The Indian Panorama

Month: May 2022

  • Pineapple extract may help treat Alzheimer’s disease, animal study suggests

    Pineapple extract may help treat Alzheimer’s disease, animal study suggests

    An extract derived from pineapple stem may potentially improve the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, according to a study conducted in mice. Alzheimer’s is a neurodegenerative disease generally characterised by gradual memory loss due to increased levels of amyloid-beta protein in the brain.

    The affected patients are not able to remember things. In severe cases, people lose the ability to respond to their environment, carry on a conversation and, eventually, control movement. Researchers at Lovely Professional University in Phagwara, Punjab noted that the current treatment is not effective in managing the long-term effects of Alzheimer’s disease on patients’ quality of life.

    The study, recently published in the journal NeuroToxicology, found that the compound bromelain could improve Alzheimer’s disease-related behaviour symptoms in mice.

    The behaviour symptoms were supported by the results of biochemical and histopathological—microscopic examination of tissue—studies, the researchers said.

    Biochemical studies included evaluation of activity of acetylcholinesterase, an enzyme that regulates neurotransmission and antioxidant parameters in mice brains which were significantly improved by the treatment with bromelain, they said.

    “We also found significant amelioration of levels of the beta-secretase enzyme, beta-amyloid, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, tumour necrosis factor-alfa and interleukin-6 in the mouse brain after treatment with bromelain,” said study corresponding author Navneet Khurana, Professor at the School of Pharmaceutical Science, LPU. “The histopathological analysis also suggested amelioration of structures of mouse brain neurons by treatment with bromelain. All these results suggested the possible potential of bromelain for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease,” Khurana told PTI.  The researchers first induced Alzheimer’s disease in mice using a combination of AlCl3 and D-galactose.

    Source: PTI

  • Protect your lips from the sun

    Protect your lips from the sun

    Once you get to know about some lip care tips for sun damage reversal, you need to be consistent with practising them in order to maintain healthy, happy lips. Here are a few things to keep in mind about sun protection for lips.

    Reduce the Use of Lip Gloss

    Lip gloss or other such shiny and glittery lip products can damage your lips on hot sunny days. In fact, wearing lip gloss daily can make your lips prone to sun damage. So, if you plan to stay out in the sun for long, reduce the use of such shiny lip products. This is one of the most basic lip care tips for sun damage reversal.

    Use a Lip Balm With SPF

    Nowadays, most lip balms contain a bit of SPF that act as sun protection for lips. The only problem is that some lip balms only have a UVB filter (that is responsible for producing sunburn), which isn’t enough to protect your lips from the UVA rays (that penetrate deeper into your skin). Hence, you must look for a lip balm that contains paraffin or beeswax with an SPF of 30. You can also get a sunscreen lip balm with a lower SPF but it won’t work as effectively. Also, always make sure to check that the sunscreen lip balm protects your lips from both UVA and UVB rays.

    Blend Your Lip Products

    If you really can’t quit applying lip gloss or lipstick in the sun, make sure to at least apply a layer of sunscreen lip balm underneath. This will protect your lips from the sun and protect your lips from any harm. You can also invest in lipsticks that come with sun protection for lips. But to guarantee that your lips are protected from the sun, it’s better to wear a sunscreen lip balm underneath first.

    1. Always Reapply

    Just how you reapply sunscreen on your face after a few hours, it’s crucial to reapply the sunscreen lip balm every couple of hours too. Because when you eat, drink any beverage or wear a mask, the lip balm can get wiped off. Hence, reapplying it will ensure that the sensitive skin on your lips stays protected all day long.

    What is Lip Sunscreen?

    Lip sunscreen is a product that is meant to protect the sensitive skin on your lips. The harsh rays of the sun can damage your lips quite badly, so you need to protect them from any kind of sun exposure. This is where lip sunscreen comes into the picture. It is nothing but a lip balm with a bunch of nourishing natural ingredients that make your lips soft, supple and resistant to damage, while protecting it from the sun.

    Source: Puresense

  • Beauty essentials to carry when you’re travelling

    Beauty essentials to carry when you’re travelling

    When you are out for a holiday, the last thing you want is your skin and hair to react to the change in the weather and for it to go bad. Beauty products that suit your skin and are essential for your hair should be handy at that time. Packing all your beauty and skin care regime essentials should be on the top of your priority while packing for a vacation you are more than excited for.

    Overnight masks

    Ditch the same boring moisturiser or night cream that your slather on every night before going to bed. Overnight masks are the latest beauty hack that women across the world are opting for. These masks work wonders on your skin and replenish your skin overnight.

    Dry shampoo

    As much as we’d like to pamper ourselves while on holiday, washing your hair every other day can be a pain especially if you have long tresses. Simply use Dry shampoo to clean your hair and you’re good to go.

    Bright lipsticks

     Nothing can brighten up your face more than a dash of red or pink lipstick. Even if you don’t want to apply any other makeup, the lipstick alone is enough to brighten up your face.

    Hair clips

    Carry extra hair clips and hair bands in a small pouch so that you can tie your hair up in a neat top knot or braid before you embark for your sightseeing tours.

    Concealer

    Instead of spending precious minutes applying foundation, skip that part and simply dab some Concealer on your face.

     Sunscreen

     Unless you want to return from your trip looking like a fried lobster, it’s important to carry and apply Sunscreen every couple of hours.

    Travel Manicure Kit

    The last thing you should be focusing on rather than enjoying your holiday is a chipped nail or an extra brow hair. The travel manicure kit has essentials to take care of this because it takes over your mind. You could also add an extra needle and thread to sew if something in your perfect vacation outfit goes wrong.

  • Chicken Burritos

    Chicken Burritos

    Ingredients

    –        Chicken – 300 gms, cooked, shredded, skinless, boneless, Sweet corn kernels – 150 gms, boiled, drained

    –        Black beans (or red kidney beans) – 150 gms, rinsed, boiled, drained, Tomatoes – 150 gms, finely chopped

    –        Flour tortillas – 4, Green chillies – 2 to 3, chopped

    –        Jalapenos – 1 tblsp, chopped, Red chilli flakes as per taste, Garam masala powder – 2 tsp

    –        Black pepper powder as per taste

    –        Salt as per taste, Coriander leaves – handful, chopped

    –        Cheese – 100 gms, grated

    Optional ingredients

    –        Sour cream lettuce – handful, shredded, Tomatoes – 1/2 cup, chopped

    Method

    –        In a large bowl, combine the corn, black beans, tomatoes, green chillies, coriander leaves and jalapenos. Add the cooked chicken and mix well.

