Latest news with #SouthAsia
BBC News
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Birmingham City's Riya Mannu inspired by Bend it like Beckham
Professional footballer Riya Mannu has said she was inspired to take up the sport by her favourite film, Bend It Like 18-year-old is the first South Asian woman to play league football for Birmingham City made her debut for the club this season, and said she was trying to be a role model for young players who may follow said the lack of role models when she was younger was partly why the film meant so much to her. She said: "It's my favourite film for a number of reasons, because it shows the South Asian culture in a positive way and her [Jess, played by Parminder Nagra] parents actually do support her eventually and it shows that parents actually do support South Asian young added that she could not have become a footballer without the strong support network around her, thanks to her family."My club have been great - the only worry for me was just playing football and just scoring goals and just playing it because I love the sport." she spoke to presenter Naga Munchetty as part of BBC Radio 5 Live's Names Will Be Made from Loughborough University, the home of the new Women in Sport Research and Innovation Hub, it brought together more than 30 elite athletes, rising stars, and leading experts for an in-depth exploration of women's sport."At 5 Live, we're passionate about giving women's sport the platform it deserves," Controller Heidi Dawson said."Names Will Be Made Live is a chance to amplify the voices driving change, challenging outdated thinking, and inspiring the next generation." Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Activist: Would be ‘regrettable' if Pakistan develops ICBMs
(NewsNation) — Dr. Ira Helfand, a Nobel Peace Prize recipient with the grassroots group Back from the Brink Campaign, said it would be 'regrettable' if Pakistan had the ability to develop intercontinental ballistic missiles. 'This is just a small part of a much larger problem,' Helfand said during an appearance on 'Elizabeth Vargas Reports' on Friday. 'All of the countries that have nuclear weapons are rapidly enhancing their nuclear arsenals and delivery systems. It's all very destabilized, and it's all very dangerous.' Trump says he'd consider bombing Iran again if concerns grow Pakistan is reportedly developing nuclear ICBMs that can be delivered to a major American city. The country says its nuclear program is only for deterrence against its rival India, another nuclear nation with which they have been in recent conflict. Helfand said President Donald Trump, who has been credited by Pakistan with helping defuse the conflict between it and India, should address the situation of nuclear weapons as soon as possible. 'We are already facing a grave danger in South Asia and this new Pakistani missile,' Helfand said. 'India and Pakistan have had three wars and a mini one in May of this year. If they have another war, it will escalate into nuclear conflict.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Forbes
7 hours ago
- Forbes
Sundarbans National Park Is Home To Swimming Tigers And Fierce Snakes
The name "Sundarbans" means "beautiful forest" in the Bengali language. While India boasts top-tier wildlife preserves like Ranthambore National Park and Gir National Park, those who venture to the Bangladesh border can find a truly spectacular ecotourism destination in the form of Sundarbans National Park. Established back in 1984, this sprawling preserve measures in at 1,330 square kilometers, serving as a crucial haven for South Asia's native mangrove forests—and in addition to vast swathes of indigenous flora, the Sundarbans are also perfect for encountering a staggering array of creatures both large and small. While native fauna spans from the northern river terrapin to the Asian small-clawed otter, the park is best known for one animal in particular: the Bengal tiger. While this subspecies can be found across a large portion of South Asia, the Sundarbans population has perfectly adapted to life in the mangroves, providing visitors with an opportunity to marvel at the beasts as they thrive in a unique habitat. Throughout the day, the park's resident tigers can be found paddling through the brackish waters as they search for food—and if you're truly lucky, you might be able to catch a glimpse of the animals in action, with mammals like the chital deer and wild boar serving as prey for the local felines. Despite the name, the buffy fish owl also feeds on crustaceans, amphibians and reptiles. Beyond big cats, the murky waters of the Sundarbans play host to a wealth of fish and crustacean species—and this high concentration of biomass serves as the perfect buffet for all sorts of native birds. Waders abound along the many mangroves, with the Asian openbill, painted stork and little egret being just a few of the avian species that can be spotted during a visit, while eye-catching passerines range from the purple-rumped sunbird to the eastern yellow wagtail. And when it comes to raptors, birders can keep their eyes peeled for a wealth of majestic species, with crested serpent eagles, black kites and buffy fish owls all calling the park home. While the verdant treetops of Sundarbans National Park are brimming with all sorts of birds, visitors can also encounter a wide range of reptiles during a foray into the mangroves. Amidst the many water monitors and garden lizards, guests might catch a glimpse of a snake lounging along the preserve, with resident species spanning from the Russell's viper to the king cobra, a colossal creature that's capable of measuring in at more than five meters in length. However, when it comes to true ferocity, it's tough to beat the saltwater crocodile. While their native range spans from northern Australia to the Tamil Nadu coast, the Sundarbans play host to a particularly large population, providing plenty of opportunities to spot these colossal reptiles in the flesh. The king cobra is the earth's longest venomous snake. After a few days spent exploring the vibrant food scene and rich culture of Kolkata, Sundarbans National Park is perfect for a deep dive into the India of yore, with the diverse flora and fauna thriving across the region as they have for eons. Whether you're a seasoned birdwatcher, a hardcore herpetologist or just a casual wildlife aficionado, this storied preserve is certain to leave you with lasting memories of the rich beauty of West Bengal and all of its native creatures.
