Tokyo, May 20 (IANS) The Indian Pavilion ‘Bharat’ at the Expo 2025 in Osaka on Tuesday buzzed with visitors exploring the country’s rich textiles, vibrant culture, iconic architecture, and cutting-edge technological advancements that showcase tradition and innovation.

The pavilion also witnessed a refreshing yoga session, inviting visitors to embrace India’s timeless wellness traditions.”Ahinsa Silk of Meghalaya, with its eco-friendly charm, and Chandrayaan Zone, demonstrating India’s space capabilities, continue to inspire visitors of all ages, at the India Pavilion-Bharat, World Expo 2025, Osaka,” the Embassy of India in Japan posted on X.Visitors also enjoyed a mesmerising musical performance by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) troupe Nadateertha, in a celebration of India’s cultural heritage. Blending rhythm, tradition, and storytelling, Nadateertha further captivated audiences with a dynamic performance at the North Pop-up Stage of Expo in Osaka, showcasing the rich cultural tapestry of India.Later, the visitors also explored the unique Black Clay Pottery, and enjoyed a vibrant presentation on the art, culture, and music of Meghalaya, celebrating the essence of Northeast India.On Monday, the visitors had flocked to the interactive session on Meghalaya’s textiles at the India Pavilion, exploring vibrant weaves, traditional techniques, and the rich cultural heritage behind every fabric.Earlier, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal had expressed confidence that the Osaka expo will provide a big boost to trade and tourism in India and further cement India’s role as the world’s trusted partner.“The India Pavilion – Bharat, at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan, a remarkable representation of India’s cultural richness and commercial successes, welcomed its 5000th visitor today. This space is a stunning display of India’s growing international presence and the giant strides that the country has taken in the last decade, under PM Narendra Modi’s leadership,” the minister posted on X.“One of the highlights of the pavilion has been the display of the Chandrayaan-3 landing on the moon’s south pole and India’s advances in space technology. Path Breaking initiatives like Make in India, Digital India and achievements in sectors like energy, IT, infrastructure, health, and tourism are also being showcased at the six-month-long Expo,” the post further added.–IANSint/scor/as

Moscow, May 20 (IANS) Moscow is ready to continue contacts with Kyiv and will propose to work on a memorandum about a potential peace deal, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Tuesday.

Zakharova said Russia has “once again affirmed its desire to achieve a final, fair settlement of the crisis,” adding that progress towards a resolution of the conflict cannot be achieved without tackling the root causes.She said it is necessary to agree on many aspects, including the main principles of the settlement, the timing of the potential peace agreement and details regarding a possible ceasefire if relevant agreements are reached.Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said earlier on Tuesday that Moscow and Kyiv must now prepare for contacts on the development of the joint memorandum regarding the peace treaty and ceasefire, Xinhua news agency reported. He welcomed the renewed contacts between Russia and Ukraine, saying there is no deadline for the completion of the memorandum.On Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump held a telephone conversation on the Ukraine crisis and recent Russia-Ukraine talks in Istanbul.Ceasefire negotiations between Russia and Ukraine “will begin immediately,” said Trump after his two-hour call with his Russian counterpart, noting that “the tone and spirit of the conversation were excellent.”Right after his phone call with Putin, Trump posted on his social media Truth Social that Russia and Ukraine will “immediately start negotiations toward a ceasefire,” and work to end the conflict.He said Russia is eager to pursue major trade deals with the United States once the conflict ends. “There is a tremendous opportunity for Russia to create massive amounts of jobs and wealth. Its potential is UNLIMITED. Likewise, Ukraine can be a great beneficiary on Trade, in the process of rebuilding its Country.”He added that the ceasefire conditions will be negotiated between Russia and Ukraine, “as it can only be, because they know details of a negotiation that nobody else would be aware of.”However, when speaking to reporters later, Trump warned that he could back out of the negotiation process. “Big egos involved, but I think something’s going to happen. And if it doesn’t, I just back away, and they’re going to have to keep going again,” he said.–IANSint/as

