Seoul, Aug 14 (IANS) The South Korean government will launch a consultative body of relevant ministries to support the shipbuilding cooperation initiative with the United States, the industry minister said on Thursday, noting the project will create new opportunities for the Korean shipbuilding industry.Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan unveiled the plan during the naming ceremony of two liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers to be delivered to the U.S. by Korean shipbuilding giant Hanwha Ocean Co.,…

Aden (Yemen), Aug 14 (IANS) Yemeni authorities have announced a crackdown on smuggling networks moving African migrants through the country, after more than 90 Ethiopian migrants died when a boat capsized off southern Abyan province earlier this month.Abyan police said in a statement on Wednesday that they would take “strict measures against anyone proven to be involved in transporting or smuggling refugees and illegal immigrants of African nationality.”Under the new measures, security forces wi…

Jerusalem, Aug 14 (IANS) Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir toured army outposts in southern Lebanon, saying the armed forces had adopted “a new strategic concept” aimed at preempting emerging threats.Video released by the military showed Zamir scanning the area through binoculars, speaking with commanders, and inspecting frontline positions.”We are on the offensive, constantly thwarting threats. We identify and eliminate threats in all arenas,” he said.Zamir said that earlier on Wednesday, he ha…

Chennai, Aug 14 (IANS) The Tamil Nadu Green Energy Corporation Limited (TNGECL) has called for bids to develop public electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at nine locations within Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) limits under the Build, Own and Operate (BOO) model. According to the proposal, the project will follow a public-private partnership format, with the selected charge point operator handling design, engineering, supply, installation, commissioning, and the long-term operation and mai…

Chennai, Aug 14 (IANS) To reduce electricity consumption and promote eco-friendly urban lighting, the Coimbatore City Corporation has begun installing motion sensor streetlights powered entirely by solar energy. These lights, equipped with solar panels, aim to cut dependence on the electricity board while lowering carbon emissions and eliminating greenhouse gas output.Under a pilot project, 122 motion sensor streetlights have been set up at five locations, with plans underway to identify sites f…

Nainital, Aug 14 (IANS) In a significant move to improve the management of surging crowds at the revered Kainchi Dham of Baba Neem Karoli, the Uttarakhand administration is working on a comprehensive crowd control system, complete with a fixed visitor capacity and online registration facilities. Every year, lakhs of devotees flock to the Dham, leading to overcrowding not only within the temple complex but also in the surrounding areas. Responding to this growing challenge, the government has ini…

Chennai, Aug 14 (IANS) The Tamil Nadu government is set to expand the buy-back scheme for empty liquor bottles to all Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (Tasmac) outlets across the state, as part of a broader initiative to promote environmental responsibility and strengthen retail practices in the liquor sector. The scheme was initially rolled out in the Nilgiris district following a court directive aimed at addressing environmental concerns caused by discarded bottles.It was subsequently im…

Nairobi, Aug 14 (IANS) A two-day meeting began in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, with discussions underway to enhance youth participation in peace and security initiatives in the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) region.Addressing the IGAD Youth Peace and Security Conference on Wednesday, Workneh Gebeyehu, executive secretary of the East African bloc, said the region is home to one of the youngest populations in the world, with youth under the age of 30 making up more than 60 per…

Seoul, Aug 14 (IANS) South Korea’s jailed former first lady Kim Keon Hee appeared at a special counsel’s office on Thursday to undergo questioning for the first time since her arrest earlier this week over corruption charges.Kim was brought to special counsel Min Joong-ki’s office in central Seoul in a prison van after departing Seoul Southern Detention Centre in handcuffs, according to correctional authorities.She was hidden from public view as the van used the underground parking route.The wif…

New Delhi, Aug 14 (IANS) Light rainfall was recorded in parts of Delhi-NCR on Thursday morning, as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) elevated the ‘yellow’ alert to a ‘red’ warning for the day. Visuals from early morning showed steady rain drenching areas of the National Capital, Noida, and Gurugram.These fresh spells come just days after heavy downpours across Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, and other parts of the National Capital Region earlier this week, which had led to several flight delays…