    –        Add the red chilli flakes, garam masala powder, black pepper powder, salt and toss gently.

    –        Warm the tortillas and place them on a flat surface.

    –        Divide the chicken mixture equally among the 4 tortillas. Sprinkle some cheese on top.

    –        If desired, add some sour cream, lettuce and chopped tomatoes.

    –        Fold from the sides and roll tightly.

    –        Heat a nonstick pan over medium flame.

    –        Place the burritos on the pan and warm them up for 3 to 5 minutes, turning gently once or twice. Serve.

  • Ariana DeBose, Jennifer Jason Leigh join the cast of Chris Pine’s directorial debut Poolman

    Ariana DeBose, Jennifer Jason Leigh join the cast of Chris Pine’s directorial debut Poolman

    Oscar-winner Ariana DeBose and The Hateful Eight star Jennifer Jason Leigh are set to star in Poolman, a mystery-comedy which marks the directorial debut of actor Chris Pine. The duo joins the previously announced cast of Pine, Annette Bening and Danny DeVito, reported Deadline. Pine will play Darren Barrenman, a hapless dreamer and would-be philosopher who spends his days looking after the pool of the Tahitian Tiki apartment block in sunny Los Angeles and crashing city council meetings with his neighbours Jack (DeVito) and Diane (Bening).

    “When Barrenman uncovers the greatest water heist in LA history since Chinatown, he makes uneasy alliances with a beautiful and connected femme fatale while following every lead he can with corrupt city officials, burned out Hollywood types, and mysterious benefactors all in the name of protecting his precious Los Angeles,” the official plotline reads. Pine will direct the film from a script he co-wrote with Ian Gotler, a partner at the actor’s production banner Barry Linen Motion Pictures.

    The duo will also produce along with Stacey Sher for Shiny Penny Productions and Jenkins for Wicious Pictures.

    Filmmaker Patty Jenkins, who worked with Pine on two Wonder Woman films as well as the series I Am the Night, will serve as one of the producers on the film.

    The cameras will start rolling next month in Los Angeles.

              Source: PTI

  • Thor: Love and Thunder new pic shows Natalie Portman with Tessa Thompson

    Thor: Love and Thunder new pic shows Natalie Portman with Tessa Thompson

    A new image for Thor: Love and Thunder has confirmed the upcoming Marvel movie has close ties to Moon Knight and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. A new still from the film made its way online on Monday, showing a convening of the gods. In it, Natalie Portman’s Jane Foster/Mighty Thor is seen taking a seat alongside Tessa Thompson’s Valkyrie. It’s not clear where the two exactly are. Interestingly, at the bottom right of the picture, another character appears, in what looks to be a panther-like costume. Read more: Thor 4 teaser has fans shipping Chris Pratt and Chris Hemsworth’s characters

    Fans on social media were quick to point out that this could be Bast, the Egyptian god who has ties to Moon Knightand Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Bast is part of the Ennead, the group of Egyptian gods we were introduced to in Moon Knight’s Disney live-action series. In the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Bast is also the goddess who led the first Black Panther – Bashenga – to the Heart-Shaped Herb, the source of the Black Panther’s superpowers. Thor: Love and Thunder will release in theaters worldwide on July 8. In the fourth instalment of the Thor series, following the events in Avengers: Endgame, Thor (played by Chris Hemsworth) declares that his “superhero-ing days are over” as he looks to start a new chapter of self-discovery. On April 18, Marvel Studios released the first teaser trailer for the forthcoming film, giving us a brief glimpse of what’s in store for Thor.

    The minute-and-a-half clip — set to the tune of Guns N’ Roses’ Sweet Child O’ Mine — begins with Thor declaring his retirement, just after the fall of his kingdom Asgard in the last Avengers film.

              Source: HT

  • Tom Cruise breaks into tears at surprise Cannes award, gets a standing ovation

    Tom Cruise breaks into tears at surprise Cannes award, gets a standing ovation

    Tom Cruise was the star of the Cannes Film Festival on Wednesday, May 18,  as he not just made a grand entry with fighter jets zooming over the venue but also won a long standing ovation from the audience at the screening of his film, Top Gun: Maverick. Tom was moved to tears as he saw the response for his action film at the screening.

    According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Tom Gun: Maverick team’s entry included eight fighter jets zooming above the event, expelling smoke in red and blue to match the colours of the French flag. After the actor spent several minutes posing for pictures with fans and signing autographs, he finally joined his team for the screening. The tabloid reports that after the film’s screening, the audience responded with a six-minute standing ovation that moved Tom to tears. Earlier in the day, having taken part in a MasterClass Conversation in the 1,000-seat Debussy Theatre, he was gifted with another tribute before the screening, led by festival director Thierry Fremaux.

  • Budhwa Mangal

    Budhwa Mangal

    Budhwa Mangal is a day dedicated to Lord Hanuman. This day holds an important place for Hindus. Budhwa mangal is also called big mangal. Lord Hanuman is worshiped on this day.

    Budhwa Mangal is on the first Tuesday of Jyeshtha month i.e. 17 May 2022, however, all the Tuesdays coming in Jyeshtha month are called the days of Budhwa Mangal.  It is believed that worshipping Lord Hanuman on this day protects us from evil and brings wealth and prosperity. The festival is a symbol of Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb of Lucknow and said to have originated during the Mughal rule some 400 years ago. Bada Mangal is celebrated every Tuesday during the Hindu month of Jyestha which usually falls during the month of May and June, as per Gregorian calendar.

    The Hanuman Temple in Aliganj is the focal point for all devotees. It is because the ritual is said to have started there.

    History and Significance

    The ”Bada Mangal” has an interesting story behind it. According to historians, the Hanuman temple in Aliganj was constructed by Nawab Saadat Ali Khan in 1798 when his mother Aliya Begum”s prayers were reportedly answered and the Nawab was blessed with a son. Aliya Begum insisted on building the temple and the Nawab complied.

    Nawab Wajid Ali Shah, the last nawab of Awadh, continued the tradition by holding community feasts for Hanuman devotees. The Aliganj temple has a star and a crescent on the dome and the ”Bada Mangal” festival is a perfect example of Hindu-Muslim unity.

    There are over 9,000 big and small Hanuman temples in Lucknow who open their doors at the stroke of midnight and devotees continue to offer prayers for the entire day.

