plane over Black Sea 

Russian Sukhoi Su-27 fighters intercept US P-8A Poseidon spy plane over Black Sea 


 According to Russia, all the intercepts by Sukhoi Su-27s were carried over neutral waters of the Black Sea. The Su-27 returned to base after the US P-8A Poseidon turned away from the Russian border.



Russian Sukhoi fighters intercepted American spy planes over the Black Sea at least three times in four days between July 23 to 27. Russia scrambled its Sukhoi Su-27 fighters on July 23, 24 and 27 after tracking US P-8A Poseidon surveillance and anti-submarine aircraft flying close to its border on all the three occasions.



According to Russia, all the intercepts by Sukhoi Su-27s were carried over neutral waters of the Black Sea. The Su-27 returned to base after the US P-8A Poseidon turned away from the Russian border.





The Russian Defense Ministry issued a statement giving details of the intercept. "On July 27, 2020, Russian airspace control means spotted an aerial target approaching the Russian state border over the Black Sea neutral waters. A Su-27 fighter jet of the Southern Military District’s air defense forces was scrambled to intercept the target."



"The Su-27 plane’s flight was performed in strict compliance with international rules of the use of airspace. The Russian border was not violated," the statement asserted.



The July 27 intercept comes just three days after a similar incident in the same region involving a Russian Su-27 and US P-8A Poseidon. On July 24, a Su-27 was launched after Russian radars picked up the US P-8A Poseidon flying over the Black Sea. A day earlier, too, there was an aerial intercept involving another Su-27 and P-8A Poseidon.





"The crew of the Russian jet fighter approached the flying object at a safe distance, and identified it as a US P-8A Poseidon reconnaissance plane. After the US plane turned away from the Russian border, the Russian fighter successfully returned to the home airbase," the Defense Minister claimed about the July 23, 2020, incident.



Ukraine Defense Ministry stated that it had conducted the Sea Breeze-2020 multinational military exercises from July 20 to 27 in the Black Sea which involved US warplanes and troops. The nine-country military exercise also saw troops from his France, Spain, Turkey, Bulgaria, Georgia, Norway and Romania. .

Category: articles

Read More...

Kim Jong Un visits chicken farm : calls for improvements amid food crisis 

Even as millions of people face hunger crisis in North Korean, its leader Kim Jong Un has inspected a new chicken farm in Hwangju and called for improvements of the same. North Korea has been reeling under extreme food shortage for decades.





The Chicken farm, being built in a county south of capital Pyongyang, has been described as an outdated poultry industry, Kim was quoted saying by the state media said on Thursday. The state media has however not specified exactly when Kim made the trip to the construction site.





North's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said that Kim appeared to be in a better mood at the chicken farm. He described the facility as a model for modernising chicken farms in the rest of the country, which he described as backward and mostly more than two decades old. 





The KCNA, quoting Kim, said farm will be producing thousands of tons of delicious and quality meat and tens of millions of tasty and quality eggs every year, apparently hinting that this will make significant contributions to the dietary life of his people.





North Korea has been reeling under extreme food shortage for decades. The country has for years relied on regular supplies of UN food aid.





A United Nations human rights expert voiced alarm in June 2020, over widespread food shortages and malnutrition in North Korea, which have been exacerbated by a nearly five-month border closure with China and measures against COVID-19, a Reuters report said.


Elisabeth Byrs, spokeswoman of the UN’s World Food Programme (WFP), told a Geneva news briefing that the humanitarian situation in North Korea “remains bleak”, with some 10 million, or 40% of the population, needing humanitarian aid, Reuters added.

Category: articles

Read More...

Has India or Pakistan approached ICJ in India Vs Pakistan Kulbhushan Jhadav case?

Has India or Pakistan approached ICJ in India Vs Pakistan Kulbhushan Jhadav case?
In a major diplomatic victory for India, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has once again reiterated that the judgment in the Kulbhushan Jadhav case is “binding, final and without appeal”. This was the court’s response to a query by WION. The question asked by WION was: Has India or Pakistan approached ICJ in India Vs Pakistan Kulbhushan Jhadav case?



In July 2019, the ICJ, in its verdict, directed Pakistan to allow consular access and effectively review the death sentence. The court observed that Pakistan had breached international law by not granting consular access.



Earlier in May, Pakistan said that it has "fully complied" with the ICJ's verdict in the Kulbhushan Jadhav case, days after India's lead counsel Harish Salve asserted that New Delhi had hoped it might be able to persuade Islamabad through "back channel" to release the Indian death-row convict.



Meanwhile, Pakistan on Friday (July 17) formally offered India third consular access to Jadhav, a day after India asserted that the second consular access was "neither meaningful nor credible". A Note Verbale was sent to India on the matter and India is yet to respond. Jadhav was arrested by Pakistan on alleged espionage charges and is languishing in its jail.





Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said that the next consular access would be as per India's demand to not have a security person. "We have offered them and are awaiting their response," said Qureshi.





Hours after Indian consular officers met Jadhav, India had slammed Pakistan as the "environment nor the arrangements of the meeting were in accordance with the assurances given by Pakistan". The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had stated that it was evident from a camera, that was visible, that the conversation with Jadhav was being recorded. The MEA had added that Jadhav himself was visibly under stress and indicated that clearly to the consular officers.

Category: articles

Read More...

Chinese weapons being provided to dread gatherings in Myanmar to target Indian resources, caution security offices

Indian security agencies have expressed concern over Chinese weapons being provided to the terror groups active in Myanmar. In a recent development, a huge cache of Chinese weapons was recovered near Myanmar-Thailand border, which was destined to Arakan Army (AA) so that Indian assets, including the Kaladan Multimodal Project, could be targeted. 

Indian security agencies have expressed concern over Chinese weapons being provided to the terror groups active in Myanmar. In a recent development, a huge cache of Chinese weapons was recovered near Myanmar-Thailand border, which was destined to Arakan Army (AA) so that Indian assets, including the Kaladan Multimodal Project, could be targeted. 


Myanmar and Thailand Police conducted a joint operation last month in June and seized a large consignment of Chinese weapons. Security agencies had arrested a total of 6 people in connection with this case. Those arrested revealed that the Chinese weapons were being transported to the Arakan Army operating in Rakhine state adjoining Bangladesh. 


AK 47 assault rifles, anti-tank mines, grenades and machine guns were among the seized items from a house in Mae Sot District on the Thai side. 


“They are not the weapons currently used by the Arakan Army. The weapons manufactured by the Wa (United Wa State Army) and the KIA (Kachin Independence Army) are not up to mark. They can’t fire on automatic. The seized weapons are original and Chinese-made,” The Irrawaddy reported citing a source. 


Last year, Indian and Myanmar Armies had carried out a joint coordinated operation in their respective borders against Arakan Army and other rebel groups under the code name ‘Operation Sunrise’ to secure the Kaladan Project. The Arakan Army has set up several camps in areas across Mizoram's Lawngtlai district, posing a threat to the Kaladan Project. This project is being viewed as India's gateway to Southeast Asia. 


In his interview given to Bangkok Post, the Deputy spokesman of Thailand Police Col Kissana Phattanacharoen, said, it is believed the seized weapons were intended to create havoc and the discovery comes amid intelligence reports about suspicious activities being planned by a certain group of people. 


Pakistan's ISI is eyeing to recruit Rohingya jihadis for terror activities in Bangladesh and the eastern part of India. There is a strong link available between Let and terror group Aqamul Mujahideen, which is a breakaway group from the Harkat-ul-Jihad Islami Arakan (HUJI-A), headed by Abdus Qadoos Burmi, a Pakistani national of Rohingya origin has called jihad in Myanmar. Abdus Qadoos Burmi has shared stages with LeT chief Hafiz Saeed. 

Last year in the month of Nov, a huge cache of Chinese weapons was seized in Shan state by the Burmese Army including surface to air missiles. 





Among the weapons seized were 39 M-22 assault rifles, 29 medium machine guns, 69 M-21 assault rifles, nine M-16 assault rifles, 21-RPG and one FN-6-man portable air defence system which is the shoulder-fired surface to air missile. 


During the investigation, it was revealed that all the weapons were to be delivered to terror groups and were smuggled through China. 


“There is a well-planned conspiracy to destabilized the Myanmar border adjoining to Bangladesh and India. Through the Kaladan Project, India will be able to reach its strong presence in Myanmar, which will help to counter Chinese presence. This could be a reason that Chinese weapons are transported to rebels groups like AA.” said an officer aware of these developments. 


India entered into a framework agreement with Myanmar in April 2008, to facilitate the implementation of the project. On completion, the project will help connect Mizoram with the Sittwe Port in the Rakhine State of Myanmar. On the Indian side, work is on to extend the Aizawl-Saiha National Highway by 90 km to the international border at Zorinpui. 





The Chinese made weapons are also available for the insurgent groups of North-Eastern states. As per Indian intelligence report, ULFA Chief Paresh Barua is currently residing in China and actively involved in supplying Chinese made weapons to various groups. 


In 2004, ten truckloads of arms and ammunition smuggled from China were seized by the Bangladesh Army. In another incident in 2010 when northeast militant Anthony Shimray, who had returned from Nepal, was apprehended by Indian security agencies. During the interrogation, Shimray disclosed that he was tasked to send a large consignment of AK 47s, M16 rifles, machine guns, sniper rifles, and rocket launchers among other arms and ammunition from China to India. These weapons were to be sent from China's Beihei through an agent from Bangkok to Bangladesh's Cax Bazaar. From there, the weapons were to be made available to militant groups of northeast. 

