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Indian Express
04-07-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Terrorism humanity's enemy, must unite to deny it any shelter: PM Modi
Terming terrorism as the enemy of humanity, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday said the global community must stand united to deny it any shelter or space. Addressing the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago, PM Modi said, 'Our two countries may differ in size and geography, but we are deeply aligned in our values. We are proud democracies. We believe in dialogue, sovereignty, multilateralism and human dignity. In these times of conflicts, we must remain true to these values.' 'Terrorism is the enemy of humanity. This very Red House has itself witnessed the wounds of terror and the loss of innocent blood. We must stand united to deny terrorism any shelter or space. We thank the people and the government of this country for standing with us in our fight against terrorism,' he said. PM Narendra Modi, who had arrived in the Caribbean nation Thursday, was received by Trinidad & Tobago PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar. 'People in India consider Prime Minister Kamla ji as the daughter of Bihar,' Modi said at Piarco International Airport. Modi was conferred with 'The Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago', becoming the first foreign leader to receive the Caribbean country's highest civilian honour. The two sides signed pacts on the pharmaceutical sector, Indian aid for projects, cultural exchanges, sports, diplomat training and Indian studies chair at University of West Indies. The two countries are also working on a trade pact and an investment treaty, partnering towards establishing local drug manufacturing facilities, biotech parks, and telemedicine networks in the Caribbean nation, a regional forensic science laboratory, and implementing a disaster alert system in the island to strengthen national emergency response. Kamla Persad-Bissessar said, 'As we move ahead, We aim to expand our exports to tap into India's 1.4 billion consumers… We are also pursuing a partial scope trade agreement…and we are laying the foundation for a new bilateral investment treaty.' She said, 'We want to partner with Indian pharmaceutical leaders to establish local drug manufacturing facilities, biotech parks, telemedicine networks…India has also pledged support for a Jaipur foot camp, sea ambulances..' She expressed willingness to adopt India's UPI system and collaborate on India stack tools such as Aadhaar and Digi locker. 'This visit is more than just diplomacy. It marks the dawn in renewed South-South partnership, grounded in shared history and grounded in forward looking purpose,' Kamla Persad-Bissessar said. PM Modi said, 'It is time for us to work together, to give the Global South its rightful seat at the right table. To ensure climate justice, so that the burden does not fall on those who have contributed the least to the climate crisis. We consider Trinidad and Tobago an important partner in this endeavour.' This is Modi's first visit to the country as prime minister and the first Indian bilateral visit at the prime ministerial level to Trinidad and Tobago since 1999. PM Modi underlined that these special ties were based on shared history and cultural heritage forged by Indians who arrived in the country 180 years ago. He affirmed his commitment to further deepening the bilateral partnership between India and Trinidad & Tobago. Modi said Trinidad and Tobago is not only a CARICOM partner for India but also an important partner globally. 'Our cooperation is significant for the entire Global South,' he added. CARICOM, the Caribbean Community, is a regional political and economic union of 15 states and five associated members. Modi said he brought a replica of the Ram temple and some water from the river Sarayu in Ayodhya. 'I request Kamla ji (prime minister) to offer the holy waters of the Sarayu River and Maha Kumbh to the Ganga Dhara here. May these holy waters bless the people of Trinidad and Tobago,' he added. Modi said India is actively working on creating a comprehensive database of the Girmitiya community. The community comprised indentured labourers sent from British India to work on plantations in South Africa, Fiji, Mauritius and the Caribbean islands. 'Today, I am happy to announce that OCI cards will now be given to the sixth generation of the Indian diaspora in Trinidad & Tobago. You are not just connected by blood or surname. You are connected by belonging. India looks out for you, India welcomes you, and India embraces you,' he said. After his visit, he will leave for the third-leg of the 5-nation trip to Argentina. From Port of Spain, he will travel to Buenos Aires. This will be the first bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Argentina in 57 years. Argentina is a key economic partner in Latin America and a close collaborator in the G20, and will meet President Javier Milei on Saturday. Shubhajit Roy, Diplomatic Editor at The Indian Express, has been a journalist for more than 25 years now. Roy joined The Indian Express in October 2003 and has been reporting on foreign affairs for more than 17 years now. Based in Delhi, he has also led the National government and political bureau at The Indian Express in Delhi — a team of reporters who cover the national government and politics for the newspaper. He has got the Ramnath Goenka Journalism award for Excellence in Journalism '2016. He got this award for his coverage of the Holey Bakery attack in Dhaka and its aftermath. He also got the IIMCAA Award for the Journalist of the Year, 2022, (Jury's special mention) for his coverage of the fall of Kabul in August 2021 — he was one of the few Indian journalists in Kabul and the only mainstream newspaper to have covered the Taliban's capture of power in mid-August, 2021. ... Read More
