Nepal Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli extended an invitation to his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi to visit the Himalayan nation. Oli extended the invitation to PM Modi for the visit through visiting Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, who paid a courtesy call on Oli, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister's secretariat. Oli was sworn in as Nepal's prime minister for a fourth time last month. He assumed office after the government led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' lost the vote of confidence in the House of Representatives. Misri also called on the former prime minister and Nepali Congress president Sher Bahadur Deuba at his residence. During the meeting, they discussed various matters relating to mutual interest, according to Deuba's office.
Indian man puts 2-foot live eel up his anus
An Indian man in Vietnam almost lost his life after putting a live eel up his anus. According to reports, the eel chewed through his intestines and had to be removed from his abdomen. The 31-year-old man reached Viet Duc Hospital in Hanoi complaining of severe abdominal pain. Doctors learnt that the man had slipped a 2-foot live eel up his anus earlier in the day. The patient was immediately examined and had to undergo several tests. During the imaging, they found the eel lying inside his abdominal cavity. The hospital promptly assembled a team to remove the eel. They first tried to reach the eel through the patient’s anus. However, he had also inserted a large lemon after the eel, and doctors found it blocking the way. The expert then opted for emergency surgery to remove the eel. On opening the abdomen, they found the live eel approximately 65 cm long and 10 cm in circumference.
Indians on foreign trips hit a new high
In the April-June period this year, over 80,00,000 Indians travelled abroad, a new high. Last year, this was just 68,90,000, even if you take pre-Covid 2019, the number of people on foreign visits was just 54,10,000, according to figures released by ICRA. The reasons aren’t too far to seek. The travel bug that bit humanity after cooped up indoors for months during the Covid lockdown has not spared India, as well, with many taking up outbound trips with gusto once limitations were relaxed. Indian government's active pursuit for visa concessions from friendly countries has also helped. On last count, Indians get visa-free access to a total of 62 countries around the world, making the Indian passport the 80th most powerful in the world.
Tribute to gurdwara shooting victims in US
US lawmakers paid tributes to the members of the Sikh community who were killed in a massacre at a Milwaukee gurdwara 12 years ago, underscoring the need to reject bigotry and recommit to fighting hate and racism, as well as ending the gun violence epidemic in America. US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield visited the Oak Creek Sikh Temple in the Wisconsin city on the 12th anniversary of the “deadliest massacre of Sikhs on US soil” when a white supremacist claimed the lives of seven members of the community. “The Ambassador joined the victims’ families, community members, and temple leaders to honour those lives lost and lead a conversation on their ongoing efforts to combat hate against marginalised communities,” the statement said.
Unilever fined Rs 60 mn in Pakistan
The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has passed an order imposing a fine of Rs 60 million on Unilever Pakistan for airing deceptive claims through television commercials for its hygiene and cleansing products, ‘Lifebuoy Soap’ and ‘Lifebuoy Hand Wash’. The commission’s bench has disposed of proceedings pertaining to a show-cause notice issued to Unilever Pakistan for prima facie violations of Section 10 of the Competition Act of 2010 that prevents businesses from engaging in deceptive marketing tactics based on misleading information or false claims. Based on a complaint submitted by Reckitt Benckiser about products, the CCP conducted an inquiry into Unilever Pakistan’s claims regarding its products, such as Lifebuoy Soap and Lifebuoy Hand Wash.
Uganda landslide kills 18 people
A landslide at a rubbish dump in Uganda’s capital, Kampala, has killed at least 18 people, authorities have reported as they continue to search for survivors. The landslide buried people, livestock and homes as residents slept. “The rescue operation is still ongoing until we are sure no one is trapped,” police spokesperson Patrick Onyango said. Fourteen people have been rescued as well as several animals, he added, cautioning that more people could still be trapped. “In our estimation, about 1,000 people have been displaced by the incident, and [we are] currently working with other agencies of government and the community leadership to see how to help the affected people,” he said. The Uganda Red Cross said tents have been set up near the site for those displaced by the landslide.
Pak army chief warns anarchists
Pakistan army chief General Asim Munir said that the act of spreading anarchy in the country was the “greatest sin”, alluding to the turmoil in Bangladesh that led to ex-PM Sheikh Hasina resigning and fleeing the country. “If anyone tries to spread chaos in Pakistan, by God, we (army) will stand against them,” General Munir said at a national convention. “Whoever doesn’t adhere to the Shariah (Islamic law) and the Constitution, we don’t consider them Pakistanis.” He blamed mostly social media for instances of anarchy in the region, suggesting further curbs could be clamped as online campaigns criticising Pakistan’s powerful military gain traction. Munir termed Kashmir an “incomplete agenda” involving Pakistan and India.
5 US troops hurt in rocket attack at Iraq base
Five US service members and two contractors were injured when two rockets hit a military base in Iraq, US officials said Tuesday, providing a bit more detail about the Monday strike. The officials said five of those injured were being treated at the al-Asad airbase and two were evacuated, but all seven are in stable condition. They did not provide details on who was evacuated. The rocket attack is the latest in what has been an uptick in strikes on US forces by Iranian-backed militias. A Pentagon statement on a call between defence Secretary Lloyd Austin and his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant described the rocket fire as an “Iran-aligned militia attack on US forces” and said the two agreed that it “marked a dangerous escalation”.
Iraq may reduce legal age of marriage for girls to 9
A proposed bill in Iraq's parliament has sparked widespread outrage and concern, as it seeks to reduce the legal age of marriage for girls to just 9 years old. The controversial legislation, introduced by the Iraq Justice Ministry, aims to amend the country's Personal Status Law, which currently sets the minimum age for marriage at 18. The bill would allow citizens to choose between religious authorities or the civil judiciary to decide on family affairs. Critics fear this will lead to a slashing of rights in matters of inheritance, divorce, and child custody. If passed, the bill would allow girls as young as 9 and boys as young as 15 to wed, sparking fears of increased child marriage and exploitation.