As per some reports, Beijing had also been taking help from Pakistan's intelligence agency ISI against India. China and Pakistan had jointly set up an operational hub against India in Bangladesh capital city Dhaka with the aim of contacting militant groups of northeast states. 

Category: articles

Read More...

Oli surrounded by disputed statement on Lord Rama, unable to answer sharp questions

Seeing Nepal's Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli coming out of his power, is now continuously targeting India. Oli has given a very controversial statement about Shriram, on which the whole country is angry. 

Seeing Nepal's Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli (KP sharma Oli) coming out of his power, is now continuously targeting India. Oli has given a highly disputed statement about Lord Ram, about which the whole country is angry. The Prime Minister of Nepal claimed that India has created fake Ayodhya for cultural encroachment and the real Ayodhya (Ayodhya) is in Nepal. Oli said that Lord Ram was not an Indian. Oli also said that the real Ayodhya is not in India but in Birganj, Nepal. Oli is surrounded in his own house by making a controversial statement on Lord Ram. The people of Nepal have raised sharp questions.





Oli gave strange arguments on petty claims Oli, who was spoiling relations with India at the behest of China, was swept away in protest against India, saying that Lord Shri Ram is not an Indian. In the program held at the Prime Minister's residence on the 206th birth anniversary of Nepali poet Bhanubhakta Acharya, Oli said that Nepal has been culturally persecuted by India. Oli gave a peculiar argument on these petty claims that when there was no way of communication, how did Lord Ram come to Janakpur to marry Sita?





He said that Nepal did not give Sita to the prince of Ayodhya located in India, but to the prince of Ayodhya, Nepal. Oli claimed that Ayodhya is a village located to the west of Birganj. Ayodhya settled in India is not real Ayodhya.





Oli surrounded by his house 
Former Nepal Foreign Minister Ramesh Nath Pandey targeted Oli fiercely. He tweeted, "Religion is above politics and diplomacy. It is a very emotional subject. Only the embarrassing rhetoric makes one feel embarrassed. If the real Ayodhya is near Birganj, then where is the Saryu river?" 





Former Nepal Prime Minister Babu Ram Bhattarai described Oli's statement as absurd. He sarcastically wrote in his tweet, "Listen to the new Ramayana of tomorrow era composed by Adi-poet Oli, travel directly to Baikuntha Dham."





Outrage from Kashmir to Kanyakumari There is anger on Oli's statement from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. There is anger in saint society. Ram temple trust member Mahant Dinendra Das said that Lord Ram was born on the banks of Saryu in Ayodhya. He said that efforts are being made to change the culture of Nepal.





Uttar Pradesh Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya also targeted Nepal's PM Oli. He said in one of his tweets:





Earlier, Nepal had banned the transmission of Indian channels. Nepal alleged that Indian channels were showing derogatory news against her. Recently, when his party demanded resignation from Oli, Oli blamed India for this. But Oli understand that India will not tolerate any statement against Lord Ram.

Category: articles

Read More...

अमेरिका ने वर्ष 2016 में भारत को ‘बड़ा रक्षा साझेदार’ घोषित किया था जो रक्षा मामलों खासतौर से रक्षा व्यापार और तकनीक पर सहयोग बढ़ाने के रास्ते खोलता है.

वॉशिंगटन: पेंटागन के एक वरिष्ठ अधिकारी ने बताया कि भारत को ‘‘बड़ा रक्षा साझेदार’’ घोषित करने से परस्पर सहयोग के रास्ते खुलते हैं क्योंकि भारत और अमेरिका के नौवहन सुरक्षा, डोमेन संबंधी जागरूकता और आतंकवाद से निपटने जैसे कई मुद्दों पर साझा हित हैं. अमेरिका ने वर्ष 2016 में भारत को ‘‘बड़े रक्षा साझीदार’’ के रूप में मान्यता दी थी. यह दर्जा मिलने के बाद भारत, अमेरिका से अत्याधुनिक और संवेदनशील प्रौद्योगिकियां खरीद सकता है. रक्षा, एशिया और प्रशांत सुरक्षा मामलों के सहायक मंत्री रैंडल श्राइवर ने सीनेट की विदेश संबंधों की समिति की एक उपसमिति के समक्ष कहा कि भारत और अमेरिका राजनीतिक, आर्थिक और सुरक्षा मामलों में सहज साझेदार हैं.