    Celebrations

    People flock to the temples in large numbers during early morning and late evening to avoid long queues and heat.

    Devotees set up large bhandaras across the city to distribute prasad and jal to everyone. From halwa-puri, aloo-kachori, chola-chawal, kadhi chawal to juice– the bhandaras offer tasty prasad to everyone.

    Overall, there are 4-5 Bada Mangal days in the month of Jyestha. Though you may be unable to reach out to temples on the first Tuesday due to coronavirus lockdown, you can still worship Lord Hanuman from your home.

    Lord Hanuman is believed to be an incarnation of Lord Shiva. The son of Kesari and Anjana, Hanuman was born on the full moon day during the Hindu month of Chaitra on a Tuesday. Hence, devotees worship Sri Hanuman on Tuesdays. If you were to go by the gregorian calendar, then Hanuman Jayanti would coincide with a day in March or April. Moreover, Tuesdays are called Mangalvar in Hindi, meaning a day of auspiciousness. Interestingly, Hanuman is also called Chiranjeevi, meaning he is immortal. He exists in some form or the other even today.

    More revered as the faithful devotee of Shri Rama, Hanuman is known for his strength and knowledge. He is also known as Pavan Putra because the God of the winds carried the blessings of Lord Shiva and conveyed the message about his birth to Mata Anjana.

    Also known as Bajrangbali, Hanuman’s unshakable faith in his Lord (Rama) inspires millions of people even today. He epitomises selfless service and devotion. There can be none like him. Here’s a small story that proves his undying devotion for Shri Rama.

    After the war against Ravana, Sita returned to Ayodhya with her husband, Rama. They honoured all those who contributed in the battle from their side by giving them a token of thanks. Mata Sita, gave Hanuman, the pearl necklace she was wearing, as a gesture of appreciation for his efforts. Hanuman accepted it respectfully but tore it soon after. Everyone who witnessed Hanuman’s action wondered why he ruined the present given by Sita. But his answer left people speechless. He said that no matter how precious things are, they are meaningless to him if they don’t have Shri Rama. Later, to prove what he meant, he tore his chest apart with his own hands to show an image of his Lord and his consort reflecting gloriously.

    One can worship Hanuman during any day of the week, but Tuesdays are considered more auspicious. Hence, people visit temples dedicated to Hanuman on Tuesdays. One can achieve success, peace, happiness, strength and courage by worshipping him.

    The reason behind the Lord Hanuman’s name as “Bajrangbali”

    Once, seeing Goddess Sita applying sindoor, Lord Hanuman asked her “why does she apply it on her forehead”. To this Goddess Sita replied that “since Shri Ram is her husband, I apply sindoor to wish her long life.” Lord Hanuman thought that if Goddess Sita applied a little sindoor on her forehead, the age of Sri Ram can be prolonged, then if I apply it on the whole body, the life of Shri Ram will increase manifold. Thinking this, he applied sindoor all over his body. As sindoor is also called “Bajrang”, from that day onwards Lord Hanuman came to be called as “Bajrangbali” and that is why whenever he is worshipped sindoor is offered to him.

    The Power of Devotion

    The character of Hanuman is used in the Hindu religion as an example of the unlimited power that lies unused within each human individual. Hanuman directed all his energies towards the worship of Lord Rama, and his undying devotion made him such that he became free from all physical fatigue. And Hanuman’s only desire was to go on serving Rama.

    In this manner, Hanuman perfectly exemplifies ‘Dasyabhava’ devotion—one of the nine types of devotions—that bonds the master and the servant. His greatness lies in his complete merger with his Lord, which also formed the base of his genial qualities.

  • Spiti Valley: A virgin paradise

    Spiti Valley: A virgin paradise

    Long winding roads and valleys that present unforgettable glimpses of cold desert and snow-crowned mountains welcome you when you set foot into Spiti Valley. Bordered on all sides by the Himalayas, Spiti Valley, located in Himachal Pradesh, has an altitude of 12,500 feet above sea level, and gets just around 250 days of sunshine in the year, making it one of the coldest places in the country. With the thick Himalayan snow cutting Spiti off from the rest of the country for around 6 months a year, the summer months are the only time Spiti is directly accessible via motorway.

    The term Spiti means ‘The Middle Land’, as Spiti Valley separates India from Tibet. Scantily populated, Spiti is an adventure lover’s paradise, with a number of trekking trails that tourists can choose from. All of these treks start from Kaza (Spiti’s capital from where you make your base camp) to various peaks from where you can get panoramic views of the Himalayan mountains. An easy 1.5-kilometre trek along the Spiti River from Dhankar Monastery to Dhankar Lake promises gorgeous views of the villages below. The Dhankar Lake itself is a place where you can sit back and relax amidst the cool mountain air.

    Chandratal Lake

    Chandratal Lake is often referred to as one of the most beautiful lakes located at an altitude of about 4300 m in the mighty Himalayas. The stunning lake is situated on the Samudra Tapu plateau in the Lahaul region of the Lahaul and Spiti district and is the source of the Chandra River. The name “Chandra Taal” (Lake of the Moon) comes from its crescent shape. This lake is also one of two high-altitude wetlands of India that have been designated as Ramsar sites. Once a tentative residence for Tibetan traders travelling to Spiti and the Kullu valley, it attracts thousands of adventure enthusiasts.

    Legend has that the Chandratal Lake lies in the vicinity of a place from where God Indra’s chariot picked up Yudhishthira, the eldest of Pandava brothers in Mahabharata. This fact renders the lake sacred and thus, is flocked by a lot of Hindu devotees. The colour of the water of this holy lake keeps changing from reddish to orange to blue to emerald green as the day ends. Vast stretches of green meadows house the best camping sites and an array of different wildflowers during springtime. The trek from Batal to Chandratal can be quite a tedious trail, but the captivating views and charm of the place will be worth it. The sun’s light reflecting on the surface of the astounding Chandratal Lake makes it seem crystal clear.

    Key Monastery

    The Key Monastery is a famous Tibetan Buddhist monastery in the Lahaul and Spiti District of India. Located at an altitude of 4,166 metres above sea level, the monastery is very close to the Spiti River in the Spiti Valley of Himachal Pradesh in India. Also known as the Kye Monastery and Ki Monastery, it is believed to have been founded by Dromton, who was a student of the famous teacher Atisha in the 11th century. It enshrines Buddha idols in the Dhyana position and has a collection of ancient books and murals.