London, May 20 (IANS) British Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced on Tuesday that Britain has suspended trade negotiations with Israel over its Gaza blockade. Lammy also said the Israeli ambassador had been summoned.Earlier, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza on Tuesday, describing the ongoing civilian suffering as “utterly intolerable,” and called for an immediate ceasefire.Addressing Parliament on Tuesday, Starmer said, “The level of suffering, innocent children being bombed again, is utterly intolerable,” and went on to say Britain and their French and Canadian allies are “horrified by the escalation from Israel.” He said an “immediate ceasefire” remains “the only way to free the hostages.”He also reaffirmed Britain’s opposition to Israeli settlement expansion in the West Bank and called for a dramatic scale-up in humanitarian aid to Gaza.”The recent announcement that Israel will allow a basic quantity of food into Gaza is totally and utterly inadequate,” Starmer said. “We must coordinate our response, because this war has gone on for far too long. We cannot allow the people of Gaza to starve.”Britain, France and Canada said on Monday that “if Israel does not cease the renewed military offensive and lift its restrictions on humanitarian aid,” they will take further concrete actions, Xinhua news agency reported.In a joint statement, the three countries said that these actions could include targetted sanctions.They described the recent Israeli escalations in Gaza as “wholly disproportionate,” and emphasised that the three countries will not stand by “while the Netanyahu government pursues these egregious actions.”The statement also indicated that the three countries oppose expanding settlements in the West Bank, and urged Israel to halt settlements “which are illegal and undermine the viability of a Palestinian state and the security of both Israelis and Palestinians.”In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hit back by saying that British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his allies have offered Hamas a “huge prize,” calling on “all European leaders” to follow US President Donald Trump’s vision for ending the conflict.–IANSint/as

Khartoum, May 20 (IANS) The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) said Tuesday that it has been fighting with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since Monday in western and southern Omdurman city, north of the Sudanese capital Khartoum.”Our forces continue to crush the remaining militia elements in western and southern Omdurman, while advancing to clear the Al-Salha area and its surroundings,” SAF spokesperson Nabil Abdalla said in a statement, adding that the SAF is nearing the complete clearance of Khartoum State from RSF fighters.Footage posted on social media platforms showed the SAF advancing in Al-Salha of western Omdurman and inside the RSF headquarters in the area, reportedly the RSF’s last remaining military base in Khartoum State. A local eyewitness told Xinhua news agency that the SAF “recaptured the areas of Wad Bakrawi, Al-Qiaa, and the main market in Al-Salha” on Tuesday morning.Meanwhile, a military source, who requested anonymity, said that the SAF, advancing in southern Omdurman, has “taken control of the Al-Muthallath area, west of the Jabal Awliya Dam.”Chairman of Sudan’s ruling Transitional Sovereign Council (TSC) Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, also the army chief, on Monday issued a constitutional decree appointing Kamil Idris as the new Prime Minister, the TSC’s media office said in a statement.Idris’s appointment comes nearly three weeks after Al-Burhan named Dafallah Al-Haj Ali as acting Prime Minister and cabinet affairs minister.The Prime Minister’s post has been vacant since civilian leader Abdalla Hamdok resigned in January 2022 following a military coup led by Al-Burhan in October 2021.The coup saw Hamdok and senior officials briefly detained before his reinstatement under a fragile power-sharing deal. Hamdok stepped down weeks later, thrusting the country into a political crisis.Idris, a legal expert, previously served as Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organisation and Secretary-General of the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants.Al-Burhan also issued another decree appointing Salma Abdul Jabbar al-Mubarak and Nawara Abu Muhammad Muhammad Taher as TSC members, representing central and eastern Sudan, according to the statement.Sudan has been engulfed in a brutal conflict between the SAF and the RSF since April 2023. The war has killed tens of thousands and forced millions to flee their homes, both within Sudan and across its borders.–IANSint/as

Vilnius, May 20 (IANS) In a drive to boost construction of the Rail Baltica railway in Lithuania and ensure it is completed by 2028, the country’s Transport and Communications Ministry has set up a new working group tasked with coordinating the project.The working group, which will draw up an action plan for the Baltic Railway, will be chaired by Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications Julijus Glebovas.”The progress of the Rail Baltica project is of strategic importance to Lithuania and the whole Baltic region,” Glebovas said, Xinhua news agency reported. “By forming this working group, we will ensure smoother coordination of the project, and the prompt resolution of the most pressing issues related to its implementation in our country.”Rail Baltica is the largest railway infrastructure project in the history of the Baltic countries, connecting Tallinn, Parnu, Riga, Panevezys, Kaunas, Vilnius and Warsaw. The total length of the line in the Baltic countries will be 870 km: 392 km in Lithuania, 265 km in Latvia, and 213 km in Estonia.The group’s action plan will outline immediate actions for implementing the project by the end of 2028 and is expected to be submitted to the Strategic Projects Portfolio Commission for approval in June.The working group has also been tasked with coordinating and supervising the implementation of the Rail Baltica project in Lithuania, monitoring project activities, and paying particular attention to issues such as land acquisition for public needs, the design and construction of the European gauge railway line, ensuring sustainable project financing and securing additional funding sources.Construction of the 46.3 km section of the Rail Baltica main line embankment and civil engineering works between Kaunas and Panevezys is currently underway. Construction activities are expected to extend to 114 km by the end of this year.–IANSint/as

