Indian Sub-continent

Pakistan-Turkey train arrives in Istanbul, first in a decade

06 Jan 2022; MEMO: The first train carrying goods from Pakistan to Turkey arrived in Istanbul yesterday, completing the first such journey in a decade.

The Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul (ITI) cargo train – made up of eight wagons with a capacity of 22 tonnes – started its journey from Islamabad on 21 December and travelled 5,981 kilometres. It is hoped the new link will boost trade between the three countries.

India: SC appoints panel headed by ex-judge to probe 'security breach' during PM's Punjab visit

New Delhi, Jan 12 (PTI) The Supreme Court on Wednesday appointed a five- member committee headed by former apex court judge Indu Malhotra to probe the security breach during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to Punjab.

A bench headed by Chief Justice N V Ramana also appointed the Inspector General of the National Investigation Agency, Director General of Police of Chandigarh, the Registrar General of the Punjab and Haryana High Court and the Additional DGP (Security) of Punjab as members to the Justice Malhotra panel.

India, China hold 14th military talks to resolve Ladakh standoff

New Delhi, Jan 12 (PTI) After a gap of over three months, India and China on Wednesday are holding another round of high-level military talks to resolve the 20-month-long military standoff in the remaining friction points in eastern Ladakh, sources in the security establishment said.

The 14th round of Corps Commander-level talks are taking place at the Chushul-Moldo border point on the Chinese side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, they said.

US Climate Envoy John Kerry to visit India soon

New Delhi, Jan 11 (PTI) US Climate Envoy John Kerry is likely to visit the country soon to take forward the India-US Climate Action and Finance Mobilisation Dialogue, officials said on Tuesday

While some officials said the visit should take place by the end of this month depending on the Covid situation, others said there is no final fix on the dates so far

India: Cabinet minister Nitin Gadkari tests positive for COVID-19

New Delhi, Jan 12 (PTI) Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has tested positive for COVID-19 and is in home quarantine.

In a tweet, he said he has "mild symptoms" and is under home quarantine.

"I have tested positive for Covid 19 today with mild symptoms. Following all the necessary protocols, I have isolated myself and I am under home quarantine. I request all those who have come in contact with me to isolate themselves and get tested," Gadkari said in a social media post.

India: Teenager raped in UP's Shamli

Shamli, Jan 12 (PTI) A teenager was raped by a 50-year-old man in a sugarcane field in Unn area of the district, police said.

The incident happened on Tuesday when the 16-year-old girl has gone to cut grass in the fields, they said.

The accused is absconding and the girl has been sent for medical examination, the police said.

A case has been registered and probe is on, they added.

Pakistan to increase exports to stimulate economic growth: PM

ISLAMABAD, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Tuesday that his government remained fully focused on increasing exports to stimulate economic growth.

Exports are one of the major sectors for wealth creation, which can act as the most important driving agent to boost the national economy, Khan said while addressing the inaugural ceremony of the 14th International Chambers Summit 2022 arranged by the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Islamabad.

India: Man sentenced to 10 years in jail for raping 15-year-old girl in UP

Sultanpur (UP), Jan 11 (PTI) A court here has sentenced a man to 10 years in prison for raping a minor girl two years ago and filming the act to prevent her from telling anyone about it.

The court of Special Judge, Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, Pawan Kumar Sharma also slapped a fine of Rs 51,000 on the convict, Suraj Saroj.

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