Vientiane, Aug 6 (IANS) Laos has raised public awareness, especially among vulnerable groups, to prevent human trafficking.Laos’ Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare held a campaign to commemorate the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, aiming to strengthen joint efforts against human trafficking and promote legal employment, the ministry said on Wednesday.The event aimed to raise public awareness about the dangers of human trafficking, a serious crime that violates human rights, inflicts…

Ashgabat, Aug 6 (IANS) Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Tuesday called for stronger global partnerships, enhanced regional connectivity, and inclusive, sustainable development to address the numerous challenges currently facing landlocked developing countries (LLDCs).In his address at the Third UN Conference on LLDCs, Tokayev said that LLDCs, home to over 500 million people across various continents, face major, persistent obstacles including limited access to finance, global markets, a…

Islamabad, Aug 6 (IANS) The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Asad Qaiser has announced that the party will hold the second phase of its protest movement on August 14, the country’s Independence day, to demand the release of its founder and former Prime Minister Imran Khan. During the party’s protest rally to mark the anniversary of Imran Khan’s arrest in Swabi, Qaiser said, “The second phase of our protest will be on August 14, then we will go to Sindh.”Deputy Inspector General of Police Fa…

Beijing, Aug 6 (IANS) China’s mega project, Medog Hydropower Station on the Yarlung Tsangpo River in Tibet, poses a grave threat to the cultural, spiritual, and geographical foundations that have anchored the Tibetan identity for millennia, a report cited on Wednesday.The Medog Hydropower Station, envisioned as the most powerful dam, has been hailed as a “Project of the Century”, promising clean energy, economic growth, and strategic advantage. Yet behind the “triumphant narrative” lies a troubl…

Islamabad, Aug 6 (IANS) At least 71 people have been killed and 86 others injured in rain-related incidents in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa since the start of the monsoon season in late June, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) revealed in its latest figures, on Wednesday. The deceased, reported local media citing the latest figures shared by the PDMA, include 40 children, 17 men and 14 women. Monsoon rains have wreaked havoc in Pakistan since June, triggering d…

Mumbai, Aug 6 (IANS) The Congress on Wednesday demanded that the voting in the upcoming local body elections in Maharashtra be held using the Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) to ensure transparency. If voting through VVPAT takes time, then, the Congress said, the elections should be held on a ballot.Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar took strong objection to the statement by the State Election Commissioner (SEC) Dinesh Waghmare’s statement made on Tuesday that VVPAT m…

Chandigarh, Aug 6 (IANS) Haryana is set to host the prestigious 18th Urban Mobility India (UMI) conference-cum-exhibition in Gurugram from November 7 to 9, government officials said on Wednesday. The preparations for the event were reviewed at a meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi here. The conference is a flagship annual event organised by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and serves as a globally recognised platform for stakeholders to deliberate on emerging issues,…

Jamnagar, Aug 6 (IANS) In a significant catch, Dhrol police in Jamnagar district of Gujarat recovered 481 bottles of Indian‑Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) from an abandoned car on the Dhrol–Jodiya road. The total value of the seized contraband goods, including the vehicle, is estimated at Rs 12.46 lakh, police officials shared on Wednesday.Acting on a tip-off about a consignment of liquor being transported illegally, the Dhrol police launched an operation. Upon reaching the location, they discov…

New Delhi, Aug 6 (IANS) In the wake of the devastating cloudburst in the Harshil region of Uttarkashi town of Uttarakhand, which triggered flash floods and widespread destruction, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) has been at the forefront of rescue and relief operations. Barinderjit Singh, Deputy Inspector General (Operations), ITBP, spoke exclusively to IANS about the ongoing efforts, challenges, and ground realities of the rescue mission being carried out in treacherous weather conditions…

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 6 (IANS) Ahead of the forthcoming crucial elections — local body (December) and Assembly (April/May 2026) — the Pinarayi Vijayan-led Kerala government on Wednesday approved the second phase of the Medisep medical insurance scheme for state government employees and pensioners.There are about one million families which will now avail this new facility.The scheme will see significant enhancements in insurance coverage and treatment options.Under the new phase, basic insura…