Indian Express
04-07-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Terrorism humanity's enemy, must unite to deny it any shelter: PM Strap: India, Trinidad and Tobago working on trade ties, investment treaty
Terming terrorism as the enemy of humanity, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday said the global community must stand united to deny it any shelter or space. Addressing the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago, PM Modi said, 'Our two countries may differ in size and geography, but we are deeply aligned in our values. We are proud democracies. We believe in dialogue, sovereignty, multilateralism and human dignity. In these times of conflicts, we must remain true to these values.' 'Terrorism is the enemy of humanity. This very Red House has itself witnessed the wounds of terror and the loss of innocent blood. We must stand united to deny terrorism any shelter or space. We thank the people and the government of this country for standing with us in our fight against terrorism,' he said. PM Narendra Modi, who had arrived in the Caribbean nation Thursday, was received by Trinidad & Tobago PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar. 'People in India consider Prime Minister Kamla ji as the daughter of Bihar,' Modi said at Piarco International Airport. Modi was conferred with 'The Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago', becoming the first foreign leader to receive the Caribbean country's highest civilian honour. The two sides signed pacts on the pharmaceutical sector, Indian aid for projects, cultural exchanges, sports, diplomat training and Indian studies chair at University of West Indies. The two countries are also working on a trade pact and an investment treaty, partnering towards establishing local drug manufacturing facilities, biotech parks, and telemedicine networks in the Caribbean nation, a regional forensic science laboratory, and implementing a disaster alert system in the island to strengthen national emergency response. Kamla Persad-Bissessar said, 'As we move ahead, We aim to expand our exports to tap into India's 1.4 billion consumers… We are also pursuing a partial scope trade agreement…and we are laying the foundation for a new bilateral investment treaty.' She said, 'We want to partner with Indian pharmaceutical leaders to establish local drug manufacturing facilities, biotech parks, telemedicine networks…India has also pledged support for a Jaipur foot camp, sea ambulances..' She expressed willingness to adopt India's UPI system and collaborate on India stack tools such as Aadhaar and Digi locker. 'This visit is more than just diplomacy. It marks the dawn in renewed South-South partnership, grounded in shared history and grounded in forward looking purpose,' Kamla Persad-Bissessar said. PM Modi said, 'It is time for us to work together, to give the Global South its rightful seat at the right table. To ensure climate justice, so that the burden does not fall on those who have contributed the least to the climate crisis. We consider Trinidad and Tobago an important partner in this endeavour.' This is Modi's first visit to the country as prime minister and the first Indian bilateral visit at the prime ministerial level to Trinidad and Tobago since 1999. PM Modi underlined that these special ties were based on shared history and cultural heritage forged by Indians who arrived in the country 180 years ago. He affirmed his commitment to further deepening the bilateral partnership between India and Trinidad & Tobago. Modi said Trinidad and Tobago is not only a CARICOM partner for India but also an important partner globally. 'Our cooperation is significant for the entire Global South,' he added. CARICOM, the Caribbean Community, is a regional political and economic union of 15 states and five associated members. Modi said he brought a replica of the Ram temple and some water from the river Sarayu in Ayodhya. 'I request Kamla ji (prime minister) to offer the holy waters of the Sarayu River and Maha Kumbh to the Ganga Dhara here. May these holy waters bless the people of Trinidad and Tobago,' he added. Modi said India is actively working on creating a comprehensive database of the Girmitiya community. The community comprised indentured labourers sent from British India to work on plantations in South Africa, Fiji, Mauritius and the Caribbean islands. 'Today, I am happy to announce that OCI cards will now be given to the sixth generation of the Indian diaspora in Trinidad & Tobago. You are not just connected by blood or surname. You are connected by belonging. India looks out for you, India welcomes you, and India embraces you,' he said. After his visit, he will leave for the third-leg of the 5-nation trip to Argentina. From Port of Spain, he will travel to Buenos Aires. This will be the first bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Argentina in 57 years. Argentina is a key economic partner in Latin America and a close collaborator in the G20, and will meet President Javier Milei on Saturday. Shubhajit Roy, Diplomatic Editor at The Indian Express, has been a journalist for more than 25 years now. Roy joined The Indian Express in October 2003 and has been reporting on foreign affairs for more than 17 years now. Based in Delhi, he has also led the National government and political bureau at The Indian Express in Delhi — a team of reporters who cover the national government and politics for the newspaper. He has got the Ramnath Goenka Journalism award for Excellence in Journalism '2016. He got this award for his coverage of the Holey Bakery attack in Dhaka and its aftermath. He also got the IIMCAA Award for the Journalist of the Year, 2022, (Jury's special mention) for his coverage of the fall of Kabul in August 2021 — he was one of the few Indian journalists in Kabul and the only mainstream newspaper to have covered the Taliban's capture of power in mid-August, 2021. ... Read More