    The stunning Key Monastery is over a thousand years old and is also the largest monastery to be found in the entire Spiti Valley. The magnificent monastery doubles up as a religious training centre for the Lamas, and about 300 lamas receive their education from here. It has a long and fascinating history attached to it: a long history that involves numerous attacks that the place had to face. Nevertheless, Kye Monastery survived and celebrated the completion of its thousand years in the year 2000 in the presence of the Dalai Lama.

    Kunzum Pass

    Kunzum Pass or Kunzum La, as it is called by locals, is one of the highest motorable mountain passes of India, located at an altitude of 4,551m above mean sea level. It serves as a gateway to the beautiful Spiti valley Via Kullu and Lahaul. It lies on the eastern Kunzum Range of the Himalayas and is at a distance of 122 km from Manali. Kunzum La offers an incredible 360-degree view of Bara- Shigri Glacier (the second longest glacier in the world), a jaw-dropping vista of Chandrabhaga Range and a spectacular view of the Spiti valley. This enthralling view makes Kunzum Pass a photographer’s dream.

    There is a 15km trek to the famous Chandratal Lake (moon lake) from Kunzum Pass. It is believed that the visitors have to stop at the temple of Goddess Kunzum Devi, on their way to the pass, to pay their respect and seek the blessing to travel safely through the rugged terrain safely. The tradition is to take a complete circle of the temple in your vehicle.

    Pin Valley National Park

    Set amidst semi-frozen rivers in the Pin Valley, the Pin Valley National Park is situated in the Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve situated in the Lahaul and Spiti District of Himachal Pradesh. The elevation of the park ranges from about 3,500 metres near Ka Dogri to more than 6,000 metres at its pinnacle. One of the fascinating facilities of its kind, the Pin Valley National Park is home to the rare species of famous Himalayan snow leopards and their prey, the Ibex. The National  Park is most famous for its incredible trek which is a delight for all its visitors.  It snows for the most part of the year rendering the trek a thrilling and adventurous expedition. However, make sure you obtain the required permits. Also, foreign nations are not allowed inside the park.

    The Pin Valley park’s core zone is sprawled across a vast area of 675 sq km while its buffer zone is extended over almost 1150 sq km. Today it is home to almost more than 20 species of flora and fauna including the endangered snow leopard which is the most significant inhabitant of Pin Valley Park. There are also Siberian Ibex, Bharal, red fox, weasel and marten that call this place their home. Several species of birds also inhabit in the region such as pika, snow cock, bearded vulture, chukor, golden eagle, griffon, Himalayan chough and raven.

    Suraj Tal

    Located at an elevation of 4950 m above the sea level, Suraj Tal Lake is considered as the 3rd largest lake in India. Situated in Spiti Valley, Suraj Tale In literal sense means, ‘The Lake of Sun God’. Just below the Baralacha pass, the stunning lake should definitely be visited while here, especially if they are into photography. The Suraj Tal, is one of the most dream-like and photogenic lakes.

    Due to the belief that a dip in the Suraj Tal lake cleanses a person of his sins, it attracts a lot of people and is therefore considered spiritual. However, the major reason that the lake has gained popularity is that it comes en-route to the famous Manali-Leh path that is popular for trekking and biking trips, that also encompasses the Baralacha-La Pass on the way. Suraj Tal is, thus, meant for people who are mostly adventurous, and religious at the same time.

              Source: Holidify.com

  • Zareen becomes World Champion, only 5th Indian woman boxer to achieve feat

    Zareen becomes World Champion, only 5th Indian woman boxer to achieve feat

    New Delhi  (TIP)- Indian boxer Nikhat Zareen lived up to the expectations as she clinched the coveted gold in flyweight (52kg) division with a facile 5-0 victory over Thailand’s Jitpong Jutamas in the Women’s World Championship final in Istanbul on Thursday, May 19. Capping off a stupendous campaign that saw her dominate all her rivals, the Telangana boxer out-punched her Thai opponent to win via unanimous verdict with judges scoring the bout 30-27, 29-28, 29-28, 30-27, 29-28 in her favour. With this win, Zareen, a 2019 Asian Championship bronze medallist, became only the fifth Indian boxer to be crowned world champion.

    Six-time champion Mary Kom (2002, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2010 and 2018) Sarita Devi (2006), Jenny RL (2006) and Lekha KC (2006) are the other pugilists who have won the world title. This is India’s first gold medal in four years. Mary Kom (48kg) had won the last title in 2018. The 25-year-old Zareen produced some beautiful combination of punches to outclass Jutamas. Jutamas had a better start off the two but Zareen soon made up and took the upper hand. The first round was fought on an even keel but Zareen’s blows were more powerful and her punches eye catching.

    The Indian took the first round comfortably but Jutamas made a strong comeback in the second.

    The Thai boxer took advantage of her longer reach as she countered Zareen’s attacks from a distance, while landing punches herself to take to take the round via a split verdict.

    There was very little separating the two boxers but strength proved to be a key factor as Zareen used her powerful right hand and some produced beautiful combinations in the final round to seal the deal.

    As the winner was announced Zareen was overcome by emotion and she jumped with glee and couldn’t hold her tears back. This is Zareen’s second victory over Jutamas. She had got the better of the Thai boxer at the Thailand Open back in 2019 as well. The Hyderabad pugilist has been in stellar form this year. She became the first Indian woman boxer to claim two gold medals at the prestigious Strandja Memorial in February. Apart from Zareen’s gold, Manisha Moun (57kg) and debutant Parveen Hooda (63kg) will return home with bronze medals.

    A 12-member Indian contingent was sent to participate in the competition and while the medal haul has decreased by one, an Indian has been crowned world champion after four years, Mary Kom had last won the gold in the 48kg in the 2018 edition.

    India’s best performance in the event remains the one in 2006 when the country snared eight medals, including four gold, one silver and three bronze. India now have won 39 medals, including 10 golds, eight silver and 21 bronze in the women’s world championships. Source: PTI

  • IPL: Kohli finds form as RCB steamroll Gujarat

    IPL: Kohli finds form as RCB steamroll Gujarat

    Mumbai  (TIP)- A fired-up Virat Kohli roared back to form with a fine half-century as Royal Challengers Bangalore stayed alive in the IPL playoffs race with a thumping eight-wicket win over table-toppers Gujarat Titans here on May 19. This was after skipper Hardik Pandya scored a gritty 47-ball 62 to lift Gujarat to a competitive 168/5 after opting to bat. Kohli (73 off 54) and captain Faf du Plessis (44 off 38) shared a match-winning 115-run opening stand before Glenn Maxwell (40 not out) went ballistic to ensure the team got home in 18.4 overs.

