Japanese PM Takaichi dissolves lower House to hold elections on February 8

Tokyo, Jan 23 (IANS) Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Friday dissolved House of Representatives for a snap election set to be held on February 8, local media reported. The lower house dissolution at the outset of the ordinary parliamentary session effectively began a short campaign time for political parties ahead of the polls, with […]
India, Japan bolster strategic and economic ties

New Delhi, Jan 23 (IANS) The India-Japan Foreign Ministers’ dialogue in New Delhi this month reflects the strengthening of the “Special Strategic and Global Partnership” between two Indo-Pacific heavyweights navigating geopolitical flux. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and his Japanese counterpart, Toshimitsu Motegi, reaffirmed the ‘Japan-India Joint Vision for the Next Decade’ unveiled during Prime […]
Laos boosts efforts to eliminate workplace discrimination

Vientiane, Jan 23 (IANS) Laos’ Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare is stepping up efforts to eliminate discrimination in the workplace, including gender-based abuse and child labour. These efforts were reinforced on Wednesday during a meeting to review a draft training manual and communication tools aimed at preventing discrimination in the world of work. The […]
China could conduct ‘more aggressive’ operations around Taiwan, think tank warns

Taipei, Jan 23 (IANS) Global Taiwan Institute (GTI) Director John Dotson has warned that the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) could conduct “more aggressive, ambitious operations around Taiwan,” while preparing for Chinese President Xi Jinping’s goal of the PLA having the capability to take Taiwan by 2027, local media reported on Friday. A senior non-resident fellow […]
South Korean President Lee calls for public support for balanced regional growth

Seoul, Jan 23 (IANS) South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said Friday that public support is crucial for the government’s push for balanced regional growth, as it seeks to ease excessive concentration in the Seoul metropolitan area and foster new growth engines nationwide. Lee made the remarks as his administration is striving to develop five […]
Banks in China unable to dispose collateral homes, system under strain: Report

New Delhi, Jan 23 (IANS) China’s rural banks are stuck with hundreds of foreclosed homes that couldn’t get auctioned even at steep discounts, signalling deep stress in the property sector and financial system, a report has said. The report in Modern Diplomacy said that the stress in the property sector spilled into local bank balance […]
‘India vital balancing force in times of unprecedented geopolitical instability’

Tel Aviv, Jan 23 (IANS) With Tel Aviv’s position in the West weakening and currents within American public discourse growing more hostile, Israel believes that India’s leadership of BRICS carries immense significance for it on several fronts, a report highlighted on Friday. “India remains the organization’s ‘responsible adult’. New Delhi places importance on preventing BRICS […]
Balika Vadhu’s Neha Marda talks about losing all confidence post pregnancy

Mumbai Jan 23 (IANS) Popular television actress Neha Marda recently had opened up on how body odour post pregnancy had shattered her confidence. The actress who recently turned an entrepreneur, appeared on Sony Entertainment Television’s Shark Tank India, where she pitched her personal care brand and opened up about the deeply personal reason behind starting […]
Taapsee Pannu turns lawyer in gripping ‘Assi’ motion poster

Mumbai, Jan 23 (IANS) After keeping everyone in suspense with intriguing campaigns around “Assi”, the makers have finally revealed that Taapsee Pannu will be seen in the upcoming stirring film, helmed by Anubhav Sinha. The makers unveiled the motion poster on Friday, offering a gripping glimpse into the film. Taapsee shared it on Instagram, where […]
Anupama Parameswaran’s ‘Lockdown’ to finally release on Jan 30

Chennai, Jan 23 (IANS) The makers of director A R Jeeva’s gripping drama, ‘Lockdown’, featuring actress Anupama Parameswaran in the lead, on Friday announced that their film would now release on January 30 this year. Taking to its X timeline, Lyca Productions, the firm producing the picture, wrote, “Every pause had a purpose. #Lockdown in […]