Monday, November 16, 2015

India calls for stronger UN role in current refugee crisis

NOVEMBER 16, 2015 | EDIT

Nov 16, 1:59 PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for a long term approach and a stronger role for the United Nations in dealing with the refugee crisis which is considered to be the greatest since World War II. In his intervention on terrorism and refugee crisis in the G-20 summit at Antalya in Turkey, he said there are an estimated 60 million people in need of protection worldwide.

Mr Modi pointed out that the West Asian crisis has focused global attention on this acute humanitarian challenge and it also has wide-ranging impact in receiving countries. Prime Minister also appreciated the countries that have opened their borders and shelters. He also met the President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan at Antalya on the sidelines of the G-20 summit. Both the leaders recalled the strong and historic ties between the two nations.

On the concluding day of the G-20 summit, the final communique is to be issued in which considerable emphasis on checking terrorism is expected to be highlighted. Ways and means of spurring economic growth would be the focus area in the Antalya Document. As China is going to take over the char of the G-20 next yer, it is expected to make a presentation as well on the future course of the grouping during its tenure. After holding talks with Turkish president, Prime Minister Modi is expected to meet his Spanish counterpart as well.

NOVEMBER 16, 2015 | EDIT

G20: Obama hails India’s economic growth, renewable focus

Nov 16, 7:20 AM

US President Barack Obama hailed India’s economic growth under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and its focus on renewable energy. Obama said the Modi government’s ambitious plans for scaling up the use of renewable energy combines a concern for environment and creates opportunity for furthering global growth through fresh investment in renewable energy. Obama said this in an intervention during a G20 Leaders Summit session yesterday. According to a senior official present during his intervention, Obama also said it has the potential to create employment.

NOVEMBER 16, 2015 | EDIT

23 arrested, dozens of weapons seized in raids across France

Nov 16, 5:32 PM

A total of 23 people have been arrested and dozens of weapons seized in a series of raids on suspected Islamist militants across France. Officials say the crackdown follows multiple attacks on bars, restaurants a concert hall and a stadium in Paris on Friday, in which 129 people were killed.

A police operation is also reportedly under way in Brussels, Belgium, with reports that one suspect was arrested. French Prime Minister, Manuel Valls said the attacks were organised from Syria. He added that the authorities believed new terror attacks were being planned in France and other European countries.

Meanwhile two more Paris attackers were named, along with five already identified. One is confirmed to have entered Greece as a migrant earlier this year.

NOVEMBER 16, 2015 | EDIT

Home Secretary level talks between India, Bangladesh begin in Dhaka

Nov 16, 1:58 PM

Two-day India-Bangladesh home secretary level talks have begun in Dhaka today. Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi is leading the Indian delegation, while his counterpart Dr. Mohammad Mozammel Haquw Khan is leading the Bangladesh team. Issues like effective management of the 4096 km border, border killings, improving border trade infrastructure, transborder crime including arms and narcotics movement are some of the issues likely to dominate the talks.

Sources in the Bangladesh Home Ministry said Dhaka is likely to urge New Delhi to repatriate some Bangladeshis including BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed and two killers of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Rahman, believed to be in India. Both countries are also expected to discuss ways to bring back people lodged in jails and police custody on charges of terrorist activities and illegal entry.

NOVEMBER 16, 2015 | EDIT

Kiren Rijiju to be designated as the Asia Champion for Disaster Risk Reduction tomorrow

NOVEMBER 16, 2015

Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju, will be designated as the Champion for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), giving an impetus to Government of India’s efforts to facilitate regional support towards enabling community resilience in the Asia-Pacific region. Shri Rijiju will be conferred as the champion for Disaster Risk Reduction at a function here tomorrow by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR), the first regional champion after the Sendai Agreement.

Champions are key political figures who play active role and are committed to DRR. UNISDR recognizes individuals as DRR Champions for using their political influence to create awareness and lobby for DRR in their country, region and beyond. Their motivation often goes beyond professional interest, spurred by a passion for public service and an abiding commitment to build community resilience. This is a non-remunerated honorary position.

Only the UN Secretary General’s Special Representative for DRR and Head of UNISDR may designate a DRR Champion by issuing a letter of designation. The former President of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has been earlier designated as the Global Champion, while the European Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response, Ms. Kristalina Georgieva has been designated as Regional Champion.

The function on November 17, 2015 to confer the award will be attended by Shri Rajnath Singh, Union Home Minister and Ministers from China, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mongolia, South Korea and Thailand. Ms. Margareta Wahlstrom, Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for DRR, delegates from various countries and international organizations are attending the function.

NOVEMBER 16, 2015

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Director-General of UNESCO expresses solidarity with France

NOVEMBER 16, 2015 | EDIT

Director-General of UNESCO expresses solidarity with France following the attacks in Paris

Paris, 14 November—The Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, today condemned the attacks, unprecedented in the history of France, perpetrated in Paris on 13 November.

Ms Bokova said, “On behalf of UNESCO and in my own name, I present my most heartfelt condolences to the people of France and to all the mourning families so terribly bereft by these barbaric acts. This crime affects us all. It represents an attack against the whole of humanity.”

“Less than one year after the violent attacks in Paris in January and following several recent attacks in many parts of the world, violent extremists have struck at the core of togetherness, hitting places of conviviality that bring people together, caf鳬 a stadium and a venue dedicated to live performances, places of culture in a city that is seen throughout the world as a symbol of culture.”

“At a time when UNESCO and the United Nations, founded in the aftermath of World War II, celebrate their 70th anniversary, this crime reveals new and horrible forms of a violence that knows no borders and can strike anywhere. This resurgence of hate calls for a new response based on great unity to reinforce our affirmation of the values of peace, dialogue and compassion, and to stand up to barbarism.

UNESCO will do all it can to support France, our host country, in this ordeal.”