Mint
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Mint
Who is Trinidad and Tobago PM Kamla Persad, hailed as ‘Bihar ki Beti' by PM Modi: All you need to know
Kamla Persad-Bissessar, the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, traces her roots to Bhelupur village in Bihar's Buxar district. Her great-grandfather, Ram Lakhan Mishra, migrated as an indentured laborer in 1889, a journey confirmed through ship tickets and land records preserved by the family. During a poignant 2012 visit to her ancestral village, she declared: "Bihar is in my DNA" while embracing relatives. Prime Minister Modi highlighted this connection during his July 2025 visit, calling her "Bihar ki Beti" (Daughter of Bihar) before the Indian diaspora. Born in rural Siparia in 1952, Persad-Bissessar earned multiple degrees, including law honors where she topped her class, before teaching at the University of West Indies. Her political journey began in 1987 as a local councilor. She shattered glass ceilings as Trinidad's first female Attorney General (1995), and first woman Opposition Leader (2006), and made history in 2010 as the nation's first female Prime Minister. After electoral victories in 2025, she reclaimed the premiership, taking her oath on the Bhagavad Gita. Persad-Bissessar actively nurtures Indo-Caribbean ties, hosting PM Modi with Bhojpuri Chautaal folk performances and ministers in traditional Indian attire. During his visit, PM Modi gifted her Sarayu river water and a Ram Mandir replica, reciprocating the diaspora's earlier contributions of sacred water and stones for Ayodhya's temple. In 2012, India honored her with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman, the highest award for overseas Indians, acknowledging her bridge-building efforts. Married to obstetrician Dr. Gregory Bissessar since 1971, she balances political life with family in Penal, Trinidad. Her leadership extends beyond politics; she champions education and women's empowerment, crediting her grandmothers, who supported their families as widows, for her resilience. With 45% of Trinidad's population having Indian roots, her story embodies the enduring legacy of Girmitiya laborers who preserved Bihar's culture abroad.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
The Pandemic Did Not Affect The Moon After All, Scientists Say
Can a global pandemic affect temperatures on the Moon? A 2024 study linked worldwide lockdowns with a drop in heat radiation reaching the Moon from Earth – but now scientists say that wasn't actually what was going on. Here's the original hypothesis from last year: As businesses closed their doors in 2020 and we all spent more time at home, carbon emissions dropped and there was a drop in terrestrial radiation – the heat being generated by our planet, and taken up by the Moon. Previous research has raised the question of terrestrial radiation influencing lunar surface temperatures – and indeed there was an observed drop in Moon nighttime temperatures across April and May 2020, when many lockdowns were in force. In the latest study, researchers from the Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) and the University of West Indies (UWI) wanted to take a closer look at the data – and found some problems with the link between COVID-19 and lunar temperatures. "The idea that our activity, or lack of activity, on Earth would have significant influence on the temperatures of the Moon – which is almost 240,000 miles from us – didn't seem likely, but we decided to keep an open mind and conduct additional research," says civil engineer William Schonberg from Missouri S&T. Looking at the data, the researchers found some problems with the original hypothesis. First, there was a dip in lunar temperatures in 2018 similar to the one in 2020, and a steady decline from 2019 – which doesn't quite fit in with the timing of the pandemic and its lockdowns. In fact, the temperature readings gathered by NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter suggest cyclical fluctuations rather than one distinct dip, according to the updated analysis. The researchers also point to a 2021 study which found that any emissions reduction linked to COVID-19 only affected the lower parts of Earth's atmosphere. "We're not disputing that the temperatures did go down at different times during the time frame studied, but it seems to be a bit of a stretch to state with any certainty that human activity was the primary cause of this," says Schonberg. The researchers behind the new study also raise the possibility that fewer pollutants and a clearer night sky would actually increase the heat being reflected back from Earth to the Moon – potentially raising rather than reducing lunar temperatures. There are of course a multitude of factors at play here, but the conclusion of the new study is that shifts in human activity are unlikely to have an impact on the temperatures on the Moon – during COVID-19 or any other period. "During the Moon's nighttime, there is a small possibility that heat and radiation from Earth might have a very small effect on the lunar surface temperatures," says Schonberg. "But this influence would probably be so minimal that it would be difficult to measure or even notice." The research has been published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters. Scientists Simulated Bennu Crashing to Earth in September 2182. It's Not Pretty. At 1.3 Billion Light-Years Wide, Quipu Is Officially The Biggest Thing in The Universe Hubble Reveals Cosmic Bullet That Gave The Bullseye Galaxy Its Record-Breaking Rings