Islamabad, May 20 (IANS) In an unprecedented move after India’s hard-hitting Operation Sindoor targetting the terror infrastructure deep inside Pakistan post Pahalgam massacre, the Pakistan Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday announced its decision to promote the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir to the rank of Field Marshal.”The government approved the promotion of COAS General Munir to the rank of Field Marshal for ensuring the security of the country and defeating the enemy via best strategy and courageous leadership during ‘Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos’,” Geo News reported, adding that General Munir has been rewarded for his “brilliant military leadership, bravery, and commitment to defending Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity”.The 11th Army Chief of Pakistan, General Munir, 57, will become only the second five-star field officer in the country’s 78-year-old history. The only Field Marshal in Pakistan so far was military ruler, Ayub Khan, who promoted himself to the top rank in 1959, soon after seizing power.Even as Munir was busy expressing “gratitude to Allah” and dedicating his honour to the nation, Tuesday’s decision was being ridiculed even inside Pakistan as it is for the first time an Army General has been promoted after losing in a conflict.With Pakistan being a de facto military State, several analysts reckoned that it was Munir who “promoted himself” to Field Marshal after the humiliating defeat in Operation Sindoor.Other experts emphasised that Munir is doubling down on his narrative of victory and by elevating his position, tightening his grip and control on Pakistan.”Musharraf 2.0 loading!” wrote a former Army officer on social media.The government led by Shehbaz Sharif also decided to extend the tenure of Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu, “recognising his services and leadership during the recent conflict”, Samaa News reported.Interestingly, the entire world had acknowledged the military superiority demonstrated by India during Operation Sindoor, showcasing the capability to strike “any target in Pakistan at will”, including terror sites, drone coordination hubs, and airbases.In contrast, Pakistan was unable to penetrate any defended area inside India.India’s Operation Sindoor marked a significant shift in its military strategy, leading to a swift and decisive victory over Pakistan with even renowned international analysts such as Tom Cooper, John Spencer and Jennifer Zeng providing detailed assessments of India’s performance during this conflict, highlighting the strategic and tactical elements that contributed to India’s success.Austrian military historian Tom Cooper characterised India’s air campaign as a “clear-cut victory.” Cooper noted that Pakistan’s inability to mount a credible response underscored the effectiveness of India’s strategy. Cooper further supports this by noting the failure of Pakistan’s deterrence strategy. Pakistan’s reliance on threats of retaliation and nuclear escalation “failed” because India proceeded to strike back and even escalated in response to Pakistan’s actions. He also points out that the fighting ceased because Islamabad, Pakistan, initiated contact to sound for a “ceasefire” after suffering heavy losses. He suggests that Pakistan’s decision to halt operations was likely influenced by insufficient stocks of effective ammunition, such as attack UAVs.John Spencer, Chair of Urban Warfare Studies at the Modern War Institute, lauded India’s approach as a demonstration of strategic restraint and assertiveness. He highlighted that Operation Sindoor redefined India’s red lines, treating terror attacks from Pakistani territory as acts of war. Spencer remarked, “India struck back harder, but stopped short of general war. That is textbook deterrence: calibrated, controlled, and credible.” Spencer characterises Operation Sindoor as a “massive victory” for India. He argues that India achieved and “exceeded its strategic aims” in just four days of calibrated military action. Spencer views this as the application of “decisive power, clearly applied”, not just symbolic force.–IANSint/vd/as

Helsinki, May 20 (IANS) Three students were injured in a stabbing incident at a school in the town of Pirkkala, near the city of Tampere in southern Finland on Tuesday. A fourth student has been arrested as the suspect, Finnish police confirmed.The injured students have received medical treatment, and their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening. The suspect was apprehended approximately half km from the school shortly after the attack, according to the police.The police received a report of violence at the school through the emergency center at 10:42 a.m.. At 11:00 a.m., they stated that several patrols were on the scene to investigate the situation. Later, at 12:18 p.m., the police announced that they had inspected the school premises and that the acute situation was over. However, officers remained at the scene.Vahajarvi School, where the incident took place, serves more than 1,200 students from grades one through nine. The town of Pirkkala is some 180 km north of the capital Helsinki.Finnish newspaper Iltalehti reported receiving a manifesto allegedly sent in advance by the suspect. Police have confirmed that the document is now part of the ongoing investigation.According to the manifesto, the suspect is a 16-year-old male who used a knife and intentionally targeted female students, Xinhua news agency reported. The document states that the suspect had planned the attack for six months, intending to kill one person and injure at least two others. It also notes that the suspect intended to surrender to police after the attack.Eyewitnesses told Finnish newspaper Helsingin Sanomat that the boy, dressed in black, was standing at a street corner when police arrived and he was detained without resistance.Finnish Minister of Education Anders Adlercreutz condemned the violence in a written statement, saying: “Violence in schools is unequivocally to be condemned.”A police press conference is scheduled to be held in Tampere at 5:00 p.m. local time.–IANSint/as

After over two decades of delighting young audiences, the world of Peppa Pig has officially…

Dhaka, May 20 (IANS) In yet another significant development highlighting the growing bonhomie between the two countries, the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) has granted permission to another private Pakistani airline, Air Sial, to operate direct flights between Dhaka and Karachi.

