Latest news with #'sOffice
NDTV
5 days ago
- Business
- NDTV
India, Maldives Sign Several Pacts During PM Modi's Visit, Agree On Trade Deal Terms
Male: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday held wide ranging talks with Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu at the President's Office in Male as both leaders reviewed the entire spectrum of India-Maldives relations and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening bilateral ties. "They discussed cooperation in the fields of development partnership, capacity building, health, infrastructure, digital economy, aquaculture, climate change and renewable energy. The two leaders called for closer collaboration to enhance peace, progress and prosperity of the Indian Ocean region," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) posted on X after the bilateral discussions. The leaders also took stock of the progress in the implementation of the India-Maldives Joint Vision for a 'Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership' adopted in 2024. This is Prime Minister Modi's third visit to Maldives - he had visited the Indian Ocean archipelago in 2018 and 2019, earlier - and the first by a Head of State or Government to Maldives during the Presidency of Mohamed Muizzu which began in November 2023. Both countries announced later that they have agreed on Terms of Reference of the India-Maldives Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and also signed several Memorandums of Understanding (MoU), including in the fields of fisheries and aquaculture. The two nations also signed an agreement for a Line of Credit (LoC) of INR 4,850 crores to Maldives besides an amendatory agreement on reducing annual debt repayment obligations of Maldives on Government of India-funded LoCs. An MoU was also signed between the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Ministry of Earth Sciences and the Maldives Meteorological Services (MMS), Ministry of Tourism and Environment. The two nations also signed a MoU on cooperation in the field of sharing successful digital solutions implemented at population scale for Digital Transformation between the Ministry of Electronics and IT of India and Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology of Maldives. Both nations also signed an MoU on recognition of Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP) by Maldives. Network-to-Network Agreement between India's NPCI International Payment Limited (NIPL) and Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) on UPI in Maldives was also signed during PM Modi's visit to Maldives. Earlier in the day, PM Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome and guard of honour at the Republic Square in Male as he began his official engagements during a two-day State Visit to the country. Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu was also present on the occasion. Children performed a dance to welcome PM Modi at the venue and the ceremonial welcome was followed by a meeting between the two leaders. In a special gesture, President Muizzu welcomed PM Modi at the airport in Male as he arrived from the United Kingdom. Maldives Foreign Minister, Defence Minister, Finance Minister and Minister of Homeland Security were also present at the airport to welcome PM Modi. PM Modi said that he is "deeply touched" by Muizzu's gesture of coming to the airport to receive him. He expressed confidence that the ties between two nations will scale new heights of progress in the coming times. "Landed in Male. Deeply touched by the gesture of President Muizzu to come to the airport to welcome me. I am confident that India-Maldives friendship will scale new heights of progress in the times to come," PM Modi posted on X. PM Modi will participate in the country's 60th Independence Day celebrations as the Guest of Honour on Saturday. This is his third visit to the Maldives and notably the first by any head of state or government since Muizzu assumed office.
Hans India
5 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
India and Maldives sign several MoUs during PM Modi's visit, agree on FTA Terms of Reference
Male: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday held wide ranging talks with Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu at the President's Office in Male as both leaders reviewed the entire spectrum of India-Maldives relations and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening bilateral ties. "They discussed cooperation in the fields of development partnership, capacity building, health, infrastructure, digital economy, aquaculture, climate change and renewable energy. The two leaders called for closer collaboration to enhance peace, progress and prosperity of the Indian Ocean region," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) posted on X after the bilateral discussions. The leaders also took stock of the progress in the implementation of the India-Maldives Joint Vision for a 'Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership' adopted in 2024. This is Prime Minister Modi's third visit to Maldives - he had visited the Indian Ocean archipelago in 2018 and 2019, earlier - and the first by a Head of State or Government to Maldives during the Presidency of Mohamed Muizzu which began in November 2023. Both countries announced later that they have agreed on Terms of Reference of the India-Maldives Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and also signed several Memorandums of Understanding (MoU), including in the fields of fisheries and aquaculture. The two nations also signed an agreement for a Line of Credit (LoC) of INR 4,850 crores to Maldives besides an amendatory agreement on reducing annual debt repayment obligations of Maldives on Government of India-funded LoCs. An MoU was also signed between the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Ministry of Earth Sciences and the Maldives Meteorological Services (MMS), Ministry of Tourism and Environment. The two nations also signed a MoU on cooperation in the field of sharing successful digital solutions implemented at population scale for Digital Transformation between the Ministry of Electronics and IT of India and Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology of Maldives. Both nations also signed an MoU on recognition of Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP) by Maldives. Network-to-Network Agreement between India's NPCI International Payment Limited (NIPL) and Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) on UPI in Maldives was also signed during PM Modi's visit to Maldives. Earlier in the day, PM Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome and guard of honour at the Republic Square in Male as he began his official engagements during a two-day State Visit to the country. Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu was also present on the occasion. Children performed a dance to welcome PM Modi at the venue and the ceremonial welcome was followed by a meeting between the two leaders. In a special gesture, President Muizzu welcomed PM Modi at the airport in Male as he arrived from the United Kingdom. Maldives Foreign Minister, Defence Minister, Finance Minister and Minister of Homeland Security were also present at the airport to welcome PM Modi. PM Modi said that he is "deeply touched" by Muizzu's gesture of coming to the airport to receive him. He expressed confidence that the ties between two nations will scale new heights of progress in the coming times. "Landed in Male. Deeply touched by the gesture of President Muizzu to come to the airport to welcome me. I am confident that India-Maldives friendship will scale new heights of progress in the times to come," PM Modi posted on X. PM Modi will participate in the country's 60th Independence Day celebrations as the Guest of Honour on Saturday. This is his third visit to the Maldives and notably the first by any head of state or government since Muizzu assumed office. India and Maldives sign several MoUs during PM Modi's visit, agree on FTA Terms of Reference
Daily Express
6 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Express
RM500k maintenance support for Sipitang schools
Published on: Thursday, July 24, 2025 Published on: Thu, Jul 24, 2025 Text Size: SIPITANG: Ten schools in the district received RM500,000 in maintenance support (Balkis) from the Sabah State Government's Deputy Secretary's Office. The Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Datuk Dr Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif, said the assistance was one of 14 initiatives introduced by the Chief Minister, with a total expenditure exceeding RM70 million, including Balkis. 'This is among the assistance provided to 10 schools in the Sindumin area or Sipitang district.' 'As mentioned by the Chief Minister, great attention is given to efforts to empower the education sector, whether it is for students with numerous initiatives provided such as Budi, Bakti, Baik, Bisbah, as well as support to schools, organizations, and others.' 'This is one of the educational initiatives contributed by the Office of Special Duties of the Deputy Secretary of the State Government. These schools are indeed in need of upgrades or improvements to some extent.' 'This assistance from the state government is intended solely for minor projects or repairs, and it is hoped that it will be beneficial. This support is not limited to national primary schools but also includes national secondary schools, state religious schools, state secondary religious schools, and Chinese schools for repairs,' he said after handing over the contribution to the Sipitang District Officer, Abdul Karim A.M Zahari, here, recently. Also present were the Director of Yayasan Sabah, Datuk Seri Gulamhaidar Khan Bahadar, Sindumin State Assemblyman, Datuk Dr. Yusof Yacob, Deputy Chairman of Muis, Datuk Malai Ali Malai Ahmad, Chairman of PBNS, Datuk Dr. Omar Raisul As-Salam Syah Sulaiman Omar, and District Police Chief, Superintendent Awang Anak Suanda. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Mint
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Mint
Israel's agonizing choice over which hostages to save
TEL AVIV—Only 20 of the hostages Hamas is holding in Gaza are believed to be alive. A cease-fire deal being negotiated is expected to bring an agonizing choice over who to free. Israel can only pick 10. 'It's Schindler's list," said Anat Angrest, the mother of captive soldier Matan Angrest, 22, who said her son was injured. 'I don't understand how the state can choose who should stay in hell." Israel and Hamas are now hammering out a deal that would see the release of 10 living hostages and the bodies of 18 others in exchange for a 60-day cease-fire and the release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israel. A deal appears to be closer than at any point in recent months. In two previous cease-fire rounds, the decisions, while painful, were easier to rationalize in some ways. Priority was given to civilian women, children and the elderly. Next in line were female soldiers or men who were injured. Now, all of the living hostages are men, and they are all likely to be in a deteriorating mental and physical state. For the families still waiting, the decision is creating deep despair. The Israeli Prime Minister's Office didn't respond to a request for comment about how it chooses which hostages should be released. Ilay David knows that his brother, Evyatar David, 24, who was kidnapped from the Nova music festival, is likely not a top priority for release as he is young and uninjured, even if he faces harsh conditions in captivity. 'We understood early on that Evyatar…was never going to be among the first," David said. But for Evyatar to be left behind again would shatter him, he said. 'This knowledge that your brother is still there, still suffering, is really unbearable. I pray that we won't reach a situation where he is left there." Hostage families have insisted that any deal should include the release of all hostages at once rather than in phases. Many families are angry at the Israeli government over the partial deals it has negotiated. Hamas has said it would release all the hostages in exchange for an end to the war, something Israel refuses to do until the group is defeated. 'By insisting on choosing partial deals, the Israeli government has created with its own hands the system of selection," said the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, a group that represents most of the families. In addition to the 20 men Israel believes to be alive, there are also two men whom Israel has said it has 'severe concern for their lives," language typically used by the military when hostages are likely to be deceased but haven't yet been declared dead. There are also 28 bodies of hostages that are being held in the Gaza Strip. For hostage families, the impending deal is fostering a sense of panic over whether their loved ones will make it onto the list. The inclusion of one hostage means another won't make it out, making any choice a painful outcome for families who have bonded and lobbied the world together over 21 months of war. Macabit Mayer, whose twin nephews Gali and Ziv Berman, 27, are being held in Gaza, says she can't sleep. She closes her eyes, but finds herself in a state of constant tension, ready to grab her phone or turn on the television for breaking news. Her heart beats faster and she dreads a phone call informing her of the worst. 