    It took a long and winding road, but the big one did finally come along. And in their last league game where RCB couldn’t afford another off-day. Kohli’s 73 (54b, 8×4, 2×6), his second half-century this season, drove RCB to an eight-wicket victory at Wankhede Stadium against toppers Gujarat Titans (GT). It keeps them in the playoffs race with 16 points (Delhi Capitals, on 14, have a game in hand with a superior run rate).

    Chasing GT’s 168/5, anchored by Hardik Pandya’s watchful 47-ball unbeaten 62, the former RCB captain dished out a typical Virat-like innings filled with glorious shots. A couple of drives off Mohammed Shami straight and over covers got him started, before a misjudged spill by Rashid Khan at deep square leg handed him the stroke of fortune he so desperately yearned throughout the season.

    Having got that luck, there was no looking back. Even Rashid—who has troubled him in the past—was not spared, with Kohli using his feet for a sublime four straight back and then clearing his left leg to deposit him over midwicket. That shot got Kohli to his season’s second fifty. His first, also against GT, took 45 balls. This one came off a breezy 33.

    Skipper Faf du Plessis played his part in the opening act as the duo raced to a 115-run stand in 87 balls. Thus, even though Rashid dismissed du Plessis on 44 and eventually had Kohli—who completed 7,000 runs for RCB during the knock—stumped in the 17th over, the job was nearly done. Glenn Maxwell (40*, 18b), with his straight-hitting power and reverse-sweeping touch, got them home with more than an over to spare.

    RCB set the tone for their must-win game with a fine show on the field. After an expensive first over in which Wriddhiman Saha took Siddarth Kaul for 14 runs, Maxwell pulled off a brilliant one-handed catch to his right at second slip as the in-form Shubman Gill fell cheaply to Josh Hazlewood. Matthew Wade took a liking to his compatriot and clobbered the pacer towards midwicket, but fellow Aussie Maxwell got him leg-before wicket.

  • Frankfurt end 42-year wait for European title

    Eintracht Frankfurt fans waited long enough. When Rafael Borre struck the decisive penalty for Frankfurt to win the Europa League with a 5-4 shootout win over Glasgow Rangers in Sevilla, Spain, late Wednesday, thousands of fans who packed Frankfurt’s home stadium to watch in Germany flipped out. Some 60,000 supporters in and around Frankfurt’s Waldstadion erupted in an ecstatic outburst of joy and relief, with fans screaming, jumping, pumping their fists in the air, hugging and roaring. Some lit flares in the center of the field, others flew giant Eintracht flags. Some even cried.  City streets filled with honking cars as strangers wearing Frankfurt scarves spilled out of pubs, embraced each other and celebrated together.

  • Female referees to officiate men’s FIFA World Cup for 1st time

    Female referees will make World Cup history this year by working games at a major men’s tournament for the first time in Qatar. Three female referees and three female assistant referees were announced Thursday by FIFA among 129 officials selected for World Cup duty, including one man who caused controversy when refereeing a chaotic African Cup of Nations game in January while suffering with heatstroke. French referee Stéphanie Frappart already worked men’s games in World Cup qualifying and the Champions League, after handling the 2019 Women’s World Cup final. She also refereed the final of the men’s French Cup this month.

  • Meta freezes hiring for several verticals; Zuckerberg says no job cuts

    Meta (formerly Facebook) has paused hirings for several verticals, like shopping and Messenger Kids, which has triggered the fear of layoffs among employees. According to The Verge, Meta has frozen hirings for a number of products. The company recently stopped hiring for certain engineering roles and also for low-level data scientists.

    Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, however, allayed the fears of job losses at the company. “I can’t sit here and make a permanent ongoing promise that as things shift that we won’t have to reconsider that (job cuts),” Zuckerberg told the staff during a meeting. “Our expectation is not that we’re going to have to do that. And instead, basically what we’re doing is we’re dialing growth to the levels that we think are going to be manageable over time,” he was quoted as saying in the report that came out late on Wednesday. According to the report, freezing hirings indicates that these products are not profitable as Meta’s stock price is down 43 per cent this year. “Product teams are already impacted by an engineering freeze including Facebook Dating and Gaming, Messenger Kids, the Commerce team, and the Remote Presence team created during the pandemic,” the report noted. Meta is now banking upon its big-time foray into Metaverse, with plans to invest $10 billion over coming years. “As we alluded to in our recent earnings, we’re evaluating key priorities across the company and putting energy behind them especially as they relate to our core business and Reality Labs,” a Meta spokesperson told The Verge.

    Source: IANS

  • Musk says ‘Tesla on my mind 24/7’ amid concerns about Twitter distraction

    Musk says ‘Tesla on my mind 24/7’ amid concerns about Twitter distraction

    Tesla CEO Elon Musk said on Thursday, May 19,  that “Tesla is on my mind 24/7,” trying to soothe investor worries about him being distracted by a Twitter deal that has depressed stocks at the electric car company.

    Posting a picture tweet showing a woman (Tesla) who is upset by her boyfriend (Elon) checking out another woman (Twitter), he said, “So may seem like below, but not true.” “To be clear, I’m spending <5% (but actually) of my time on the Twitter acquisition. It ain’t rocket science!” he tweeted. “Yesterday was Giga Texas, today is Starbase. Tesla is on my mind 24/7.”

    Tesla this year opened its new car factory in Texas, and Musk’s rocket company SpaceX has a launch site known as Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas.

    Tesla shares have lost one third of their value since the billionaire disclosed his stake in Twitter in early April and sold $8.5 billion worth of Tesla stocks in a move seen to help finance his $44-billion Twitter deal.

    Further hurting stocks are China lockdown measures that dampened Tesla’s production and an exclusion of Tesla from a widely-followed S&P sustainability index.

    Tesla bull Daniel Ives, an analyst at Wedbush, on Thursday cut the target share price of Tesla due to the China production disruption and warned of “distraction risks” from Musk’s Twitter deal. Leo KoGuan, a major individual investor in Tesla, on Thursday called on the electric carmaker to buy back shares. “Tesla must announce immediately and buy back $5 billion of Tesla shares from its free cash flow this year and $10 billion from its free cash flow next year, without effecting its existing $18 billion cash reserves with ZERO debt,” KoGuan said in a Twitter message to Tesla’s head of investor relations, Martin Viecha.