Arab News
18 hours ago
- Business
- Arab News
Pakistan approves 10 percent gas price hike for industry, power plants under IMF conditions
KARACHI: Pakistan on Friday approved a 10 percent increase in natural gas prices for industrial users and power plants starting next month, in line with reforms mandated by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to ensure cost recovery and tariff rationalization, an official statement said. The decision was taken by the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet, chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb. While prices for bulk consumers and gas-fired power plants will rise, household consumers will be shielded from the increase. 'To protect household consumers, gas prices will remain unchanged, with only fixed charges revised,' the Finance Division said in a statement released after the meeting. 'However, prices for bulk consumers, industrial units and power plants will be increased by an average of 10 percent.' The statement said the revised pricing structure, submitted by the Petroleum Division, complies with regulatory obligations under the OGRA Ordinance and meets structural benchmarks under Pakistan's ongoing loan program with the IMF. It also supports a shift from cross-subsidies to direct, targeted assistance for low-income consumers. DEFENSE GRANT The ECC also approved a Rs15.8 billion ($55.3 million) supplementary grant for the Ministry of Defense to cover a shortfall in salaries, allowances and pending dues. The funding includes disbursements under the prime minister's compensation package for martyrs of the recent Pakistan-India war fought last month. In a separate decision, the committee gave in-principle approval to launch a risk coverage scheme for small farmers and underserved regions by August 14. The program is expected to bring 750,000 new borrowers into the formal credit system and unlock a Rs300 billion ($1.05 billion) agricultural loan portfolio over three years (FY2026-28). The statement said the total budgetary support for the scheme, covering risk coverage and bank operating costs, is estimated at Rs37.5 billion ($131.25 million), to be disbursed between FY2027 and FY2031. The government has directed relevant ministries to incorporate additional safeguards before the official rollout.
Russia Today
18 hours ago
- Business
- Russia Today
Indian coal imports from Russia reach two year high
India increased its imports of Russian thermal coal to a two-year high of 1.3 million tons in May, business daily Kommersant reported on Friday. The growth was primarily driven by flexible pricing and high-quality coal from Russian exporters, the report said, adding that Russia now accounts for 7.5% of India's coal imports. India, which imported 9.8 million tons of Indonesian coal in May, is now looking to increase its imports of higher-grade Russian coal. The South Asian nation's total thermal coal imports rose by 10% in May to 17.4 million tons, the highest level since June 2024, Kommersant reported, citing data from BigMint. Favorable market conditions have prompted India to reduce its imports of lower-calorific-value Indonesian coal in favour of higher-grade Russian coal, which is offered at competitive prices, Nariman Taiketayev, Director of the Corporate Ratings Group at National Credit Ratings told the daily. Russian suppliers are also generally more amenable to flexible pricing and India's future demand for coal will depend on a combination of price dynamics and weather-related factors, he added. Evgeny Grachev, director of the Russian Centre for Price Indices, believes that Russian coal exporters most likely increased volumes of exports to India within the bounds of existing contracts. He told Kommersant that the early onset of the rainy season will increase hydropower generation in India and 'put pressure on thermal generation and coal consumption.' India, which is dependent on coal for 70% of its electricity needs, announced a record coal production of 1.04 billion tons in March. Coal Minister G. Kishan Reddy has said that production should reach about 1.53 billion tons by 2030.