उन्होंने कहा, ‘‘अमेरिका ने वर्ष 2016 में भारत को ‘बड़ा रक्षा साझेदार’ घोषित किया था जो रक्षा मामलों खासतौर से रक्षा व्यापार और तकनीक पर सहयोग बढ़ाने के रास्ते खोलता है.’’ उन्होंने कहा कि वैश्विक स्थिरता और नियम आधारित अंतरराष्ट्रीय व्यवस्था के लिए समर्थन की साझा इच्छा के साथ भारत और अमेरिका के नौवहन सुरक्षा, डोमेन संबंधी जागरूकता, आतंकवाद विरोध, मानवीय सहायता और प्राकृतिक आपदाओं तथा अंतराष्ट्रीय खतरों की समन्वित प्रतिक्रिया देने पर साझा हित हैं. 


डोनाल्ड ट्रंप ने भारत को बताया बेहतर दोस्त, कहा था- साथ में काम करना खुशी देता है इससे पहले अमेरिका के राष्ट्रपति डोनाल्ड ट्रंप ने कहा था कि भारत, रूस और चीन जैसे देशों के साथ काम करना अच्छी बात है ना कि बुरी. वह रूस के साथ संबंध सुधारने की अपनी इच्छा को लेकर हो रही आलोचना पर प्रतिक्रिया दे रहे थे. उन्होंने नॉर्वे के प्रधानमंत्री एर्ना सोलबर्ग के साथ व्हाइट हाउस में संयुक्त रूप से संवाददाता सम्मेलन के संबोधित करेत हुए कहा, ‘‘रूस या चीन या भारत या किसी भी अन्य देशों के साथ काम करना बहुत अच्छी बात है. यह बुरी बात नहीं है. ’’ ट्रंप ने कहा कि उनकी नजर सेना को मजबूत बनाने, बड़ी मात्रा में तेल और गैस तथा ऊर्जा का भंडार करने पर है लेकिन रूस के राष्ट्रपति व्लादिमीर पुतिन को यह पसंद नहीं आ सकता.


उन्होंने कहा कि यह बहुत ही बेहतर होगा कि उत्तर कोरिया से निपटा जाए जहां पर अमेरिका को अभी दिक्कत है. उन्होंने कहा, ‘‘यह मेरी दिक्कत नहीं होनी चाहिए थी. इसे वर्षों पहले ही हल किया जाना चाहिए था जब यह कम खतरनाक थी. लेकिन यह समस्या मुझे दी गई. ’’ट्रंप ने पूर्व विदेश मंत्री हिलेरी क्लिंटन को इसके लिए जिम्मेदार ठहराते हुए कहा कि उन्होंने सेना को मजबूत नहीं बनाया. 

Category: articles

Read More...

अमेरिका के नेशनल इंस्टीच्यूट ऑफ हेल्थ (एनआईएच) ने ह्यूस्टन विश्वविद्यालय में औषधि विज्ञान के भारतीय मूल के प्रोफेसर ताहिर हुसैन को किडनी से जुड़े एक अध्ययन के लिए 10 करोड़ रु. की राशि प्रदान की है.


 यह राशि एक गुर्दे की कोशिका की जांच करने के लिए दी गई है जो मोटापा के कारण होने वाले सूजन से किडनी को पहुंचने वाली क्षति को रोक सकती है. हुसैन ने बताया कि अगर एटी 2 आर प्रोटीन को हम सक्रिय करने में सफल हो सके तो वह किडनी की पुरानी और गंभीर समस्याओं से निजात पाने में मददगार साबित हो सकता है.

मूल रूप से भारत के रहने वाले और अलीगढ़ मुस्लिम विश्वविद्यालय के एलुमनी हुसैन किडनी पर सूजन के प्रभावों का अध्ययन करेंगे. उन्होंने कहा- ‘इस अनुदान के लिए मैं जो प्रस्ताव दे रहा हूं वह यह है कि गुर्दे में कुछ कोशिकाएं होती हैं वह गुर्दे की रक्षा कर सकती हैं.’


 हुसैन ने भारत के अलीगढ़ मुस्लिम विश्वविद्यालय से बीएससी (रसायनशास्त्र), एमएससी, एमफिल और पीएचडी (बायोकेमेस्ट्री) किया है. इसके बाद उन्होंने न्यूयार्क के ईस्ट कैरोलिना विश्वविद्यालय से पोस्ट डॉक्टरेट (औषधि विज्ञान) किया.


 हुसैन ने भारत के अलीगढ़ मुस्लिम विश्वविद्यालय से बीएससी (रसायनशास्त्र), एमएससी, एमफिल और पीएचडी (बायोकेमेस्ट्री) किया है. इसके बाद उन्होंने न्यूयार्क के ईस्ट कैरोलिना विश्वविद्यालय से पोस्ट डॉक्टरेट (औषधि विज्ञान) किया

Category: articles

Read More...