    Viecha was not immediately available for comment. Last year, KoGuan, the third largest individual shareholder of Tesla, said he was investing billions in Tesla because he believes in Musk’s “great mission that I share.” He said in March that he was buying more Tesla shares, not selling during the stocks’ dip.

    Tesla cut from S&P 500 ESG Index

    S&P Dow Jones Indices has removed electric carmaker Tesla from its widely-followed S&P 500 ESG Index, citing issues including racial discrimination claims and crashes linked to its autopilot vehicles.

    Tesla chief executive Elon Musk responded with harsh tweets, including that “ESG is a scam”.

    Other contributing factors to the changes, effective May 2, included Tesla’s lack of published details related to its low carbon strategy or business conduct codes, said Ms Margaret Dorn, the organisation’s head of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) indexes for North America, in an interview.

    The back-and-forth over the index changes reflects a wider debate about the metrics used to judge corporate performance on ESG issues, a growing area of investing.

              Source: Reuters

  • UK consumer morale hits lowest since records began in 1974: Report

    Pessimism weighing on Britain’s households has hit unprecedented levels as the cost-of-living crisis pushed confidence in the economic outlook to its joint lowest, a survey showed.

    Market research firm GfK said consumer morale gauge, dating back to 1974, touched an all-time low of -40 in May from -38 in April. Economists polled by Reuters had expected -39.

    Past readings this low have presaged recessions and Friday’s survey will further pressure finance minister Rishi Sunak to give more help urgently to households facing the highest rates of inflation since the early 1980s.

    GfK’s gauge of economic optimism for the coming 12 months matched a record low hit in April 2020 as the coronavirus pandemic swept the country. While business surveys and jobs data show a healthier picture – one reason why the Bank of England has raised interest rates – this was also the case in 2008 when a severe downturn followed as the global financial crisis unfolded.

    “Consumer confidence is now weaker than in the darkest days of the global banking crisis, the impact of Brexit on the economy, or the Covid shutdown,” said Joe Staton, client strategy director at GfK. Even recessions in the early 1980s and early 1990s – a time of double-digit interest rates and high unemployment – produced less pessimism than the current crisis which is playing out against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine.         Source: Reuters

  • India’s Wholesale inflation at record high of 15.08%

    Wholesale price index (WPI)-based inflation rose to a record high of 15.08 per cent in April, up from 14.55 per cent in March, due to rising prices of crude, food products and chemicals. The wholesale inflation has been in double digits for 13 straight months since April last year. Besides, the inflation rate for April is the highest in the current series introduced in 2013. Considering the old series as well, the last time WPI inflation higher than this was 16.06 per cent in August 1991. Fuelled by similar factors, retail inflation too was at a record 7.79 per cent in April from 6.95 per cent in March. It has remained above the RBI’s tolerance band of 6 per cent for four consecutive months. In the WPI basket, the index for fuel and power group was 2.8 per cent higher in April as compared to March, that for manufactured products (accounting for 64.23 per cent of the WPI basket) rose 1.7 per cent, but worryingly, the food index rose the fastest, 3.4 per cent month-on-month. “The high rate of inflation in April was primarily due to rise in prices of mineral oils, basic metals, crude and natural gas, food articles, non-food articles, chemicals and chemical products,” said a Commerce Ministry statement.

  • LPG price hiked by Rs 3.50 per cylinder in India, 2nd increase this month

    Domestic cooking gas LPG price was on Thursday, May 19, hiked by Rs 3.50 per cylinder, the second increase in rates this month. Non-subsidised LPG now costs Rs 1,003 per 14.2-kg cylinder in the national capital, according to a price notification of state fuel retailers. The hike comes on the back of a Rs 50 per cylinder increase effected on May 7. Prior to that, prices were increased by the same amount on March 22.

  • Patanjali Ayurved sells food retail business to Ruchi Soya for Rs 690 cr

    Baba Ramdev-led Patanjali Ayurved Ltd will sell its food retail business to group firm Ruchi Soya Industries Ltd for Rs 690 crore as part of its strategy to focus on non-food, traditional medicine and wellness business.

    Patanjali Ayurved Ltd had acquired Ruchi Soya through an insolvency process. In a regulatory filing, Ruchi Soya informed that it has entered into a “Business Transfer Agreement” with Patanjali Ayurved Ltd to acquire the food retail business of the latter as a going concern on a slump sale basis.

    The food retail business consists of manufacturing, packaging labelling and retail trading of certain food products along with manufacturing plants located at Padartha, Haridwar, and Newasa, Maharashtra.

  • Separatist leader Yasin Malik convicted in terror funding case

    Separatist leader Yasin Malik convicted in terror funding case

    The court directed the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to assess Malik’s financial condition to determine the amount of fine that could be imposed and posted the matter for May 25 to announce the quantum of punishment. New Delhi (TIP)-Yasin Malik, a separatist leader from Jammu and Kashmir, was convicted by a National Investigation Agency court in Delhi on Thursday in a case related to terror funding, news agency PTI said. Special Judge Praveen Singh directed the NIA authorities to assess Malik’s socio-economic situation to determine the amount of fine to be imposed. Malik was also directed to file an affidavit disclosing all sources of his income and assets – movable and immovable. Arguments on the quantum of sentence will be heard on May 25, PTI reported. The court also formally framed charges against other separatist leaders who are accused in the case, including Farooq Ahmed Dar alias Bitta Karate. “The analysis reflects that the statements of witnesses and documentary evidence have connected almost all the accused with each other and to a common object of secession, to the commonality of means they were to use, their close association to terrorist/ terrorist organizations under the guiding hand and funding of Pakistani establishment,” the judge said. During arguments the court noted none of the accused argued that individually they do not have a secessionist ideology or agenda, or that they have not worked for secession or advocated for the secession of the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir from Union of India, PTI said.

    Earlier, Malik, chief of the banned Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), had pleaded guilty to all charges – under sections 16 (terrorist act), 17 (raising funds for the terrorist act), 18 (conspiracy to commit terrorist act), and 20 (being member of terrorist gang or organisation) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy) and 124-A (sedition) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Malik told the court that he was not contesting the charges against him.

    A day before Malik’s conviction Pakistan had summoned India’s Charge d’Affaires to the ministry of foreign affairs and handed over a demarche to him conveying Islamabad’s strong condemnation.