'It's like a nightmare you just can't wake up from," Mayer said. 'Everyone is in a very extreme situation," she said, referring to hostage families waiting to see if they will make the list. While the exact criteria for inclusion on the list are still unclear, there is speculation it could include the injured, wounded or men with children, say people close to the families. Many hostage families are emphasizing the poor medical condition of their relatives in interviews and some are compiling medical files in hope it could influence authorities. But some medical professionals say that giving priority to the most vulnerable after 21 months will prove professionally impossible because of limited information and ethical implications. 'I really don't think that the medical teams at this point in time can determine who is more at risk and who is less at risk," said Hagai Levine, a doctor who heads the health team for the Hostages and Missing Families Forum. Levine, who has compiled medical files for each hostage since the start of the war, says there isn't up-to-date information on the precise medical state of each hostage and that he relies on released hostages' testimonies and Hamas videos. 'It's like treating a patient with a heart disease based on his EKG from three months ago," he said. In recent days, Einav Zangauker, whose son Matan, 25, was kidnapped from a kibbutz, met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, whom she hugged. It was a surprising display of affection toward the Netanyahus. Zangauker has been one of the prime minister's fiercest critics over his refusal to end the war for the release of all the hostages. She later said that Netanyahu had assured her in the meeting he would free all the hostages. She declined to comment for this article. The deal being discussed in Doha includes a stipulation that the two sides are supposed to immediately enter into negotiations for a second stage that would end the war and free the remaining hostages. Some fear the second stage will never come. A previous cease-fire deal earlier this year never reached a second stage after Israel resumed fighting in the enclave. Hamas has sought stronger guarantees from mediators that talks will proceed to an end for the war, something Israel has so far refused. Parents of soldiers held in Gaza are especially worried because they have heard from released hostages that soldiers are treated worse than civilians and face violence and interrogations by militants. Previous cease-fire deals placed soldiers in the last category for release. They fear they could be left for last. Out of the 20, two were soldiers captured in uniform. Some families of soldiers say they feel betrayed by their government because it failed to protect their loved ones during the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks that started the war, and now could be leaving them behind again. Edan Alexander, an American-Israeli citizen, is the only soldier captured in uniform who has so far been freed in a deal. That deal was between the U.S. and Hamas and didn't include Israel. In Israel, where military service is mandatory at age 18, many Israelis believe that the oath taken by a soldier to protect the state means the country will do everything to protect him in return. 'My Matan is a soldier and our country didn't fight for the soldiers as part of the deals," Angrest said. 'This contract has been broken." Write to Anat Peled at
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Business Standard
09-07-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Hotels, restaurants may go on token strike in Maha over tax hikes: AHAR
The Indian Hotels and Restaurants Association (AHAR) on Wednesday said its members might go on a token strike if the Maharashtra government does not provide relief to hotels and restaurants regarding hikes in value-added tax (VAT) on liquor, licence fees, and excise duty. This comes after VAT on liquor was raised to 10 per cent from 5 per cent in 2023, followed by a 15 per cent hike in licence fees for the financial year 2025–26 (FY26). Small hotel owners now have to pay Rs 86,250 per month as licence fees to the state government, according to AHAR. Additionally, a 60 per cent hike in excise duty has made it difficult for small to medium hotels and restaurants to sustain their businesses. "It's a humble request to the Maharashtra government, honourable chief minister and honourable deputy chief minister, I request you to listen to us… All of Maharashtra is in agitation mode. Give us some relief in this (hike in tax). Otherwise, the next course of action is the token strike, which has not been declared yet,' said Sudhakar Shetty, president, AHAR. 'We appeal to the government to engage with the industry and initiate urgent steps to roll back the tax hikes.' AHAR, started by a group of hoteliers to safeguard their interests in 1979, currently has over 19,000 members in Maharashtra. While the rise in VAT on liquor, licence fees and excise duty does not affect large hotel and restaurant chains in the state, it becomes a major issue for small-scale hotels and restaurants, which compete in a price-sensitive market, said two hotel executives on condition of anonymity. Many members of the association, especially restaurants with a 50 to 100 seat capacity, believe they may not be able to continue operating in the current environment. AHAR also noted that these concerns might drive domestic and international tourists towards other states, resulting in a decline in footfalls, business activity, and ultimately lower state revenues. This comes at a time when the Prime Minister's Office, in collaboration with the World Bank, has laid out a vision to make Mumbai the top tourist destination in India. 'With rising costs passed on to consumers, the affordability of services in the sector is now under threat, further reducing demand and deepening the crisis,' AHAR said in its statement.