CAAB Chairman Monjur Kabir Bhuiyan was quoted by the local media as saying that a formal order will be issued later on Tuesday after which the ministry will appoint a General Sales Agent (GSA) and apply for flight slots.Once operational, Air Sial flights will allow Bangladeshi passengers to not only travel to Pakistan but also transit through the country to other international destinations, bdnews24.com reported.The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) had formally revived the proposal for operating direct flights during a meeting with Bangladesh’s Advisor for Travel and Tourism Sheikh Bashir Uddin in Dhaka on January 12, earlier this year.”Pakistani businesses are keen to invest and expand trade with Bangladesh. However, challenges such as visa complications and the lack of direct flights have created barriers,” the FPCCI President said.During the meeting, issues related to bilateral trade between the two countries, simplification of visa procedures, launching of direct flight operations between Pakistan and Bangladesh, and future investment prospects were discussed in detail.The Pakistani business delegation had expressed its interest in investing in agricultural production and marketing, education, tourism and ceramic sectors in Bangladesh. It also invited the Bangladeshi business delegation to invest in Pakistan under export facilitation scheme of the Pakistani government while stating that a trade expo will soon be organised in Bangladesh.The last Pakistani airline to fly directly to Bangladesh was Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) which ceased operations on the route in 2018 due to low booking rates and financial losses.Earlier in February, CAAB had approved Fly Jinnah to operate direct flights on the Karachi-Dhaka route.Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) reported that Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to Pakistan Iqbal Hussain had said that, if approved, Air Sial may be able to commence flights to Dhaka within two months.The prospect of renewed direct flights gained momentum under the current administration led by Muhammad Yunus following a shift in Dhaka-Islamabad relations after the fall of the Awami League government in August 2024.–IANSint/scor/as

Dhaka, May 20 (IANS) Bangladesh’s leading actress Nusraat Faria was granted bail by a Dhaka court on Tuesday in an attempted murder case of one Enamul Haque related to the July 2024 movement. The actress who portrayed former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in a film was arrested by police at the Dhaka airport on Sunday while she was on her way to Thailand.Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court Judge Mustafizur Rahman passed the order on a bond of Taka 5000 after hearing the bail appeal, Bangladeshi media outlet UNB reported.The judge stated that the bail on Tuesday was granted to Faria as the investigating officer submitted a report informing the court that the accused was in Canada from July 9 to August 14 last year and not in Bangladesh.The arrest of the actress received widespread criticism from Bangladeshis all over the world with even the Cultural Affairs Advisor Sarwar Farooki terming the development as an “embarrassing incident” for the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus.”Following the backlash over the former president Abdul Hamid’s foreign trip, there may have been an overreaction driven by nervousness. A similar incident happened a few days ago involving Barrister Andaleeve Rahman Partho’s wife. These incidents are by no means justifiable. I believe Faria will get legal remedy,” said Farooki in a social media post while expressing his concerns over the arrest.”The government’s job is to prosecute the actual transgressors during the July Uprising. Our stated policy has been clear — no one will be arrested in broad, indiscriminate cases unless preliminary investigation establishes involvement. That policy had been followed,” he added.Reports suggest that Enamul Haque sustained bullet wounds during the mass uprising in Dhaka’s Bhatara area on July 19. On that day, he was shot in the leg and later admitted to the hospital in an unconscious state. After recovering, he filed the case on May 3, which named 283 individuals as accused, including Hasina and 17 artists.Faria has been listed as the 207th accused. The case also identified her as a “financial supporter” of the Awami League.Several key members of the Bangladesh Cholochitro Shilpi Samiti, or the artistes’ association, including Ashfaque Nipun, Azmeri Haque ‘Badhon ‘, Khairul Basar, Sharaf Ahmed ‘Jibon’ Tabib Mahmud, slammed the decision taken by the “fascist Yunus administration” which, they insist, can’t be accepted.Noted British journalist David Bergman also criticised the arrest of Faria, stating that arbitrary arrest on baseless charges has become a legitimate fear in Bangladesh under the Yunus-led interim government.”It now appears that simply being a known supporter of the Awami League, or having close associations with the party, is enough to make one a target. We have reached the point where such individuals can no longer feel safe in Bangladesh — where arbitrary arrest on baseless charges becomes a legitimate fear,” said David Bergman.”The interim government appears to be struggling with its moral and political direction; The country’s new civil society seem indifferent to due process and fairness — focused instead on vengeance and score-settling; And, there is no major political force left to champion basic human rights,” he added while detailing how it has taken “just nine months” to reach this “dangerous threshold.”–IANSint/scor/sd/as