  • SC orders release of Rajiv Gandhi assassination accused Perarivalan

    SC orders release of Rajiv Gandhi assassination accused Perarivalan

    New Delhi (TIP)- India’s Supreme Court has ordered the release of one of the men convicted of involvement in the 1991 murder of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi. AG Perarivalan had spent over 30 years in jail. In 1998, he was given a death sentence, but it was later commuted.Arrested aged 19, Perarivalan was convicted of procuring batteries that were used in the bomb to kill Gandhi. The ex-PM was assassinated by a female suicide bomber as he addressed an election rally in Tamil Nadu state. Gandhi’s killing was widely seen as retaliation for his having sent Indian peacekeepers to Sri Lanka in 1987 when he was prime minister. Perarivalan was a supporter of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), a rebel group fighting for a separate Tamil state in Sri Lanka. The rebels were finally defeated by Sri Lankan troops in 2009.

    On Wednesday, May 18, a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court invoked a section of the Indian constitution that grants it extraordinary powers “for doing complete justice in any cause” to release Perarivalan, one of seven people convicted in the case, considering that he had been in jail for more than 30 years.Over the years, governments in Tamil Nadu state had asked for those found guilty over the killing to be released.

    In 2000, the state governor had commuted the death sentence of Nalini, the only woman convicted in the case, and in 2014, the Supreme Court had commuted the death sentences of all the others on account of an 11-year delay in deciding their mercy petitions.

    “Given petitions under Article 161 pertain to the liberty of individuals, inexplicable delay not on account of the prisoners is inexcusable as it contributes to adverse physical conditions and mental distress faced by a prisoner, especially when the State Cabinet has taken a decision to release the prisoner by granting him the benefit of remission /commutation of his sentence,” the court said. In doing so, the court also rejected the Centre’s argument that the President, and not the Governor, had the power to pardon in a murder case.

  • MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF NEW MEMBER TO PANEL FOR EDUCATIONAL POLICY

    MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF NEW MEMBER TO PANEL FOR EDUCATIONAL POLICY

    NEW YORK(TIP): New York City Mayor Eric Adams  announced on May 18  appointment of Kyle Kimball to the Panel for Educational Policy (PEP). The newly appointed member brings a diverse range of experience spanning the public sector, education policy, the private sector, and, most importantly, firsthand knowledge as a public school parent.

    “New York City families deserve to be represented by a board reflective of the diversity that makes this city great,” said Mayor Adams. “Our PEP appointees reflect that diversity and our administration’s priority for enhancing parent and community engagement, as we reimagine our schools and improve education for every child from every background.” “As a parent of a public school student, the husband of a teacher, and a deep history serving our city, Mr. Kimball brings critical insight to the Panel,” said New York City Department of Education Chancellor David C. Banks. “I look forward to working with him to uplift our schools in the coming years.”

    The PEP replaced the former Board of Education in 2002 and is part of the governance structure responsible for the city’s public schools. Established under State Education Law, the PEP is responsible for approving standards, policies, and objectives directly related to educational achievement and instruction and the Chancellor’s Regulations, significant changes in school utilization, budgetary items, and department contracts.

    Mayor Adams is responsible for nine appointments on the PEP. Kimball joins Dr. Vasthi Acosta, Tom Allon, Gregory Faulkner, Dr. Angela Green, Anthony Lopez, Alan Ong, Karina Taveras, and Gladys Ward as mayoral appointees to the PEP.

    About Kyle Kimball

    Kyle Kimball currently serves as the vice president of Government Relations for Consolidated Edison (Con Ed), joining the company in June 2015. In 2013, Kimball was appointed president of the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) by Mayor Michael Bloomberg and later reappointed by Mayor Bill de Blasio. In that position, he oversaw billions of dollars in capital infrastructure investments and implemented several of the city’s most ambitious commercial and housing real estate development projects. He also led efforts to strengthen the city’s economy by attracting new industries, growing local companies, and expanding entrepreneurship and educational opportunities. Before joining NYCEDC, Kimball worked at Goldman, Sachs & Co. as vice president in the Americas Financing Group, and at J.P. Morgan, as a vice president, in corporate capital markets. Kimball is a 1995 graduate of Harvard. He also received a master’s degree in Public Policy from Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government in 1998. Originally from Lawrence, Kansas, Kimball lives in Park Slope, Brooklyn with his husband Doug, a public school teacher, and their daughter, Isadora, a public school student.

  • SCHOOLS CHANCELLOR DAVID C. BANKS ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF DOE GRADES, ATTENDANCE, AND MESSAGING APPLICATIONS

    SCHOOLS CHANCELLOR DAVID C. BANKS ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF DOE GRADES, ATTENDANCE, AND MESSAGING APPLICATIONS

    NEW YORK (TIP): Schools Chancellor David C. Banks announced on May 19  that the New York City Department of Education’s Division of Instructional and Information Technology (DIIT) is launching the DOE Grades, Attendance, and Messaging applications. These applications will be available at no cost to all NYC public schools this summer in anticipation of the 2022-23 school year. The Department of Education is recommending that schools currently using third-party vendors for these purposes transition to the free DOE Grades, Attendance, and Messaging applications in the upcoming school year. “This new platform is safer and was designed alongside our outstanding educators to ensure it meets their needs and frees them from spending time on unnecessary administrative busy work,” said Schools Chancellor David C. Banks. “I am so thrilled to announce the launch of this exciting new, free for schools, platform, and grateful to our DIIT team’s steadfast dedication to our children and families.”

    Integrating data from across DOE systems, the Grades, Attendance and Messaging applications will give teachers the ability to record period and daily attendance, collect grades for all assignments, quizzes, and exams, and allow them to easily submit final grades. Grading integrations between the DOE’s learning management systems (Google Workspace and iLearnNYC) are also in the initial release of the system, providing even more efficiency to schools. The Department of Education will also be launching a Messaging application that will allow schools to create and send communications to families, students and staff via email, text, and robo-call.

    Because there is no cost to schools, this grading, attendance and messaging solution represents a shift to a more equitable technology ecosystem. Additionally, because the DOE Grades, Attendance and Messaging applications are built, owned, and managed by the Department of Education, the DOE can ensure they meet the rigorous requirements for protecting personally identifiable information (PII), particularly given the ongoing risk of security incidents when working with outside vendors. “The idea to build the application arose from conversations we had directly with schools, who needed a custom DOE grading and attendance application that could replace burdensome manual processes and the ongoing costs of using third-party software tools,” said Anuraag Sharma, the DOE’s Chief Information Officer. “Between March 8 and April 6, 2022, we provided demos of the DOE Grades, Attendance and Messaging Applications to a range of stakeholders, including teachers, principals, central office staff, and regional office staff.” The Grades, Attendance and Messaging Applications are part of DIIT’s strategy to modernize the DOE’s systems, especially systems serving schools and families. Since the beginning of 2020, DIIT has introduced the following systems for use by students, teachers, families, and administrators:

    Learning Management Systems (LMS) like Google Workspace and Brightspace

    TeachHub for Student and Teacher access to apps (Students using Central Accounts)

    DataHub for data collection and reporting

    SupportHub for obtaining answers to IT questions and obtaining IT services

    Parent University, where parents can register for classes and information sessions from the DOE

    Learning Management Integration between DOE systems (ATS and STARS and the LMS platforms

    New York City Schools Account (NYCSA) enhancements, including the ability to fill out and submit forms electronically

    The DOE Grades, Attendance, and Messaging applications will be available in August in advance of the first day of the 2022-23 school year.

  • NYC ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN’S SERVICES AND CITI PARTNER ON VIRTUAL BOOK DRIVE IN SUPPORT OF CHILDREN AND TEENS ACROSS THE CITY

    NYC ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN’S SERVICES AND CITI PARTNER ON VIRTUAL BOOK DRIVE IN SUPPORT OF CHILDREN AND TEENS ACROSS THE CITY

    Citi Volunteers Will Choose from Thousands of Books that Reflect the Diversity of NYC, Written by or about Black, Hispanic/Latinx, Asian, Middle Eastern, North African and LGBTQIA+ Individuals

    NEW YORK, NY (TIP): The New York City Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) , on May 19,  announced a virtual book drive, in partnership with Citi, that will result in the delivery of thousands of books to children and teenagers across New York City. As part of Citi’s annual Global Community Day, Citi volunteers will choose from a list of over 2,500 books curated by ACS staff that are written by or about Black, Hispanic/Latinx, Asian and LGBTQIA+ individuals. Each book that is donated will be matched by Citi, with the goal of collecting at least 2,500 books by the end of June. “Today’s reader is tomorrow’s leader,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “By placing thousands of books that reflect the diversity of our city in the hands of our youth and children, we are planting the seeds to foster a more inclusive future generation to lead our city.” “New York City is made up of so many immigrant families; that is why it is so important for children and young people to have the chance to read and learn from books that have heroes and sheroes that look just like them,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom. “This is such a special initiative that reflects the beauty and diversity of our city. Thank you to ACS and to Citi for coming together to make this possible. Happy reading to all of our kids!”

    “The Administration for Children’s Services is committed to ensuring children and youth have the resources they need to reach their full potential and literacy is one of the greatest gifts we can give,” said ACS Commissioner Jess Dannhauser. “Books help teach children about the world, which is why our virtual book drive with Citi includes thousands of empowering books that represent the diversity of New York City and that are written by and about Black, Hispanic/Latinx, Asian and LGBTQAI+ individuals. Thank you to Citi for partnering with us on this book drive, which will benefit thousands of children and teenagers.” “Reading opens a window to the world, transporting young New Yorkers to new places and exposing them to diverse people and cultures,” said Edward Skyler, Head of Global Public Affairs at Citi and former Deputy Mayor of New York City. “Citi’s continued partnership with the Administration for Children’s Services to promote early and diverse literacy is an effort that embodies our shared mission of enabling progress in our communities and investing in the future of New York City’s youth.”

    Books purchased by Citi volunteers through the virtual book drive will be delivered to children and teens across the City, including: those in foster care; those in the juvenile justice system; those temporarily residing at the Nicholas Scoppetta Children’s Center and other ACS-involved youth. Additionally, books will be delivered to children and teens in the communities surrounding the agency’s three Family Enrichment Centers in Hunts Point/Longwood and Highbridge in the Bronx and East New York in Brooklyn. The list of 2,500 books was created by ACS staff participating in various cultural affinity groups including the Racial Equity and Cultural Competency Committee (RECCC), Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Committee, and the Latino Heritage Committee.

  • New Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto to visit Beijing on May 21; China upbeat on outcome of trip

    New Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto to visit Beijing on May 21; China upbeat on outcome of trip

    Islamabad/Beijing (TIP): Pakistan’s new Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will visit China on May 21 at the special invitation of his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi to review the entire gamut of bilateral relations, with a particular focus on stronger trade and economic cooperation between the two all-weather allies, the Foreign Office announced here on May 20. Bilawal’s visit between May 21 and 22 will coincide with the 71st anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China, it said. “This would be Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s first bilateral visit abroad since assuming office last month,” the Foreign Office said, adding that the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs HinaRabbaniKhar and senior officials will also be part of the minister’s delegation.

    The foreign minister during his visit will hold extensive consultations with Wang Yi.

    The two leaders will review the entire gamut of bilateral relations, with a particular focus on stronger trade and economic cooperation between Pakistan and China.

    “Fast-tracked progress on the transformational China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, flagship project of President Xi Jinping’s visionary Belt and Road Initiative, will also feature in the discussions,” the FO said.

    “The two sides will also have a wide-ranging exchange of views on major regional and international issues,” it said.

    In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin noted that it will be Bilawal’s first official bilateral visit since he assumed the office of foreign minister.

    “It will see his hope of taking China as the first destination of his overseas visits realised and also marks the first in-person high-level interaction between the two countries since the new Pakistani government was formed.

    “As all-weather strategic cooperative partners, it is necessary for China and Pakistan to strengthen communication and coordination on major strategic issues and jointly respond to new developments in the international and regional situation and various risks and challenges,” Wang Wenbin said.

    He said State councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi will hold talks with Bhutto to have comprehensive and in-depth exchange of views on bilateral relations and issues of common interest.

    “China hopes to take this visit as an opportunity to renew our traditional friendship, consolidate strategic mutual trust, further deepen our all-weather strategic cooperative partnership and build a closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era,” the spokesman said.

    Wang Yi had earlier written a letter of congratulations to Bilawal on his assumption of the office of foreign minister. The two foreign ministers had previously held a virtual meeting on May 11. The Pakistani minister’s visit is part of the high-level exchanges between the two sides, which included a message of felicitations to the Prime Minister from Premier Li Keqiang, and a telephone conversation between the two Premiers on May 16. (PTI)